Key Points:

• TSA PreCheck and Global Entry enrollment appointments are completely suspended during the government shutdown, affecting thousands of travelers who had scheduled interviews.
• Existing memberships remain valid and active, so current cardholders can continue using expedited security lanes and customs processing without interruption.
• Credit card statement credits for application fees are still being issued, but you'll need to wait until government operations resume to actually complete your enrollment.

Government shutdowns create chaos for travelers, and the current one is no exception. If you've been planning to enroll in TSA PreCheck or Global Entry, or if you had an appointment scheduled, you're now in limbo. Here's everything you need to know about how the shutdown affects trusted traveler programs and what you can do about it.

Before we dive into the specifics, it's worth noting that several premium travel credit cards offer statement credits that reimburse these application fees. Understanding which cards provide this benefit can help you plan your application strategy once the shutdown ends.

What's Actually Closed Right Now

The Department of Homeland Security has suspended all new enrollment activities for TSA PreCheck, Global Entry, NEXUS, and SENTRI programs. This means:

Completely halted services:

• New enrollment appointments at all enrollment centers nationwide
• Interview scheduling for first-time applicants
• Renewal interviews that require in-person visits
• Customer service for application questions
• Processing of new applications submitted online

Services that continue operating:

• Existing TSA PreCheck lanes at airport security
• Global Entry kiosks at international airports
• NEXUS and SENTRI lanes at land borders
• Mobile Passport Control app functionality
• All benefits for current members with valid memberships

Your Known Traveler Number (KTN) doesn't expire just because the government shut down. If you're already enrolled in any trusted traveler program, you can keep using it exactly as you did before.

If You Had an Appointment Scheduled

Thousands of travelers are dealing with canceled appointments right now. Enrollment centers sent cancellation emails, but the communication has been inconsistent. Some applicants received notices within hours of the shutdown, while others found out only when they showed up for their appointments.

What happens to your application:Your application remains in the system and your payment won't be refunded. Once the shutdown ends, you'll need to reschedule your appointment. The challenge is that there will likely be a massive backlog of canceled appointments plus new applicants all competing for available slots.

Steps to take now:Check the enrollment center websites periodically for updates. The moment the shutdown ends, appointment slots will fill quickly. Set a reminder to check daily if you need your enrollment completed for upcoming travel.

If you used a credit card statement credit to pay your application fee, that credit has already been applied to your account. You won't need to reapply or pay again – you're just waiting for your interview slot.

Credit Card Benefits Still Apply (Sort Of)

This creates an awkward situation for credit card benefits. Many premium travel cards offer statement credits that reimburse your TSA PreCheck or Global Entry application fee. The good news is these credits are still being processed.

Cards offering application fee credits include:

• Chase Sapphire Reserve: $100 Global Entry or TSA PreCheck credit every four years
• American Express Platinum: $100 Global Entry or TSA PreCheck credit every four years (starting 2025, select one program)
• Capital One Venture X: $100 Global Entry or TSA PreCheck credit every four years
• Citi Prestige: $100 Global Entry or TSA PreCheck credit every four years
• Bank of America Premium Rewards: $100 TSA PreCheck or Global Entry credit every four years

You can still submit your application and pay the fee during the shutdown. Your credit card will issue the statement credit as usual. However, you can't complete the enrollment process until the government reopens, so you're essentially paying now to get in line for later.

Some travelers are taking this approach specifically to lock in their credit before annual fee renewals or before potentially downgrading or canceling premium travel cards. If you're planning to keep your card and need trusted traveler access in the next few months, this strategy makes sense.

The Renewal Situation Gets Complicated

Renewals operate differently from new enrollments, and the shutdown affects them in varying ways depending on your program and circumstances.

Global Entry renewals:Most Global Entry renewals can be completed entirely online without an interview. If you're eligible for this streamlined renewal (which most members are after their first renewal), the shutdown shouldn't affect you. However, online renewal processing may be delayed since it requires review by CBP officers.

If your renewal requires an interview – typically if there have been changes to your status or if you're flagged for additional review – you're in the same situation as new applicants. You'll need to wait for enrollment centers to reopen.

TSA PreCheck renewals:TSA PreCheck offers online renewal for some members, but many renewals still require in-person visits. If you need an in-person renewal and your membership expires during the shutdown, you'll temporarily lose access to PreCheck lanes until you can complete your renewal.

The grace period reality:Both programs technically expire on their stated expiration date. However, TSA and CBP have sometimes provided grace periods during previous shutdowns. Don't count on this happening automatically – it's been inconsistent in past situations.

What This Means for Your Travel Plans

If you don't currently have TSA PreCheck or Global Entry, you're back to standard security lines and customs processing. The shutdown doesn't make regular security any slower, but you'll miss the time savings that expedited screening provides.

Timeline considerations:Even after the shutdown ends, expect delays in getting appointments. During the 2018-2019 shutdown, enrollment centers took several weeks to clear their backlogs. Some travelers waited two months or longer for available appointment slots in major cities.

If you have international travel planned in the next three months, you might not get your Global Entry approval in time. TSA PreCheck processing tends to move faster once operations resume, but it's not guaranteed.

If you're planning to apply for either program and want to maximize your benefits, consider which premium travel card you'll use for the application credit. The Chase Sapphire Preferred doesn't offer this benefit, but upgrading to the Chase Sapphire Reserve gives you access to the $100 credit along with other valuable travel perks.

Alternative strategies for your next trip:Consider applying for Clear if you travel frequently from airports where it's available. Clear uses biometric verification and operates independently of government programs. It costs $189 annually but offers family pricing that can make it more affordable if multiple household members travel together.

Mobile Passport Control remains operational during the shutdown. This free app expedites customs processing for U.S. citizens and Canadian visitors at participating airports. It's not as comprehensive as Global Entry, but it's better than nothing if you're returning from international travel.

Some airports offer reserve-ahead security time slots through their websites or apps. These aren't as fast as PreCheck lanes, but they provide some predictability for your security wait times.

How Previous Shutdowns Handled This

The 2018-2019 government shutdown lasted 35 days and created massive backlogs for trusted traveler programs. Enrollment centers needed nearly two months to return to normal scheduling after reopening. Appointment availability was especially limited at major enrollment centers in New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, and San Francisco.

CBP implemented some temporary measures during that shutdown recovery period, including:

• Extended hours at select high-volume enrollment centers
• Enrollment on arrival options at some international airports for Global Entry applicants
• Expedited processing for travelers with imminent international trips

These accommodations helped, but they didn't fully resolve the backlog. Some applicants who had appointments canceled during the shutdown didn't get rescheduled appointments until three months later.

The lesson from previous shutdowns is clear: if you need trusted traveler status, don't wait to apply. The processing timeline can expand dramatically when government operations are disrupted.

Many travelers ask whether the Chase Sapphire Reserve is worth it specifically because of benefits like the Global Entry credit. During situations like this shutdown, having that credit ready to use becomes even more valuable since you can lock in your application payment while waiting for enrollment to reopen.

What to Do While You Wait

If you're caught in the enrollment freeze, you're not without options. Here's how to make the most of the situation:

Complete your online application if you haven't:Even though you can't schedule appointments, you can submit your application online. This gets you into the queue and starts the background check process. Once the shutdown ends, you'll only need to schedule and complete your interview rather than starting from scratch.

Gather your documentation:Use this time to ensure you have all required documents ready. For Global Entry, you'll need your passport, proof of residence, and any relevant immigration documents. For TSA PreCheck, you need proof of identity and citizenship. Having everything organized will make your eventual appointment faster.

Research enrollment center options:Check which enrollment centers serve your area and identify multiple options. Some locations have much shorter wait times than others. Being flexible about where you interview can save you weeks of waiting once appointments open up.

If you're trying to decide between TSA PreCheck and Global Entry, the general recommendation is to get Global Entry since it includes TSA PreCheck benefits plus expedited customs processing. Both the Capital One Venture X and Chase Sapphire Reserve credits cover either program, giving you flexibility in which one you choose.

Consider enrollment on arrival:If you have international travel planned and the shutdown ends before your trip, Global Entry offers enrollment on arrival at many international airports. You can complete your interview when you return to the U.S. if you have time before your next trip.

The Financial Impact You Should Know About

The shutdown doesn't just inconvenience travelers – it costs money. If you booked a trip counting on having TSA PreCheck or Global Entry, you might face longer airport wait times that could affect tight connections.

Some travelers book shorter connection times specifically because they have PreCheck access. Without it, you might need to arrive at the airport earlier or risk missing flights. The opportunity cost adds up, especially for business travelers who value time highly.

For families planning to all enroll in trusted traveler programs, the delay affects everyone's timeline. If you were planning to use multiple credit card benefits across family members to cover application fees, those benefits might expire before you can use them if the shutdown drags on.

Looking Ahead: When Will Normal Operations Resume?

Nobody knows exactly when the government will fully reopen. Based on previous shutdowns, trusted traveler enrollment centers typically resume operations within days of a budget agreement. However, returning to normal appointment availability takes much longer.

What to expect once operations restart:The first week after reopening will see a flood of appointment requests. If you're monitoring the scheduling system, try to book as soon as slots open up. Early morning and late evening appointments tend to be less competitive than midday slots.

CBP and TSA will likely prioritize travelers with imminent international trips or those whose memberships expired during the shutdown. If you fall into these categories, mention it when scheduling your appointment – some enrollment centers offer expedited slots for urgent travel needs.

Making the Best of a Frustrating Situation

Government shutdowns remind us why having multiple layers of travel preparation matters. Relying on any single program or benefit creates vulnerability when systems fail or get disrupted.

If you don't currently have TSA PreCheck or Global Entry, this shutdown reinforces why you should apply during normal times rather than waiting until right before you need it. The typical processing timeline of four to six weeks can stretch to three or four months when disruptions occur.

For those already enrolled, this situation highlights the value of these programs. Even during government chaos, existing members retain their benefits while new applicants are locked out entirely. The annual fees for these programs cost far less than the time and stress they save over five years of membership.

The Chase Sapphire Reserve and Capital One Venture X both offer statement credits that cover the Global Entry application fee every four years, making these programs essentially free if you already carry one of these cards. Even if you're waiting for the shutdown to end, having the credit available means you're ready to move quickly once enrollment reopens.

The shutdown will eventually end, and enrollment will resume. When it does, expect a rush of applicants and be prepared to act quickly to secure your appointment. In the meantime, existing members should appreciate their access, and prospective applicants should complete whatever preparation they can to be ready when operations restart.

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