COVID-19 has taken put another travel provider on life support: Global Entry.
Thanks to a shutdown and a pandemic, there's been a huge backlog of Global Entry applications and renewals. For the time being, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is currently extending the renewal grace period by 18 months.
In addition to that, Trusted Traveler Program enrollment centers will be closed until at least June 1. (Global Entry enrollment on arrival is still an option, meaning conditionally-approved applicants can complete the enrollment process after arriving on an international flight if that airport offers it.)
In an email, CBP spokesperson Nate Peeters told us that:
All applicants now have 545 days from the date of their application to complete the enrollment process. In addition, CBP will extend for up to 18 months the Trusted Traveler Program benefits of members who apply for renewal before their current membership expires.
Straight from the horse's mouth.
For what it's worth, New Yorkers *still* can't renew their Global Entry membership (here's how to get the credit card benefit back). Trump enacted that change right before the pandemic, and though Cuomo has said he'll fight it, I'm sure we all know he has been busy fighting other things since then.
