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Mobile Passport Control vs Global Entry: Which Should You Use?
July 1, 2025
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Everyone talks about Global Entry. And for frequent international travelers, it's absolutely worth it — but it costs $100, requires an in-person interview, and can take months to get approved. So what do you do in the meantime? Or what if you only travel internationally once or twice a year and can't justify the fee?
Enter Mobile Passport Control (MPC) — an official, free app from U.S. Customs and Border Protection that lets you skip the standard passport control line when returning to the United States. No application process. No interview. No waitlist. Just download and go.
Here's everything you need to know.
What Is Mobile Passport Control?
Mobile Passport Control is a free app developed and authorized by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP). It's the official, government-backed way to submit your passport and arrival information digitally before you reach customs — putting you in a faster, dedicated lane at participating U.S. airports.
It won't get you through as quickly as Global Entry's kiosks, but it's dramatically faster than the standard passport control line, and it costs absolutely nothing.
Who Is It For?
MPC is a great fit if you:
- Don't have Global Entry (yet) and want a faster re-entry option now
- Travel internationally just a few times a year and can't justify the Global Entry fee
- Are waiting on your Global Entry interview or approval
- Are traveling with family members who don't have Global Entry
It's available to U.S. citizens, U.S. nationals, Canadian citizens, and Canadian permanent residents returning to participating U.S. airports.
How to Use Mobile Passport Control: Step by Step
Using MPC is straightforward. Here's the full process:
Before your flight:
- Download the free Mobile Passport Control app from the App Store or Google Play
- Create a profile and scan your passport using your phone's camera
- Store up to 12 family member profiles in one account
On the plane or after landing: 4. Open the app up to 4 hours before landing — or immediately after you land 5. Take a selfie directly in the app 6. Answer the standard arrival questions (similar to what you'd fill out on a paper customs form) 7. Submit your information — you'll receive a digital pass with a QR code
At customs: 8. Look for the designated MPC lane (separate from standard passport control and Global Entry) 9. Show your QR code and passport to the CBP officer to complete your inspection
That's it. The whole pre-submission process takes about 2–3 minutes.
Which Airports Support Mobile Passport Control?
MPC is available at a growing number of U.S. international airports, including major hubs like:
- Atlanta (ATL)
- Chicago O'Hare (ORD)
- Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW)
- Los Angeles (LAX)
- Miami (MIA)
- New York JFK and Newark (EWR)
- San Francisco (SFO)
- Seattle (SEA)
- Washington Dulles (IAD)
Check the CBP website before your trip to confirm MPC availability at your specific arrival airport, as supported locations are updated regularly.
Mobile Passport Control vs. Global Entry: What's the Difference?
The bottom line: Global Entry is still the gold standard for frequent international travelers, especially because it includes TSA PreCheck for domestic flights. But MPC is the best free option available right now — and it's dramatically underused.
Can You Use MPC and Global Entry?
Technically, yes, but once you have Global Entry, there's little reason to use MPC. The Global Entry kiosks are faster. Think of MPC as the bridge that carries you until your Global Entry is approved, or as a solid option for occasional international travelers who don't need the full package.
Pro Tips for Using Mobile Passport Control
- Submit before landing — you can submit up to 4 hours before touchdown. Doing it mid-flight means you hit the ground running.
- Have your QR code ready — CBP officers move quickly in the MPC lane. Pull it up before you reach the officer.
- Add family members — one account can hold up to 12 profiles, so you can submit for your whole travel party at once.
- Check the lane signage — MPC lanes can be easy to miss. Look for dedicated MPC signage rather than following the crowd to standard passport control.
How to Get Global Entry for Free (When You're Ready to Upgrade)
If using MPC convinces you that faster customs re-entry is worth investing in, the good news is you probably don't have to pay the $100 Global Entry fee out of pocket. Several premium travel credit cards include a Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee credit as a built-in perk — meaning the card essentially pays for itself on this benefit alone.
Here are the top cards that cover the Global Entry fee:
How to Get Global Entry for Free (When You're Ready to Upgrade)
Several premium travel credit cards cover the $100 Global Entry application fee entirely, making it easy to get approved without paying out of pocket.
The Chase Sapphire Reserve® offers up to $100 as a statement credit for the Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee, valid once every four years. In our view, it's the strongest all-around option here given its broader travel benefits and Ultimate Rewards ecosystem.
[[ SINGLE_CARD * {"id": "510", "isExpanded": "false", "bestForCategoryId": "15", "bestForText": "Frequent Travelers", "headerHint": "High-Value Perks"} ]]
American Express Platinum Card® also provides up to $100 toward Global Entry, refreshing every 4.5 years.
[[ SINGLE_CARD * {"id": "106", "isExpanded": "false", "bestForCategoryId": "15", "bestForText": "Frequent Travelers", "headerHint": "Serious Points on Flights"} ]]
Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Enrollment may be required for select American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more. Eligibility and Benefit level vary by Card. Terms, Conditions, and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by Amex Assurance Company.
The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card covers up to $100 for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck every four years — and at a lower annual fee than some competitors, it's one of the better value plays for travelers who want premium benefits without overpaying.
[[ SINGLE_CARD * {"id": "2888", "isExpanded": "true", "bestForCategoryId": "52", "bestForText": "Frequent Travelers", "headerHint" : "Luxurious Travel Benefits" } ]]
The Citi Strata Premier® Card, from our partner, reimburses up to $100 for Global Entry every five years, making it a solid option if it's already in your wallet.
[[ SINGLE_CARD * {"id": "7783", "isExpanded": "false", "bestForCategoryId": "15", "bestForText": "Frequent Travelers", "headerHint": "Robust Rewards Program"} ]]
Finally, the Bank of America® Premium Rewards® Credit Card provides up to $100 toward Global Entry or TSA PreCheck every four years, rounding out the list for Bank of America customers.
[[ SINGLE_CARD * {"id": "189", "isExpanded": "false", "bestForCategoryId": "15", "bestForText": "Frequent Travelers", "headerHint": "Mid-Tier Travel Rewards"} ]]
A few things worth knowing: the credit is typically triggered automatically when you pay the $100 CBP application fee with your eligible card — no coupon code or manual submission required. Some cards also cover TSA PreCheck ($85) if you prefer that instead.
Pro tip: Make sure you're paying the Global Entry fee with the card that carries the benefit. It sounds obvious, but it's an easy mistake to make at checkout — especially if you have multiple cards in your wallet. Kudos automatically recommends the right card at checkout so the credit triggers correctly and you don't accidentally pay out of pocket for something that should be free.
The Bottom Line
Mobile Passport Control won't replace Global Entry — but it's one of the most underrated travel tools available, and it's completely free. If you're flying back to the U.S. and haven't downloaded it yet, there's genuinely no reason not to.
Download the app before your next international trip and skip the line the smart way.
Want to make every part of your travel more rewarding? Use a travel rewards credit card that earns points on flights, hotels, and everything in between — and let Kudos automatically recommend the best card in your wallet at checkout so you never leave rewards on the table.
Unlock your extra benefits when you become a Kudos member
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Editorial Disclosure: Opinions expressed here are those of Kudos alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.
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