SAN ANTONIO – With summer right around the corner, many are thinking about taking a vacation in another country.
Those who have already started planning a trip have probably already looked up flights.
Getting to the destination usually isn't a problem. It's getting through airport security that tends to be the hold up.
Thousands of people are bypassing security checkpoints by taking advantage of Global Entry Program, a U.S. Customs and Border Protections program that's making it the fastest way to travel.
Global Entry status not only gives travelers TSA PreCheck, they also get to skip the lines at immigration when they arrive back in the U.S.
Eduardo Ovadia and his wife, Clara, reaped the benefits of the program when they returned from Mexico City.
"We skip the line. We got through. We wait for the luggage, which is really easy here, and then we just get out," Clara Ovadia said.
But being a trusted traveler doesn't mean they always get the green light at immigration. You still may be prompted to see a CBP officer.
"Once you're approved for the membership, we don't know what happens, approved a year ago, what happened today, so that runs an additional check upon arrival," said Lois Hunter, CBP Port Director at San Antonio International Airport.
There are 90 Global Entry centers across the country, including one at the San Antonio International Airport, where all applicants will be required to do an in-person interview.
"If we don't have an appointment available, we definitely encourage people to go someplace else and to always check the website," Hunter said. "We have cancellations all the time, and if an appointment shows up, bingo, you can get in."
The program costs $100 application, and it's good for five years.
Eduardo Ovadia said he saved about 40 to 50 minutes using the program.
"It's a great program," he said.
To learn more about the Global Entry Program, click here to begin the online process. It takes about 10 minutes to fill out the application, and those who apply should hear back from CBP within 2 weeks.