Global Entry went dark for 17 days in early 2026 during the DHS funding shutdown. It has been running normally since March 11, 2026. Here is what happened, what it meant for the statement credit that paid for your membership, and the one thing still worth planning around.
Updated August 14, 2026. This article originally covered the suspension while it was active.
What Happened
On February 14, 2026, a partial government shutdown hit the Department of Homeland Security after Congress failed to agree on DHS funding. Airport programs ran normally for the first week. Then on February 21, DHS Secretary Kristi Noem announced that both TSA PreCheck and Global Entry would be suspended starting 6 AM ET on February 22 to "preserve limited funds and personnel." (DHS official statement)
The backlash was immediate. Within hours, TSA reversed course on PreCheck, which stayed operational with case-by-case staffing adjustments. Global Entry did not get the same reprieve. Customs and Border Protection halted all Global Entry arrival processing at participating airports and reassigned those officers to general passenger lines. Enrollment and interviews froze at the same time.
It was the first time Global Entry had been formally suspended. Travelers returning from abroad went through standard passport control, and reports from Dallas-Fort Worth and Boston Logan described 30-plus minute waits where members typically clear in under five.
Airlines, airport authorities and the U.S. Travel Association lobbied hard against the closure, warning of multi-hour queues at JFK, DFW and SFO heading into spring break. On March 11, CBP quietly restarted the program at 5 AM ET, ending the pause after 17 days. Interviews and renewals resumed with it.
Timeline
| Date | What happened |
|---|---|
| Feb 14, 2026 | DHS funding lapsed. |
| Feb 21, 2026 | DHS announced TSA PreCheck and Global Entry would be suspended from 6 AM ET the next day. |
| Feb 22, 2026 | TSA reversed course on PreCheck within hours. Global Entry arrival processing stopped at all participating airports. Enrollment and interviews froze. |
| Mar 11, 2026 | CBP restarted Global Entry at 5 AM ET. Interviews and renewals resumed. |
| Apr 30, 2026 | A bill funding most of DHS, including TSA, was signed into law, ending a shutdown that ran more than 70 days. |
Where Things Stand Now
Global Entry kiosks are operating. Memberships were never revoked or cancelled during the pause, only the arrival benefit was unavailable. Applications and interviews are being processed again.
The one lasting effect is scheduling. Demand rebounded after the freeze lifted, and interview slots at the busiest enrollment centers have been booked out for months since. If you are applying or renewing, book the interview as early as you can, and check whether your arrival airport offers Enrollment on Arrival, which lets approved applicants complete the interview when they land from an international trip instead of waiting for an appointment.
Not sure what your other cards cover?
Norte shows you every built-in protection across all your cards: trip cancellation, delay, rental CDW, purchase protection. When you need to file, our claim prep tools walk you through exactly what documents you need.
What It Meant for Your Card Benefit
Nothing, and that was true throughout. The statement credit reimburses the application fee, not access to the kiosks. Your four-year reimbursement cycle ran unaffected by the suspension, there was nothing to dispute, and nobody was out any money. The benefit did exactly what it was written to do.
Which cards reimburse the Global Entry fee
- Chase Sapphire Reserve — application fee credit, once every 4 years
- Chase Sapphire Preferred — application fee credit, once every 4 years, usable for TSA PreCheck, Global Entry or NEXUS, one of the three
- Amex Platinum — $120 for Global Entry, or up to $85 for TSA PreCheck, one program per 4-year period
- Capital One Venture X — up to $120 every 4 years
- Capital One Venture — up to $120 every 4 years
One card that does not carry it: Amex Gold
The consumer Amex Gold is frequently listed as a Global Entry card. It is not one. The application fee credit sits on the Platinum, and on the Corporate Gold, which is a different product. If you have been holding a Gold expecting the $120 back, check your card's benefit terms before you pay the fee.
You can verify your own card's terms on Chase's Global Entry page, Amex's Trusted Traveler portal, or Capital One's help center. Or add your cards to Norte and see every travel perk you are already paying for in one place.
A note on chargebacks
Some travelers considered filing a chargeback for "services not rendered" during the pause. That was a bad idea then and it stays one. The fee covers your application and vetting, not a guarantee of uninterrupted kiosk access, and CBP can revoke membership from members who dispute program fees.
If Your Membership Expired During the Pause
This was the one scenario with real consequences, since renewals were frozen for 17 days. Under normal CBP rules, if you submit a renewal application before your membership expires, you keep using benefits for up to 24 months past the expiration date while the renewal is processed. If your renewal was caught in the freeze and you are still waiting, check your status on the Trusted Traveler Programs portal rather than assuming lapsed.
The Bottom Line
The 2026 DHS shutdown produced the first formal suspension of Global Entry, it lasted 17 days, and the program has run normally since March 11, 2026. Card reimbursement benefits were never affected. The thing worth acting on now is the interview backlog, not the suspension.
For how card coverage handles shutdown-driven flight delays, which is a much messier question than this one, see our government shutdown travel insurance breakdown.
Not sure what travel benefits your cards cover? Set up your wallet on Norte. Select your cards from our database and instantly see every hidden benefit, from Global Entry reimbursement to airport lounge access to rental car coverage. No account linking, takes 2 minutes.