Global Entry vs. Mobile Passport App vs. APC
Apr 24, 2016, 6:02 pm
#31
Suspended
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Watchlisted by the prejudiced, en route to purgatory
Programs: Just Say No to Fleecing and Blacklisting
Posts: 102,095
.. I've used mobile passport twice now since its been in use despite having global entry. Both times there were lines for the GE kiosk (although not terribly long) but no line at all to use the special lane for mobile passport. I think my strategy for now is to transmit my mobile passport when I land, and then if there is a line for the mobile passport lane go see if the kiosk is less. Chicago for example often seems to have lines for the GE kiosks.
I am guessing as it becomes more popular though lines may start to form for mobile passport, but for now its seems to be better (and free, now if I could only get a refund for GE!).
By the way, on a different related topic, if you live near the Canada border you are better off getting a Nexus card (only $50) which you get at the US/Canada border. Once you have that, you can then get G.E. for free with a simple online application, no other interview required. So in my case my G.E. was $50, not $100....
I am guessing as it becomes more popular though lines may start to form for mobile passport, but for now its seems to be better (and free, now if I could only get a refund for GE!).
By the way, on a different related topic, if you live near the Canada border you are better off getting a Nexus card (only $50) which you get at the US/Canada border. Once you have that, you can then get G.E. for free with a simple online application, no other interview required. So in my case my G.E. was $50, not $100....
Apr 24, 2016, 6:17 pm
#32
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Minneapolis: DL DM charter 2.3MM
Programs: A3*Gold, SPG Plat, HyattDiamond, MarriottPP, LHW exAccess, ICI, Raffles Amb, NW PE MM, TWA Gold MM
Posts: 100,404
That CBP agent is full of crap. You can go through the regular lines like everyone else.
From the FAQ on globalentry.gov: "As a Global Entry member, am I required to use the Global Entry kiosk when entering the United States?
No. Global Entry members can choose not to use the kiosk and can be processed by CBP officers."
With that said, I'd have her sign up for GE, so both of you can use the kiosks and get Precheck as a side benefit.
From the FAQ on globalentry.gov: "As a Global Entry member, am I required to use the Global Entry kiosk when entering the United States?
No. Global Entry members can choose not to use the kiosk and can be processed by CBP officers."
With that said, I'd have her sign up for GE, so both of you can use the kiosks and get Precheck as a side benefit.
Apr 24, 2016, 6:24 pm
#33
Join Date: Aug 2009
Posts: 1,088
I think I'd rather spend a few extra minutes in the GE queue and fly through Customs at the GE exit. Even more so since I virtually always have carry on only bags. Sometimes just getting out of Customs can take a hellacious long time.
It's funny that we are now do spoiled with GE that ten minutes is far too long to wait for a kiosk. I much prefer it over the old days.
It's funny that we are now do spoiled with GE that ten minutes is far too long to wait for a kiosk. I much prefer it over the old days.
May 1, 2016, 7:37 pm
#35
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: BOS/ORH
Programs: AS 75K
Posts: 18,323
Id rather avoid the 20 questions and stick with GE. Especially when i fly halfway around the world for just a few days. GE system never seems to have issues when i fly to the middle east for one day. However without GE it's a guaranteed visit to secondary with a full bag dump (like I used to get before GE)
May 2, 2016, 5:28 am
#36
Suspended
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Watchlisted by the prejudiced, en route to purgatory
Programs: Just Say No to Fleecing and Blacklisting
Posts: 102,095
Id rather avoid the 20 questions and stick with GE. Especially when i fly halfway around the world for just a few days. GE system never seems to have issues when i fly to the middle east for one day. However without GE it's a guaranteed visit to secondary with a full bag dump (like I used to get before GE)
May 24, 2016, 6:01 am
#37
Join Date: Nov 2014
Posts: 6
My wife and I have GE and we just came back to FLL. Not at all happy to find they were putting all the people with Mobile Passport in the SAME line as GE holders. What's the point of paying for GE if users of a free app get through just has quickly and are slowing GE holders down?
I'm just not understanding how CBP are thinking? GE requires background check, fingerprints etc, what's the point? It surely can't be border security if people can use a free app, answer a few questions and enter the country just the same as people that have had background checks etc.
Same nonsense goes for TSA Pre. How am I considered a low security risk on 12 airlines but not on others? Why is it airline specific? How does TSA Pre enhance security if JetBlue are able to sell it to anyone as an add on for $10?
All these Trusted Traveler programs are looking more and more like a cash grab that serves no purpose since the same services can be obtained for free or purchased from the airline.
I'm just not understanding how CBP are thinking? GE requires background check, fingerprints etc, what's the point? It surely can't be border security if people can use a free app, answer a few questions and enter the country just the same as people that have had background checks etc.
Same nonsense goes for TSA Pre. How am I considered a low security risk on 12 airlines but not on others? Why is it airline specific? How does TSA Pre enhance security if JetBlue are able to sell it to anyone as an add on for $10?
All these Trusted Traveler programs are looking more and more like a cash grab that serves no purpose since the same services can be obtained for free or purchased from the airline.
Last edited by Nick Dean; May 24, 2016 at 8:10 am
May 24, 2016, 9:23 am
#38
Moderator: Travel Safety/Security, Travel Tools, California, Los Angeles; FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: LAX
Programs: oneword Emerald
Posts: 20,631
Moderator's Note:
The Trusted Travelers forum is for discussing practical advice and information concerning the various Trusted Traveler programs.
Policy discussions, including administration of the programs and the cost of applying, belong in the Checkpoints and Borders Policy Debate forum.
The reasons that TSA PreCheck is available only when flying specific airlines are discussed in this thread: No TSA PreCheck with Non-participating Airlines [merged threads]
Please stay on topic.
Thank you,
TWA884
Co-moderator, Travel Safety/Security
Policy discussions, including administration of the programs and the cost of applying, belong in the Checkpoints and Borders Policy Debate forum.
The reasons that TSA PreCheck is available only when flying specific airlines are discussed in this thread: No TSA PreCheck with Non-participating Airlines [merged threads]
Please stay on topic.
Thank you,
TWA884
Co-moderator, Travel Safety/Security
May 25, 2016, 9:26 pm
#40
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: NV
Programs: Marriott LT Gold; AAdvantage Gold; HH Gold
Posts: 141
I suppose things could really come down to the particular airport.
I flew in to Miami from San Jose, Costa Rica recently and their kiosk system (for all US citizens and non-GE) was backed up for miles. Myself and 2 companions (none of us GE) were certainly going to miss our connecting flights with the line being so long and moving so slowly.
We saw the signs for the mobile app lines, and saw that those lines were empty. So, while standing in the regular line, we all downloaded the mobile app, filled out what we needed to fill out, submitted it, and then got out of the long line and made our way through the (still empty) mobile app lines. Immediately got up to the agents, and were cleared through immigration and customs. Time from submitting mobile app info to clearing <5mins. A GE friend traveling with us got through in about the same amount of time (though earlier than us, because of the time we'd spent standing in line before trying to download the app).
With the dedicated mobile app lines (distinct from any GE or other lines) and no one really using the apps, it was super fast for us. Your experience may vary at airlines where mobile app and GE or others share the same line, or as more people start using the app. This was in late March 2016, BTW.
I flew in to Miami from San Jose, Costa Rica recently and their kiosk system (for all US citizens and non-GE) was backed up for miles. Myself and 2 companions (none of us GE) were certainly going to miss our connecting flights with the line being so long and moving so slowly.
We saw the signs for the mobile app lines, and saw that those lines were empty. So, while standing in the regular line, we all downloaded the mobile app, filled out what we needed to fill out, submitted it, and then got out of the long line and made our way through the (still empty) mobile app lines. Immediately got up to the agents, and were cleared through immigration and customs. Time from submitting mobile app info to clearing <5mins. A GE friend traveling with us got through in about the same amount of time (though earlier than us, because of the time we'd spent standing in line before trying to download the app).
With the dedicated mobile app lines (distinct from any GE or other lines) and no one really using the apps, it was super fast for us. Your experience may vary at airlines where mobile app and GE or others share the same line, or as more people start using the app. This was in late March 2016, BTW.
May 26, 2016, 12:53 am
#41
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: HaMerkaz/Exit 145
Programs: UA, LY, BA, AA
Posts: 13,167
JFK, Terminal 4
Lines were non-existent for all 3 types - GE kiosks, APC kiosks, and MPC checker. Didn't see if there were lines for APC secondary
So GE and MPC for sure and APC it would seem all cleared quite quickly into baggage claim.
For clearing customs, MPC was allowed to use GE line. APC was not - and there was specific signs that US citizens must use the regular line. "Only for Global Entry and MPC"
Lines were non-existent for all 3 types - GE kiosks, APC kiosks, and MPC checker. Didn't see if there were lines for APC secondary
So GE and MPC for sure and APC it would seem all cleared quite quickly into baggage claim.
For clearing customs, MPC was allowed to use GE line. APC was not - and there was specific signs that US citizens must use the regular line. "Only for Global Entry and MPC"
May 26, 2016, 2:00 am
#42
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: MSP
Programs: Delta Diamond (MM), Hilton Diamond, Avis President's Club
Posts: 873
Last time I came back through JFK from NRT, I was through the mobile passport line fast than the GE people. Highly doubt they are slowing them down. Every time I've used it, I'm in CBP for less than 5 minutes.
May 26, 2016, 5:58 am
#43
Suspended
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Watchlisted by the prejudiced, en route to purgatory
Programs: Just Say No to Fleecing and Blacklisting
Posts: 102,095
It comes down to the conditions of my intetnational flight arrival, with the main factors therein varying by:
arrival airport/terminal; and
timing of a few things relative to other passengers arriving at the same terminal as myself on the same day.
arrival airport/terminal; and
timing of a few things relative to other passengers arriving at the same terminal as myself on the same day.
May 30, 2016, 5:47 pm
#44
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: BOS
Programs: Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott/SPG/Hilton Gold, PreCheck + Clear
Posts: 2,306
How does TSA Pre enhance security if JetBlue are able to sell it to anyone as an add on for $10?
All these Trusted Traveler programs are looking more and more like a cash grab that serves no purpose since the same services can be obtained for free or purchased from the airline.
All these Trusted Traveler programs are looking more and more like a cash grab that serves no purpose since the same services can be obtained for free or purchased from the airline.
Some airlines originally granted PreCheck to their most frequent flyers, but that has been dramatically scaled back in favor of those who have undergone full background checks.
May 31, 2016, 8:07 am
#45
Moderator: Travel Safety/Security, Travel Tools, California, Los Angeles; FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: LAX
Programs: oneword Emerald
Posts: 20,631
Moderator's Note: Please stay on topic
Reminder!
The topic is this thread is: Global Entry vs. Mobile Passport App
There are other active threads discussing TSA PreCheck and Priority Checkpoints.
The Trusted Travelers forum is for discussing practical advice and information concerning the various Trusted Traveler programs.
Policy discussions, including administration of the programs and the cost of applying, belong in the Checkpoints and Borders Policy Debate forum.
The reasons that TSA PreCheck is available only when flying specific airlines are discussed in this thread: No TSA PreCheck with Non-participating Airlines [merged threads]
Please stay on topic.
Thank you,
TWA884
Co-moderator, Travel Safety/Security
Policy discussions, including administration of the programs and the cost of applying, belong in the Checkpoints and Borders Policy Debate forum.
The reasons that TSA PreCheck is available only when flying specific airlines are discussed in this thread: No TSA PreCheck with Non-participating Airlines [merged threads]
Please stay on topic.
Thank you,
TWA884
Co-moderator, Travel Safety/Security
There are other active threads discussing TSA PreCheck and Priority Checkpoints.