Is Global Entry worthwhile?

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Quote: I'm a NEXUS user, just applied this morning for the Global Entry program. As others have described, no fee and GE showed up in my Program Membership(s) section as Approved about 10 minutes later.

So if there anything else I need to do? I feel like I should have a card or something to "prove" I have this. I guess just go up to the machine and it will validate my membership??

Love the NEXUS program and I am sure I will love the GE program too!!^
You need a sticker on the back of your passport. You have to visit a GE enrollment center to get it.
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I used GE the first time today arriving to MIA from MEX. I received an "X" receipt but it was about a third of the size of the normal receipt. There was a CBP Officer nearby and he offered help taking me to the front of the line at booth 36 (Diplomats) and then escorted me to Customs downstairs. On the way, he called an associate who met us and explained that the GE kiosk I used had run out of paper plus I had timed out of the process. He remined me that there is a "need more time" button.

Turns out the Officer that helped me is the Chief, Passenger Operations, CBP. I sent a thank you email and he immediately responded encouraging me to recommend GE to my business colleagues.
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I just applied online and got approved immediately!!
wooohoo!

so we'll see how it works!
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Is Global Entry still free if you are a nexus member? I tried doing it with my nexus application being conditionally approved and at the end it wanted to collect the 100 dollar fee.
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Quote: Is Global Entry still free if you are a nexus member? I tried doing it with my nexus application being conditionally approved and at the end it wanted to collect the 100 dollar fee.
I'd wait until your nexus app is completely done. You're not, technically, a member until you've gotten your card and such.
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what sort of questions do they ask you during the Global Entry in-person
interview? how long does it take?

also... do they give you a refund if your home airport stops participating
in Global Entry? (or you move to another city without Global Entry)

Thanks
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Quote: also... do they give you a refund if your home airport stops participating
in Global Entry? (or you move to another city without Global Entry)
I can't answer the first part as I joined with Nexus.

I don't think they'd offer any sort of refund. I live in a non global-entry city, but got it in case I end up going through a city with global entry. I hate long waits at the airport for customs. If I can use it 2 or 3 times during the 5 years, its saved me more than the fees.
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Quote: what sort of questions do they ask you during the Global Entry in-person
interview? how long does it take?
About 20 minutes. They ask you some questions about what you do, where you have traveled in the past five years and require you to sign a statement acknowledging that this is a trusted traveler program, and if you get caught doing something wrong, you'll get booted from the program and get the whole nine yards in punishment.


Quote: also... do they give you a refund if your home airport stops participating
in Global Entry? (or you move to another city without Global Entry)
None of that. In fact, I signed up while there was still a fee for NEXUS members to enroll and didn't get a refund.

I live in a non-GE city, and I still find it worthwhile when going through other ports of entry.
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Has there been any word if they are expanding Global Entry to additional airports?
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Quote: You need a sticker on the back of your passport. You have to visit a GE enrollment center to get it.

Picked up my sticker at JFK today! In fact, the officer was in such a good mood, he gave me 2 stickers! ("one for good luck")

From my perspective, it means that I won't have to go back to pick up another sticker when I renew my passport in 2012. ^
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Quote: Has there been any word if they are expanding Global Entry to additional airports?
I had my interview a couple of weeks ago and the officer said that he is expecting sfo later on this year. No absolute date yet. He told me to log into my account every so often and they will post a note there with new locations.
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I did my interview at JFK last week, and it took fewer than 15 minutes. The officer was really friendly, and said that the program is meeting enrollment and usage expectations. I'll get to have my first entry at IAD next week... which will allow me more time to wait for my luggage
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Anyone use Global Entry in IAD?
I will be flying through IAD for the first time with Global Entry access. Has anyone used it clearing customs then transferring to another UA flight?

How was the experience?

Thanks...
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Quote: I will be flying through IAD for the first time with Global Entry access. Has anyone used it clearing customs then transferring to another UA flight?

How was the experience?

Thanks...
Heavenly. Especially if you don't have checked bags.

I used to never book anything less than a two-hour connection at Dulles arriving from overseas. Now, doing it in an hour is not a problem.

If you don't check bags, you'll wait longer in the TSA line than you will with the Customs and Immigration experience.
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Quote: Heavenly. Especially if you don't have checked bags.

I used to never book anything less than a two-hour connection at Dulles arriving from overseas. Now, doing it in an hour is not a problem.

If you don't check bags, you'll wait longer in the TSA line than you will with the Customs and Immigration experience.
Good deal. ^
Thanks. No checked bags. Coming in from EZE in the am with a 1:45 connection time.
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