Is Global Entry worthwhile?
Mar 26, 2015, 11:54 am
#3436
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: LAX
Posts: 6,769
I renewed recently and the wanted an interview. Agent at the interview wasn't really sure why but said the system told him it wanted a new photo and fingerprints so that's what we did. He was actually jazzed to have a "pioneer" for GE in for a renewal as he said that not many folks had been in the program long enough to be ready to renew. Had a nice chat and I was still out and back in my car before my actual scheduled time since I had arrived about 10 minutes early. So - don't ignore the interview request/button as it is required if they ask for it.
Mar 26, 2015, 12:45 pm
#3437
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: CLE
Programs: UA Platinum, Starbucks Gold, PF Chang's Warrior, Wine Century 100
Posts: 1,105
They will also send a snail mail letter a couple months before expiration.
Mar 26, 2015, 9:00 pm
#3438
Join Date: May 2014
Location: YYZ
Posts: 527
Mar 27, 2015, 10:34 am
#3439
Join Date: May 2001
Location: Portland, OR, USA
Programs: UA 1K 3 Million/ex-many year GS, AA PLT/2 Mil, AS MVPG, HH Dia, Starwood Life Plat, Hertz PC
Posts: 1,401
You can also go back to the GOES website and it will show your expiration date. I actually renewed a bit early to take advantage of UA picking up the tab before they dropped that benefit. You can renew when you are within 1 year of expiration.
Mar 27, 2015, 10:47 am
#3440
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: MSN
Programs: AA, BAEC Gold
Posts: 3,927
GE saved us some time at ORD recently when an unplanned bunching of international arrivals happened. The resulting slow baggage delay undid some of the gain though!
Mar 27, 2015, 3:54 pm
#3441
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: EWR
Programs: UA, AA, Hyatt Plat.
Posts: 314
If all goes well the conditional approval takes a few days and you may be able to get an interview slot in a matter of days from that, but you do have to get to a center. GE becomes effective immediately. Pre-Check requires you to provide the Known Traveler number to the airline and may require a refresh of existing reservations.
GE saved us some time at ORD recently when an unplanned bunching of international arrivals happened. The resulting slow baggage delay undid some of the gain though!
GE saved us some time at ORD recently when an unplanned bunching of international arrivals happened. The resulting slow baggage delay undid some of the gain though!
Mar 28, 2015, 3:35 pm
#3443
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: MSN
Programs: AA, BAEC Gold
Posts: 3,927
Yes, it seems to work pretty slickly if your application is straightforward. All being well the interview will be short and sweet and you will have immediate approval. My interview was only slowed down by the time it took to get the fingerprint reader to like my fingerprints. I had no trouble the first, and so far only, time I used a GE kiosk.
Mar 28, 2015, 3:57 pm
#3444
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: EWR
Programs: UA, AA, Hyatt Plat.
Posts: 314
Yes, it seems to work pretty slickly if your application is straightforward. All being well the interview will be short and sweet and you will have immediate approval. My interview was only slowed down by the time it took to get the fingerprint reader to like my fingerprints. I had no trouble the first, and so far only, time I used a GE kiosk.
Mar 29, 2015, 2:25 am
#3445
Join Date: May 2014
Location: YYZ
Posts: 527
Mar 31, 2015, 6:28 pm
#3446
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: EWR
Programs: UA, AA, Hyatt Plat.
Posts: 314
Not sure if this is the right place to post this, but figured someone would know. In anticipation of getting TSA Pre Check, and since my name will be listed (First/Last, no middle initial since that is how it is on my passport), I updated some reservations with airlines and removed my middle initial from some tickets. I just was wondering if, when an airline updates a name (in this case, removing my middle initial from a current reservation), does this update the entire reservation (including secure passenger data?). I would imagine so, but just curious. Thanks!
Mar 31, 2015, 10:09 pm
#3447
Join Date: Jan 2000
Location: London; Bangkok; Las Vegas
Programs: AA Exec Plat; UA MM Gold; Marriott Lifetime Titanium; Hilton Diamond
Posts: 8,745
Not sure if this is the right place to post this, but figured someone would know. In anticipation of getting TSA Pre Check, and since my name will be listed (First/Last, no middle initial since that is how it is on my passport), I updated some reservations with airlines and removed my middle initial from some tickets. I just was wondering if, when an airline updates a name (in this case, removing my middle initial from a current reservation), does this update the entire reservation (including secure passenger data?). I would imagine so, but just curious. Thanks!
They may have changed how the name appears when you pull it up on-line, but the way the name is entered in the original record remains, which is what the TSA will see.
Mar 31, 2015, 10:15 pm
#3448
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: EWR
Programs: UA, AA, Hyatt Plat.
Posts: 314
Ok thanks! Hopefully I will still get Pre Check on those tickets!
Mar 31, 2015, 11:44 pm
#3449
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Up North
Programs: Skymiles, MPL Chase Premier
Posts: 782
Apr 1, 2015, 7:53 am
#3450
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: EWR
Programs: UA, AA, Hyatt Plat.
Posts: 314
I called United just now and spoke with a fairly knowledgable agent who confirmed that my middle initial was removed from the secure passenger data when they updated my name, so I guess it's all set!
Last edited by FlyingSky; Apr 1, 2015 at 8:03 am