IRIS is being replaced in the UK with Registered traveller scheme
Nov 4, 2013, 9:47 pm
#61
Suspended
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Washington DC
Programs: Delta Diamond, United IK, AA LifPLT, Hyatt Globalist, IHG PLT AMB, SPG Gold, Marriott Gold, Hilton G
Posts: 1,169
I think they need to fine tune the program a bit more, but it worked well for me. Applied, was approved for stage 1, and completed stage 2 3 weeks ago upon arrival at LHR. Received final enrollment 24 hours later. Just arrived back in LHR yesterday. At T3 both Fast Track and "other passports" line was easlily 1 hour waiting, UK/EU line took less than 10 minutes. Only problem is you must carry the approval letter (or printed card) with you to show to the agent. If you forget the card or letter, they may not allow you to use the line and you will need to fill out a landing card.
Otherwise, great program if the other lines are long
Otherwise, great program if the other lines are long
Nov 6, 2013, 10:19 pm
#62
Moderator: Luxury Hotels and FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Palo Alto, California,USA
Posts: 17,854
I was approved but the agent who took the approval letter didn't say anything about carrying a copy of the approval email I got the next day (and I didn't read it carefully, assuming it was more of the same)! So thanks for mentioning it.
Nov 27, 2013, 8:48 am
#63
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: LHR
Posts: 396
After painful experiences with the UKBA, given that it would make logical sense to allow UK residents with ILR in the programme, the UKBA will *definitely* do the opposite.
Dec 1, 2013, 9:38 am
#64
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: RBKC
Programs: AA EXP and Eurostar Carte Blanche
Posts: 3,850
Was this a mistake?
Haven't tried using it yet…
Dec 1, 2013, 3:48 pm
#65
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: NW London and NW Sydney
Programs: BA Diamond, Hilton Bronze, A3 Diamond, IHG *G
Posts: 6,344
Did you apply online? How did you answer the question: "What has been the purpose of most of your visits to the UK?" Did you put NOTA (i.e. not a visitor) and still get approved?
Dec 2, 2013, 12:37 am
#66
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: RBKC
Programs: AA EXP and Eurostar Carte Blanche
Posts: 3,850
When I crossed the border at LHR and presented my registration letter along with my residence permit, the fellow at the desk was confused at first but then said something about how they must be opening the program up to more people now. This was in October I think.
I suppose I need to ring them and check on all of this. I'm working toward ILR and want to do everything 100% by the book.
Dec 4, 2013, 3:54 pm
#67
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: NW London and NW Sydney
Programs: BA Diamond, Hilton Bronze, A3 Diamond, IHG *G
Posts: 6,344
Dec 27, 2013, 6:40 pm
#68
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Cayman, San Diego, London
Programs: BA Lifetime Gold, AA 4MM Lifetime Platinum, Hilton Diamond, IHG Diamond Amb, Bonvoy Lifetime Gold
Posts: 1,054
Has anyone heard anything from "official" channels about the opening up of this scheme from April 1? In particular, for those with Indefinite Leave to Remain?
Mar 11, 2014, 7:03 am
#69
Join Date: Dec 2007
Posts: 3,607
So I just got my letter saying I can proceed to step 2. It seems silly to go ahead with it now since I'll presumably only be able to use it once before April 1st. But I wonder if being in the trial scheme will make it easier to get into the full scheme? I haven't heard any news about the full scheme so I wonder if it'll be delayed and the trial scheme extended? I wonder if I bring my letter to the UK on April 1st if I'll just accidentally be let into the full scheme?
Mar 11, 2014, 4:27 pm
#70
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: NW London and NW Sydney
Programs: BA Diamond, Hilton Bronze, A3 Diamond, IHG *G
Posts: 6,344
So I just got my letter saying I can proceed to step 2. It seems silly to go ahead with it now since I'll presumably only be able to use it once before April 1st. But I wonder if being in the trial scheme will make it easier to get into the full scheme? I haven't heard any news about the full scheme so I wonder if it'll be delayed and the trial scheme extended? I wonder if I bring my letter to the UK on April 1st if I'll just accidentally be let into the full scheme?
Mar 25, 2014, 8:33 am
#71
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: near to SFO and LHR
Programs: BA Gold, B6 Mosiac, VS, AA, DL (and a legacy UA 2MM)
Posts: 2,274
NOTE that there is an existing, and perhaps more active, thread covering this topic in the British Airways section, in case you want more info.
Jun 13, 2014, 3:41 am
#72
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: TYO
Programs: Tokyo Monorail Diamond-Encrusted-Platinum
Posts: 9,632
People with ILR can now register for the registered traveller scheme - provided they have a passport from one of the eligible countries and they were registered for IRIS:
https://www.gov.uk/registered-traveller
Trial period is free of charge. Fees will be payable later this year, apparently.
https://www.gov.uk/registered-traveller
Trial period is free of charge. Fees will be payable later this year, apparently.
Jul 3, 2014, 11:43 am
#73
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: MSY (finally); previously NYC, BOS, AUH
Programs: AA EXP, 6MM; BA GLD
Posts: 17,248
This just in from our friends at Border Force:
As a person enrolled on to Border Force’s Registered Traveller service with a biometric passport you are hereby authorised to use automated gates to enter the United Kingdom (UK) at Gatwick and Heathrow airports rather than seeing a Border Forcer officer at immigration control.
Jul 11, 2014, 8:17 am
#75
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: MSY (finally); previously NYC, BOS, AUH
Programs: AA EXP, 6MM; BA GLD
Posts: 17,248
Doesn't seem to make sense not to register simply because the e-passport gates sometimes are closed. They were open when I flew through LHR two weeks ago, but even if they were not, registering still allows me to use any of the FastTrack, UK/EU, and other passports lines. And if they are open, I can choose among the e-passport gates and the FastTrack, UK/EU, and other passports lines. No downside that I can see.