johndoe123

One thing to keep in mind -- I've seen reports of rejections which aren't based on anything you did wrong, but because of other operational reasons. In many cases, they do not wish to assume the risk of offering you accelerating screening. This may not even be due to anything you did. Perhaps they know there's someone out there with your name and a criminal record, but they don't know their DOB or other data to verify it isn't truly you. Or someone with a similar name on a terrorist watch list... Or even some data they couldn't positively and independently verify about your own record.

I've seen people ask for a review and succeed the second time around. Other times, they may never tell you why.

Time traveller

A nice perk for card members!

Global entry does speed up re-entry into the US. Just be aware that if you come in through MIA, the Global Entry kiosks are at a weird spot and they ask you to still wait in an immigration line afterwards. That airport is so behind the times, it's not even funny.

stimpy

They said they couldn't tell me why. I was told that I had to write a letter to the DHS in Texas and I figured I wouldn't get a response anyways. I only enter the US 2 or 3 times a year so it's not a big deal. But maybe I'll try again.

MSPpete

Just talked to AMEX Plat phone agent.

Global Entry application fee reimbursement starts tomorrow (April 5) for individual plat members. No registration at amex.com is required. Amex system will see the application fee charge come through and process the credit automatically.

Enjoy!

Viking547

So does that mean we should wait to sign up til tomorrow, or that they will start processing the reimbursements tomorrow? Great news ^

Jake Gittes

Wow this is pretty cool.

This benefits drag race between Chase PP and Amex Plat is going to make 2011 an interesting year.

Buster CT1K

Darn! I just signed up for Global Entry last month!

300rwhp

Is this for only US cardholders or worldwide?

mia

I cannot recall American Express ever introducing a benefit worldwide. This specific announcement pertains to Centurion and Platinum personal and business cards issued in the USA.

longleaf

I'm trying to decide if this benefit is worth it for someone who only travels internationally about 5 times per year.

You have to take a half day off work, and spend several hours of an afternoon driving to a location and interviewing, all to save maybe 20 minutes several times a year.

It's a cool perk, but i don't know that it is worth it unless you travel internationally a lot.

hotelierLA

I know the feeling. I applied less than a week ago (and used another of my Amex cards, so even if they do program a grace period into the calculation, I doubt I'll qualify). Oh well. Win some/lose some.

super-mileage-fan

I don't mean to take this conversation off-topic, but it is important to speak up about things like this. As a US citizen, I find it constitutionally problematic for the government to have this GE program & then reject some applicants without an explanation or due to no fault of the applicant. I am not an attorney, but it seems to be a lack of due process and equal protection.

Steve M

It's an individual decision. But, I think you've made some false assumptions and also have assumed that things that apply in your situation apply generally:

The interview center at my closest airport has GE interview appointments every day of the year, including all holidays. So, unless you work every day of the year, it is not necessary to take a half-day off of work.

Most people are probably not several hours by car from an interview center. But in the event that you are, one thing people have done is to schedule the interview when they will otherwise be at an airport with an interview center, such as when they're flying to/from that city, or even just connecting in that city. This eliminates having to make a special trip to the airport just for the interview. Since you're activated in the system within an hour or two of completing the interview process, some even do the interview before boarding their outbound flight for their next international trip, and can use GE upon their return.

If that's all it means to you, then you're perhaps not the best candidate. In many cases, the wait can easily be over an hour to clear Immigration. Plus, you also get to skip the Customs line.

One of the biggest benefits that people report is the reduction in variability and uncertainty in the wait: especially if you have to make a connecting flight, it can be very valuable to know that there won't be an extra wait that can vary anywhere between nothing and an hour depending on the situation, and cannot be predicted in advance.

longleaf

all good points. I just looked at the interview cities, and didn't realize the interview locations are at the airport. I think i will probably sign up then, if i can schedule an interview the same day as my next international flight. Hopefully they let you set the specific interview date.

The variability and uncertainty of time it may take is a good point if you are in a rush when you arrive for whatever reason (dinner plans, meeting, etc).

Cheers

sdix

The process is pretty simple. Most is done on line and via the phone. You are required one visit which is painless.

If you travel solo it's probably worth it for 5 trips. You can not take a traveling companion in the line with you so you would end up waiting anyway.

However..... They do put a CBP sticker on your passport or Green Card which DOES allow you to cut to the front of the line. Of course while permissible you do generally tick off the others in line!