Last BA flight to NYC
#31
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Based out of MAN; LON/NYC regular
Programs: BAEC Gold, IHG Platinum Amb, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 214
I have but TBH BA and NYC is the only time I would ever use it. Flying to LAX and Philadelphia (my main other two US destinations) never takes more than 20 mins plane door to exiting immigration (and thats doing it monthly). Seems easier just to make sure you always use AA into NYC.
Outbound from NYC the T7 Concorde Lounge is pretty much one of the best lounges I have used in the US and would always try and go that way.
Outbound from NYC the T7 Concorde Lounge is pretty much one of the best lounges I have used in the US and would always try and go that way.
#32
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2015
Programs: FB, GGL, IHG, Hilton
Posts: 85
I have found arriving after about 7pm compounds the issue. I assume CBP are on night shift as there are never more than a couple of desks open. Test 24 hours later as partner arrives on AA at the same time.
#34
Join Date: Nov 2015
Location: London
Programs: BA Gold
Posts: 1,683
GE is less than £150 for 5 years. Assuming you’re eligible why wouldn’t you. I go to the USA typically 3 times per year, factor in pre-clearance and you have to be a glutton for punishment to not apply. Having had it for a couple of years now I’d pay that per year for the convenience.
#35
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: London / Brighton
Programs: BAEC Gold / M-Life Gold / HH Diamond
Posts: 1,635
GE is less than £150 for 5 years. Assuming you’re eligible why wouldn’t you. I go to the USA typically 3 times per year, factor in pre-clearance and you have to be a glutton for punishment to not apply. Having had it for a couple of years now I’d pay that per year for the convenience.
#36
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: London
Programs: KLM, BA Silver, Etihad
Posts: 918
As Amex Platinum holders I believe we can get this GE thing for free. Where would this face to face meeting be held?
we only go to the US once a year but if it's free we may as well apply
we only go to the US once a year but if it's free we may as well apply
#37
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Brighton. UK
Programs: BA Gold / VS /IHG Diamond & Ambassador
Posts: 14,202
The problem with GE at the moment is, since late 2018 , the very lengthy delay in getting conditional approval.
It's veen taking months rather than weeks.
It's veen taking months rather than weeks.
#38
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: London / Brighton
Programs: BAEC Gold / M-Life Gold / HH Diamond
Posts: 1,635
List of current GE interview locations.
I saw up thread somebody saying they'd been waiting months - I was surprised to read that... Think I'll leave plenty of time for my renewal to be processed!
I saw up thread somebody saying they'd been waiting months - I was surprised to read that... Think I'll leave plenty of time for my renewal to be processed!
#39
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Brighton. UK
Programs: BA Gold / VS /IHG Diamond & Ambassador
Posts: 14,202
As long as you apply for renewal before your existing approval lapses then they give you 6 months extra.
Though you can apply for renewal up-to a year in advance
the trusted traveller board has the most up-to date info
https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/trusted-travelers-732/
Though you can apply for renewal up-to a year in advance
the trusted traveller board has the most up-to date info
https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/trusted-travelers-732/
#40
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Brighton. UK
Programs: BA Gold / VS /IHG Diamond & Ambassador
Posts: 14,202
I wouldn’t call GE a ‘thing’ in front of the CBP! it’s a very valuable privilege not easily given and jealously guarded by those that have it that can be taken away from you even for minor infractions such as not declaring foods when entering the USA.
#41
Join Date: Nov 2015
Location: London
Programs: BA Gold
Posts: 1,683
#42
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Singapore
Programs: BA Gold. KrisFlyer Gold
Posts: 732
What we need is extensive first hand reports of the size of the queues for the different BA flights (assuming on-time arrivals). Sometimes you're the only person there, other times it's 1-3 hours. Admittedly this will be only vaguely accurate as it's so context dependent, particularly on the arrival times of other airlines' flights.
But, we might be able to get some general sense. Like others, I've come to realise that 179 is consistently terrible. That's a no-go flight for me now.
But, we might be able to get some general sense. Like others, I've come to realise that 179 is consistently terrible. That's a no-go flight for me now.
#43
Join Date: Nov 2017
Location: UK
Programs: Mucci Chevalier de Actes Bénéfiques pour les Autres, BAEC Gold.
Posts: 1,487
What we need is extensive first hand reports of the size of the queues for the different BA flights (assuming on-time arrivals). Sometimes you're the only person there, other times it's 1-3 hours. Admittedly this will be only vaguely accurate as it's so context dependent, particularly on the arrival times of other airlines' flights.
But, we might be able to get some general sense. Like others, I've come to realise that 179 is consistently terrible. That's a no-go flight for me now.
But, we might be able to get some general sense. Like others, I've come to realise that 179 is consistently terrible. That's a no-go flight for me now.
However, upon getting to immigration, there was only one other person at the GE machines. A quick photo (after I had worked out that the machine didn’t need my passport or fingerprints) and I was called straight forward to the CBP booth.
A quick couple of questions from the CBP Officer (reason and length of stay), passport stamped, and I was through – in less than 2 minutes after arriving at the GE machine.
Even the baggage was pretty quick in getting from aircraft to carousel and I was reunited with my bag and out of arrivals in less than 15 minutes.
I suppose it could have been down to both having GE and the timing as the BA117 lands at 11.30am (it was on time), but it was all very quick and there seemed to be a lot of CBP on duty.
#44
Join Date: May 2012
Posts: 151
What we need is extensive first hand reports of the size of the queues for the different BA flights (assuming on-time arrivals). Sometimes you're the only person there, other times it's 1-3 hours. Admittedly this will be only vaguely accurate as it's so context dependent, particularly on the arrival times of other airlines' flights.
But, we might be able to get some general sense. Like others, I've come to realise that 179 is consistently terrible. That's a no-go flight for me now.
But, we might be able to get some general sense. Like others, I've come to realise that 179 is consistently terrible. That's a no-go flight for me now.
I appreciate it's not done by flight number, only by time of day, but it's a pretty good way to figure out what your wait might be.
#45
Join Date: May 2000
Location: HFA
Posts: 1,712
BA117 is the only flight arriving during a 2-3-hour slot on most days. It should be better than others.
Shuly