Moderator's Note: Topic Drift
 

Folks,

This thread is about the Mobile Passport PLUS App and how it compares with the basic version of the app.

General discussion about using the Mobile Passport Control App, as opposed to the recent changes in the functionality of the free basic version and how it compares with the new premium version, belongs in the following thread:
Comparisons of the MPC with Global Entry and other Trusted Travelers programs belong in the following thread:
If you wish to discuss or debate the cost of developing passport control automation and whether it should be borne by the CBP or the private sector, or debate about CBP/DHS/governmental efficiency, please start a new thread in the Checkpoints and Borders Policy Debate forum

For indexing and future search purposes, recent post(s) whose focus was not differences in functionality between the basic and premium versions of the MPC App were moved to the relevant threads.

Thank you for understanding,

TWA884
Travel Safety/Security co-moderator

Has anyone paid the $14.99 on Android? If so did it let you pay from an Android Play balance, or did it require you to pay with a credit card or Google Pay? I have a bunch of money in my Google Play balance thanks to Google Opinion Rewards, where you get GP credit for filling out surveys.

I always thought the app was free and had n:o idea there was a for-pay version. What's the difference?

The Airside Mobile MPC app has remained free into this year too. In more recent years, the newer versions of the Airside Mobile MPC app have an in-app purchase/subscription option, but the app remains free to use for MPC whether or not paying up the premium for the in-app purchase/subscription option that is “Mobile Passport plus”.

The difference depends on which versions of the Airside MPC app is being used for comparison and which MPC app-provider’s app+app version is being compared to it.

What exactly would :confused:ne purchase in this app? I thought it's used to transmit data to CBP upon arrival at a port of entry. Clearly I'm missing something.

Some paid for the “plus” subscription/option because they wanted the features back that used to be free (and are still free to some of us with old versions of the app) — principally the ability to store the loaded passport data for unlimited trips, ability to scan in the passport bio data page and things like that.

2019 press release for the plus aspect of the free app:

https://www.prweb.com/releases/airsi...eb16261165.htm

Digital passport scanner to auto-populate passport information effortlessly + Secure storage of passport information to use for upcoming trips + Add and store accompanying family members passport information for no additional cost

….. those are the major three that were taken away as free features of the newer versions of Airside’s MPC app and then made available for sale to those who moved to newer versions of the app after the launch of the paid-“premium” option to get back what used to be free for all its MPC app users.

I believe these features are free in CLEAR's version of the app. Not sure about CBP's.

They also remain free in Airside’s MPC app if using the versions of the Airside MPC app that were released prior to Airside’s launch of its revenue-generating “plus” option.

The recent posts above are really theoretical. Are there any airports that still accept MPC? We just used LAX on an international flight, and, yet again, MPC didn't exist - withdrawn by LAX. Why?

The commercial Airside Mobile Passport app has been replaced at most airport by the CBP's own app.

Please refer to the following threads:Since the Mobile Passport PLUS app seems to no longer be in service, it is time to close this thread.

Please alert the moderators if there is any change and we will consider reopening this thread.