Mobile Passport PLUS
Apr 24, 2019, 10:11 am
#16
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Los Angeles
Posts: 17
IMO, too much. Prior to yesterday, the app had been free for quite sometime. I used it once, and thought it was very convenient. Anything for convenient, even for a fee, and I'd be glad to pay for a subscription if I'm a frequent int'l traveler coming back into the US; however, what happens at airports where both cellular data and Wifi don't reliably work? Or the CBP may not process the transaction for some security reasons for short/long term duration. Perhaps some tiered plans would have been a better launch to attract and keep flyers to continue using the app.
Apr 24, 2019, 10:43 am
#17
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: RDU
Posts: 5,239
I'm just amazed that some of you expect this for free? Who do you think pays for all the development resources that go into this? (Scratching my head)
Apr 24, 2019, 11:08 am
#18
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: SEA, or BOS, or MUC, or other places (probably connecting). "Detroit, Michigan is in the Eastern time zone."
Programs: DL PM/1MM, AS 100K, NEXUS/GE, CLEAR, Bonvoy Platinum, Hilton Gold
Posts: 1,201
Global Entry is only $20/year (assuming you don't have a credit card that makes it free for you) and gives you Precheck as well, so charging $15/year to let you save your passport info in the app seems a bit high to me.
(NEXUS is even cheaper at $10/year, but is more trouble to get and usually not reimbursed by credit cards.)
(NEXUS is even cheaper at $10/year, but is more trouble to get and usually not reimbursed by credit cards.)
Apr 24, 2019, 11:32 am
#19
Suspended
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Watchlisted by the prejudiced, en route to purgatory
Programs: Just Say No to Fleecing and Blacklisting
Posts: 102,095
It's still a free app. It can be used with or without the in-app purchase options being exercised.
Last edited by TWA884; Apr 24, 2019 at 1:59 pm Reason: Opinion/commentary, not practical travel safety/security advice/information
Apr 24, 2019, 11:54 am
#20
Suspended
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: DCA
Programs: UA US CO AA DL FL
Posts: 50,262
Even if the stored passport data is disabled or deleted if one does not pay, this is still a significant convenience and it costs nothing.
This is the nature of tech development. At some point, it has to be monetized. But, that can't happen until there is a user base.
This is the nature of tech development. At some point, it has to be monetized. But, that can't happen until there is a user base.
Apr 24, 2019, 1:39 pm
#21
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Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Watchlisted by the prejudiced, en route to purgatory
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Posts: 102,095
For people without the older version of the app, how can they get the older version of the app and thereby have the same utility from the app as before the company came up with the in-app purchase options?
Apr 24, 2019, 1:41 pm
#22
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Chicago
Posts: 11,513
There is a user fee every time I use US Immigration: $7.00. I also pay $3.96 to US APHIS each time. That money should cover all non-membership technology developments at the border. This new app fee is gratuitous.
Apr 24, 2019, 1:44 pm
#23
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Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Watchlisted by the prejudiced, en route to purgatory
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Posts: 102,095
Is there any ability to use MPC without use of the MPC app versions released by this app’s maker/provider?
Apr 24, 2019, 2:02 pm
#24
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Chicago
Posts: 11,513
Edit: Yes:
https://www.cbp.gov/travel/us-citizens/apc
Apr 24, 2019, 2:09 pm
#25
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Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Watchlisted by the prejudiced, en route to purgatory
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Posts: 102,095
Don't know. I've had NEXUS forever so it doesn't really apply to me. I think you can just walk up to the machines (APC?) and US/CAN citizens and ESTA users can use them without having used the app.
Edit: Yes:
https://www.cbp.gov/travel/us-citizens/apc
Edit: Yes:
https://www.cbp.gov/travel/us-citizens/apc
Is there any ability to use MPC without use of the MPC app versions released by this app’s maker/provider?
Doesn’t seem so to me yet.
Last edited by GUWonder; Apr 24, 2019 at 2:14 pm
Apr 24, 2019, 2:40 pm
#26
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Chicago
Posts: 11,513
I have GE membership and do use GE kiosks from time to time. But I sometimes use APC, sometimes use MPC and sometimes use the same lines as those US visa users not able to use APC. From having used it all a lot, APC kiosks don’t work as MPC, and MPC app doesn’t work for APC kiosk use and MPC app doesn’t work for GE kiosk use.
Is there any ability to use MPC without use of the MPC app versions released by this app’s maker/provider?
Doesn’t seem so to me yet.
Apr 24, 2019, 11:06 pm
#27
Join Date: Jun 2017
Location: MidSouth
Programs: AA; Delta GM
Posts: 728
I am in the camp that if I have to reenter my passport information every, single time, take my photo AND do this for each member of my traveling party, then the new free version is no longer beneficial. How soon before landing can I enter the information (passports + new photos) so that the app will retain it and generate a code? Is it okay to take a new photo with the background of the aisle of the plane and other people? Will I have time to enter all of this information before I reach the line? If I can't type fast enough, then do we then just use the regular line? I am not going to stand there and block the path of other travelers walking behind me, just so that I can take a photo and/or finish typing.
Part of the reason I enjoyed using this app was the convenience of having all of this information already loaded and ready to go. I am sad to lose what was for me a great, free and easy to access app. YMMV, of course. We all have different approaches.
Part of the reason I enjoyed using this app was the convenience of having all of this information already loaded and ready to go. I am sad to lose what was for me a great, free and easy to access app. YMMV, of course. We all have different approaches.
Apr 25, 2019, 9:44 am
#28
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: SAN
Posts: 284
I guess it depends on the business model. I always assumed CPB paid for the development and maintenance of the app. If the app was simply developed as a partnership then the company developing the app needs to find a way to make money for developing the app. If that's the case I'm not sure why CBP does not pay for the cost of further developing and the cost of maintaining the app as a service to the flying public.
Apr 26, 2019, 8:39 pm
#30
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Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Watchlisted by the prejudiced, en route to purgatory
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Posts: 102,095
Isn’t the iOS app still called just Mobile Passport?
Are you referring to APC machines? APC machines have been paid for, at least historically, mainly by airlines and/or the airports or some non-DHS entity with an interest in the airport.
Or are you referring to the machines used to scan the MPC-generated codes?
Or are you referring to the machines used to scan the MPC-generated codes?