Global Entry vs. Mobile Passport App vs. APC
Aug 10, 2015, 10:24 am
#16
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Tri-State Area
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Aug 10, 2015, 10:39 am
#17
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Perhaps. But where the MPC app is applicable for me, I've been seeing MPC working out fast enough that seeing a huge crowd elsewhere waiting for CBP is making it more clear to me that GE isn't as relatively valuable for me as it used to be.
Aug 13, 2015, 2:41 am
#19
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: WAS
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Nov 23, 2015, 6:34 am
#20
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: FRA
Posts: 229
So, I guess if just one of our family is a non-US/CA citizen (VWP country citizen), then we can't really use this app if we all want to go through passport control together? Would be nice to try when flying into ORD this winter.
Dec 29, 2015, 7:43 am
#21
Join Date: Dec 2015
Posts: 1
MIA mobile pass user
Just used mobile pass at MIA. Was the best thing ever. They had 3 individual lines, one for GE, one for Mobile Pass and one for others. The traditional like had hundreds of people. The GE line had at least 100. I was 4th in the mobile passport only line and then at the final customs exit, I was 2nd in that Mobile Pass exit line as well. I just filled out everything after I landed and took my app and passport to the agents. Highly recommended. I came here to understand the difference between GE and Mobile Pass and I guess, the only difference right now is if you enter through one of the airports that doesn't have the Mobile Pass.
Feb 9, 2016, 1:29 am
#22
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The CBP site still doesn't list all airports where MPC is available... so it's ATL, SEA, ORD and MIA?
Feb 10, 2016, 11:05 am
#23
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The CBP site still doesn't list all airports where MPC is available... so it's ATL, SEA, ORD and MIA?
And it's still just US and Canadian passport users able to use this.
Apr 24, 2016, 1:27 pm
#25
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I have passport info stored in the phone app and submit the form and get a receipt between landing and disembarking at the gate. Some people may try to use the wifi internet in the inspection facility, but I have given up trying to do that. For my flights, there are very few users of this MPC service relative to the number of GE users from my flights.
Unlike with Global Entry, no need to pay any membership fees to DHS and no use of fingerprints for entry. And you get to fill in and verify the declaration form during down time on the plane rather than while in the terminal building itself.
I consider MPC to be more like an APC kiosk on your own phone but there being no line to wait for a machine to come available. And if your travel party consists of a household of multiple members, APC kiosk use -- and even GE kiosk use -- can take up more time than using MPC for multiple members.
Last edited by GUWonder; Apr 24, 2016 at 1:33 pm
Apr 24, 2016, 3:18 pm
#26
Join Date: Dec 2005
Programs: UA MP 1K/2MM, HHonors Diamond
Posts: 22
Mobile passport is the winner (for now anyway)
.. I've used mobile passport twice now since its been in use despite having global entry. Both times there were lines for the GE kiosk (although not terribly long) but no line at all to use the special lane for mobile passport. I think my strategy for now is to transmit my mobile passport when I land, and then if there is a line for the mobile passport lane go see if the kiosk is less. Chicago for example often seems to have lines for the GE kiosks.
I am guessing as it becomes more popular though lines may start to form for mobile passport, but for now its seems to be better (and free, now if I could only get a refund for GE!).
By the way, on a different related topic, if you live near the Canada border you are better off getting a Nexus card (only $50) which you get at the US/Canada border. Once you have that, you can then get G.E. for free with a simple online application, no other interview required. So in my case my G.E. was $50, not $100....
I am guessing as it becomes more popular though lines may start to form for mobile passport, but for now its seems to be better (and free, now if I could only get a refund for GE!).
By the way, on a different related topic, if you live near the Canada border you are better off getting a Nexus card (only $50) which you get at the US/Canada border. Once you have that, you can then get G.E. for free with a simple online application, no other interview required. So in my case my G.E. was $50, not $100....
Apr 24, 2016, 3:20 pm
#27
Join Date: Aug 2009
Posts: 1,088
If you use the mobile app can you still use the GE customs
Exit line?
Exit line?
.. I've used mobile passport twice now since its been in use despite having global entry. Both times there were lines for the GE kiosk (although not terribly long) but no line at all to use the special lane for mobile passport. I think my strategy for now is to transmit my mobile passport when I land, and then if there is a line for the mobile passport lane go see if the kiosk is less. Chicago for example often seems to have lines for the GE kiosks.
I am guessing as it becomes more popular though lines may start to form for mobile passport, but for now its seems to be better (and free, now if I could only get a refund for GE!).
By the way, on a different related topic, if you live near the Canada border you are better off getting a Nexus card (only $50) which you get at the US/Canada border. Once you have that, you can then get G.E. for free with a simple online application, no other interview required. So in my case my G.E. was $50, not $100....
I am guessing as it becomes more popular though lines may start to form for mobile passport, but for now its seems to be better (and free, now if I could only get a refund for GE!).
By the way, on a different related topic, if you live near the Canada border you are better off getting a Nexus card (only $50) which you get at the US/Canada border. Once you have that, you can then get G.E. for free with a simple online application, no other interview required. So in my case my G.E. was $50, not $100....
Apr 24, 2016, 5:54 pm
#28
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2005
Posts: 38,410
Right now, due to very few users, MPC is rather fast for the few using this to be admitted into the US. And yes, it's been faster at times than even GE. And it's generally much better than using the APC kiosks for my trips.
I have passport info stored in the phone app and submit the form and get a receipt between landing and disembarking at the gate. Some people may try to use the wifi internet in the inspection facility, but I have given up trying to do that. For my flights, there are very few users of this MPC service relative to the number of GE users from my flights.
Unlike with Global Entry, no need to pay any membership fees to DHS and no use of fingerprints for entry. And you get to fill in and verify the declaration form during down time on the plane rather than while in the terminal building itself.
I consider MPC to be more like an APC kiosk on your own phone but there being no line to wait for a machine to come available. And if your travel party consists of a household of multiple members, APC kiosk use -- and even GE kiosk use -- can take up more time than using MPC for multiple members.
I have passport info stored in the phone app and submit the form and get a receipt between landing and disembarking at the gate. Some people may try to use the wifi internet in the inspection facility, but I have given up trying to do that. For my flights, there are very few users of this MPC service relative to the number of GE users from my flights.
Unlike with Global Entry, no need to pay any membership fees to DHS and no use of fingerprints for entry. And you get to fill in and verify the declaration form during down time on the plane rather than while in the terminal building itself.
I consider MPC to be more like an APC kiosk on your own phone but there being no line to wait for a machine to come available. And if your travel party consists of a household of multiple members, APC kiosk use -- and even GE kiosk use -- can take up more time than using MPC for multiple members.
Apr 24, 2016, 5:57 pm
#29
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GE is still the more broadly available and less variable option around, and it comes with a very good chance of having PreCheck.
Apr 24, 2016, 6:00 pm
#30
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