Is Global Entry worthwhile?
Feb 21, 2011, 12:55 am
#1546
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: SQL
Programs: SPG Platinum; Hyatt Platinum; UA 1K
Posts: 3,170
Let me illustrate: I have GE, I had it within 10 days of applying. Mr. 999 applied to Nexus. It's taken him months to try to schedule the interview. First he couldn't get an appointment at the times he was already scheduled to go to Canada. Then he couldn't get a reasonably priced flight at the time an appointment was available.
At this point, I'm encouraging him to book a cheap trip to SEA to interview there but they are only open M-F and he can't take off from work. YVR is open on weekends but the fares there have gone insane.
So, five months after being conditionally approved he's still scheduling and re-scheduling his interview, all to save $50 vs just applying for Global Entry (or to save $100 if he was going to get both eventually).
At this point, I'm encouraging him to book a cheap trip to SEA to interview there but they are only open M-F and he can't take off from work. YVR is open on weekends but the fares there have gone insane.
So, five months after being conditionally approved he's still scheduling and re-scheduling his interview, all to save $50 vs just applying for Global Entry (or to save $100 if he was going to get both eventually).
Feb 21, 2011, 5:31 pm
#1548
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: LAX
Posts: 6,769
Feb 21, 2011, 8:30 pm
#1549
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2002
Location: NYC, USA
Programs: AA EXP 3MM, Lifetime Platinum, Marriott Titanium, HH Gold
Posts: 10,967
Let me illustrate: I have GE, I had it within 10 days of applying. Mr. 999 applied to Nexus. It's taken him months to try to schedule the interview. First he couldn't get an appointment at the times he was already scheduled to go to Canada. Then he couldn't get a reasonably priced flight at the time an appointment was available....
Well, why not just claim a flight award to fly up to YYZ? That's what I did, because fares on NYC-YYZ are ridiculously expensive. But for 25,000 RDMs, some taxes, and the $50 enrollment fee, I got my NEXUS membership, and free GE membership. And trust me, the membership pays for itself the first few times you come into ORD in the afternoon and the arrivals hall is packed to the gills!
Feb 22, 2011, 9:55 am
#1550
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: NYCEWR
Programs: MP(1K) Million Miler, Marriott Plat
Posts: 478
I applied on February 9 and got an email today with preliminary approval and a request to schedule an interview.
Does GOES use up a visa page in your passport? I need to know as I am getting close to ordering new pages.
Does GOES use up a visa page in your passport? I need to know as I am getting close to ordering new pages.
Feb 22, 2011, 10:01 am
#1551
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Northeast Kansas | Colorado Native
Programs: Amex Gold/Plat, UA *G, Hyatt Globalist, Marriott LT Gold, NEXUS, TSA Disparager Unobtanium
Posts: 21,603
GOES is the Global Online Enrollment System, not the trusted traveler program you are applying for.
Feb 22, 2011, 11:03 am
#1552
Join Date: May 2006
Location: MYF/CMA/SAN/YYZ/YKF
Programs: COdbaUA 1K MM, AA EXP, Bonbon Gold, GHA Titanium, Hertz PC, NEXUS and GE
Posts: 5,839
Let me illustrate: I have GE, I had it within 10 days of applying. Mr. 999 applied to Nexus. It's taken him months to try to schedule the interview. First he couldn't get an appointment at the times he was already scheduled to go to Canada. Then he couldn't get a reasonably priced flight at the time an appointment was available.
At this point, I'm encouraging him to book a cheap trip to SEA to interview there but they are only open M-F and he can't take off from work. YVR is open on weekends but the fares there have gone insane.
So, five months after being conditionally approved he's still scheduling and re-scheduling his interview, all to save $50 vs just applying for Global Entry (or to save $100 if he was going to get both eventually).
At this point, I'm encouraging him to book a cheap trip to SEA to interview there but they are only open M-F and he can't take off from work. YVR is open on weekends but the fares there have gone insane.
So, five months after being conditionally approved he's still scheduling and re-scheduling his interview, all to save $50 vs just applying for Global Entry (or to save $100 if he was going to get both eventually).
Feb 22, 2011, 11:10 am
#1553
Join Date: Jun 2006
Programs: Various
Posts: 6,526
Good to know that they are still working on the apps! I'm hoping (1) the approvals go through soon, and (2) there isn't too long a wait for an interview slot. Both Mr. Mechteach and I will be flying to and through a number of GE airports during March, and it would be very convenient to set up an interview during that time.
Feb 22, 2011, 2:21 pm
#1555
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Northeast Kansas | Colorado Native
Programs: Amex Gold/Plat, UA *G, Hyatt Globalist, Marriott LT Gold, NEXUS, TSA Disparager Unobtanium
Posts: 21,603
Feb 22, 2011, 3:31 pm
#1557
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Catania, Sicily/South Jersey (PHL)/Houston, Texas/Red Stick/airborne in-between
Programs: United Global Svs, AA PlatPro, WN RR, AZ/ITA Freccia, Hilton Diam, Bonvoy Gold, Hertz Prez, IHG
Posts: 3,548
Feb 22, 2011, 3:53 pm
#1558
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: FLL
Programs: GE, B6 True Blue, Hilton Honors, IHG
Posts: 185
Applied on 2/10, approval came today.
2 questions:
The GOES website says to bring a copy of your "Conditional Approval Notification." On the GOES message inbox page, there is just one line stating, "Your application for the Global Entry Program has been approved." Is this the page I print out and bring to the interview?
The earliest back to back appointments available (doing the family thing) were for 3/8 and we're flying internationally on 3/13. Will we be immediately approved at the interview and in the system?
Thanks.
2 questions:
The GOES website says to bring a copy of your "Conditional Approval Notification." On the GOES message inbox page, there is just one line stating, "Your application for the Global Entry Program has been approved." Is this the page I print out and bring to the interview?
The earliest back to back appointments available (doing the family thing) were for 3/8 and we're flying internationally on 3/13. Will we be immediately approved at the interview and in the system?
Thanks.
Feb 22, 2011, 4:15 pm
#1559
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Greater DC
Programs: UA plus
Posts: 12,943
Applied on 2/10, approval came today.
2 questions:
The GOES website says to bring a copy of your "Conditional Approval Notification." On the GOES message inbox page, there is just one line stating, "Your application for the Global Entry Program has been approved." Is this the page I print out and bring to the interview?
The earliest back to back appointments available (doing the family thing) were for 3/8 and we're flying internationally on 3/13. Will we be immediately approved at the interview and in the system?
Thanks.
2 questions:
The GOES website says to bring a copy of your "Conditional Approval Notification." On the GOES message inbox page, there is just one line stating, "Your application for the Global Entry Program has been approved." Is this the page I print out and bring to the interview?
The earliest back to back appointments available (doing the family thing) were for 3/8 and we're flying internationally on 3/13. Will we be immediately approved at the interview and in the system?
Thanks.
Feb 22, 2011, 4:30 pm
#1560
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Northeast Kansas | Colorado Native
Programs: Amex Gold/Plat, UA *G, Hyatt Globalist, Marriott LT Gold, NEXUS, TSA Disparager Unobtanium
Posts: 21,603
Same here. CBP officer looked at my DL & PP, took my photo & finger prints, showed me the machine, and then I was on my way. Took no more than 20 minutes, and the welcome email was in my inbox as I walked out of the GE office.