Is Global Entry worthwhile?
Apr 24, 2012, 9:22 pm
#2461
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
Not sure if this has been mentioned, but the super-awesome exclusive exit for GE members with only carry-on luggage at Houston IAH is randomly closed until 8am. So early arrivals from South America have to walk all the way to the checked luggage escalator then all the way back through the checked luggage hall to the exit.
Not sure why...seems stupid.
Not sure why...seems stupid.
Apr 30, 2012, 1:50 pm
#2463
Join Date: Apr 2012
Posts: 2
Signing Up Process was Easy
- Applied on 4/10/12 (took 20 mins)
- Continuously checked GOES for updated status on application & approval
- Noticed my application went from pending approval to conditionally approved
- scheduled interview the very next open slot after being conditionally approved
- Interviewed on 4/22/12. Arrived an hour early of my appointment, it didn't matter--just a few follow up questions, left FIVE MINUTES LATER fully approved.
- Arrived back at my residence before the time of schedule start of interview!
^^
- Continuously checked GOES for updated status on application & approval
- Noticed my application went from pending approval to conditionally approved
- scheduled interview the very next open slot after being conditionally approved
- Interviewed on 4/22/12. Arrived an hour early of my appointment, it didn't matter--just a few follow up questions, left FIVE MINUTES LATER fully approved.
- Arrived back at my residence before the time of schedule start of interview!
^^
May 4, 2012, 2:40 pm
#2465
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Los Angeles, New York, Lisbon-Portugal
Programs: BA Gold, UA Premier 1K, Amex Plat, GlobalEntry
Posts: 844
Global Entry for Canadian Citizens?
I've used my Global Entry 5 times and I can't imagine standing in line here like I did for 1 3/4 hours at Terminal 5 at Heathrow a week ago in the passport control line.
One of the friends I was traveling with is Canadian with a work permit for the US; can a Canadian citizens get Global Entry if they qualify for NEXUS?
One of the friends I was traveling with is Canadian with a work permit for the US; can a Canadian citizens get Global Entry if they qualify for NEXUS?
May 4, 2012, 4:53 pm
#2466
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: WAS
Programs: AMEX Platinum, Global Entry, Priority Pass, SPG Gold, HHonors Gold
Posts: 1,594
If he or she qualifies for NEXUS then he or she should apply for NEXUS, and then use it to get a free Global Entry membership. There is no point in applying for Global Entry alone if one is Canadian.
May 4, 2012, 5:21 pm
#2467
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: WAS
Programs: AMEX Platinum, Global Entry, Priority Pass, SPG Gold, HHonors Gold
Posts: 1,594
I have heard about this new reciprocity, but I am missing the button to add an SES membership on my "Manage My Membership" page. I guess the website change is being rolled out over time.
May 10, 2012, 2:26 pm
#2469
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: SJC, SFO, YYC
Programs: AA-EXP, AA-0.41MM, UA-Gold, Ex UA-1K (2006 thru 2015), PMUA-0.95MM, COUA-1.5MM-lite, AF-Silver
Posts: 13,437
Well got my first secondary today, this one at IAD. No X on the GE receipt, got to the customs exit and was directed to secondary inspection. Asked a bunch of stupid, repetitive questions that anyone could answer from google (who I work for, what I do) and DHSes own records (how long was I gone, where do I live, am I resident of the USA [idiot, that's a green card is: permanent resident]) plus the CBP officer clearly was bored because 1/10th into the bag search he gave up.
Pointless program if secondaries are not going to be selected by GE kiosk and the idiots in DHS aren't going to use the private info I volunteered as part of the program for secondaries. Probably not going to renew.
Pointless program if secondaries are not going to be selected by GE kiosk and the idiots in DHS aren't going to use the private info I volunteered as part of the program for secondaries. Probably not going to renew.
May 10, 2012, 3:32 pm
#2470
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Victoria, BC
Programs: UA 1k, AA Exec Plt 2MM, HH Diamond, *wood Gold, disgruntled Amex Ex-Centurion
Posts: 584
Well got my first secondary today, this one at IAD. No X on the GE receipt, got to the customs exit and was directed to secondary inspection. Asked a bunch of stupid, repetitive questions that anyone could answer from google (who I work for, what I do) and DHSes own records (how long was I gone, where do I live, am I resident of the USA [idiot, that's a green card is: permanent resident]) plus the CBP officer clearly was bored because 1/10th into the bag search he gave up.
Pointless program if secondaries are not going to be selected by GE kiosk and the idiots in DHS aren't going to use the private info I volunteered as part of the program for secondaries. Probably not going to renew.
Pointless program if secondaries are not going to be selected by GE kiosk and the idiots in DHS aren't going to use the private info I volunteered as part of the program for secondaries. Probably not going to renew.
May 10, 2012, 4:55 pm
#2471
Join Date: Jan 2000
Location: London; Bangkok; Las Vegas
Programs: AA Exec Plat; UA MM Gold; Marriott Lifetime Titanium; Hilton Diamond
Posts: 8,745
May 10, 2012, 6:23 pm
#2472
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Washington, DC
Programs: UA 1K 1MM, AA, DL
Posts: 7,418
It appears to be an additional $100. For a single trip to Korea not worth it. But if you regularly travel there, sure. The main reason for it is to promote business between the two countries, so this clearly facilitates regular travel between the two countries.
May 11, 2012, 7:46 am
#2473
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: SJC, SFO, YYC
Programs: AA-EXP, AA-0.41MM, UA-Gold, Ex UA-1K (2006 thru 2015), PMUA-0.95MM, COUA-1.5MM-lite, AF-Silver
Posts: 13,437
Just having GE does not exempt you from random secondaries. I got one in the past year - and GE still saved me a total of about 24 hours of waiting in immigration lines and helped me make some very tight connections. If you call that "pointless", then you can just go back to those immigration lines by not renewing. Have fun.
I think if I had used the regular immigration line (at IAD that time there was no queue) I have had no secondary. If GE is going to increase the odds of a secondary then what is the logic to GE?
May 11, 2012, 7:49 am
#2474
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Between AUS, EWR, and YTO In a little twisty maze of airline seats, all alike.. but I wanna go home with the armadillo
Programs: CO, NW, & UA forum moderator emeritus
Posts: 35,432
way of knowing that. Passengers from the regular line are selected for random secondary searches every day time too.
May 11, 2012, 8:24 am
#2475
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Washington, DC
Programs: UA 1K 1MM, AA, DL
Posts: 7,418
I'm not sure we have any idea whether the odds of a random secondary increase with GE over going through the regular line. But given GE takes about 1 minute whereas even a non-line takes 3-5 minutes, I'll take the chance on a 3- 5 minute secondary (I've had one as well).