Is Global Entry worthwhile?
#2521
Join Date: Jan 2000
Location: SoCal to the rest of the world...
Programs: AA EXP with lots of BA. UA 2MM Lifetime Plat - No longer chase hotel loyalty
Posts: 6,699
Korean Smart Entry System (SES) and GE - Part 2
Just did the Korean SES add on to Global Entry.
I applied about 4 weeks ago once SES showed up. I travel to Korea about 6-8 times a year so this for me is a big deal; for those who go once or twice a year it may not be worth it.
Program expires 5 years from ISSUANCE on your birthday; e.g. if your Birthday is December; 5 years from now + the additional time to get to your birthday date.
Process
1) Apply for SES on GOES
2) You will get an acceptance letter back via GOES from Korean Ministry of Justice inviting you to go to an enrollment center
3) Show up at the enrollment center with the letter you got PRINTED. NOTE until end of June I was suggested to go to Incheon enrollment center; Gimpo/Kimpo was not setup to process when I went this week.
4) They will do enrollment info including taking photo's, passport scan and fingerprints.
5) Pay 100 USD or 10,000 KRW - THIS IS HIGHER than the stated 50,000KRW but I think CBP is mistaken here; SES in Korea is 10,000KRW/100USD for 5 years. [ You will pay this on an ATM looking device run by Shinhan Bank; in the enrollment office]
6) They will show you how to use the system on a trial unit in the enrollment office.
7) They will stamp your passport last page with a stamp stating "OK to use Korean SES/Automated Border Control"
Was activated to use. I was actually the first person who came in to get processed so they made a big deal about it and had a few others brought in to quickly cross train people. The senior guy who showed up said it normally should take 5 mins or less but since some options are setup different for GE members staff aren't familiar on how to process. Took 20 mins and since I was leaving that day one of the senior guys waited for me after security to ensure it worked on the automated gate for departure immigration.
I applied about 4 weeks ago once SES showed up. I travel to Korea about 6-8 times a year so this for me is a big deal; for those who go once or twice a year it may not be worth it.
Program expires 5 years from ISSUANCE on your birthday; e.g. if your Birthday is December; 5 years from now + the additional time to get to your birthday date.
Process
1) Apply for SES on GOES
2) You will get an acceptance letter back via GOES from Korean Ministry of Justice inviting you to go to an enrollment center
3) Show up at the enrollment center with the letter you got PRINTED. NOTE until end of June I was suggested to go to Incheon enrollment center; Gimpo/Kimpo was not setup to process when I went this week.
4) They will do enrollment info including taking photo's, passport scan and fingerprints.
5) Pay 100 USD or 10,000 KRW - THIS IS HIGHER than the stated 50,000KRW but I think CBP is mistaken here; SES in Korea is 10,000KRW/100USD for 5 years. [ You will pay this on an ATM looking device run by Shinhan Bank; in the enrollment office]
6) They will show you how to use the system on a trial unit in the enrollment office.
7) They will stamp your passport last page with a stamp stating "OK to use Korean SES/Automated Border Control"
Was activated to use. I was actually the first person who came in to get processed so they made a big deal about it and had a few others brought in to quickly cross train people. The senior guy who showed up said it normally should take 5 mins or less but since some options are setup different for GE members staff aren't familiar on how to process. Took 20 mins and since I was leaving that day one of the senior guys waited for me after security to ensure it worked on the automated gate for departure immigration.
#2522
Join Date: Mar 2009
Posts: 3,519
Just wanted to share my two cents... I got the Plat Amex a few weeks ago since they had a 50K points on signup promo and decided to take advantage of the Global Entry bonus.
Applied on Monday, received an OK on Friday and managed to schedule the interview today (Saturday) at Newark. They didn't even ask my any questions - just took my picture and finger prints and sent me on my merry way. Whole process took less than 20 minutes including parking. ^
Applied on Monday, received an OK on Friday and managed to schedule the interview today (Saturday) at Newark. They didn't even ask my any questions - just took my picture and finger prints and sent me on my merry way. Whole process took less than 20 minutes including parking. ^
#2523
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Washington, DC
Programs: UA 1K 1MM, AA, DL
Posts: 7,418
Looking for experiences with slipping an extra person in for an interview.
My daughter got approval before my wife, and has an appointment about 2 weeks before wife's. Hoping wife can piggyback off daughter's appointment since she'll be there anyway as guardian.
Any sense of the chances wife can do interview/enrollment at the same time? Should she call first or just show up and ask if she can do it then?
My daughter got approval before my wife, and has an appointment about 2 weeks before wife's. Hoping wife can piggyback off daughter's appointment since she'll be there anyway as guardian.
Any sense of the chances wife can do interview/enrollment at the same time? Should she call first or just show up and ask if she can do it then?
#2524
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: PDX (wish I was in HNL)
Programs: Platinum
Posts: 1,687
Looking for experiences with slipping an extra person in for an interview.
My daughter got approval before my wife, and has an appointment about 2 weeks before wife's. Hoping wife can piggyback off daughter's appointment since she'll be there anyway as guardian.
Any sense of the chances wife can do interview/enrollment at the same time? Should she call first or just show up and ask if she can do it then?
My daughter got approval before my wife, and has an appointment about 2 weeks before wife's. Hoping wife can piggyback off daughter's appointment since she'll be there anyway as guardian.
Any sense of the chances wife can do interview/enrollment at the same time? Should she call first or just show up and ask if she can do it then?
#2525
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Dallas, TX, USA
Programs: AA EXP, HH Gold, Hyatt Globalist, IC Plat, SPG Gold
Posts: 961
#2526
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Indianapolis
Programs: DL Gold, Marriott Titanium, IHG Plat, Hilton Gold, UA Silver
Posts: 625
Interview length
Seems as if many people are in-out very quick in the interviews. Anyone speculate on the average time? I plan on scheduling during a layover.
Cheers.
Cheers.
#2527
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: LAX
Posts: 6,769
GE says 45 minutes. Mine was about 30 minutes. If you want to sift through all the posts and collect statistics, it's all here.
#2528
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Indianapolis
Programs: DL Gold, Marriott Titanium, IHG Plat, Hilton Gold, UA Silver
Posts: 625
Unfortunately I don't have the time to go through 160+ pages and create a scatter plot (although there could be some use in that). So I will take your word for it. I think safe side I will plan for an hour. Thanks for the help, it's greatly appreciated.
#2529
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: LAX
Posts: 6,769
But my un-rigorous feeling is that it shouldn't take more than 30-45 minutes. It can be less. Actually, I was done in about 20 minutes, and the CBP officer spent the rest of the time teaching me how to use the kiosk, but then the kiosk wasn't recognizing my fingerprint, so we talked about what to do if the machines don't work, etc... and since I wasn't in a rush, I asked a bunch of questions. I was still out within 30 minutes.
#2530
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: jfk area
Programs: AA platinum; 2MM AA, Delta Diamond, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 10,291
My interview took < 10 min (and would have been even shorter if their computer were working better--slow retrace.)
[I think a lot depends on how much extra info is needed about your past travel and general history.]
Last edited by nrr; Jun 12, 2012 at 6:45 pm
#2531
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: PDX (wish I was in HNL)
Programs: Platinum
Posts: 1,687
Just a reminder for those interviewing soon. One of the tricks for successful fingerprinting ( I think it was mentioned upstream) is to rub your fingers on your forehead prior to placing it on the reader. The oils help. I forgot to tell my wife the trick, and she had a hard time getting her fingerprint to show. The officers were impressed at how easy my fingerprints showed up.
#2532
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: LAX
Posts: 6,769
Just a reminder for those interviewing soon. One of the tricks for successful fingerprinting ( I think it was mentioned upstream) is to rub your fingers on your forehead prior to placing it on the reader. The oils help. I forgot to tell my wife the trick, and she had a hard time getting her fingerprint to show. The officers were impressed at how easy my fingerprints showed up.
#2533
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Houston
Programs: UA Silver, IHG Plat AMB, Hertz Pres. Circle, Avis Presidents Club; Caesars Diamond Plus
Posts: 641
Just a reminder for those interviewing soon. One of the tricks for successful fingerprinting ( I think it was mentioned upstream) is to rub your fingers on your forehead prior to placing it on the reader. The oils help. I forgot to tell my wife the trick, and she had a hard time getting her fingerprint to show. The officers were impressed at how easy my fingerprints showed up.
Since they could never get a good set of prints, they told me all I'd have to do is print the receipt from the kiosk and take it to the immigration officer along with my passport and he/she will have to check it manually. I'll always have the black "X" on the receipt, but it shouldn't slow me down too much. Or so they say. Hope it works out that way.
#2534
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: LAX
Posts: 6,769
I tried this, and the officer tried pressing down on my fingers, too. Light, medium, heavy pressure...nothing worked.
Since they could never get a good set of prints, they told me all I'd have to do is print the receipt from the kiosk and take it to the immigration officer along with my passport and he/she will have to check it manually. I'll always have the black "X" on the receipt, but it shouldn't slow me down too much. Or so they say. Hope it works out that way.
Since they could never get a good set of prints, they told me all I'd have to do is print the receipt from the kiosk and take it to the immigration officer along with my passport and he/she will have to check it manually. I'll always have the black "X" on the receipt, but it shouldn't slow me down too much. Or so they say. Hope it works out that way.
Wipe your hand on your forehead, your nose, or other oily parts and press your hand and breathe on it if you have to. It's so much more convenient when you don't get the X.
#2535
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Houston
Programs: UA Silver, IHG Plat AMB, Hertz Pres. Circle, Avis Presidents Club; Caesars Diamond Plus
Posts: 641
No no no!!! Don't do that. One of the benefits of GE is just walking right through and not having to deal with people.
Wipe your hand on your forehead, your nose, or other oily parts and press your hand and breathe on it if you have to. It's so much more convenient when you don't get the X.
Wipe your hand on your forehead, your nose, or other oily parts and press your hand and breathe on it if you have to. It's so much more convenient when you don't get the X.
I wonder if they would let me try the fingerprints again in another 'interview' session....?