Is Global Entry worthwhile?
#2581
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
Well, anything is possible but the only time I had declared food was back in 2008 and I have used the kiosk dozens of times without receiving an X since. Back then, the wording was still the generic word "food". I hope it was just a random check. Besides, it was dried scallops and I knew it was legal to bring in but I declared it anyway because it was food.
#2582
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
I got an X when I declared something I bought over value. The immigration guy actually seemed annoyed that I declared and the customs people thanked me for being honest. I've never been X'd since then (knock wood)
#2583
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Washington, DC
Programs: UA 1K 1MM, AA, DL
Posts: 7,418
Question occurred to me as I used GE for the first time with my family:
The $800 limit on duty-free imports can be aggregated for families traveling together (i.e., a family of 3 gets $2400 total). The questions on GE ask about $800, however, and don't provide a family cumulation option.
Say we were close to the limit (we weren't in this case). Would we all answer "less than $800" and then if given a secondary explain how we allocated across the family? What if we had bought one $2000 item?
The $800 limit on duty-free imports can be aggregated for families traveling together (i.e., a family of 3 gets $2400 total). The questions on GE ask about $800, however, and don't provide a family cumulation option.
Say we were close to the limit (we weren't in this case). Would we all answer "less than $800" and then if given a secondary explain how we allocated across the family? What if we had bought one $2000 item?
#2584
Join Date: Sep 2001
Location: Washington, DC
Programs: UA Plat MM, AA Gold, Hyatt Explorist, Hilton Gold, IHG Plat, Marriott Titanium Elite
Posts: 5,015
Question occurred to me as I used GE for the first time with my family:
The $800 limit on duty-free imports can be aggregated for families traveling together (i.e., a family of 3 gets $2400 total). The questions on GE ask about $800, however, and don't provide a family cumulation option.
Say we were close to the limit (we weren't in this case). Would we all answer "less than $800" and then if given a secondary explain how we allocated across the family? What if we had bought one $2000 item?
The $800 limit on duty-free imports can be aggregated for families traveling together (i.e., a family of 3 gets $2400 total). The questions on GE ask about $800, however, and don't provide a family cumulation option.
Say we were close to the limit (we weren't in this case). Would we all answer "less than $800" and then if given a secondary explain how we allocated across the family? What if we had bought one $2000 item?
#2585
Join Date: Mar 2010
Posts: 444
Had a weird experience yesterday in MIA, when I took my child to be processed manually since his fingerprints didn't read, the officer said ours (my wifes and mine) didn't go through even though we both had the global entry slips that printed out. the strange thing is he determined that even before I handed him either of our passports. He then mumbled to himself and typed away for literally ten minutes. it took longer to clear immigration then without global entry. when I asked what the issue was he mumbled something about the system possibly not updating. I'm wondering if he just was clueless how global entry works or if any of that made any sense? then when we got to customs and handed our forms and my sons paper customs forms that guy said the other guy did it all wrong.
#2586
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: WAS
Programs: AMEX Platinum, Global Entry, Priority Pass, SPG Gold, HHonors Gold
Posts: 1,594
Had a weird experience yesterday in MIA, when I took my child to be processed manually since his fingerprints didn't read, the officer said ours (my wifes and mine) didn't go through even though we both had the global entry slips that printed out. the strange thing is he determined that even before I handed him either of our passports. He then mumbled to himself and typed away for literally ten minutes. it took longer to clear immigration then without global entry. when I asked what the issue was he mumbled something about the system possibly not updating. I'm wondering if he just was clueless how global entry works or if any of that made any sense? then when we got to customs and handed our forms and my sons paper customs forms that guy said the other guy did it all wrong.
#2587
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: SFO; SJC
Programs: UA Silver; WN; Marriott; SPG; Hilton; IHG; National; TSA Pre; Clear
Posts: 199
To the OP:
Sorry I'm a bit late to the conversation.
Don't even think of applying for GE unless you have an absolutely clean record for your entire life. If you don't, then you will forfeit $100. I was denied because of a minor traffic violation. It was like flushing the $ down the toilet.
Sorry I'm a bit late to the conversation.
Don't even think of applying for GE unless you have an absolutely clean record for your entire life. If you don't, then you will forfeit $100. I was denied because of a minor traffic violation. It was like flushing the $ down the toilet.
#2588
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: On the road in North America....
Programs: UA 1MM, *G, Global Entry
Posts: 579
To the OP:
Sorry I'm a bit late to the conversation.
Don't even think of applying for GE unless you have an absolutely clean record for your entire life. If you don't, then you will forfeit $100. I was denied because of a minor traffic violation. It was like flushing the $ down the toilet.
Sorry I'm a bit late to the conversation.
Don't even think of applying for GE unless you have an absolutely clean record for your entire life. If you don't, then you will forfeit $100. I was denied because of a minor traffic violation. It was like flushing the $ down the toilet.
joe
#2589
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2000
Location: in the vicinity of SFO
Programs: AA 2MM (LT-PLT, PPro for this year)
Posts: 19,781
To the OP:
Sorry I'm a bit late to the conversation.
Don't even think of applying for GE unless you have an absolutely clean record for your entire life. If you don't, then you will forfeit $100. I was denied because of a minor traffic violation. It was like flushing the $ down the toilet.
Sorry I'm a bit late to the conversation.
Don't even think of applying for GE unless you have an absolutely clean record for your entire life. If you don't, then you will forfeit $100. I was denied because of a minor traffic violation. It was like flushing the $ down the toilet.
#2590
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: ORD-JFK-EZE-MAD
Programs: AA LT PLT 4mm / Free Agent / GE / Secret Handshake
Posts: 854
--J
#2591
Moderator: Hilton Honors, Practical Travel Safety Issues & San Francisco
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: San Francisco CA
Programs: UA, Hilton, Priceline, AirBnB
Posts: 11,006
me as well.
That is correct. During the interview, the CBP agent will ask questions where the answer is in the screen in front of them. Trust begins by telling the truth. If you lie, you are not trustworthy. I've known of people who been booked, had traffic convictions, misdemeanors, etc.... and all were approved for GE.
--J
--J
#2592
Join Date: Nov 2008
Programs: AA EXP, 2mm; Hilton Diamond
Posts: 325
To the OP:
Sorry I'm a bit late to the conversation.
Don't even think of applying for GE unless you have an absolutely clean record for your entire life. If you don't, then you will forfeit $100. I was denied because of a minor traffic violation. It was like flushing the $ down the toilet.
Sorry I'm a bit late to the conversation.
Don't even think of applying for GE unless you have an absolutely clean record for your entire life. If you don't, then you will forfeit $100. I was denied because of a minor traffic violation. It was like flushing the $ down the toilet.
Numerous people here have posted about being cleared for GE despite having arrests or convictions on their record.
The plural of anecdote is not data.
#2593
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: LAX
Posts: 6,769
#2594
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: SFO; SJC
Programs: UA Silver; WN; Marriott; SPG; Hilton; IHG; National; TSA Pre; Clear
Posts: 199
That is correct. During the interview, the CBP agent will ask questions where the answer is in the screen in front of them. Trust begins by telling the truth. If you lie, you are not trustworthy. I've known of people who been booked, had traffic convictions, misdemeanors, etc.... and all were approved for GE.
--J
--J
All I'm saying is that a misdemeanor conviction will more than likely result in a denial, therefore if the applicant has one, he/she should be prepared to forfeit the application fee. Even expungement may not work, since government agencies can still see the expunged conviction.
Last edited by scoow; Jul 11, 2012 at 9:22 pm Reason: multiple, consecutive posts
#2595
Join Date: Nov 2008
Programs: AA EXP, 2mm; Hilton Diamond
Posts: 325
See http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/pract...l#post18861205 post #71.
Minor traffic violations are speeding. You basically got a DUI that wasn't officially called a DUI. In your case, the DA said "You weren't driving safe. You were drinking. We might be able to convict you of a DUI, but it could be difficult, so we'll call it a wet reckless so we get a conviction and law enforcement knows to pay attention to your alcohol level next time you're stopped."
As was discussed in the thread you linked to, CBP takes DUI very seriously.
Advising the OP not to apply if they have a "minor traffic violation" is bad advice. Plenty of people with speeding tickets, registration violations, or even misdemeanor arrests and convictions get approved for GE. It is the offense in particular that matters, and how you address it with CBP.