Is Global Entry worthwhile?
Sep 17, 2012 | 9:03 am
#2747
Join Date: Aug 2005
Posts: 3,438
That's a good question. I thought he said it would come to the address I registered with, but when I checked in the system this morning I saw my address listed as my company address in the states. I might have given that to them when I registered. In any case I'll tell them to be on the lookout for it.
Sep 17, 2012 | 10:19 am
#2748
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: New England
Programs: AA since 1988 (ex-elite status); Alaska; Hilton Diamond
Posts: 501
Makes me wonder how it works if you fly to Canada or Mexico and then drive back over the border (where the agent usually just glances at you and waves you through, without swiping your passport into the system). How would the CBP computer system know you had returned Stateside? Could foul things up the next time you try to leave the country by air and and the airline swipes your passport for APIS purposes prior to boarding pass issuance.
(Or are all U.S. land border stations swiping individual passports/WHTI-complaint documents for each and every traveler nowadays?)
(Or are all U.S. land border stations swiping individual passports/WHTI-complaint documents for each and every traveler nowadays?)
BTW, RFID is a wonderful technology for applications of this nature, and widely deployed at the land borders.
Sep 18, 2012 | 9:00 am
#2749
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: YQR
Programs: NEXUS; alas, no status anymore.
Posts: 1,181
Some small crossings cannot swipe and still write down passport numbers or just wave through... my aunt crossed at one a few days ago (to her surprise, re: writing the numbers down) and I crossed at one a couple of months back where they just looked and waved me on. Just an added fyi... fwiw.
Down the border at Portal, ND (which is a much more major crossing) they've been more comfortable with NEXUS for longer, but they also have taken FAST for years so even though they don't have a NEXUS-specific lane, they are at least used to the idea of trusted traveler programs.
Sep 19, 2012 | 5:22 pm
#2750
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: NYC suburbs
Programs: UA LT Gold 1.2MM (BIS), AA LT Plat (SUBs, BD/Bask), Hilton Dia (CC), Hyatt Glob (BIB), et. al.
Posts: 4,601
I am new to Global Entry, just obtained the card a few months ago. I’ve used it twice, once at JFK and once at Newark. Each time it saved me from waiting in a rather long line and got me through the system very quickly. So in answer to the question from the title of this thread, my answer is “YES, absolutely, even if one only expects to use it a few times”.
Please, a question for those with more Global Entry experience: IIRC, both times I used it the kiosk required scanning of my passport only, I don’t recall being asked to scan or show the actual Global Entry card. Is it necessary to actually carry the card when traveling? Thanks.
Please, a question for those with more Global Entry experience: IIRC, both times I used it the kiosk required scanning of my passport only, I don’t recall being asked to scan or show the actual Global Entry card. Is it necessary to actually carry the card when traveling? Thanks.
Sep 19, 2012 | 5:35 pm
#2751
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: LAX
Posts: 6,769
I am new to Global Entry, just obtained the card a few months ago. Ive used it twice, once at JFK and once at Newark. Each time it saved me from waiting in a rather long line and got me through the system very quickly. So in answer to the question from the title of this thread, my answer is YES, absolutely, even if one only expects to use it a few times.
Please, a question for those with more Global Entry experience: IIRC, both times I used it the kiosk required scanning of my passport only, I dont recall being asked to scan or show the actual Global Entry card. Is it necessary to actually carry the card when traveling? Thanks.
Please, a question for those with more Global Entry experience: IIRC, both times I used it the kiosk required scanning of my passport only, I dont recall being asked to scan or show the actual Global Entry card. Is it necessary to actually carry the card when traveling? Thanks.
Sep 19, 2012 | 5:42 pm
#2752
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: ORD
Programs: AA Platinum, HHonors Diamond
Posts: 1,177
The card is used for entry into the US via NEXUS entry from Canada and SENTRI entry from Mexico. You cannot use a Passport in these situations.
Sep 19, 2012 | 7:54 pm
#2753
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: So Cal
Programs: UA 1K/0.828MM, WN ALP, Hyatt Diamond, MR Gold, Hertz PC, National Exec, Avis PC,AA Gold
Posts: 5,666
The card is only for ground and sea entries from Canada and Mexico (and not the other way around). It is of no use at airports.
Sep 20, 2012 | 5:36 am
#2754
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2002
Location: NYC, USA
Programs: AA EXP 3MM, Lifetime Platinum, Marriott Titanium, HH Gold
Posts: 11,049
Sorry to contradict, but you definitely can use a normal passport book at land/sea crossings from Canada/Mexico! A passport book is certainly a WHTI-compliant document!
More info here:
http://www.getyouhome.gov/html/eng_map.html
Sep 20, 2012 | 8:08 am
#2755
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: BOS/PVD
Posts: 461
Sorry to contradict, but you definitely can use a normal passport book at land/sea crossings from Canada/Mexico! A passport book is certainly a WHTI-compliant document!
More info here:
http://www.getyouhome.gov/html/eng_map.html
More info here:
http://www.getyouhome.gov/html/eng_map.html
Sep 20, 2012 | 8:08 am
#2756
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: So Cal
Programs: UA 1K/0.828MM, WN ALP, Hyatt Diamond, MR Gold, Hertz PC, National Exec, Avis PC,AA Gold
Posts: 5,666
Sorry to contradict, but you definitely can use a normal passport book at land/sea crossings from Canada/Mexico! A passport book is certainly a WHTI-compliant document!
More info here:
http://www.getyouhome.gov/html/eng_map.html
More info here:
http://www.getyouhome.gov/html/eng_map.html
Sep 21, 2012 | 5:48 pm
#2757
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: ORD
Programs: AA Platinum, HHonors Diamond
Posts: 1,177
When I referred to NEXUS entry, what I meant to say is that you may not use a Passport book to pass through the NEXUS/SENTRI trusted traveler lanes. You must use the NEXUS/GE/SENTRI card.
Conversely, when entering through the air (excepting pre-clearance airports) you cannot use the NEXUS/GE/SENTRI card at the GE kiosk. You must use a Passport book.
Sep 21, 2012 | 7:12 pm
#2758
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2002
Location: NYC, USA
Programs: AA EXP 3MM, Lifetime Platinum, Marriott Titanium, HH Gold
Posts: 11,049
Why would you hate to contradict me when I am incorrect or in this case imprecise?
When I referred to NEXUS entry, what I meant to say is that you may not use a Passport book to pass through the NEXUS/SENTRI trusted traveler lanes. You must use the NEXUS/GE/SENTRI card.
Conversely, when entering through the air (excepting pre-clearance airports) you cannot use the NEXUS/GE/SENTRI card at the GE kiosk. You must use a Passport book.
When I referred to NEXUS entry, what I meant to say is that you may not use a Passport book to pass through the NEXUS/SENTRI trusted traveler lanes. You must use the NEXUS/GE/SENTRI card.
Conversely, when entering through the air (excepting pre-clearance airports) you cannot use the NEXUS/GE/SENTRI card at the GE kiosk. You must use a Passport book.
Ah, indeed. That makes much more sense now. Thanks for clarifying. Yes, you need to be using a NEXUS/GE/SENTRI card to use the trusted traveler lanes. Neither a passport book nor a passport card is sufficient because obtaining those documents does not include the trusted traveler background vetting process.
Also correct about using GE kiosks. Must use passport book so that the kiosk can read the MRZ on the bottom of the passport ID page.
Sep 21, 2012 | 8:15 pm
#2759
Join Date: Dec 2004
Posts: 5,818
I was yelled at in late June at ORD for not having my passport in my hand and opened at the sticker page. But in late July and early September, they no longer wanted to see the sticker. Coincided with the introduction of photo printing. I am not sure why these two things should be connected, but of course, logic does not apply.
