Is Global Entry worthwhile?
#3271
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: LAX
Posts: 6,769
There's been a recent change in procedures ... if this persists, GE might not be the time saver it is advertised to be 
#3272




Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: SFO
Posts: 4,198
#3273
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: LAX
Posts: 6,769
#3274




Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: SJC
Programs: AA, AS, Marriott
Posts: 6,972
Perhaps it's to check and clear you if you get the X. My guess is that people might have been thinking that meant handing the form to the officer while leaving the customs hall. Most of my GE use has been at DFW or LAX (TBIT), and there is really no convenient path and you have to swim upstream if you get the X and have to report to passport control.
#3275




Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: SFO
Posts: 4,198
#3276




Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Hawai'i Nei
Programs: Au: HA, UA, Marriott, Hilton; GE
Posts: 7,813
Had first GE experience at SFO. Probably saved 15 minutes or so, because non-GE line was pretty short. Answered "Yes" to item about carrying food (candy, spices, truffles), and the receipt did not have an "X" as reported elsewhere, but had a big Circle on the receipt. After talking to CPB officer, we were referred to Agriculture, who X-rayed our bags. They saw the bottles containing the truffles, and despite their own website saying that they are allowed, they wanted to see the bottles. All of this only held us up by 5 minutes.
Because we were connecting to a domestic flight, the "Precheck" logo was NOT on our domestic boarding pass. However, a UA Global Services agent told us that our bar code would have the Precheck embedded in it, and to go the the Precheck line. Sure enough, despite no Precheck logo, the majic beeps got us through the line.
Yes. Global Entry is worth it.
Because we were connecting to a domestic flight, the "Precheck" logo was NOT on our domestic boarding pass. However, a UA Global Services agent told us that our bar code would have the Precheck embedded in it, and to go the the Precheck line. Sure enough, despite no Precheck logo, the majic beeps got us through the line.
Yes. Global Entry is worth it.
#3278
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Singapore
Programs: BA Gold, SPG Gold, KF Gold/PPS
Posts: 204
Is Global Entry worth it?
Landed at JFK T4 today in the afternoon. Walked over to the immi line and where it splits off into the three separate lines (citizens/permanent residents, global entry/diplomats/crew, visitors) I was waived through the GE line. The citizen line started there, at the beginning...super long. Breezed through immi and customs (didn't have to pick up a bag, travelling just with a carry on). All in, took me about 25 minutes from touch down to the air-train.
So yes, it is absolutely worth it.
Landed at JFK T4 today in the afternoon. Walked over to the immi line and where it splits off into the three separate lines (citizens/permanent residents, global entry/diplomats/crew, visitors) I was waived through the GE line. The citizen line started there, at the beginning...super long. Breezed through immi and customs (didn't have to pick up a bag, travelling just with a carry on). All in, took me about 25 minutes from touch down to the air-train.
So yes, it is absolutely worth it.
#3279
Join Date: Feb 2008
Posts: 940
I'm going to say yes, it's totally worth it if you're a regular traveler. Had my first experience last month, and it was pretty smooth.
If you are just traveling a few times a year and don't mind waiting a bit, then it's not that big of a deal. Some people in my family fits this profile, so I don't recommend it for them.
If you are just traveling a few times a year and don't mind waiting a bit, then it's not that big of a deal. Some people in my family fits this profile, so I don't recommend it for them.
#3280
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: ATL
Programs: Delta DM, 4MM, SC, AmEx Reserve, UA Plat, SPG/Marriott Platinum, Hertz Gold
Posts: 2,383
And don't forget the value of GE in where you are travelling to as well. I make 3-4 RTs a year to Australia and with GE you can use the smart gates in Sydney as well! This is especially important when arriving on the early morning VA or DL flights because of the Sydney embargo on early morning landing times when the customs/immigration lines can be very lengthy!
#3281
Moderator: American AAdvantage, Travel Safety/Security & Texas, FlyerTalk Evangelist


Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: AUS / GRK
Programs: AA, HHonors, Hertz
Posts: 13,968
I did check periodically (not daily, about 1-2x a week), and no appointments at all opened up at PHX. They are now booking into Feb

Anyway, I called this morning to verify where they heck they were at. One address said T4, another mapped somewhere near the FedEx hub (which you access quite differently, a few miles away by car).
They are in T4, level 1, near the US/WN baggage claim. Go to the big signs for where it ways what flights get which carousel, then it is just on the WN side.
I was about 25 min early, and there was one woman waiting. She said her appointment was at 11:40 (time was 11:42 on my iPhone) and she complained how they were running late. About a min later, an agent came and got her (looked like her husband came out).
About 2-3 min later, another agent came out, asked me my name, and brought me in.
There are 3 cubes, and they had 3 agents working. He had me verify my address, phone number, employer, etc. Took a few pictures (I'm doing Movember and asked if I'd be ok with or without the facial hair, and he said yes), then had me do fingerprints on a scanner-type thing (the last time I had fingerprints done was for a possible NSA job ~17 years ago, and I had to use an ink pad).
After everything was done, he took me over to a sample kiosk, and I used it. I commented how it was quite similar to what I used at YVR (he didn't know what to make of that).
I was done right around noon (my appointment time). As I left, I saw at least 4 people waiting outside (they have chairs outside the office, and you're waiting right near a WN baggage carousel).
Not sure if they allow walk-ins... I was at PHX a few weeks ago for some biz travel, and was early. I think if you're there anyway, it would definitely be worth a shot to try it (although it doesn't say anything about walk-ins for PHX on the website).
#3282




Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Indianapolis
Programs: Hilton-Diamond Lifetime Platinum AA UA, WN-CP, SPG Gold.
Posts: 7,385
Less than 5 times a year forget it, especially if you ride in front of the plane.
If you have a wheel chair meet you, forget it...
It takes a lot of time and money to go to the interview.
For me it was a pass I might change my mind in 5 years, and take the trip to ORD, and the day off.
If you have a wheel chair meet you, forget it...
It takes a lot of time and money to go to the interview.
For me it was a pass I might change my mind in 5 years, and take the trip to ORD, and the day off.
#3283




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
Less than 5 times a year forget it, especially if you ride in front of the plane.
If you have a wheel chair meet you, forget it...
It takes a lot of time and money to go to the interview.
For me it was a pass I might change my mind in 5 years, and take the trip to ORD, and the day off.
If you have a wheel chair meet you, forget it...
It takes a lot of time and money to go to the interview.
For me it was a pass I might change my mind in 5 years, and take the trip to ORD, and the day off.
I travel intl on average once a year with my wife. It paid for itself on the first use coming back from CUN via IAH in J. Let alone the almost guaranteed Pre access.
#3284




Join Date: Dec 2006
Programs: SPG Plat, Hyatt Diamond, UA, AA, DL, BA, CX
Posts: 497
Came in ORD this Tuesday sitting at first row of Economy. All non-GE citizens were directed to the kiosks and there's no wait line when I arrived. I noticed a wait line at the GE line interviewing with the officer. I think there might be too many GE in the front cabins that I actually passed through immigration faster than many business class passengers. I have my GE interview coming and now I'm wondering if it's really worth it.
#3285
FlyerTalk Evangelist




Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: ORD
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 16,934
Came in ORD this Tuesday sitting at first row of Economy. All non-GE citizens were directed to the kiosks and there's no wait line when I arrived. I noticed a wait line at the GE line interviewing with the officer. I think there might be too many GE in the front cabins that I actually passed through immigration faster than many business class passengers. I have my GE interview coming and now I'm wondering if it's really worth it.

