Is Global Entry worthwhile?
Aug 14, 2014, 9:06 am
#3391
Join Date: Dec 1999
Location: NorCal - 1K 2MM
Posts: 2,089
GE at Canadian preclearance
Going to use GE departing Canada for the first time tomorrow. Was curious as to whether or not the kiosk can know in advance your airline and flight, as is usually true when you're at a kiosk at a US GE arrival. Presumably in that case they get the flight info from the list forwarded to immigration by the airline shortly after flight departure. In the case of Canadian preclearance, they don't have that info pre-departure. Does that mean you always have to hunt and peck your flight info into the kiosk by hand from Canadian kiosks??
Aug 14, 2014, 10:02 am
#3392
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: SEA
Programs: Million Miles achieved | 2017 Delta Platinum, United NADA, Global Entry, PreCheck, NEXUS
Posts: 1,295
I used GE to at Toronto a couple weeks ago. It went very smoothly. Lots of kiosks, no wait. And the kiosk knew my flight info.
The only downside was the maze of different lines to GE vs other lines were not well marked with signage. .
The only downside was the maze of different lines to GE vs other lines were not well marked with signage. .
Aug 14, 2014, 12:24 pm
#3393
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Danville, CA, USA;
Programs: UA 1MM, WN CP, Marriott LT Plat, Hilton Gold, IC Plat
Posts: 15,722
And to be fair I can't speak to TBIT as I've only entered through the UA/AS checkpoint located under T-6. But it's awful every time.
Aug 14, 2014, 12:51 pm
#3394
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: HOU, IAH
Posts: 194
The only time I carry it though is when I go to Australia. They allow US citizens enrolled in GE to use the entry gates for immigration just like their citizens. However if you have problems getting the gate to recognize you I've found it's best to have proof of GE enrollment.
Aug 14, 2014, 2:59 pm
#3395
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: YYZ at this time
Programs: ACMM / Altitude S100K / HH Diamond
Posts: 6,285
Which terminal in Toronto? If T1 then you would go to the Nexus line and that is pretty much it ... love GE as it is free for CDN Nexus holders!
Aug 14, 2014, 3:03 pm
#3396
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: SEA
Programs: Million Miles achieved | 2017 Delta Platinum, United NADA, Global Entry, PreCheck, NEXUS
Posts: 1,295
Having said that it was a very quick process.
Aug 14, 2014, 4:48 pm
#3397
Join Date: Sep 2013
Posts: 464
Aug 15, 2014, 6:31 am
#3398
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: YYZ at this time
Programs: ACMM / Altitude S100K / HH Diamond
Posts: 6,285
Indeed it was Terminal 1. I followed the advice on Flyertalk about the special door. It was my first time there and there were so many lines I was a bit confused. Complicated by the fact that I had to drop off a chase picked bag.
Having said that it was a very quick process.
Having said that it was a very quick process.
but then again they are just minions. They in the past months significantly increased the number of GE machines which is great ... in fact I am not even sure if there is a Nexus machine still left in the USA Clearance area ... maybe one or two.Were you able to use the NEXUS security line too (far right after the customs/immigration officer)? I know they look for a Nexus card, not sure what they do if you have a GE card which I think you folks in the USA get?
Aug 15, 2014, 6:48 am
#3399
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: San Antonio
Programs: DL DM, Former AA EXP now AY Plat, AC 75K, NW Plat, Former CO Gold, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Titanium
Posts: 27,046
I definitely agree they do not help matters by funneling all US travelers through the single entry point and the telling them left or right based on the Nexus/GE or not. The minions at the front could definitely do better but then again they are just minions. They in the past months significantly increased the number of GE machines which is great ... in fact I am not even sure if there is a Nexus machine still left in the USA Clearance area ... maybe one or two.
Were you able to use the NEXUS security line too (far right after the customs/immigration officer)? I know they look for a Nexus card, not sure what they do if you have a GE card which I think you folks in the USA get?
but then again they are just minions. They in the past months significantly increased the number of GE machines which is great ... in fact I am not even sure if there is a Nexus machine still left in the USA Clearance area ... maybe one or two.Were you able to use the NEXUS security line too (far right after the customs/immigration officer)? I know they look for a Nexus card, not sure what they do if you have a GE card which I think you folks in the USA get?
Aug 15, 2014, 8:30 am
#3400
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: YYZ at this time
Programs: ACMM / Altitude S100K / HH Diamond
Posts: 6,285
Yup - figured that - but was just curious about the expedited security line - if those folks at that post actually recognized GE, that's all.
Aug 23, 2014, 1:30 pm
#3401
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Sausalito, CA
Posts: 161
[QUOTE=shawbridge;11197675]I fly internationally about once or twice a month. Most trips from BOS to Europe, but I make trips to Asia, Mexico, Australia and other countries as well a few times a year. These latter trips are often through LAX, DFW, and MIA. I also go to YYZ a few times a year. Does it make sense to apply to the Global Entry program at this point? Is there any information about when a kiosk will come to Boston?[/QUO
Absolutely. I fly r/t from Mexico to IAH 2x a year and it easily saves me an hour. When it 's a tight connection it's crucial. $100 for five years? I eat that many McDonalds in the airport in a year.
Absolutely. I fly r/t from Mexico to IAH 2x a year and it easily saves me an hour. When it 's a tight connection it's crucial. $100 for five years? I eat that many McDonalds in the airport in a year.
Aug 23, 2014, 1:50 pm
#3402
Join Date: May 2013
Programs: NEXUS/GE
Posts: 521
[QUOTE=powlan;23412135]
As you pass through YYZ, NEXUS would be a better option. It's cheaper ($50 vs $100 for GE), gets you expedited entry into Canada and the US, get front of line privileges at the CATSA security line and includes GE for free.
Once you join NEXUS or GE (as a US citizen), you can join Viajero Confiable in Mexico (1,372 MXP), SES in South Korea ($100 US), FLUX in the Netherlands (€121 a year) and get to use SmartGate in Australia for free. Also, you get Precheck on all eligible airlines as a NEXUS or GE member.
I fly internationally about once or twice a month. Most trips from BOS to Europe, but I make trips to Asia, Mexico, Australia and other countries as well a few times a year. These latter trips are often through LAX, DFW, and MIA. I also go to YYZ a few times a year. Does it make sense to apply to the Global Entry program at this point? Is there any information about when a kiosk will come to Boston?[/QUO
Absolutely. I fly r/t from Mexico to IAH 2x a year and it easily saves me an hour. When it 's a tight connection it's crucial. $100 for five years? I eat that many McDonalds in the airport in a year.
Absolutely. I fly r/t from Mexico to IAH 2x a year and it easily saves me an hour. When it 's a tight connection it's crucial. $100 for five years? I eat that many McDonalds in the airport in a year.
Once you join NEXUS or GE (as a US citizen), you can join Viajero Confiable in Mexico (1,372 MXP), SES in South Korea ($100 US), FLUX in the Netherlands (€121 a year) and get to use SmartGate in Australia for free. Also, you get Precheck on all eligible airlines as a NEXUS or GE member.
Last edited by dustman81; Aug 23, 2014 at 1:55 pm
Sep 13, 2014, 5:29 am
#3403
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: LEJ/BTV/LEB
Programs: UA 1K, BA Gold, TK Elite, GE
Posts: 84
I haven't entered the US at ORD for about a year now.
Do they have a dedicated GE-exit at the customs meanwhile? How's the situation since the APC are open to ESTA-travellers?
Although I have with 1:45h enough time to make my connection, I'm a bit worried that I'll spend more time at the customs than anywhere else.
Bonus question: I read somewhere in this thread that an incoming international flight disables TSApre on a connecting flight. Is that still the case?
My last BPs always indicated TSApre for the connecting flight (departing from IAD), but lack of TSApre at IAD midfield I could never test it...
Do they have a dedicated GE-exit at the customs meanwhile? How's the situation since the APC are open to ESTA-travellers?
Although I have with 1:45h enough time to make my connection, I'm a bit worried that I'll spend more time at the customs than anywhere else.
Bonus question: I read somewhere in this thread that an incoming international flight disables TSApre on a connecting flight. Is that still the case?
My last BPs always indicated TSApre for the connecting flight (departing from IAD), but lack of TSApre at IAD midfield I could never test it...
Sep 13, 2014, 11:35 am
#3404
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: Pagus Bracbatensis, Kingdom of the Netherlands
Programs: DL SPlat, KLM Bump, Privium Plus, GOES
Posts: 2,066
Bonus question: I read somewhere in this thread that an incoming international flight disables TSApre on a connecting flight. Is that still the case?
My last BPs always indicated TSApre for the connecting flight (departing from IAD), but lack of TSApre at IAD midfield I could never test it...
My last BPs always indicated TSApre for the connecting flight (departing from IAD), but lack of TSApre at IAD midfield I could never test it...
Sep 13, 2014, 3:08 pm
#3405
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: So Cal
Programs: UA Gold/0.744MM, WN AL, Hyatt Diamond, MR Scum, Hertz PC, National Exec, Avis PC
Posts: 5,561
Bonus question: I read somewhere in this thread that an incoming international flight disables TSApre on a connecting flight. Is that still the case?
My last BPs always indicated TSApre for the connecting flight (departing from IAD), but lack of TSApre at IAD midfield I could never test it...
My last BPs always indicated TSApre for the connecting flight (departing from IAD), but lack of TSApre at IAD midfield I could never test it...