Is Global Entry worthwhile?
Mar 24, 2015, 8:18 am
#3421
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: SJC
Programs: AA, AS, Marriott
Posts: 6,061
If you declare something at the kiosk you get an O on the receipt, not an X. However, you're correct that neither an O nor an X means an automatic secondary. Whenever I've gotten an X (bad fingerprint reading due to dry hands) and the one time with an O (exceeded the duty free allowance) I was stamped through and sent on my way (or to the duty counter in the case of the O).
Mar 24, 2015, 9:38 am
#3422
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: AMS
Programs: A number, but no status no more
Posts: 3,049
If you declare something at the kiosk you get an O on the receipt, not an X. However, you're correct that neither an O nor an X means an automatic secondary. Whenever I've gotten an X (bad fingerprint reading due to dry hands) and the one time with an O (exceeded the duty free allowance) I was stamped through and sent on my way (or to the duty counter in the case of the O).
GenevaFlyer
Mar 24, 2015, 11:29 am
#3423
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: SJC
Programs: AA, AS, Marriott
Posts: 6,061
This doesn't match my experience from January where my traveling companion declared meat products and got an O on the receipt. The O receipt says "Report to baggage control". The X receipt says "Report to passport control". In my recent experience, answering yes to one of the customs questions with no other factors will result in the O receipt.
Mar 24, 2015, 3:23 pm
#3424
Join Date: May 2014
Location: YYZ
Posts: 527
If you declare something at the kiosk you get an O on the receipt, not an X. However, you're correct that neither an O nor an X means an automatic secondary. Whenever I've gotten an X (bad fingerprint reading due to dry hands) and the one time with an O (exceeded the duty free allowance) I was stamped through and sent on my way (or to the duty counter in the case of the O).
Mar 25, 2015, 12:49 am
#3425
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Hawai'i Nei
Programs: Au: UA, Marriott, Hilton; GE
Posts: 7,145
This doesn't match my experience from January where my traveling companion declared meat products and got an O on the receipt. The O receipt says "Report to baggage control". The X receipt says "Report to passport control". In my recent experience, answering yes to one of the customs questions with no other factors will result in the O receipt.
Mar 25, 2015, 12:50 am
#3426
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: AMS
Programs: A number, but no status no more
Posts: 3,049
Must have been a recent change then. Last time I did, it was the X .... but maybe it comes from not being a US citizen/permanent resident.
I'll just have to try again in the future :P
I'll just have to try again in the future :P
Mar 25, 2015, 2:05 am
#3427
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: SJC
Programs: AA, AS, Marriott
Posts: 6,061
The X might have been due to something else. I kept getting the X due to bad fingerprint reads, for instance.
At any rate, the kiosk, even with the X or O, is usually much faster than the regular lanes. ^
Mar 25, 2015, 2:39 am
#3428
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: AMS
Programs: A number, but no status no more
Posts: 3,049
It's hard to say. I'm not trying to start an argument here but rather reporting my experiences. My wife and I both received the O receipt in October when returning (answered yes to exceeding the duty free allowance), and a friend declared some meat products in late January and also got the O.
The X might have been due to something else. I kept getting the X due to bad fingerprint reads, for instance.
At any rate, the kiosk, even with the X or O, is usually much faster than the regular lanes. ^
The X might have been due to something else. I kept getting the X due to bad fingerprint reads, for instance.
At any rate, the kiosk, even with the X or O, is usually much faster than the regular lanes. ^
GenevaFlyer
Mar 25, 2015, 1:01 pm
#3429
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: EWR
Programs: UA, AA, Hyatt Plat.
Posts: 314
I recently applied for Global Entry as I was interested in getting TSA Pre Check access, and rather than paying the $85 fee for just TSA Pre Check, I read online it made more sense to just apply for GE as it also gave me TSA Pre Check access as well as expedited entry through customs at US airports (for $15 more than Pre Check alone). While I travel internationally probably once or twice a year, was this a good call on my part, or should I just have applied for TSA Pre Check?
In addition, my middle name is not listed on my passport, however my middle initial is on my driver's license. Since I'll be using my passport as proof of US citizenship for GE interview, and once I get approved, will this be an issue if a flight reservation has my middle initial, but my GE record does not?
Lastly, I saw other programs such as NEXUS, etc. What is the difference? (please excuse my ignorance
) Thanks!
In addition, my middle name is not listed on my passport, however my middle initial is on my driver's license. Since I'll be using my passport as proof of US citizenship for GE interview, and once I get approved, will this be an issue if a flight reservation has my middle initial, but my GE record does not?
Lastly, I saw other programs such as NEXUS, etc. What is the difference? (please excuse my ignorance
) Thanks!
Last edited by FlyingSky; Mar 25, 2015 at 1:07 pm
Mar 25, 2015, 4:25 pm
#3430
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: SEA, NYC
Programs: DL PM, Bonvoy Plat, Hertz PC
Posts: 645
I recently applied for Global Entry as I was interested in getting TSA Pre Check access, and rather than paying the $85 fee for just TSA Pre Check, I read online it made more sense to just apply for GE as it also gave me TSA Pre Check access as well as expedited entry through customs at US airports (for $15 more than Pre Check alone). While I travel internationally probably once or twice a year, was this a good call on my part, or should I just have applied for TSA Pre Check?
In addition, my middle name is not listed on my passport, however my middle initial is on my driver's license. Since I'll be using my passport as proof of US citizenship for GE interview, and once I get approved, will this be an issue if a flight reservation has my middle initial, but my GE record does not?
Lastly, I saw other programs such as NEXUS, etc. What is the difference? (please excuse my ignorance ) Thanks!
In addition, my middle name is not listed on my passport, however my middle initial is on my driver's license. Since I'll be using my passport as proof of US citizenship for GE interview, and once I get approved, will this be an issue if a flight reservation has my middle initial, but my GE record does not?
Lastly, I saw other programs such as NEXUS, etc. What is the difference? (please excuse my ignorance
) Thanks!
Mar 25, 2015, 4:36 pm
#3431
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: EWR
Programs: UA, AA, Hyatt Plat.
Posts: 314
GE does seem to be the best option for you, as you can take advantage of GE when flying internationally, and TSA Pre when flying domestic. The other Trusted Traveler programs of NEXUS and SENTRI are designed for people that live either on the Canadian border (Nexus) or the Mexican border (Sentri) and are likely to use the land border. Those programs require an in-person interview conducted by both the US and the partner country, which can be challenging to schedule if you don't actually live in a border state. However, NEXUS and SENTRI members are eligible for GE and Pre. NEXUS is $50 for 5 years, so a bit cheaper than GE. SENTRI is probably more with all the fees.
Mar 25, 2015, 8:34 pm
#3432
Join Date: May 2014
Location: YYZ
Posts: 527
Yes it was a recent change, my understanding was that the policy changed within the last few months.
Mar 26, 2015, 7:41 am
#3433
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: CLE
Programs: UA Platinum, Starbucks Gold, PF Chang's Warrior, Wine Century 100
Posts: 1,105
Anyone here with recent experience doing a Global Entry renewal? My friend just completed the renewal online, received conditional approval the next day, and is now getting an email telling her to schedule an interview. The "schedule interview" button also appears in her GOES account. I told her to ignore those emails as renewals don't require an interview. Is that still the case?
When I renewed last year I received the email about "conditional approval" and got a new GE card about a week later. I did not do an interview.
When I renewed last year I received the email about "conditional approval" and got a new GE card about a week later. I did not do an interview.
Mar 26, 2015, 8:44 am
#3434
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: SJC
Programs: AA, AS, Marriott
Posts: 6,061
Anyone here with recent experience doing a Global Entry renewal? My friend just completed the renewal online, received conditional approval the next day, and is now getting an email telling her to schedule an interview. The "schedule interview" button also appears in her GOES account. I told her to ignore those emails as renewals don't require an interview. Is that still the case?
When I renewed last year I received the email about "conditional approval" and got a new GE card about a week later. I did not do an interview.
When I renewed last year I received the email about "conditional approval" and got a new GE card about a week later. I did not do an interview.
Mar 26, 2015, 10:49 am
#3435
Join Date: May 2001
Location: Portland, OR, USA
Programs: UA 1K 3 Million/ex-many year GS, AA PLT/2 Mil, AS MVPG, HH Dia, Starwood Life Plat, Hertz PC
Posts: 1,401
Anyone here with recent experience doing a Global Entry renewal? My friend just completed the renewal online, received conditional approval the next day, and is now getting an email telling her to schedule an interview. The "schedule interview" button also appears in her GOES account. I told her to ignore those emails as renewals don't require an interview. Is that still the case?
When I renewed last year I received the email about "conditional approval" and got a new GE card about a week later. I did not do an interview.
When I renewed last year I received the email about "conditional approval" and got a new GE card about a week later. I did not do an interview.