2012 Global Entry fee refund - Plat and 1K [new credit process as of 27 Jul 2012]
#16
Join Date: Jul 2010
Programs: EXP
Posts: 84
GE is fantastic. The real treat is to arrive with carry-on only and slide through immigration and customs in 3 to 5 mins and catch that earlier connecting flight to your destination.
#17
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: SFO when not ORD
Programs: AA Plat, UA Plat, Hoping VX will create a better elite plan
Posts: 56
Even better: with GE and only a carry-on, I was in a cab home less than 60 seconds from entering the customs area at ORD (after that eternal walk from the gate). Yes, I actually checked my watch.
#18
Used to be MBS PremExec
Join Date: Sep 2000
Location: Saginaw, MI (MBS)
Programs: UA 1K 1.9MM, Marriott Titanium w/Lifetime Plat, Hilton LIfetime ♢, National Exec, Amex Plat
Posts: 5,720
Have GE too, love it. Hasn't saved me a ton of time (yet), but I'm a GE newbie and have only used it twice so far.
If appointment times run long at your home airport, consider a lesser wait time in another city. I don't have the luxury of being within 100 miles of a GE office (MBS does have a Customs facility, but certainly no GE at the small airport). Anyway, I booked a little longer layover on a trip and did it at ORD. My other options included driving 2 hours to DTW, or hitting another city like LAX or SFO on the beginning/end of a different trip.
Anyway, I landed at ORD, left Terminal 1, took the tram to T5...Arrived a half hour early for my appointment, was seen in 10 minutes. The whole 'interview' took maybe a half hour, went back to T1, re-cleared security and caught my next flight. The agent who interviewed me, her family has property in my area--we spent most of the interview time talking about the area. ^
You are not geographically restricted to certain CBP offices based on your residence...Consider another city if it's a shorter wait time or more convenient based on your travels.
Anyway, I landed at ORD, left Terminal 1, took the tram to T5...Arrived a half hour early for my appointment, was seen in 10 minutes. The whole 'interview' took maybe a half hour, went back to T1, re-cleared security and caught my next flight. The agent who interviewed me, her family has property in my area--we spent most of the interview time talking about the area. ^
You are not geographically restricted to certain CBP offices based on your residence...Consider another city if it's a shorter wait time or more convenient based on your travels.
#19
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: DAY
Programs: UA 1K 1MM; Marriott LT Titanium; Amex MR; Chase UR; Hertz PC; Global Entry
Posts: 10,136
It is a pretty good way to eat up some layover time at an airport that has the office on site.
#21
Join Date: May 2010
Location: NJ
Posts: 1,389
In fact, I just did this when I went to Vancouver. The actual interview, fingerprints, and iris scan took all of 20 minutes.
This thread answered most of my questions: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/pract...is-canada.html
This thread answered most of my questions: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/pract...is-canada.html
#22
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: Central Florida
Programs: Bonvoy-Gold, HH-Gold, UA-Gold, *A-Gold
Posts: 2,043
#24
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: LAX
Programs: UA-1K, Hertz-Gold, Marriott-Gold, PC-Platinum, SPG
Posts: 2,777
#25
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: New Jersey
Programs: UA MM 1K, AA MM Gold, Marriott LT Platinum
Posts: 3,231
If you already have GE, go back onto their site and order a Sentri card (I think it's called). It expedites you in from Canada and Mexico by land (not air - still need the passport with the sticker).
I'm hoping that when the Trusted Traveler program goes nationwide (currently in pilot at DTW, ATL, MIA, DFW), this card will be accepted as ID for that program as well to get through airport security faster.
By the way, I did come through EWR C one morning and the Kiosks weren't working (none of them). We just went through the Diplomat lane (the wait was less time than it took to fill out the paper form, which we had to do). I didn't have to wait as long, since I keep a fully filled out form (except for the date and flight number) in case this happens.
I'm hoping that when the Trusted Traveler program goes nationwide (currently in pilot at DTW, ATL, MIA, DFW), this card will be accepted as ID for that program as well to get through airport security faster.
By the way, I did come through EWR C one morning and the Kiosks weren't working (none of them). We just went through the Diplomat lane (the wait was less time than it took to fill out the paper form, which we had to do). I didn't have to wait as long, since I keep a fully filled out form (except for the date and flight number) in case this happens.
#26
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: GVA (Greater Vancouver Area)
Programs: DREAD Gold; UA 1.035MM; Bonvoy Au-197; PCC Elite+; CCC Elite+; MSC C-12; CWC Au-197; WoH Dis
Posts: 52,110
I thought they were renaming that the "Instant Security Hole Program"?
#27
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Aussie in ORD
Programs: Marriott Plat, Ua Gold, GE.. Sucker for punishment
Posts: 4,237
seriously though.. the idea is good although flawed...
I am an Aussie living in the USA... I would, at an instant, sight up for a program that invaded all my life (HEHE! Try apply for a US Visa and THEN complain of invasion of privacy tweeps!) in exchange for easy transit through US USIC checkpoints...
Seriously, nothing to hide, but I get damn sick of saying it every time...
Ditto domestically... here is all my PII, investigate the buggery out of me and then just let me keep my shoes on and my laptop in my bag and I am a happy chap...
But then I am a foreign national so all cards are off the table!
I am an Aussie living in the USA... I would, at an instant, sight up for a program that invaded all my life (HEHE! Try apply for a US Visa and THEN complain of invasion of privacy tweeps!) in exchange for easy transit through US USIC checkpoints...
Seriously, nothing to hide, but I get damn sick of saying it every time...
Ditto domestically... here is all my PII, investigate the buggery out of me and then just let me keep my shoes on and my laptop in my bag and I am a happy chap...
But then I am a foreign national so all cards are off the table!
#28
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: SFO/SJC
Programs: UA Silver, Marriott Gold, Hilton Gold
Posts: 14,854
Only US citizens (and PRs perhaps - can't remember), Mexican citizens and Canadian Citizens who are Nexus members are eligible. Members of a similar Dutch program can also get GE. If you're an Aussie citizen only, than GE won't be available for you.
#29
Suspended
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: DCA or IAD (originally DUB)
Programs: UA 1K 1.8MM, Hertz PC, Marriott Platinum/Lifetime Gold
Posts: 7,657
Not true! If you have a Green Card/are a permanent resident, you qualify. I've had GE/GA (Global Access) with a Green Card for several years and it's a huge timesaver, particularly at IAD, as others have noted.
#30
Join Date: May 2004
Programs: UA 1K 2MM, BA Gold, SQ TPP
Posts: 1,486
Global Entry benefit for Platinums and 1Ks
Just saw this in Hemispheres but can't seem to find any more information about it?