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Why You Should Get Global Entry and How It's Different From TSA Precheck

MULTIZ321

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Why You Should Get Global Entry and How It's Different From TSA Precheck
By Maya Kachroo-Levine/ T&L/ Travel Tips/ Customs/ Immigration/ Travel & Leisure/ travelandleisure.com

"If you’ve ever arrived on an international flight carrying 500 passengers, you know that the line at customs can be brutally long. And when you’ve been traveling for 18 hours and have already been through two layovers, the last thing you want is to spend another hour in line waiting to officially reenter the country. Time spent in the customs line is really just time you’re never getting back—and it’s further delaying the post-flight shower you’ve been longing for. This is where Global Entry benefits come in handy. For international travelers with Global Entry, there’s little-to-no line at customs, and instead of meeting with a customs agent, you just scan your documents at the kiosk and are on your way. If you’re ready to expedite your homecoming, here’s everything you need to know about the U.S. Global Entry program....."

Richard
 

artringwald

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If you charge your $100 Global Entry fee to your Chase Sapphire Reserve, you'll get a $100 credit to your account.
 

bnoble

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The AmEx Plat also gives credit for this. Even if you are paying for it, the extra $15 over pre-check alone is a small price to pay if you travel internationally. Applying for GE is a bit more of a hassle--you need to dig up quite a bit of extra info. But I found it well worth it.
 

Passepartout

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If you charge your $100 Global Entry fee to your Chase Sapphire Reserve, you'll get a $100 credit to your account.
Same for Capitol One Venture card.
 

PigsDad

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One warning: Unless you live near a major international airport hub (usually on the coast), getting an appointment for your Global Entry interview can be next to impossible as they simply do not have much staff at the GE offices at many of the midwest airports. My family applied (3 of us), and the only airport within 500 miles with a GE office was Denver (DIA). The earliest we could schedule an appointment was more than 10 months out! Plus, because you had to create and log into three separate accounts (1 for each of us) to schedule an appointment, there was no way to get three appointments in a row. The best I could do is two appointments about 3 hours apart, and the third had to be on a different day, which meant two trips to the airport, about 2 hour round trip each time.

And to add to that, the TSA agents at DIA were so incompetent that they screwed up and never processed my application after my interview -- my wife's and my daughter's was processed fine. And forget about trying to get anyone to help you over the phone -- it is impossible to get through to customer service (as in, the line rings for a while and then you get the old "this number cannot be reached at this time" message; and I tried for WEEKS to get through!). In the end, we were vacationing in Marco Island a few months after my first interview, and I was able to make an appointment at Miami airport, so we had to take a full day out of our vacation, drive 2.5 hours each way to Miami for my second interview. On the positive side, the Miami staff were great and fixed the issue right away.

If renewing my Global Entry in 5 years requires another interview, I will switch to TSA Pre. It is just not worth the hassle for me.

Kurt
 

TravelTime

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Wow, I did not realize how hard it is for many people to get access to GE. We did it at SFO a few years back and it was quick and easy.
 

x3 skier

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Lots of credit cards besides those mentioned will credit the Global Entry Fee.

There’s also an App called Mobile Passport that cuts down on rentering into the USA. Never used it so no idea of the utility of the App but it is free.

Renewal of GE is easy using the web site, no reinterview. I renewed last year in 10 minutes.

Cheers
 
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PigsDad

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Renewal of GE is easy using the web site, no reinterview. I renewed last tear in 10 minutes.
That is good to know, thanks! I would not want to go through a quarter of the hassle I had to for the initial application.

Kurt
 

stmartinfan

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Our experience at Minneapolis/St. Paul airport was pretty effortless, but we were very flexible on time of day for our appointment. I did learn on a recent trip to Vancouver that I should carry the card on some trips though. Vancouver is one of the airports where you clear U S customs before you leave Canada. But the workers there don't have access to the US database to confirm GE so I couldn’t go through that line without having my card in hand. I’ve never needed for other travel so don't bother to carry it.

Other than that experience I've been happy to have spent the money for GE.
 

bnoble

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they simply do not have much staff at the GE offices at many of the midwest airports
I might have waited a few days tops for a slot in Detroit. Not hard at all. However, if one has a long wait at any local offices, scheduling for a few hours prior to a return flight from some other airport works. I have some friends in NYC who did that when those airports were slammed with GE appointments.

Mobile Passport
Last I looked (which admittedly was a while ago) MP did not work in DTW, which is my typical re-entry airport. But it does not hurt to check.
 

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One warning: Unless you live near a major international airport hub (usually on the coast), getting an appointment for your Global Entry interview can be next to impossible as they simply do not have much staff at the GE offices at many of the midwest airports. My family applied (3 of us), and the only airport within 500 miles with a GE office was Denver (DIA). The earliest we could schedule an appointment was more than 10 months out! Plus, because you had to create and log into three separate accounts (1 for each of us) to schedule an appointment, there was no way to get three appointments in a row. The best I could do is two appointments about 3 hours apart, and the third had to be on a different day, which meant two trips to the airport, about 2 hour round trip each time.

And to add to that, the TSA agents at DIA were so incompetent that they screwed up and never processed my application after my interview -- my wife's and my daughter's was processed fine. And forget about trying to get anyone to help you over the phone -- it is impossible to get through to customer service (as in, the line rings for a while and then you get the old "this number cannot be reached at this time" message; and I tried for WEEKS to get through!). In the end, we were vacationing in Marco Island a few months after my first interview, and I was able to make an appointment at Miami airport, so we had to take a full day out of our vacation, drive 2.5 hours each way to Miami for my second interview. On the positive side, the Miami staff were great and fixed the issue right away.

If renewing my Global Entry in 5 years requires another interview, I will switch to TSA Pre. It is just not worth the hassle for me.

Kurt

You can do the interview without an appointment if you arrive from overseas to a major International Airport which provides Global Entry service. The interview took place at the immigration window when you clear for entry. Just tell the agent that you request an interview for Glabal Entry Application. Be careful they may not submit the interview result on time, just as what PigsDad described above. DH waited for a couple weeks after the interview and had to call to inquire about the application. He was approved over the phone and received the card within a few days.
 
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bbodb1

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I don't know about Global Entry, but Nexus has sure been nice. It comes with TSA Pre Check and costs less (if it fits your needs)....
 

mdurette

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Took us about 6 months to get our GE appointment at the closest place which was in Rhode Island. I could have gone to Vermont within 1 week.
 

Luanne

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I don't know about Global Entry, but Nexus has sure been nice. It comes with TSA Pre Check and costs less (if it fits your needs)....
Does Nexus work for more countries than Canada?
 

MULTIZ321

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What is the Difference Between Global Entry, TSA Precheck and the Other Trusted Traveler Programs?
From the Transportation Security Administration/ Travel/ tsa.gov

"TSA Pre✓ provides expedited security screening benefits for flights departing from U.S. Airports. Global Entry provides the TSA Pre✓ benefit plus expedited US customs screening for international air travelers when entering the United States. TSA Pre✓ costs $85 and Global Entry costs $100 for a five year membership. Travelers interested in Global Entry must apply through the Trusted Traveler Program website.

Global Entry, NEXUS, and SENTRI are programs of U.S. Customs and Border Protection. These programs offer travel benefits to pre-screened members. If you join Global Entry, NEXUS, or SENTRI, use your membership number as a “known traveler number” in airline reservations to receive TSA Pre✓®.

To find the best program for you, use the Department of Homeland Security's interactive Trusted Traveler tool......"


Richard
 

Sandy VDH

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I don't know about Global Entry, but Nexus has sure been nice. It comes with TSA Pre Check and costs less (if it fits your needs)....

If you get NEXUS, you also automatically get GE too. NEXUS is for entry into Canada, but they extend it to include GE. I had GE first, but since I am a dual citizen and travel frequently to Canada I added Nexus and it is the same card and it extended my GE expiration.

If you live close to the Canadian Border, considering getting Nexus for $50 CND instead of GE at $100 USD, if you have to pay for it yourself.
 

Sandy VDH

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Luanne

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I answered above, but yes Canada and the US.
If you get NEXUS, you also automatically get GE too. NEXUS is for entry into Canada, but they extend it to include GE. I had GE first, but since I am a dual citizen and travel frequently to Canada I added Nexus and it is the same card and it extended my GE expiration.

If you live close to the Canadian Border, considering getting Nexus for $50 CND instead of GE at $100 USD, if you have to pay for it yourself.
What I didn't realize, or had forgotten, was that Nexus expedites entry into the U.S. as well as into Canada. It sounds like wherever you enter from (not just Canada) it may expedite your entry. The downside is the Nexus enrollment centers are only on, or near, the Canadian border, the Global Entry ones are more prevalent.
 

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One warning: Unless you live near a major international airport hub (usually on the coast), getting an appointment for your Global Entry interview can be next to impossible as they simply do not have much staff at the GE offices at many of the midwest airports. My family applied (3 of us), and the only airport within 500 miles with a GE office was Denver (DIA). The earliest we could schedule an appointment was more than 10 months out! Plus, because you had to create and log into three separate accounts (1 for each of us) to schedule an appointment, there was no way to get three appointments in a row. The best I could do is two appointments about 3 hours apart, and the third had to be on a different day, which meant two trips to the airport, about 2 hour round trip each time.

And to add to that, the TSA agents at DIA were so incompetent that they screwed up and never processed my application after my interview -- my wife's and my daughter's was processed fine. And forget about trying to get anyone to help you over the phone -- it is impossible to get through to customer service (as in, the line rings for a while and then you get the old "this number cannot be reached at this time" message; and I tried for WEEKS to get through!). In the end, we were vacationing in Marco Island a few months after my first interview, and I was able to make an appointment at Miami airport, so we had to take a full day out of our vacation, drive 2.5 hours each way to Miami for my second interview. On the positive side, the Miami staff were great and fixed the issue right away.

If renewing my Global Entry in 5 years requires another interview, I will switch to TSA Pre. It is just not worth the hassle for me.

Kurt
My story was almost as painful as Kurt’s. We applied last year in March in Minneapolis, where we lived for 35 years. Husband got his invitation in six weeks and was interviewed in June. My processing was extremely slow. I got invitation in August, but there was no interview opening in MSP for three months. In the meantime we retired, sold the house and moved to Colorado. We flew back for MSP for interview and finish house cleaning last week in October. All went well except my local Colorado post office was slow in getting my mail box coded correctly ....and returned my Global terry card to sender. Later, when I was inquiring about the card, TSA agent told me I only need the number, not actual card. We used Global Entry multiple times this year and were impressed with speedy process.
 

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What I didn't realize, or had forgotten, was that Nexus expedites entry into the U.S. as well as into Canada. It sounds like wherever you enter from (not just Canada) it may expedite your entry. The downside is the Nexus enrollment centers are only on, or near, the Canadian border, the Global Entry ones are more prevalent.
I live in a boarder crossing city...Yes expedited entry with Nexus into Canada and USA, at most auto crossings, there is a designated lane for Nexus, and at some crossings there is even a "NEXUS" traffic lane to drive past the line up of regular folks. Also entering Canada with nexus, at major airports if you have an iris scan, you can also self declare...walk by the line ups again. Well worth it. But, as reported with Global, renewals are taking a long time...last year mine tool about 3 weeks, no appointment necessary, currently friends are 4 months and waiting.
 

Luanne

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My story was almost as painful as Kurt’s. We applied last year in March in Minneapolis, where we lived for 35 years. Husband got his invitation in six weeks and was interviewed in June. My processing was extremely slow. I got invitation in August, but there was no interview opening in MSP for three months. In the meantime we retired, sold the house and moved to Colorado. We flew back for MSP for interview and finish house cleaning last week in October. All went well except my local Colorado post office was slow in getting my mail box coded correctly ....and returned my Global terry card to sender. Later, when I was inquiring about the card, TSA agent told me I only need the number, not actual card. We used Global Entry multiple times this year and were impressed with speedy process.
I have needed the Global Entry card when entering the U.S. from Canada. Maybe this isn't true at all entry points, but I'm surprised the TSA agent told you that you didn't need it. Maybe he was talking about needing the card vs just the number for TSA PreCheck?
 

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The card is required walking or driving - however I have been asked to show the card at airports. They gave me a CPB sticker on my passport which has worked, but I carry the card anyway.
 

Sandy VDH

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I carry both card and passport, at all times traveling internationally just in case.
 

"Roger"

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I have needed the Global Entry card when entering the U.S. from Canada. Maybe this isn't true at all entry points, but I'm surprised the TSA agent told you that you didn't need it. Maybe he was talking about needing the card vs just the number for TSA PreCheck?
Similar experience. Never needed the Global Entry card when travelling from Europe, but was told I needed to have it when entering from Canada. The person let me through, but was told to carry it in the future.

With regard to the difficulty of getting the Global Entry card, for me, it was no problem at the Milwaukee airport. Had a reservation for an interview within a week. (The interview room was actually off site about two blocks from the airport.)
 
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