Totally worth it---even more so when United Airlines pays for it if you have certain status level. Used it for the first time last night and it was easy as pie! As an added bonus, you now receive an ID card that allows you ground border crossings in both Canada and Mexico AND you can access the Trusted Traveler lane at airports that have that new system in place. If you're not familiar with that, it allows you access on a different line (close to the crew line) and you DON'T have to remove shoes, laptop or liquids!