Global Entry
 

Doing a bit more Intl DH'ing,
wondering if anyone has signed up for Global Entry and if so, has it been worth it

Yes. It's also free if you have an AMEX Platinum card. I love it! Well worth it.

It just took me 1 minute to get through customs at Philly. I've waited up to an hour to get through the line in the past. So yeah, I think it's worth it.

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! :)

Totally worth it especially if you arrive in the US and then have to connect.

Absolutely fantastic. Works like a charm, especially when imigration is jammed up 50 yards deep at JFK or ATL. I have been through both in less than 3 minutes.

have it and love it.

last week cleared immigration in ORD. took 1 minute. Regular line was 2+ hours long. Later found out that line was 4 hours long the day prior. Would not have made connection without it - would have had to stay overnight in Chicago.

The one in Hong Kong works good too...

How does a US immigration pre-clearance work in HKG?

Global Entry is great! Saved me lots of standing around time over the last few years. I paid for it myself before AmEx, United, etc. paid for it. Still totally worth it.

I think he's talking about the frequent traveler program they have in Hong Kong. If you DH in it can save you standing in line with the other 300 people who just got off the 747 or 777. You can find more information about it on the HK airport website. I think it's free too.

MG2

Global Entry - Isn't that a new metal band based out of San Francisco?

what ua status is required to get global entry? How exactly does one sign up?

is there an annual fee for AMex platinum?

Olly:

You really don't know what Google is? (sorry if you do but were too lazy to use it)

Anyway, google it. You will find:

0. Go here: http://www.globalentry.gov

1. You have to create a login/password (duh)

2. You have to fill out a fairly LONG online app. Block 30 minutes to complete and have ready your passport, drivers license, birth certificate, etc.... Be ready to fill out a 5 year address history (reminds me of filling out airline apps a long time ago)

3. Here is where i go fuzzy, because i quit before this part.... An in person visit at one of their offices wherein you bring some of the required documents that you used in step 2. The reason I quit the app before arriving at this point is I do not current live in the USA, and was unsure if they had offices in the country I live in. They might, but I didn't think it was worth the effort for the few times I come back to the US.

4. Pay the 100 dollar fee with credit card.

If I still lived in the States, I would go ahead and complete the app.

Need UA 1K or Global Services and they will reimburse you. I did it prior to them offering that and it was still worth the money I paid.

Amex platinum and global entry.
 

Amex plat will pay the fee for global entry, 100 or so for 5 years.

Platinum fee is 450. It gets you in to almost airport clubs around the world, including admirals club, Cathay clubs, and I also believe delta clubs. Priority club good benefit immediately.

No limit. No foreign banking fees also. Rental car insurance...

Lots of other benefits, worth looking into. The airport club benefit rocks, well worth the fee.

Tax deductible business expense.

Very handy and was worth getting in my opinion.

Global Entry Rocks. Online form, 30 minutes. Pay fee. Get approved, do interview with CBP. Also allows with some airlines and some airports, to be in the expedited frequent traveler screening line(US only).

United Premier Platinum is the least status that will quality you,

No, that's Rear Entry, but I can see where you got confused.;)

Oh your right, my mistake. Global Entry is Obama's newest policy on immigration. :)

I commute every month back and forth to Japan, Global Entry has been fantastic, I clocked it the last time just out of curiosity, from the A/C to outside the customs area in 4 minutes.

Thanks for the info everyone. The comments in the forum are insightful, and it is this type of insight that one can not get from google. Value/usefulness/utility etc

Couple other things to consider...

Once your app is approved by CBP (takes a couple weeks at best) they send you a confirmation email and instruct you to book an appointment. The appointment centers are listed on the website, but they are not everywhere (and mainly at airports). You have to book your appointment within 1 month of getting the conf email, otherwise you lose your $100.
Biggest other is that the centers can be booked solid for 6-8weeks, and the hours vary by location.
I did manage to get my interview as a walk-in at LAX (in TBIT) but I am not sure if all of the CBP offices do that.
Interview is very easy. Just confirm what was on your application and they take your fingerprints.

Not sure if it's true or not, but heard from several fellow crew members that we don't need an appointment. Just show up at one of the listed locations with your airline ID and they'll accommodate you.

here is a list of enrollment centers - I would call to see if they allow walk-ins. I have heard that most do permit them.

Global Entry

also, you have 90 days (not 30) to do the interview:

Approved Global Entry program applicants have 30 days from the date of their online approval notice to schedule an appointment with their nearest enrollment center. The actual appointment must be within 90 days of the date of the online approval notice.


currently the approval time is pretty quick - a week or 2.

Couldn't get in locally so I did mine on a layover in HNL. Very easy.

SG

Was about to ask where we can get this done......Thanks for the link! :)

This is great information. Saved me some time researching. Thanks guys.

Agreed. Having just gone through customs at LAX, I was wishing I had this!!