Global Entry

There was a post about it a while ago, here is the link: http://www.ricksteves.com/graffiti/helpline/index.cfm/rurl/topic/54202/global-entry-program--any-experience.html Hopefully Mike (the OP) will see this thread and come back to relay his experiences with it. I'm really curious to know if anyone feels it's worthwhile, too!

Brad, I looked at this a while back. One of the downsides is that you do need to go in person to Dulles airport for an interview to fully enroll in the program. I've come through immigration at Dulles twice in the last year and both times I was through in less than 10 minutes. I decided that I did not travel enough internationally to make it worth my while at this point, but I did think it was tempting. I've seen articles that talk about potential for bilateral agreements down the road and if that happens, I might change my mind. Then again, if I encounter a long wait at immigration on my next trip, I would sign up too.

I was the OP referred to above. Here's my limited experience with the GE pass. First, realize that the pass costs $100 and is good for 5 years. We average about 1 intern'l trip/year, meaning the pass costs us $20/trip. It's not valid at all US international airports (e.g., PDX). And, not all US airports are all that busy all the time at the immigration gate, so the time it takes to get through (without the GE pass) will vary. These factors will weigh into whether this is a good deal for you. Getting the pass was a snap. Online forms are easy, and the in-person "interview" was anything but. Basically, they confirmed information, took fingerprints, and showed us how to work the passport kiosks. In and out in 10 minutes. Our one experience using the pass so far was this past October. We travelled with friends who did not have the pass, so we had a "control" group against which to measure our time savings. We got through immigration at SEA about 2 minutes faster than they did. If that turns out to be the norm, it will be hard to justify the cost. But of course, the "cool factor" is priceless ;>) Will I renew it in 5 years? Maybe yes, maybe no. Time will tell.

I love that - "the cool factor" :)

It sounds like what we have here in Israel. Except ours is free and takes about 5 minutes to sign up for at the airport. But I think the article is confusing and inaccurate. Like many travelers, the writer is confusing passport control with customs inspection and security checks. All it does is speed up the passport control step. So you get more time in the duty-free shops on your way out, and more time at the baggage carousel on your way back. Of course, if you travel only with carry-on, it would be a definite advantage then. I can't imagine it would be worth $100 tho.

Global Entry is for both immigration (passport control) and customs. The biggest benefit (i.e., time savings) is if a Global Entry participant returns to the US at the same time as several other international flights and the lines at passport control are long. You get to bypass that line and proceed to the Global Entry kiosk where, in addition to electronically processing your passport information, you will answer the same customs questions that are found on the paper version most travellers must fill out by hand.

Chani, Yes much better for carry-on people. With checked luggage you just end up being first in line at the carousel.