22
Feb
With so much International travel coming up for me this year, I finally decided to join the Global Entry Trusted Traveler Network to expedite the immigrations process when returning back to the US, and to be eligible for TSA PreCheck to zip through security on outbound flights.
I’ve had my eye on the idea Global Entry for a year or so, but I always told myself I should wait until I got myself an American Express Business Platinum card so that my $100 application fee would be reimbursed by AmEx.
Before heading to Israel a few weeks ago, I did an app-o-rama to add more points and miles to my balances. One of the cards I was approved for during that churn happened to be the American Express Business Platinum card with a lucrative targeted 100,000 Membership Rewards sign-up bonus.
On my way to Tel Aviv, I had a rather unpleasant experience with El Al security at EWR which rang a bell in my head to apply for Global Entry right away as soon as I was back home. Not that having Global Entry would necessarily protect me from future incidents with foreign carrier security, the incident was enough of a trigger for me to finally take the plunge.
For the most part, applying online was easy. The application took about 20 minutes to complete and once approved, I’d be enrolled for 5 years. Even if you’re not getting reimbursed the $100 application fee from AmEx, $20 a year for expedited customs and immigrations sounds like a good deal to me.
Here’s what you need to have handy when applying: a GOES user name and password (you can register here), your valid passport, current employment history, a complete and thorough list of all the countries you’ve visited in the last 5 years, criminal history/arrests (hopefully you don’t have to fill out that part), and a valid drivers license or other acceptable ID that proves your address.
After you apply online, you’re application goes into a “pending review” status and is conditionally approved or denied anywhere between a few days to a few weeks later. For me personally, my application progressed to the “conditionally approved” status in exactly one week.
The next step involves scheduling an interview at a participating airport terminal or nearby government facility. When I first logged on to schedule my interview at EWR, I saw that the earliest available appointment wasn’t until March 16. I selected that date anticipating that something would open up sooner. Luckily, I logged on later that night with hopes that someone canceled their appointment for the following morning. Well, it worked out in my favor because I was able to change my March 16 interview to February 20 at 8:30 am instead.
The interview process was honestly a breeze. I was expecting an intimidating session filled with intense interrogation, but it went something like this instead:
Arrive 8:07 am
Officer: Are you Angelina?
Me: Yes, I have an 8:30 appointment.
O: Ok, come in with me. Have you ever been arrested before?
M: No, never.
O: Ok, I am going to take your picture and finger prints.
M: Sounds good.
O: You’re approved.
The officer then briefly gave me the program run down and instructed me to watch a short video about the Global Entry program. When I left, the time was 8:14 am.
For those who are interested in the exact time line of events in my experience from start to finish, here it is:
- Feb 10: Applied for and was approved for the American Express Business Platinum card
- Feb 12: Submitted my application and $100 payment for Global Entry
- Feb 16: American Express reimbursed me for my $100 application fee
- Feb 19: Received my conditional approval from Global Entry and scheduled my interview for the following day
- Feb 20: Was officially approved after my interview at EWR
I’m so glad it was a rather quick and painless sequence of events for me. What have your experiences been?
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SBG said,
LAX appointments are at least 2 months out, I was approved in Jan and earliest at that time was May. SFO and others seem much easier.
Jamison @ Points Summary said,
my experience was similar to yours! quick & painless
CCORD said,
Just had my interview Saturday. I was early and they took me in because someone hadn’t shown up. I initially couldn’t get an interview for four months but I kept checking and moving it up. The most “excitement” involved was when I went to catch the train back downtown – a homeless man taking his pants off on the platform. When I got home I added by known traveler number to all my FF accounts.
Adnan said,
I applied too, lets see what happens
memsrr said,
I got my approval at DTW last year and my interview lasted 90 minutes. She asked many questions about my prior travel, what I had purchased in other countries, and where I planned to travel in the future. She even commented negatively on some of my future plans by wanting to know why I would want to go to certain countries. I assure you I did not say places like North Korea and Iran. It was a bit of a trial but so worth it the first time I got to breeze thru customs.
Joel said,
Thanks so much! I don’t live near an airport where interviews take place, so it’s helpful to know how long the process was for you.
Chris Bastian said,
To be clear, Global Entry is, as name suggests, a program to facilitate INBOUND travel, bypassing the lines at immigration and customs, and so far, it’s worked flawlessly for me (my wife got stuck once at JFK when the terminals were all broken). The simplified security on OUTBOUND travel requires participation in the affiliate preCheck program (which involves letting your airline know and making sure your Global Entry number is in your reservation profile), and is still sometimes a hit-or-miss proposition as to whether you’ll get chosen.
Santastico said,
Only thing I don’t like about Global entry is that you don’t keep any records of your entry in the US. As a non-American using a green card I have to keep track of all my entries in teh country and I used to use the stamp in the passport for that. It would be good if I could at least print a copy of the Global Entry paper to keep with me. Other than that, nothing to complain and had a very similar experience to Angelina during the application and approval process.
Gizmosdad said,
My experience was similiar- prelim approval after a few days, and an appointment a month later. 20 minute interview and demo at ORD, and i was done.
Now that you have global entey, be sure to apply for TSA PREcheck — definitely worth the effort!
Steve said,
Be sure to input your GE# into Pre-Check. Those three beeps at airports with the service will make you wonder why you did not do it sooner.
Joshua said,
Just showed up to the MIA office during on an off-day. I was in and out in ~45 minutes. I didn’t even bother to schedule an interview.
Marlene said,
Went to Detroit at the Canadian border and it took about 10 minutes. The hardest part was navigating the border. No video and just the same questions about ever being arrested, etc.
SK said,
Similar process but my conditional approval took about 9 nerve racking days. Form the FT forums some have experience waits as long as 10 days.
Managed to snag an interview about two weeks later at JFK and interview was pretty painless and took about 15 minutes. I was expecting many more questions and had some answers prepared. I didn’t expect to be asked what i bought in other countries like another commenter, but i would probably babble about how i have an amazing stuff animal collection from 4 continents. I technically had an appointment for a later time but it was good that i was the only one left in the waiting room when the TSA agent came to get another interviewee. They approved me instantly after the interview.
Tracy T. said,
My experience wa similar. Applied and then was conditionally approved exactly 1 week later. I claimed the only interview slot left at IAD for the next month, and just had my interview on Monday. They called in a group of 4 of us, and had us watch a video while they took our passports and IDs. The interview was quick. I was surprised the approval went through right away. I left for an overseas trip on Wednesday, so I’ll get to try it on the way home next week!
John777 said,
What happened with El Al security?
pas said,
This is great. Thanks for sharing. This information will be helpful for me probably in next few months.
Randall said,
My experience was similar except the machine was having trouble reading my fingerprints. To Gizmosdad and Steve, I thought you were automatically enrolled in Pre-check with a Global Entry card…besides entering your Global Entry into your account information on the airline you’re flying, what more do you need to do?
Anat said,
Hi, Sorry for your experience with El Al security.. hope you had a great time in Tel Aviv :)
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