Is Global Entry (GE), TSA Pre-Check, CLEAR and Mobile Passport (All USA Specific) good to have? For any resident or citizen of the United States who is also an international traveler, I honestly can’t see any reason not to utilize these services for a more pleasant travel experience. I’ve travelled without these services in the past and it led to longer waits in border control / immigration and customs, longer transit through TSA due to having to take out laptops, taking off shoes and other things that just slow down the process and is extremely inconvenient from my point of view. Let me share more with you regarding these services and also my journey using these services. Hopefully, it will add value to your borderless journey and travel experience.
The four services, Global Entry (GE), TSA Pre-check, CLEAR and Mobile Passport are all fairly new services with Global Entry being launched in 2008, TSA Pre-check in 2001, CLEAR in 2012, and Mobile Passport in 2014. TSA Pre-check and CLEAR were all initiated due to the increased security measures stemming from September 11, 2001 (911).
I’ve utilized all of these services, however the first service that I enrolled in years ago, was CLEAR. Once signing up for CLEAR, which uses biometrics for security authentication to bypass the longer lines at TSA, you’re able to utilize the kiosks to complete the process with a CLEAR representative assisting you to bypass the others in the TSA line to continue through the security screening process. This service often shortens the security checkpoint wait, which is what it was designed to do. This service can be utilized whether flying domestically or internationally.
The second service that I began utilizing was Mobile Passport when flying internationally. Mobile Passport Control (MBC) is a secure application (app) utilized on a smartphone or other mobile device. Mobile Passport streamlines international traveler entry into the U.S. by reducing passport control inspection wait time. This was a game-changer for me. As I entered the country, I was able to decrease my immigration and customs process wait time exponentially. The service is free. However, it is only available to use at certain U.S. airports. My primary U.S. airport, Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport was an airport that utilized this service but later discontinued the service for a while.
Having been spoiled by using Mobile Passport to enter the country led me to the only other service that would allow me this type of quick border entry at my primary airport and others that I utilized when entering the United States, and that is Global Entry (GE).
When I first realized that I needed Global Entry was entering into the country through Miami years ago and having to wait in extremely long lines for border control when I saw that the line and process for Global Entry was super short, quick and convenient. It was eye-opening to say the least. It was also the determining factor that something needs to be done as I was no longer willing to wait in long lines unnecessarily to get to the same point of where I should be. Keep in mind, I’ve been in and out of the country to various destinations on numerous occasions by this point.
One day, I was speaking to a friend who recently received his Global Entry and was happy with it. This made me pursue it even more. I applied on the website and later received the feedback that I was pre-approved. However, I had to complete the final steps of the onsite interview. The availability for the on-site, interview was months out which was a bit crazy to me, however this was the case. I knew that I was going out of the country soon, so I decided to take one of the options of completing the interview upon re-entry to the US. In other words, you can complete an unscheduled interview with a Global Entry Officer at the time of entering in the country at certain airports, and Atlanta’s Hartsfield Jackson Airport was one of them. Therefore, I did this, and the process only took about 30-35 minutes including my wait in line with a couple of others ahead of me. The process was painless, quick, and easy. I was told that I would receive my Global Entry Card in the mail, but it was active in the event that I go out of the country, and I didn’t need the card for entry as it is using facial recognition and my passport information when traveling by air. However, you do need the card whenever traveling from the United States to Canada or Mexico by land.
After receiving my full approval and my Known Traveler Number (KTN), I added this to my airline milage reward programs as it also makes planning trips easier and allows the airlines to have this information for all flights.
Since that time, I have thoroughly enjoyed my Global Entry (GE) access which has saved me valuable time and an easy immigration process. Additionally, GE comes with TSA pre-check which in my opinion is always good to have. I don’t like having to strip, take out my laptop and all the other inconveniences to be intrusively searched.
I highly recommend Global Entry (GE) to anyone who departs and enters the country often. By often, I mean a few times a year. It’s more than worth it. At the time that I first completed my Global Entry with TSA pre-check, the fee was $100.00 for 5 years. The time saved and value provided is worth the $100.00 investment that comes out to $20.00 a year.
Let us know your thoughts and experiences with Global Entry, TSA Pre-Check, CLEAR and Mobile Passport.
Now globetrotters, TROT THIS GLOBE!!!
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