Using Global Entry to Best Effect

[SCCutler]

Off on an international journey soon; do I need to do anything to associate my Global Entry card with my itinerary with the airline, in order to be entitled to use the pre-check line?

Or, is it automatic?

 

[masloki]

You have to add the authorization number to your frequent flyer profile for that airline. Can't remember the name for the number, but they gave it to you at your interview. It is not your passport number.

 

[Wingsofglass]

For an International flight, don't expect to be able to use the "TSA Pre Check" lane. The Global Entry will let you use the machine to get through immigration much quicker though.

 

[comanchepilot]

All of the Domestic airlines and few of the western flag carriers let you put a 'Known Traveler" number in your PNR. This will let you use your Global Entry as a trusted travelers. You MUST have a seat assignment [which is why Southwest does not offer the program]

You can use Global Entry on an outbound international itinerary - its the same as any other itinerary - assuming your passport information is entered also in the Airline system. Then they can ensure you can leave the country and verify the passport info - if the country you are going to requires a visa then you will need to show that document to a human being - but TSA is not going to care.

 

[comanchepilot]

You have to add the authorization number to your frequent flyer profile for that airline. Can't remember the name for the number, but they gave it to you at your interview. It is not your passport number.

in 95% of cases the Global Entry traveler number is issued to you on the form you are required to bring with you to the interview. It is not valid for use until they approve the application - once you get the email that they have approved your application, you can use the global entry for TSA - you do not need the card for TSA Pre-Check - you DO need the card for an international arrival.

I JUST used my card for the first time when I flew down to Calexico and walked across the border to buy some items only available in Mexico. I used a folding bicycle to ride into Mexico and came back through the Trusted Traveler liine - took me less than a minute to come back in. No customs hassle either -

 

[ARFlyer]

For an International flight, don't expect to be able to use the "TSA Pre Check" lane. The Global Entry will let you use the machine to get through immigration much quicker though.

They actually got the approval to use Pre-Check on international flights. I have used it a few times with Global Entry.

If you look closely you will see the Pre-Check Logo above the QR Code.

Cutler: Remember ONLY you can use the Global Entry lane. So if your family/coworker is with you they have to see a human. However , sometimes you can get lucky with the TSA Pre-Check and they will let everyone in your party thru.

 

[SCCutler]

They actually got the approval to use Pre-Check on international flights. I have used it a few times with Global Entry.

If you look closely you will see the Pre-Check Logo above the QR Code.

Cutler: Remember ONLY you can use the Global Entry lane. So if your family/coworker is with you they have to see a human. However , sometimes you can get lucky with the TSA Pre-Check and they will let everyone in your party thru.

After our last fiestacade with Customs on return, I made wifie and son get their own GE cards; I figure it's good for an hour or more of bypassed waiting.

 

[weilke]

However , sometimes you can get lucky with the TSA Pre-Check and they will let everyone in your party thru.

And sometimes, you want to tear your hair out.

The other day I dropped my wife, kids and mother in law at Dulles for a domestic flight. MIL and the kids had 'TSA Pre' on their boarding passes, wife didn't. The rent-a-cops at the 'regular' line wouldn't allow our party to enter the lane and sent us to the separate 'Pre' checkpoint. The folks at the 'Pre' checkpoint wouldn't allow them to enter because not everyone in the party had 'Pre'. It took a blue-shirted TSA supe to sort it out and finally run everyone through the 'Pre' lane.

 

[comanchepilot]

And sometimes, you want to tear your hair out.

The other day I dropped my wife, kids and mother in law at Dulles for a domestic flight. MIL and the kids had 'TSA Pre' on their boarding passes, wife didn't. The rent-a-cops at the 'regular' line wouldn't allow our party to enter the lane and sent us to the separate 'Pre' checkpoint. The folks at the 'Pre' checkpoint wouldn't allow them to enter because not everyone in the party had 'Pre'. It took a blue-shirted TSA supe to sort it out and finally run everyone through the 'Pre' lane.

Everyone has a separate boarding pass - all you have to do is send the wife through the regular line and have the rest of the family go through the TSA Pre and then wait at the other side - why am I not understanding this?

 

[weilke]

Everyone has a separate boarding pass - all you have to do is send the wife through the regular line and have the rest of the family go through the TSA Pre and then wait at the other side - why am I not understanding this?

Kids are little and 'TSA Pre' is a physically separate checkpoint at the other end of the terminal. It wasn't even busy, they would have been just fine going through the 'regular' line, but no, rent-a-cop wouldn't allow anyone with 'TSA Pre' on the boarding pass to enter into the 'regular' line .

 

[TommyG]

At JFK, ORD, and many other airports to come are the new kiosks for US citizen to get through immigration. Average wait time at terminal 4 JFK at peak time is 10 minutes. It is free. At time the line for global entry is longer, but not always. I would still get just to get through TSA quicker.