CBP Question for those who travel Internationally

[tanman4u]

I already have Global Entry though I seldom get to use is as most of my travel is from the Caribbean where Pre-Check already works so I'm never in a customs line in a big arrival city, UNTIL, a European trip coming up soon.

 

I'm wondering if the Mobile Passport Plus app is worth it or will my Global Entry do everything I need?

 

Thanks, or should I say Gracias (gotta start working on my espanol)

[+ BenjaminNicholas]

GE's current roster of airports is mostly limited to US-based airports

 

https://www.cbp.gov/travel/trusted-traveler-programs/global-entry/locations

 

It's mostly useful for coming back into the States, not flying out.

 

Mobile Passport, like GE, is a US-based CBP app, used to filter people INTO the USA.

 

For Europe, MX, South America, Asia, etc, you can invest in country-specific alternatives to GE (Viajero Confiable, NEXUS). Here's link with a more complete look at what these options are:

 

https://thepointsguy.com/2015/07/fast-track-arrival-options-around-the-world/

 

The easiest way to breeze through continues to be a FastTrack pass (given to biz/first and elite pax) or airport that offers a VIP service, which usually meets you in the jetbridge and escorts you all the way through.

[tanman4u]

Thank you Benjamin, I'm just mainly questioning if there's any point in the Mobile Passport App for returning to the U.S. if I already have Global Entry?

[+ BenjaminNicholas]

Thank you Benjamin, I'm just mainly questioning if there's any point in the Mobile Passport App for returning to the U.S. if I already have Global Entry?

 

Nope.

 

GE will get you in with less scrutiny. Stick to GE.

[+ g56whiz]

GE's current roster of airports is mostly limited to US-based airports

 

https://www.cbp.gov/travel/trusted-traveler-programs/global-entry/locations

 

It's mostly useful for coming back into the States, not flying out.

 

Mobile Passport, like GE, is a US-based CBP app, used to filter people INTO the USA.

 

For Europe, MX, South America, Asia, etc, you can invest in country-specific alternatives to GE (Viajero Confiable, NEXUS). Here's link with a more complete look at what these options are:

 

https://thepointsguy.com/2015/07/fast-track-arrival-options-around-the-world/

 

The easiest way to breeze through continues to be a FastTrack pass (given to biz/first and elite pax) or airport that offers a VIP service, which usually meets you in the jetbridge and escorts you all the way through.

After knee replacement surgery I learned that wheelchair service and the Mobile Entry app can get you thru like lightening. Although I’m now ambulatory I’m not up to a crowd pace. And there are airports that are too badly laid out (like Narita Japan) that I’ll let the wheelchair assistant get me to my gate.

[+ tassojunior]

I already have Global Entry though I seldom get to use is as most of my travel is from the Caribbean where Pre-Check already works so I'm never in a customs line in a big arrival city, UNTIL, a European trip coming up soon.

 

I'm wondering if the Mobile Passport Plus app is worth it or will my Global Entry do everything I need?

 

Thanks, or should I say Gracias (gotta start working on my espanol)

 

I have better luck with Mobile Passport. But once you choose it on a return flight you can't change back to GE for that return.

 

Immigration return to big airports is the only time I use (and need) wheelchair service. It gets you through a lot faster. Zero line.

[EZEtoGRU]

The OP already has GE. He has asked if getting the Mobile Passport Plus App would help him speed through immigration on a future return from Europe. I’m not sure what the relevance of wheelchair travel or Fastrack/VIP services are to the discussion.

 

back to the topic at hand. OP will be just fine using his GE credentials to get back to the USA

[Islesguy]

GE's current roster of airports is mostly limited to US-based airports

 

https://www.cbp.gov/travel/trusted-traveler-programs/global-entry/locations

 

It's mostly useful for coming back into the States, not flying out.

 

Mobile Passport, like GE, is a US-based CBP app, used to filter people INTO the USA.

 

For Europe, MX, South America, Asia, etc, you can invest in country-specific alternatives to GE (Viajero Confiable, NEXUS). Here's link with a more complete look at what these options are:

 

https://thepointsguy.com/2015/07/fast-track-arrival-options-around-the-world/

 

The easiest way to breeze through continues to be a FastTrack pass (given to biz/first and elite pax) or airport that offers a VIP service, which usually meets you in the jetbridge and escorts you all the way through.

 

I flew first class to Heathrow on Virgin Atlantic. Got a card for going through customs but I didn't know how to use it and just went with the masses. What did I do wrong? I didn't have any issues though.

[+ BenjaminNicholas]

I flew first class to Heathrow on Virgin Atlantic. Got a card for going through customs but I didn't know how to use it and just went with the masses. What did I do wrong? I didn't have any issues though.

 

No worries. If the lines were short, that's what counts

 

For the future:

 

https://www.heathrow.com/at-the-airport/airport-services/fast-track

 

Also, try the e-gates the next time you are at an airport that uses them. VERY speedy and almost no one uses them.

 

https://onemileatatime.com/uk-e-gates-expanded-countries/

[+ nycman]

What did I do wrong?

Umm...you failed to follow that large "FAST TRACK" signs?

 

It's not rocket science....grin

 

Don't worry. The non-Fast Track Lanes are usually closer and faster anyways.

[Islesguy]

Umm...you failed to follow that large "FAST TRACK" signs?

 

It's not rocket science....grin

 

Don't worry. The non-Fast Track Lanes are usually closer and faster anyways.

That's probably it. Lol

[Islesguy]

No worries. If the lines were short, that's what counts

 

For the future:

 

https://www.heathrow.com/at-the-airport/airport-services/fast-track

 

Also, try the e-gates the next time you are at an airport that uses them. VERY speedy and almost no one uses them.

 

https://onemileatatime.com/uk-e-gates-expanded-countries/

If the e-gates are where you stand behind a sliding glass door and scan your passport, I used those.