www.CostaRicaTicas.com

Been thinking about signing up for this. However, I would think someone that's been to a few mongering spots would get a lot of questions in the Pre-Check interview process. Anybody here successfully sign up for Pre-Check?

Global Entry is the way to go. They are more concerned about your criminal history and if you will be smuggling things back into the country. Other than that they could give 2 shits if you are out having sex with women.

I agree that Global Entry is better. Pre-check only gets you to the priority security line, but GE gets you that PLUS you get to skip the immigration line and use the automated kiosk. There is never a line for the kiosks while the immigration line can be 2 hours long.

I agree global entry is the way to go. The process can take much longer. It took 46 days to get the approval to renew my global entry last month.

Ditto on Global Entry. The benefit has decreased somewhat with some places going to automated immigration and customs for everyone, but it's still nice to have and often quicker.

Also, consider Nexus. Nexus is the most useful of all the trusted traveler programs. It includes all the benefits of Global Entry plus expedited entry into Canada. Also, Nexus is half the price of GE ($50 for 5 years). The only downside of Nexus is that the interview process is not as convenient. If you don't travel to Canada or live near a Nexus enrollment center, it may not be worth the hassle.

Is Global Entry even needed anymore?

I came through Dallas last November and just used the Customs app. I completed the app questions before hand, set up passport and took a picture. When I landed I answered the customs questions and flight info. I had that completed before I got off the plane. At customs walked right up to an agent and did not need to visit a kiosk. Agent scanned my passport and I was done.

My experience with Global Entry is most of the time it makes little difference. But when it does it can be huge. As I posted in another thread recently.

Came back through ATL a few months ago. The line at immigration was unbelievable, 4-5 abreast winding down two long corridors (hundreds of yards), easily several thousand people and that was just to get into the big room that had the rope corrals set up to get to an immigration official. Everyone was missing their flights. With Global Entry I went right to a self-service kiosk and was out in ten minutes. Worth cien for that entry by itself.

I did check into CLEAR as mentioned by el moreno. I’m for anything that can expediate airport lines. It is not at my home airport (Kansas City) and I was not aware of it. CLEAR uses biometrics, iris scan and fingerprints to verify identity. Avoids having to wait to have the TSA officer check your ID and boarding pass – straight to the scanner.

Very expensive. $179 per year compared to PreCheck/Global Entry $100 for 5 years. Delta Sky Miles members get a discount to $99 per year, Elite member get $79 per year. I can see it being worthwhile if you frequently fly out of an airport where PreCheck lines are long. PreCheck lines at MCI are usually 3-4 people at most. No incentive to install CLEAR.

The answer to your question about TSA Pre-check wondering where and why you are going to destinations that YOU PERCEIVE TO BE MONGERING destinations, is just that of your own insecurities. The only thing they want is your fingerprints, your criminal record, and your 100 bucks for 4 years period. As long as you are not a criminal it is really in your best interest to go ahead and get it. The time you save in one line can mean all of the difference in a good flight and a terrible flight. A couple of years ago I got to customs and there was at least 3000 people in front of me and not one person in the TSA Pre-check line. That instance alone paid for itself and by the way it made me feel great since I had time to throw back a couple of beers and relax while everyone else was still standing in line!

And check with your credit card. Most branded airline cards and travel cards (ie Venture from Capital One), will reimburse the $100 for you. It was automatic. In anticipation of my first trip to CR I applied and had a Global Entry card in hand in about a week. I kept an eye on my credit card transactions and was refunded my $100 within a couple of days (Venture Card).

Can't beat free.

Just got back to the states. The Global Entry route is as good as advertised.

Do you pay a yearly fee for the Venture Card, that's not related to interest?

I had the Capital One ( same company ), but cancelled it due to not liking the annual charge for just using the card, which I got tired of.

I agree with the gent who said it can be worth it depending on the situation. If you're traveling with someone who doesn't have Global Entry you can't take her to the GE kiosk with you, so you must wait. If you have checked baggage, 'flying' through immigration with GE won't help you get your luggage any faster. I was recently abroad and coming back through LAX. I have GE but my wife doesn't have it yet, so I had to wait. I was miserable in a long, holiday immigration line and was cussing in my head at all the slow immigration agents. But sure as hell, we got through and then still had to wait a couple minutes for the baggage.

I'm pretty sure I do (about 95 a year I think), but I think it is waived for the first year. But I use the shit out of it so with the double miles it's more than worth it to me.

I'm going to need all the double miles I can get to start traveling to my new favorite destination every other month.

Yeah, for sure, with your level of frequent travel, that would be chump change definitely