Precheck vs Global Entry

[doctorsbaby]

The precheck thread got me thinking...is there a reason do go with Precheck instead of Global Entry? If I'm reading the comparison chart right, it is only $15 difference between the two. We aren't currently flying anywhere international but do have plans in the future. Right now I have 2 sets of domestic flights booked between now & Thanksgiving. 

There are also other programs - Nexus & Sentri - but I have no clue about those. 

I'm not concerned about the cost as it is minimal for the amount we fly. I would absolutely love to skip taking out the liquids bag & electronics. So tell me oh wise ones, which is the best choice? 


www.dhs.gov/comparison-chart

[babsbunny]

If this is true, it seems to say you should sign up for Nexus and then get Global Entry (and therefore TSA PreCheck) for free: www.linkedin.com/groups/What-Nexus-Global-Entry-dont-4724544.S.196390611

Worth doing the research to see if it's still true.  If so, this sucks, since I just spent $200 on Global Entry!

ETA: NO ONE should act based on my 2 minutes of internet surfing.  I suspect this isn't true, or maybe only works if you're Canadian.

[doctorsbaby]

Jul 29, 2014 22:02:09 GMT -5 babsbunny said:

If this is true, it seems to say you should sign up for Nexus and then get Global Entry (and therefore TSA PreCheck) for free: www.linkedin.com/groups/What-Nexus-Global-Entry-dont-4724544.S.196390611

Worth doing the research to see if it's still true.  If so, this sucks, since I just spent $200 on Global Entry!

ETA: NO ONE should act based on my 2 minutes of internet surfing.  I suspect this isn't true, or maybe only works if you're Canadian.

I think I found the downside to Nexus. Their enrollment centers are only in certain areas according to Customs & Border Protections website. I can do the other programs at the airport here in Las Vegas. The initial fee maybe 1/2 but the travel costs would blow that $50 out of the water. 


www.cbp.gov/travel/trusted-traveler-programs/nexus/nexus-enrollment-centers

[mich1]

I have a Nexus card, which has all the benefits, but cheaper. I just renewed for my second 5 year card.

I did have to be fingerprinted and interviewed at a border station. When I applied, I lived in KY and planned to go to one of the border stations, either my b/f in WA or my dad in NY. I wound up going o NY, which turned out to be a good move as it was easy to get in. Other border crossings are not as easy, Vancouver is pretty bad and I've not heard good things about Toronto either. Champlain was very easy, but I could go back in at the desk in Vancouver to get my retinal scan as Champlain did not have the equipment (at the time anyway).

[stealthmom]

OR you could just go through the precheck line w/o actually paying/getting pre-checked.

Not that I've ever done that or anything. :-p

[alleinesein]

I opted for TSA precheck because I clear customs and immigration in San Diego and there is never a line. Global Entry requires me to trek up to LA and it will maybe save me 2 minutes when I return to the US; most of the time the line at the global entry kiosk is longer than the US citizens line!

[Deleted]

Jul 29, 2014 22:02:09 GMT -5 babsbunny said:

If this is true, it seems to say you should sign up for Nexus and then get Global Entry (and therefore TSA PreCheck) for free: www.linkedin.com/groups/What-Nexus-Global-Entry-dont-4724544.S.196390611

Worth doing the research to see if it's still true.  If so, this sucks, since I just spent $200 on Global Entry!

ETA: NO ONE should act based on my 2 minutes of internet surfing.  I suspect this isn't true, or maybe only works if you're Canadian.

I think Nexus is only really available at/near the borders, and for most people it is going to cost a lot more to get to a border than it would be for them to just spring for Global Entry.

I guess Global Entry is not worth the extra $15 if you never travel internationally?  But for me, Global Entry has been way more worthwhile than Pre-check.  Walking out of JFK or EWR 5 minutes after your flight lands instead of waiting an hour in a passport control line is HEAVENLY.  Pre-check saves some time but isn't always available (depending on airline/airport, and is rarely available on international flights).

[mokes]

Global Entry includes Pre-check, so I went with that.

[chickens987]

I'm inclined to go for pre-check vs global entry. I travel a lot domestically for work, but when I fly internationally it's with my H and DD, so GE would be useless unless they got it too.

[pink]

Definitely do Nexus if you're in a border state and eligible. It's awesome. You get global entry and pre-check, but it's only $50 vs. $100. It is a huge pain wait wise though. DH and I both had to wait over 6 months to get an in-person interview.

[doctorsbaby]

Thanks for the answers everyone! I think I will be applying for Global Entry for DH, DD & myself.

I mainly want it for the precheck benefits but we plan on more international flights in the future so it seems silly to not just pay the extra $15 each now. We can't get direct flights to most places international from our airport so where we go through customs would depend on the particular trip.

[doctorsbaby]

Jul 30, 2014 11:12:45 GMT -5 pink said:

Definitely do Nexus if you're in a border state and eligible. It's awesome. You get global entry and pre-check, but it's only $50 vs. $100. It is a huge pain wait wise though. DH and I both had to wait over 6 months to get an in-person interview.

It sounds awesome for those in border states. I live in Vegas and that is really far to trek though

[doctorsbaby]

Jul 30, 2014 7:02:13 GMT -5 v said:

Jul 29, 2014 22:02:09 GMT -5 babsbunny said:

If this is true, it seems to say you should sign up for Nexus and then get Global Entry (and therefore TSA PreCheck) for free: www.linkedin.com/groups/What-Nexus-Global-Entry-dont-4724544.S.196390611

Worth doing the research to see if it's still true.  If so, this sucks, since I just spent $200 on Global Entry!

ETA: NO ONE should act based on my 2 minutes of internet surfing.  I suspect this isn't true, or maybe only works if you're Canadian.

I think Nexus is only really available at/near the borders, and for most people it is going to cost a lot more to get to a border than it would be for them to just spring for Global Entry.

I guess Global Entry is not worth the extra $15 if you never travel internationally?  But for me, Global Entry has been way more worthwhile than Pre-check.  Walking out of JFK or EWR 5 minutes after your flight lands instead of waiting an hour in a passport control line is HEAVENLY.  Pre-check saves some time but isn't always available (depending on airline/airport, and is rarely available on international flights).

Thanks v, I was hoping for a response from you since you are one of the people that travel often

[babsbunny]

Don't be discouraged if you first schedule a global entry interview for a few months out. Check back often and something will open up. And you can try walk ins too (success rates are unpredictable). There's a great flyertalk thread about global entry processing times.