Customs and connecting flight (hypothetical)

[sam_gordon]

There are also secondary considerations that may come into play. Timing, it can take an awfully long time to get a GE interview now, the next appointment time I can find within a 5 hour drive of me is March 9. Distance to an enrollment site, my nearest enrollment site and only place I can interview in my state is still 75 miles away. Eligibility, there are different eligibility criteria for GE compared to Pre. Processing time, GE can take up to 4 months to be approved after interview.

By comparison I can get an appointment today at 4 locations within 75 miles for Pre. And have a TTN by the end of the week.

I completely agree that GE is the superior program but there are legitimate reasons for people to apply for Pre rather than GE. I myself have Pre, but will be applying to GE when I can find an appointment somewhere I'm going to be. I also have two credit cards that cover the cost.

That's why I went to Pre when I signed up earlier this year. I wanted to get Pre before an upcoming trip and there were no GE appointments available.

 

[TLSnell1981]

FWI and reference... Often there is no availability on the calendar but if you check back .time slots often open up. Folks cancel all the time and they also may add addition staff. GE may take a little more effort to obtain but is worth it. IMO

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

FWI and reference... Often there is no availability on the calendar but if you check back .time slots often open up. Folks cancel all the time and they also may add addition staff. GE may take a little more effort to obtain but is worth it. IMO

They've been talking for a long time about issues with appointments. Yeah some people do cancel and appointments do open up but it's been very well publicized of the issues. IME after checking a ton appointments rarely just showed up because someone cancelled. I checked just about every day several times a day. I checked Vegas a lot too since we had a trip this past September multiple times and we could always fly a quick trip there but they were really far out too (even further than KC).

I live in KC so I had KC, Omaha and STL as the options near me. Omaha and STL were 3 hours away from me. The earliest I could get was 3 months out in Omaha so I booked that appointment, I saw exactly 1 time where an appointment popped up 2 days from that date but it was also in Omaha, however we were willing to drive. Unfortunately it was swooped up in the process of me doing it. I had the time picked out and was at the confirmation page and hit it then it just kept reloading and said no appointments were available. They eventually released more appointments for KC and that's when I cancelled my Omaha one and made the KC one although it was a month later than the original Omaha appointment. In KC they don't have a staff for the front desk, they just monitor the cameras and someone comes out. The person who did my appointment was the only occupant of the whole area.

Earlier in the year my husband had an easier time. It still was about 2 months out for him but it's been much worse the summer and later. Def. advise people to check back frequently but if you've got a trip planned in a few months time you'll probably want to do an on-arrival appointment, do TSA pre-check, or wait it out to do Global Entry.

Some people because of where they live may have easier luck. I noticed Orlando had better availability.

 

[sam_gordon]

FWI and reference... Often there is no availability on the calendar but if you check back .time slots often open up. Folks cancel all the time and they also may add addition staff. GE may take a little more effort to obtain but is worth it. IMO

Now that I'm travelling more, it will probably be easier to set up a GE appointment. BUT, I should wait until my CC will do the reimbursement (I think it will).

 

[TLSnell1981]

Now that I'm travelling more, it will probably be easier to set up a GE appointment. BUT, I should wait until my CC will do the reimbursement (I think it will).

I've been put out of joint by airlines too often. I get it for free but would definitely pay the $100 for the benefits.

 

[sam_gordon]

I've been put out of joint by airlines too often. I get it for free but would definitely pay the $100 for the benefits.

OK, I'll bite... what benefits would I see in GE that I don't have with Precheck (that I currently have)? We don't go out of country maybe once every two-three years.

 

[EACarlson]

OK, I'll bite... what benefits would I see in GE that I don't have with Precheck (that I currently have)? We don't go out of country maybe once every two-three years.

Automated lanes at most ports of entry, expedited entry at land crossings. Another acceptable ID for flying. If you leave the country at all and an enrollment center is near you, I would go with GE.

 

[TLSnell1981]

OK, I'll bite... what benefits would I see in GE that I don't have with Precheck (that I currently have)? We don't go out of country maybe once every two-three years.

Expedited entry into the US. Scan at a kiosk, answer a few questions and you are done. No long lines. ..usually NO line. This is especially beneficial if you have a connecting flight after entry. It also includes TSA Pre Check in the price. As PP mentioned also special lanes for border crossings.

It is convenient and stress free.

 

[Lewisc]

OK, I'll bite... what benefits would I see in GE that I don't have with Precheck (that I currently have)? We don't go out of country maybe once every two-three years.

You started this thread asking about who pays for your hotel if delays at customs results in a missed connection. GE offers a lot of value in that circumstance

 

[sam_gordon]

You started this thread asking about who pays for your hotel if delays at customs results in a missed connection. GE offers a lot of value in that circumstance

I get that. But I have to look at whether $200 (DW and myself) is worth it for this single trip, would I take other trips, etc. If I had time when I was signing up for Pre-check, I would have done GE (since it includes Pre-check). But the nearest center is 90 minutes away also.

 

[gmi3804]

I get that. But I have to look at whether $200 (DW and myself) is worth it for this single trip, would I take other trips, etc. If I had time when I was signing up for Pre-check, I would have done GE (since it includes Pre-check). But the nearest center is 90 minutes away also.

You should both look at the Chase Sapphire Reserve card. $550 annual fee, BUT $100 statement credit for GE every four years, $300 statement credits for travel expenses every year, free primary insurance on rental cars (you don’t have to report incidents to your insurance), trip delay reimbursements, plus a sign-up bonus of at least 80,000 (often times more) Chase Ultimate Rewards points, which, with the Reserve 50% bonus, is worth $1,200. That’s $1,600 right there.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

You should both look at the Chase Sapphire Reserve card. $550 annual fee, BUT $100 statement credit for GE every four years, $300 statement credits for travel expenses every year, free primary insurance on rental cars (you don’t have to report incidents to your insurance), trip delay reimbursements, plus a sign-up bonus of at least 80,000 (often times more) Chase Ultimate Rewards points, which, with the Reserve 50% bonus, is worth $1,200. That’s $1,600 right there.

That's the one we got this year. We've used the point redemptions for most of the cost for our flights to Venice and Athens, hotel in Venice for next summer's trip, Global Entry for me, etc.

I don't remember the sign up bonus though that we got but it's presently 60,000 if you sign up now so I wouldn't tell someone it's at least 80,000 or oftentimes more than that.

 

[supersnoop]

Generally speaking, if you misconnect due to customs, the airline is going to book you on the next available flight and put you on standby (with priority) for any full flights between now and that flight. They aren't required to cover lodging or meals, but might be generous and helpful depending on the circumstances. If you're a large family, they'll try to split you up to get you home. That could result in a massive time difference for arrival; maybe even different days. If you want to stay together, it will take much longer to get you home. It could be the next flight, or it could take several days.

 

[gmi3804]

I don't remember the sign up bonus though that we got but it's presently 60,000 if you sign up now so I wouldn't tell someone it's at least 80,000 or oftentimes more than that.

The 80,000-point sign-up bonus ended on 11/30. They have promos often, and I presume they’ll have more (and maybe better ones) in the future.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

The 80,000-point sign-up bonus ended on 11/30. They have promos often, and I presume they’ll have more (and maybe better ones) in the future.

Sure and I don't doubt that, SWA is like that as well. But it isn't "at least" is all I was trying to convey. Bonuses fluctuate presumably as business is needed or not needed.

 

[EACarlson]

The 80,000-point sign-up bonus ended on 11/30. They have promos often, and I presume they’ll have more (and maybe better ones) in the future.

I'd be very surprised if they have any better promos in the future. The highest sub the CSR ever had was the 100k when it first came out, many times the sub on the lower Preferred version is higher than the CSR. Chase was very straight forward on their last earnings call about how much money they've lost on the CSR.

 

[betterbutter]

So if you are delayed in customs (because of number of people, not because of something nefarious) and miss your connecting flight (which happens to be the last flight of the day), who's responsible for hotel costs?

If you miss a connection for something other than weather, generally the airline would get you a room. But what happens if a slow down in customs is the issue?

Please don't answer "just get a longer layover". The length of the layover is immaterial to the question.

Thank you

First of all, Customs is a walk-through. It is passport control (immigration) that can be a long wait (or very short) depending on many possible scenarios.

Passport Control is where you need to show your passport (or possibly just have your face scanned depending on the airport, your country of citizenship, and the country you are entering.

After clearing passport control, if you have nothing to declare, you take your bags and walk through either the green exit or in the US, typically the only exit.

I have never seen a line for Customs.

To give you an accurate answer, we would have to learn your citizenship, the country you are flying from, and the country you are flying to. The actual airport you are entering through would also be helpful, as for example Munich is a well marked and efficient airport while Frankfurt is an adventure through the gates of hell.

Overall, if you miss your flight for any reason except a delayed connection (late arriving aircraft), any expenses related to meals and hotel would not be the airlines responsibility. If this connection is happening IN Europe you *might* have some protections under EU261.

Your travel insurance may also indemnify you for travel delay. Document everything.

There is no single answer to your question due to multiple variables.

 

[betterbutter]

Expedited entry into the US. Scan at a kiosk, answer a few questions and you are done. No long lines. ..usually NO line. This is especially beneficial if you have a connecting flight after entry. It also includes TSA Pre Check in the price. As PP mentioned also special lanes for border crossings.

It is convenient and stress free.

CBP is now integrating new kiosks with facial recognition for Global Entry holders. Nothing to do except have your face scanned. You don’t even have to show your passport.

They are integrating something similar for all US passport holders, but it isn’t in place except at one or two test airports—I believe ATL is one. It’s definitely not MIA or CLT, I have come through both in the past few months and they were mayhem if you didn’t have Global Entry*.

The UK has been monkeying with this for a few years now. Currently, US passport holders need to place the passport on a scanner, look at a camera, and the gates open. It has sped up the process to be less than a quarter of the time it used to take. You won’t get a passport stamp, but there is a desk to go to if you need one because you are entering on a Visa other than tourist. (Student, fiancé, employment, etc.)

Citizens of countries which require a visa to enter for any reason such as China and Venezuela are sent to a different line for processing. It really is incredible as to how fast they have made the process at LHR. Hopefully the US will catch up soon.

*The wait to be approved for Global Entry is a couple of weeks to over six months. The wait for an interview can be up to a year. You can do your interview on arrival at most international US airports. You just have to ask to be directed to the office once you land.

 

[betterbutter]

Nowadays the airlines is pretty much NEVER responsible for any delays

Customs generally isn’t an issue. There are usually employees when you enter…let them know if you have a short connection. The will usually help you get through in a reasonable amount of time.

DH had an hour and ten minute layover at CDG and I was really concerned. It wasn’t a probablem. They pushed him right through. One note…pick you seat on the side of the plane that will disembark first if time is an issue.

Do not ever plan on going to the front of the line at passport control. In many countries they will laugh and send you to the back of the line.

Your husband was almost definitely “in transit” which only requires a cursory passport check. It is not the same process a passport control for entering the country and is much, much quicker.

 

[sam_gordon]

CBP is now integrating new kiosks with facial recognition for Global Entry holders. Nothing to do except have your face scanned. You don’t even have to show your passport.

They are integrating something similar for all US passport holders, but it isn’t in place except at one or two test airports—I believe ATL is one. It’s definitely not MIA or CLT, I have come through both in the past few months and they were mayhem if you didn’t have Global Entry*.

The UK has been monkeying with this for a few years now. Currently, US passport holders need to place the passport on a scanner, look at a camera, and the gates open. It has sped up the process to be less than a quarter of the time it used to take. You won’t get a passport stamp, but there is a desk to go to if you need one because you are entering on a Visa other than tourist. (Student, fiancé, employment, etc.)

Citizens of countries which require a visa to enter for any reason such as China and Venezuela are sent to a different line for processing. It really is incredible as to how fast they have made the process at LHR. Hopefully the US will catch up soon.

*The wait to be approved for Global Entry is a couple of weeks to over six months. The wait for an interview can be up to a year. You can do your interview on arrival at most international US airports. You just have to ask to be directed to the office once you land.

To answer some of your questions... going from a foreign country (probably in the Caribbean), returning to the US, US Natural Born Citizens, probably going through Atlanta. It's been a decade since we've done it, but from what I remember, you go through one line to present your passport (so a wait there), then another line to collect your checked luggage, tell them what you have to declare, then give your luggage back to the airline. There were a number of waits.

So, back to my original question... if you book a flight (single ticket) but don't have enough time to get through passport control and customs (despite it being a "legal connection time"), what happens when your connecting flight is the last one of the night?