More about Trusted Traveler programs

[columnwest]

Just wanted to clarify a little about what was discussed on the podcast regarding "Trusted Traveler" programs for US citizens:

First off, "Trusted Traveler" is basically just a generic umbrella term for everything below. There is no specific program called "Trusted Traveler". In addition to what I mention here, there are other "Trusted Traveler" programs in other countries, but I'm only going to cover what applies to US citizens below.

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"TSA PreCheck" - This is what gets you expedited screening (eg: leave your shoes/belt on, leave everything in your bag, usually just a metal detector vs. bodyscan, etc.) at TSA security checkpoints at US airports only. Right now, TSA PreCheck is only available to a) members of the programs listed below, b) certain frequent fliers (usually 75K Platinum tier and above) which have to be "invited" by their airline frequent flier program, c) "randomly" selected individuals.

TSA PreCheck is only available at about 100 US airports (pretty much all of the major ones). It's not available outside of the US, and just because your airport has it, doesn't mean that you're guaranteed to be able to use it. For example, in my hometown Seattle, if you travel very late at night, they shut down most of the TSA lanes, and often the PreCheck lane is closed. On the other hand, at some airline hubs (like SFO for United) there can be so many frequent fliers that the TSA PreCheck line can be as long or longer than the regular line (though it will always move a lot faster). So, you should always view TSA PreCheck as more of a privilege than a right.

For TSA PreCheck, you don't get an ID card. TSA PreCheck is encoded into your boarding pass (usually, your barding pass will actually say "TSA PreCheck" on it). When you hand it to the TSA agent, they will scan it, and if it beeps three times, you're in. NOTE: A portion of TSA PreCheck customers will still get "randomly selected" to go through the more thorough screening. I've never had it happen to me, but they make a point of warning you on the website that nothing is 100% guaranteed with TSA PreCheck. Again, it's a privilege, not a right.

On its own, TSA PreCheck costs about $85, and you can read more about it here: http://www.tsa.gov/tsa-precheck

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"Global Entry" - This is what Kevin was talking about. Global Entry gets you expedited screening through US customs and passport control when you're re-entering the US from abroad. In addition, everyone in Global Entry is automatically also enrolled in TSA PreCheck for no additional charge.

The process is what Kevin described: You go online, fill out the form, wait to be "approved", schedule an interview after approval (Depending on your location there can be a long backlog to get an interview slot. For me it was about 3 months. TIP: After you schedule your interview, keep checking the website for other dates if you want something sooner. People cancel all the time, and slots open up.). The interview itself is pretty perfunctory. They may ask why you are applying. They just want to make sure you're not doing anything illegal. Obviously, if you have a criminal record, you may not get in. Digital fingerprints and your photo are taken.

You may or may not get a card. You don't need it. The Global Entry machines scan your passport and your fingerprints, not a card. Generally, you're "live" in the system within 1-2 days after your interview.

Global Entry (with TSA PreCheck) costs $100, and you can learn more about it here: http://www.globalentry.gov

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"Nexus" and "Sentri" - (This is what I have.) These are the "extra" programs that Kevin mentioned that can get you expedited screening when travelling (usually by car, but also by air/sea) into Canada (for "Nexus") or Mexico (for "Sentri") from the US. It's a misnomer however to call these "add-ons" for Global Entry, since they are their own separate programs. However, if you get into either Nexus or Sentri, you also get Global Entry for no additional charge, AND you get TSA PreCheck for no additional charge.

The process is the same as for Global Entry, except for a few things: 1) The interviews are only offered at airports near the Canadian (for Nexus) or Mexican (for Sentri) border. (so Seattle, but not San Francisco, for example) 2) You get interviewed twice: once by the Canadian (or Mexican) authorities, and then by the US folks, usually back-to-back in the same appointment (this is why they only do it at near-border locations). I have to note that my interview with the Canadian agent was a lot more in depth than with the US person. There was a lot more "why and how will you be using this?" from the Canadian side.

Unlike TSA PreCheck and Global Entry, with Nexus/Sentri you do get a physical card, and you must have it with you to use it. It has an RFID chip in it, and you have to wave the card in front of the scanners (sort of like Magic Bands) to get the green light.

Also, if you want to use it for air travel into Canada, you have to get your retina (eye) scanned too, which you can only do at a Canadian airport. Again, not every Canadian airport supports Nexus, only the major international ones. I assume the same goes for Sentri and Mexico.

And, if you get it for car travel into Canada (or Mexico), then EVERY passenger in the same car has to be registered into the Nexus/Sentri program in order to be able to use the special lanes at the border. If 4 out of 5 people in the car are registered, then you're back in the regular slow lanes.

NOTE: Nexus and Sentri are two separate programs, so if you want expedited entry into both Canada and Mexico, then you'd have to apply twice.

ALSO NOTE: You get Global Entry free with Nexus/Sentri, but you don't get Nexus/Sentri free with Global Entry. So, if you're thinking about having both, definitely get Nexus/Sentri "first" so to speak.

The interesting thing is that Nexus or Sentri only cost $50 (each), half the price of Global Entry, but with all the benefits of Global Entry, TSA PreCheck AND expedited boarder crossing into Canada (for Nexus) or Mexico (for Sentri). You can learn more about Nexus and Sentri here: http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/travel/trusted_traveler

Hope this info helps.

Chris

 

[OKW Lover]

Very helpful Chris, thanks!

I'll just say that Val & I are Delta Gold and got pre-check on our last flight to/from Orlando so the airline frequent flyer program qualifications are being relaxed. Oh, and we didn't have to actually be invited. We just needed to be sure our information was correct on our Delta accounts.

 

[wiigirl]

Thanks for the info!

 

[joanjett1976]

We are NEXUS card holders and cannot imagine travelling without it! We cross the USA-Canada borders quite often by car and the lines would be atrocious without it. Also quite useful bupassing the customs queue at the airport.

 

[columnwest]

I forgot to mention a couple of things:

You can get Global Entry (and thus also TSA PreCheck) for free if you have a Platinum AMEX card, or are Platinum or 1K with United Airlines. They give you a coupon code or a credit that covers the $100 Global Entry fee. There are probably other discounts out there too, but these are the only ones I know of myself.

Active military get TSA PreCheck for free.

And, as Jeff mentioned, some people are getting TSA PreCheck for free on an ad-hoc, one-off basis (pretty much at the whim of the airline issuing your boarding pass, if they have all your info on file and consider you low-risk).

 

[Cousin Orville]

Global Entry is really an awesome service if you travel internationally. In case anyone is curious, you need to have it for each child traveling with you through passport control/customs - they are not covered by your global entry status. Very young children/babies will not be fingerprinted, but will be photographed at the interview and they're supposed to be photographed at passport control. I have to hold my youngest up to have the global entry kiosk take their picture. Kind of funny as I usually mistime it and sit them down right before the picture is taken resulting in printed picture of my elbows. I'd estimate it saves us about 1/2 an hour each time. It's nice to avoid the passport lines with tired kids.

 

[WebmasterAlex]

I'm pretty sure you always get a card with Global Entry and it does serve a useful purpose. You can use it as ID at the TSA checkpoint instead of your drivers license. Much better to lose that card. It can also be used at SENTRI and NEXUS check points coming in to the US but not for going in to Canada via NEXUS

 

[sayhello]

I got TSA Pre-Check as a free surprise on my trip from Columbus to Rhode Island last week. I'd kind of forgotten about the program, so when the TSA officer sent me over to the next lane, I thought I was in for the thorough search & pat-down. To my delight, it was the Pre-Check line. I didn't have to take off my shoes or take my 3-1-1 bag out, but I did have to take off my winter coat. All-in-all, it took about 2 minutes. Loved it!

I did not, however, get it on the return flight. I did check, and the Providence airport does participate, so it wasn't that. So it really does depend on the airline and the airport and random other stuff.

Sayhell

 

[starwood]

I just got an email from Clear that said if you sign up today you get 2 for 1.

 

[AlexDurrani]

Clear is another option for those passengers who can utilize it. Traveling out of Orlando you have the availability to use the program but you have only a select number of airports around the country that have the program in place. I joined it because they have added it to the Houston airports (or will by the 18th of this month) and Orlando since that is where I travel the most.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

I just got an email from Clear that said if you sign up today you get 2 for 1.

Clear is not worth it. I have been a Clear member for years. It does allow you to skip the long waiting lines, but you are then fed into a regular scan line with all the regular checks. Pre-Check is special lines the reduces inconveniences.

I am going to let my Clear membership lapse.

 

[AlexDurrani]

Clear is not worth it. I have been a Clear member for years. It does allow you to skip the long waiting lines, but you are then fed into a regular scan line with all the regular checks. Pre-Check is special lines the reduces inconveniences.

I am going to let my Clear membership lapse.

You are correct as far as the way clear works but here is the plus side to Clear. You actually pass the long lines that take up a lot of time. true you go thru the regular screening but the time in that part is far less then going through the regular line.

 

[AbbeBelle]

My SIL travels frequently between Charlotte and Miami for work. This last trip she was designated Pre-Check by the airline (US Airways). Since US Airways and American Airlines are merging, we wondered whether her Pre-Check status would remain after the merger. If designated by an airline, does the Pre-Check status apply to other airlines as well? Or is that one more way to hook in loyal fliers?

 

[DisneyKevin]

We just got our cards in the mail today!

While this may have many names, the US Government website refers to it as a Trusted Traveler program.

See?

Trusted Traveler Programs
CBP's Trusted Traveler Programs provide expedited travel for pre-approved, low risk travelers through dedicated lanes and kiosks.
​

http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/travel/trusted_traveler/

It's even in the URL.

You can understand the confusion.

 

[15isto2]

I found out about it just as they stop letting UK people sign up

 

[OKW Lover]

My SIL travels frequently between Charlotte and Miami for work. This last trip she was designated Pre-Check by the airline (US Airways). Since US Airways and American Airlines are merging, we wondered whether her Pre-Check status would remain after the merger. If designated by an airline, does the Pre-Check status apply to other airlines as well? Or is that one more way to hook in loyal fliers?

Once you've been approved for Pre-check it doesn't matter what airline you are flying as long as you submit the same passenger data. So when booking on another airline be sure your name (including middle name/initial) and DOB are the same.

 

[sayhello]

Once you've been approved for Pre-check it doesn't matter what airline you are flying as long as you submit the same passenger data. So when booking on another airline be sure your name (including middle name/initial) and DOB are the same.

But I think if the airline/airport "gives" you a random Pre-check, it's only for that one flight. I got it for my outbound flight, but not for my returning flight.

Sayhello

 

[OKW Lover]

Pre-check isn't a consistent thing. Those that are pre-check eligible do not get it every time they fly. There is some amount of randomness in when you'll get it.

As noted above, Val & I got it for the first time when we flew in November. We will be flying again in just a couple of days and I'm hoping we get it again. I'll post the results when we do fly.

 

[AndyPok1]

I have NEXUS. It is the greatest thing ever. The downside is to get it, you have to go to a Canadian location for a screening. But if that isn't a large impediment, I couldn't recommend it more.

 

[OKW Lover]

Pre-check isn't a consistent thing. Those that are pre-check eligible do not get it every time they fly. There is some amount of randomness in when you'll get it.

As noted above, Val & I got it for the first time when we flew in November. We will be flying again in just a couple of days and I'm hoping we get it again. I'll post the results when we do fly.

Just following up as promised. Checked in this morning for tomorrow's flight and Val got pre-check but I didn't.