WWYD Precheck vs Global Entry

[sam_gordon]

I would recommend GE, even with the lack of GE by your relatives. Like @Viva Las Disney said, it is a huge timesaver.

Your relatives can stand in line and you can wait for them in the bar!

One thing you could try is to do it on your Tampa trip. Mine took 10 MONTHS, but DD and DW got approved for interview in ONE DAY. So it might be workable. I'd be amazed if TPA doesn't have appointments.

Good thought, but too late. I got precheck. Didn't think about GE being available at TPA. Oh well.

 

[JimMIA]

Good thought, but too late. I got precheck. Didn't think about GE being available at TPA. Oh well.

You might double check. GE is just a few dollar upgrade and you might still be able to do it. Or you can do it later and schedule your interview for one of your future trips without the long drive for a 5-minute interview.

But at least you have your KTN for this trip.

 

[Mrs.AMC]

Piggy back a question here, in case any know
We've had recheck for years, long enough to renew.
We've never considered GE since we didn't even have a passport.
Until my niece decided to get married in Mexico, so now we have a passport and since we do, we are going to investigate some overseas trips, like to Costa Rica or Dominican Republic.
Plus, we both have a credit card that covers the cost of GE, so I figured, why not get it.
Now, what I'm curious about is, Enrollment upon Arrival. Any one gone that route, does it delay returning drastically?
I can't figure out if that's worth doing or if we should go on and work to get our appointment before we leave. We'll have to travel about 2 hours for the appointment but it is to a city we frequent so not a huge headache.

 

[sam_gordon]

You might double check. GE is just a few dollar upgrade and you might still be able to do it. Or you can do it later and schedule your interview for one of your future trips without the long drive for a 5-minute interview.

But at least you have your KTN for this trip.

I took a quick look at "upgrading" and near as I can tell it's not allowed, I would need to start from scratch. Maybe the next time. We have a cruise planned for later this year, but I wouldn't feel right abandoning the rest of my travel party. Although, after an 8 night trip, maybe I will be ready to.

 

[JimMIA]

I took a quick look at "upgrading" and near as I can tell it's not allowed, I would need to start from scratch. Maybe the next time. We have a cruise planned for later this year, but I wouldn't feel right abandoning the rest of my travel party. Although, after an 8 night trip, maybe I will be ready to.

Key fact to remember regarding differences between air travel and cruises: There are bars in airports. I've never seen a bar off the ship at Port Miami. Other ports could be different, so you might want to check.

 

[buzzgirls&dad]

Just to piggy back. Our family is in the renewal process for GE this year. DH just renewed the other day and less than 48 hours later was reapproved no re-interview needed. My question is: Does he just use his current card after it expires or will they send a new one with a new expiration date and just use the same picture??

 

[ririlovesdisney]

FWIW, I had my Precheck "interview" yesterday at 12:40P. At 6:40P today (so 30 hours later), I got my KTN #. Of course, now the government has my fingerprints, so I'm going to have to keep that in mind.

I'm currently awaiting my conditional approval for GE. I submitted mine and my two kids at the same time. How long did your review take before you could schedule your interview? It's been 3 weeks since I applied...

 

[sam_gordon]

I'm currently awaiting my conditional approval for GE. I submitted mine and my two kids at the same time. How long did your review take before you could schedule your interview? It's been 3 weeks since I applied...

Looks like it was a day between signing up and my interview.

 

[AuroraluvsPhillip]

How much time prior to my trip in May should I apply for Pre-Check? Not sure how things are running since Covid.

 

[CarolynFH]

How much time prior to my trip in May should I apply for Pre-Check? Not sure how things are running since Covid.

I would apply now, to make sure you get it in time. If you get it quickly, all the better - you can add your KTN to your plane reservation right away.

 

[EACarlson]

I'm currently awaiting my conditional approval for GE. I submitted mine and my two kids at the same time. How long did your review take before you could schedule your interview? It's been 3 weeks since I applied...

The process is completely different between GE and Pre. Pre is a quick check where they make sure you are who you say you are. GE they do an actual background check and investigation.

 

[sam_gordon]

How much time prior to my trip in May should I apply for Pre-Check? Not sure how things are running since Covid.

Is there any reason you don't want to apply now? I would think the bare minimum (based solely on my experience) would be a week before the trip. Personally, I'd rather have it done sooner rather than later if I know I'm going to do it.

One tip I learned... make sure the name you put on your Pre-Check application matches the name on the documents for any tickets/airline programs you have. I didn't put my middle name on the pre-check app, not realizing that's how I was booked with my air fare and had to get Southwest (and Delta) to change my name in their systems.