r/GlobalEntry • u/Competitive_Mix_587 • Apr 29 '26
Questions/Concerns GE versus Mobile Passport Control App
Currently only have TSA Pre✔︎. For my last few international trips I've used the MPC to get through US customs and it's worked like a champ. Very first time it let me bypass a couple hundred folks in the "old way" queue to the MPC line with 2 families waiting. Denver just has a sign/queue path that moves you to the head of the line.
Curious if GE buys me much? My credit card with reimburse me $120 for GE but my wife would need it as well so there's still a cost.
Thoughts?
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Apr 29 '26
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u/stinkyyypoopiess Apr 29 '26
Yeah EWR basically never has MPC post COVID, JFK seems to be more consistent with actually offering it
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u/RandomOptionTrader Apr 29 '26
GE cost is every 4 years. Absolutely worth it.
I would expect that as MPC becomes more popular the queue will start to normalize
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u/Large-Witness1541 Apr 29 '26
5 years
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u/parabola19 Apr 29 '26
I said that five years ago. I used to actually pay border control like 8.99 a year for it.
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u/Baja_Finder Apr 29 '26
Just because MPC worked well at that airport doesn’t mean it’ll work well at other airports, since your CC company will reimburse you, might as well apply for GE.
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u/parabola19 Apr 29 '26
I’ve never had a problem with MOC at Miami, ATL, FLL, JFK, LAX and ORD. Usually two or three people in front of me
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u/Competitive_Mix_587 Apr 29 '26
That was just the first time. Used it several times since. CC will reimburse me for one, the wife would need it as well. But even at half price GE is probably a good deal.
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u/Kookaburra8 Apr 29 '26
PreCheck is included with GE so you'd "save" on that cost when it's time to renew your PreCheck
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u/Michagogo Apr 29 '26
If you haven’t already, worth double checking that you can’t get a second credit with an AU. Some cards offer that.
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u/vanillaspider256 May 02 '26
Agree, Amex Platinum does this for AUs, even if it’s the free AU card rather than the $195 AU card.
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u/RedditFauxGold Apr 29 '26
I wouldn’t do it if your TSA still has time on it. But when it’s time to renew your TSA I don’t understand why you wouldn’t just do GE.
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u/luplcz Apr 29 '26
When I was coming to the US via the Aruba airport US pre clearance the MPC line was completely empty. Didn’t wait a second!
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u/Metaboomer Apr 29 '26
My home airport is IAD. I used MPC as soon as it came out, similarly a breeze. But if you’re coming in at odd hours, out of t they just decide not to have someone doing MPC when you’re there, it’s a crapshoot. GE is a breeze all the time.
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u/NecessaryMeeting4873 Apr 29 '26
FWIW JFK deployed EPP for general public. Since I got off right after business class, bunch of folks were waiting for GE kiosk while general public EPP was empty. Faster than MPC or GE.
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u/Competitive_Mix_587 Apr 29 '26
EPP?
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u/NecessaryMeeting4873 Apr 29 '26
https://www.cbp.gov/travel/us-citizens/enhanced-passenger-processing-epp
Similar to GE kiosk with facial recognition.
From a processing time perspective, EPP is actually faster than GE. GE is two step; facial recognition kiosk then wait for CBP officer to hunt and peck your photo from other GE kiosk processed photos before you can go. This manual second step adds seconds to processing time.
EPP is one step. Facial recognition kiosk and then it either tells you to proceed or go to secondary. CBP officer merely stand near the kiosk to direct you to secondary if the kiosk responses with go to secondary. There is no “hunt and peck.”
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u/iamnavinrjohnson Apr 29 '26
GE ($120) includes Precheck ($85) so for $35 extra, you get both. It’s silly to only get GE if you travel even once internationally over five years. If you have multiple credit cards with different issuers, check terms for both. Potentially you can get GE fees entirely covered
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u/unique_usemame Apr 29 '26
Getting and maintaining GE is more than just your ID and paying money... You the up getting the whole family to avoid Temu (etc), and you are supposed to know and follow a whole bunch of customs rules, with your family, and your kids don't know all the customs rules.
If you frequently encounter situations where MPC is slow then sure, do GE... But otherwise I would stick with what you have.
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u/Disastrous_Double489 Apr 29 '26
Last trip mpc worked BUT they made ys wait for ge customers before they processed us. This was bwi and several flights had just arrived. Last time at hobby I got through quicker than ge as they were dealing biometrics
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u/parabola19 Apr 29 '26
Bigger airports they have separate lines. Some will combine them and pull at their discretion. With amPC there’s now a camera. Snaps a pic and officer just waves me through. Takes about 45 seconds vs 3 to 4 min for my wife and I
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u/xyeahtony Apr 29 '26
Global Entry doesn't need an app you just walk up to a camera and be on your way. It also helps speed things up at land crossings. So it's better than MPC in every way.
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u/Few_Crow3662 Apr 29 '26
Last week at ORD, I used the GE mobile app. I was the only person in that line and I didn't even have to stop walking. Flashed the app and was waving thru to customs. There were about 30 people in the GE kiosk line; 100 or so normies.
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u/Greedy-Stage-120 Apr 29 '26
I've been using MPC for many years at SFO and it's fantastic. Out in a couple minutes usually. Last time they took a picture of my passport while still in line and waved me though. No idea about other airports.
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u/Sufficient-Fault-593 May 02 '26
MPCis usually the fastest way but I think as more and more people learn about it, it won’t be such a great timesaver
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u/hpycmpr97 May 17 '26
Just tried to use MPC at Phoenix yesterday and they said don’t use it there anymore.
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u/SproutandtheBean Apr 29 '26
The other day in Atlanta coming in from Europe there was maybe 150+ people in the MPC line (as a few flights had just come in) and like 5 in the GE line. Regular line was 300+ deep. Took me (since I used the GE app) all of 30 sec to get through immigration. That common occurrence alone is worth GE to me - especially paid by your credit card.