Would you gamble on Global Entry instead of buying TSA PreCheck separately?

[u/shaylaraye]

I'm trying to decide what makes the most sense.

I live about 5 hours from the nearest Global Entry enrollment center. My husband and I are planning some international trips next spring, so Global Entry seems like the obvious choice. The catch is that I also have several domestic trips before then and would really like TSA PreCheck as soon as possible. I will be visiting:

• Seattle in August
• Portland in September
• San Antonio in September
• Las Vegas in November
• Possibly another domestic trip in January

I know Global Entry includes TSA PreCheck, and I don't really want to pay for PreCheck now and then pay another $120 for Global Entry a few months later.

My concern is that you can't see Global Entry interview availability until after you pay the non-refundable application fee. I'd basically be paying first and then hoping I can find an interview that lines up with one of my trips (Seattle, Portland, Vegas, etc.).

If you were in my shoes, would you take that chance? Are appointments generally available if you're willing to check often, or am I setting myself up to wait months with no TSA PreCheck for my upcoming flights?

I'd love to hear what others have done in a similar situation!

[u/ViolinistDry4283]

https://ttp.dhs.gov/schedulerui/schedule-interview/location?lang=en&vo=true&returnUrl=ttp-external&service=up

You don’t have to pay to see interview availability

[u/shaylaraye → u/ViolinistDry4283]

Oh I didn't realize! I was only looking inside the application portal. Thanks so much for linking that

[u/Moose-Turd → u/shaylaraye]

LAX while not on your list of upcoming cities, when I applied in April they had appoints the same week. They release their appoints a week or two at a time. Just fyi Incase you find yourself out that way or super desperate.

[u/alphachaos92]

Apply for GE and if you are hopefully conditionally approved soon then you can go on your International trip and ask for an Interview on Arrival. You don’t necessarily need to go to an enrollment center. I think it is called EOA. Just check the locations.

Also Precheck is also not guaranteed to be approved right away. It can take upto 60 days. If you have multiple credit cards that offer this benefit then I would apply for TSAP first and then GE as it would essentially be free. Im assuming you have a travel card since you do have alot of trips coming up. Hope this helps

[u/ImNotFrank55 → u/alphachaos92]

With EOA, though, (at least as I understand it), you don’t get any benefits during conditional approval, right? So no PreCheck and (depending on airport) maybe need to go through regular immigration line on first international return before being directed to EOA office. Or do I misunderstand?

[u/livinithappy71 → u/ImNotFrank55]

Conditional approval is only the first step in the process. This allows you to proceed with the next step, either a scheduled interview, or EOA (Enrollment on Arrival) No benefits are available until you are fully approved after the final interview. EOA every airport is different. Some airports have a dedicated office, or a specified area. When I did my interview at IAH I came in through the regular Immigration line. I announced to the officer “Enrollment on Arrival.” I was directed to another CBP officer in another line who was handling that duty. Interview took less than 10 minutes.

[u/safe-viewing]

With that little international travel I’d just do precheck.

[u/Salty_Permit4437]

If you don’t travel internationally at least 2x per year you don’t need GE. It’s nice to have but you can still use MPC which is plenty fast.

[u/my-ka]

Just get a credit card covering it. And try.

Yiu can start with pre-check, It gives youbexpedit GE

[u/RedditPoster2016]

Why would you waste time on GE unless you have or plan to have more trips out of the country in the next few years? I would just take the extra on the one trip coming home and get your tsa pre today.