Site Search
Social

Advertisement

Trusted Traveler Program Update

by on August 21, 2011 · 8 comments

in Global Entry, TSA

Just got this email from Homeland Security about their much anticipated Trusted Traveler Program, which should make airport security easier for those enrolled.

This is great news – if you don’t already have Global Entry, you should (especially if you have an Amex Platinum card because the $100 fee is automatically refunded!) Global Entry has historically been for international (non-Canada) travel, but it looks like kiosks are being added in Canada, which is a nice addition to the program. Overall, good news, in my opinion.

“We are pleased to announce that U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is partnering with the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) on a new Department of Homeland Security initiative announced July 14, 2011, that qualifies some passengers for expedited screening through U.S. airport security checkpoints.

This pilot program will be available to U.S. citizens who are members of CBP’s Global Entry, NEXUS, and SENTRI Trusted Traveler programs.  The pilot program will provide expedited screening through TSA checkpoints via dedicated screening lanes.

Additional information will be sent out prior to the pilot’s implementation, explaining more about the program and the necessary steps you will need to take in order to participate.

For more information and the latest updates, please visit www.tsa.gov or contact TSA at (866)289-9673.

Additionally, CBP would like to announce the availability of Global Entry kiosks at select Canadian preclearance locations.  Global Entry kiosks are now available at CBP preclearance at the Vancouver International Airport and at Ottawa’s MacDonald-Cartier Airport.  Global Entry kiosks will be placed at Montreal’s Trudeau International Airport and at Toronto’s Lester B. Pearson International Airport by September 2011.  The placement of Global Entry kiosks at Canadian preclearance locations is the next step in the integration of the Global Entry and NEXUS Trusted Traveler programs.

The integration of the Global Entry and NEXUS programs began in December 2010, when CBP published a Federal Register Notice announcing that NEXUS members could participate in Global Entry.  With the deployment of Global Entry kiosks to Canadian preclearance, Global Entry members will be able to take advantage of the program when returning home from Canada.  NEXUS members will have the option of using either the Global Entry or NEXUS kiosks in preclearance.  Further announcements will be made as necessary.

This is an automated email.  Please do not reply.”

Disclaimer: This content is not provided or commissioned by the credit card issuer. Opinions expressed here are author.s alone, not those of the credit card issuer, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by the credit card issuer. This site may be compensated through the credit card issuer Affiliate Program.

Previous post:

Next post:

  • Phil

    Thanks for the update Brian. These are good steps in the right direction. As a US resident but not a citizen I won’t be able to participate in this round but as frequent travelers to Vancouver and Montreal the addition of Global Entry to these ports is a nice boost (last time I was at YUL took ages to get through US customs).

    The Global Entry fee is a nice bonus on the Amex card too.

  • Brian(J)

    Living in Seattle, near Canada (and border crossing lines that are at times horrific) NEXUS cards will really speed things up. A NEXUS card is about the size of a CC but has a chip with an beefed up antenna that allows it to be read from a distance. Driving across the border you jump into the NEXUS lane and zip right through, at times saving an hour or more of waiting. Cost is $50 and the process is filling out a long form online, waiting about three weeks for the background check, then going in for 2 interviews, first with a very nice US customs person followed by a grumpy Canadian border guard convinced you are going into Canada to work and steal a job from a Canadian. Used to be you had to drive up to the border for the interview 2 hours each way at whichever time they picked and it was a giant hassle few people went for, but now you can get it done at Boeing Field which is downtown Seattle. If at the start of the interview you say “Please, Sir, may I have Global Entry” that is thrown in free.

    So NEXUS with Global Entry seems to cost $50 less than GE alone and can be much more powerful. My understanding is that if you go GE first ($100) and then add NEXUS you get charged the $50 anyway. You end up with three options, $50, $100, or $150 depending on the order you get these in.

  • http://infamousdx.com infamousdx

    The one caveat of going NEXUS first with complimentary GE is that you have to interview at a NEXUS center which may not be feasible for all US residents. Luckily for me, I have a Vancouver trip planned for October and will be doing my NEXUS interview at YVR a few hours before returning home!

  • Mitch

    So Canadian airports are gettting GE kiosks but MSP still doesn’t have them? Ugh. Not that MSP immigration tends to get backed up, but I’d like to see DL pushing to have all of their hubs GE equipped.

  • Todd

    There are 3 separate Nexus cards available; Air, Land and Marine (http://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/prog/nexus/menu-eng.html).

    I do not believe you can use Nexus Land in and airport, nor Nexus Air to drive across the border.

  • Brian(J)

    Todd,
    it’s really confusing. In my case, I made an appointment for a NEXUS card and paid $50. While getting it, I also asked for Global Entry. Three days later I received an email:

    ………………………………………………………………………………..
    Re: You have been approved to participate in the NEXUS program Membership #xxxxxxxxxx

    Dear XXXXX XXXXX :

    We are pleased to inform you that your U. S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), NEXUS program membership has been approved. You may use the program as soon as you receive and activate your new NEXUS card.

    If you enrolled in Global Entry, you may begin using the kiosk immediately. Global Entry cards are only issued to Global Entry members who are U.S. citizens, Lawful Permanent Residents or Mexican Nationals (who are not current SENTRI members). Global Entry cards are not valid at the Global Entry kiosks.

    Respectfully,

    Director, Trusted Traveler Programs
    U. S. Customs and Border Protection
    …………………………………………………………………………………

    So yes they are two different things, but you can get those two things at the same time for $50 if can get to an office that offers NEXUS. As infamousdx pointed out NEXUS can give you GE but GE can’t give you NEXUS.

    I am not so sure there are three different cards though:
    …………………………………………………………………………………

    NEXUS card holders have faster, less involved border crossings using automated NEXUS self-serve kiosks in designated areas at participating international airports.
    By land, drivers may bypass lineups and use the special (shorter, if not empty) NEXUS card lanes.
    By water, card holders can report to border officials by phone in advance of arrival.

  • sil

    Would the GE Kiosks be at Vancouver International Airport for those leaving Vancouver to the U.S.? This way, you don’t have to line up at Customs before you head for the departure gate?

  • Anonymous

    Anyone idea how the pilot will work with children too young to get GE cards? I have used clear lanes and frequent flyer status lines with great success when traveling with children domestically, but I know GE benefits null when traveling with children.