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The New 'Enhanced Screening' for US-Bound Flights Wasn't Very Enhanced — For Me

Nov. 06, 2017
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3 min read
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The New 'Enhanced Screening' for US-Bound Flights Wasn't Very Enhanced — For Me
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This weekend, I flew Lufthansa's A350 from Munich (MUC) to Boston (BOS). It was a great experience, overall, as I'll detail soon in a full review, but my Munich departure also gave me an opportunity to experience the new "stricter passenger screening requirements" for US-bound flights.

I had actually forgotten entirely about the new screening process until I came upon a checkpoint just before the US gates. Now, I've passed through that same checkpoint several times before, at which point my passport was checked against my boarding pass and I'd always been quickly sent on my way. There's a secondary X-ray lane there, too, but I've never been selected for additional screening — perhaps that's reserved for "random" selectees and those designated with an "SSSS" on their boarding passes.

What was new, however, was an interview process being conducted before passengers were able to approach the passport check counter. There were separate lanes for economy and business/first class, and they were moving fairly quickly. Interviewers were asking the same questions I've heard many times before, typically when checking bags from select European airports. Questions like...

  • Who packed your bags?
  • Are you traveling with any electronic devices?
  • Has anyone given you any items to carry on board?

From what I understand, agents are trained to recognize deception — and that's what they're looking for, beyond the "right" answers to the questions above.

My flight was operated by Lufthansa, but booked using United miles, so I came across the following notice on United's site:

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Based on the text above, I'd expect a bit of a delay due to the new procedures, but once it was my turn for the interview, the agent looked at my passport and waived me straight through without a single word. I'm a US passport holder, and everyone being stopped for questioning appeared to be carrying foreign passports — but from what I've heard, US citizens have been subjected to the full interview process as well, so I'd budget a bit more time just in case. Three hours seems mighty excessive, though.

While my own departure wasn't especially notable, it does seem like the new procedures are causing headaches — and delays — for some. Have you run into any holdups when returning to the US over the past week? Chime in with your experience below.

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Apply for American Express® Gold Card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees
Best for dining at restaurants

American Express® Gold Card

TPG Editor‘s Rating
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Go to review

Rewards Rate

4XEarn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
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  • Intro Offer

    As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.

  • Annual Fee

    $325

  • Recommended Credit

    Excellent to Good

Why We Chose It

There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)

Pros

  • 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
  • 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
  • Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
  • Solid welcome bonus

Cons

  • Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
  • Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
  • You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
  • $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
  • $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
  • $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
  • $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
  • Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
  • No Foreign Transaction Fees.
  • Annual Fee is $325.
  • Terms Apply.