Flying internationally? Here’s what you need to know about the Mobile Passport app CBP MPC
I’m a big fan of Mobile Passport and have been a loyal user for many years. It’s my entry expediting program of choice when I arrive back in the U.S. from overseas and want to avoid long lines at U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
By late September, eligible U.S. citizens and Canadian citizen visitors will be able to use Mobile Passport at 38 airport and seaport locations. CBP is expanding Mobile Passport for travelers to use at Montreal-Trudeau International Airport (YUL) and Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ), followed by Vancouver International Airport (YVR) next month, according to a press release issued by CBP on Aug. 23.
It's also available at two of the three New York City airports near my home — John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) and Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR), the latter of which I frequent most.
At both JFK and EWR, Mobile Passport funnels me into the Diplomats line, providing the equivalent of VIP service, for free. I was concerned and disappointed when it seemed the service was being phased out in the past few months. However, it turns out it's just the app to use Mobile Passport that changed.
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When I arrived at EWR from Heathrow Airport (LHR) in late April, I was pleasantly surprised to find that I could still use Mobile Passport despite one big difference: The app name and appearance changed.
Although not all details about the program are clear right now, CBP confirmed that the CBP MPC app has replaced the Mobile Passport app.
According to a representative from Airside, the developer of the original Mobile Passport app, the blue and white airport pilot icon in both the Apple and Google Play app stores is now just a placeholder. When you click it, you’ll be directed to the CBP MPC app, which stands for Customs Border Protection Mobile Passport Control.
Long acronym short, this is still Mobile Passport, but now operated directly by CBP instead of Airside, a change effective Feb. 1, 2022.
If you’re unfamiliar with the concept of Mobile Passport, it’s a free service that speeds up entry at selected ports and airports around the country. At its most basic level, it generates a digital version of the required customs form to complete on your phone.
Related: Travelers are reporting issues with using Mobile Passport at certain airports
The new app will work the same as the previous version, according to CBP.
First, travelers download the CBP MPC app from the Google Play Store or Apple App Store (do this when you have Wi-Fi).
Then, once they land in the US, “travelers will select their arrival airport or seaport and terminal, take a self-photo, and answer a series of CBP inspection-related questions,” per CBP. “Once the traveler submits their transaction through the app, the traveler will receive an electronic receipt with an Encrypted Quick Response (QR) code. Travelers then bring their physical passport and mobile device with their digital QR-coded receipt to a CBP officer to finalize their inspection for entry into the United States.”
Unlike Global Entry, which costs $100 for a five-year membership, Mobile Passport is free and does not require travelers to apply or get approved (a process that can take up to 730 days, according to the CBP).
One noticeable difference between the new CBP version and the original Mobile Passport is that there is no paid, upgraded version. Previously, the Airside model had offered a paid version that stored your information so you didn’t have to reload it each time (as you did with the unpaid basic offering).
My current experience with the CBP MPC is that it indicates that my information (and that of my husband and son, whom I also added to my app) is stored for future use.
Additional reporting by Caroline Tanner.
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Build your loyalty to Delta by applying for the carrier's mid-tier card option, the Delta SkyMiles Platinum card. The annual fee is quickly recouped by the card's travel perks, such as an application credit to Global Entry or TSA Precheck, annual companion certificate and so much more. Plus you can fast-track to elite status simply through card spend.Pros
- Earn bonus Medallion® Qualification Miles (MQMs) and an Medallion Qualifying Dollar (MQD) waiver when you hit specific spending thresholds with your card within a calendar year
- Receive a Domestic Main Cabin round-trip companion certificate each year
- Statement credit for TSA PreCheck/Global Entry fee (up to $100)
- First checked bag free
Cons
- Doesn't make sense if you don't fly Delta
- SkyMiles aren't the most valuable airline currency
- Earn 90,000 bonus miles after you spend $4,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months.
- Receive a Domestic Main Cabin round-trip companion certificate each year upon renewal of your Card. Payment of the government imposed taxes and fees of no more than $80 for roundtrip domestic flights (for itineraries with up to four flight segments) is required. Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. See terms and conditions for details.
- Enjoy your first checked bag free on Delta flights. Plus enjoy Main Cabin 1 Priority Boarding and settle into your seat sooner.
- New: Card Members get 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
- Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and purchases made directly with hotels.
- Earn 2X Miles at restaurants worldwide including takeout and delivery in the U.S., and at U.S. supermarkets.
- Earn 1X Mile on all other eligible purchases.
- Enjoy a per-visit rate of $50 per person for Card Members and up to two guests to enter the Delta Sky Club when traveling on a Delta flight.
- Fee Credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck® after you apply through any Authorized Enrollment Provider. If approved for Global Entry, at no additional charge, you will receive access to TSA PreCheck.
- Earn up to 20,000 Medallion® Qualification Miles (MQMs) with Status Boost® per year. After you spend $25,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year, you can earn 10,000 MQMs up to two times per year, getting you closer to Medallion® Status. MQMs are used to determine Medallion® Status and are different than miles you earn toward flights.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- $250 Annual Fee.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees