Global Entry, NEXUS, and SENTRI

Xcaliber

Xcaliber

El Chupacabra
Now that I'm flying internationally relatively often, I'm looking to sign up for Global Entry. I can't seem to find a good answer for is how these three programs interact with each other.

Looking at the CBP's comparison graph, it says that by getting NEXUS, it "Includes Global Entry benefits." So does that mean that if I go get a NEXUS clearance, can I enter the US from, say, Europe, and still utilize Global Entry? Or does that only apply if I'm traveling in from Canada?

Also, the SENTRI part of the website doesn't seem to give much info. Is that for land borders only, or does that include flights? Does it only apply to Mexico? Is it only for arriving into the US from the southern border, or does it include arriving in Mexico (skip Mexico customs)? If it's only for arrivals into the US, how does that differ from Global Entry?

Are there any programs that will give expedited screening when traveling to other countries as well (South America or the EU for example?) Basically, which system (including any not listed) will give a person expedited processing for the most number of countries?
 
It seems each program has its own fee and requirements (NEXUS = retinal scan and canadian interview) so you'd get GE first then be eligible to apply for it. The only thing GE gets you for free is TSA Precheck, which is worth it.

The UK has registered traveller, the Netherlands Privium, it all depends which countries you visit and how often.
 
If you are only traveling to Canada, Global Entry is not required; NEXUS is the answer for that travel. However, the interview for NEXUS must take place at only a select few locations (mostly border locations) and that may be an issue for you depending on where you live. I have used Global Entry extensively for several years and it works like a champ! You get some pretty hateful looks when you bypass the incredibly long CBP lines after a long oceanic flight....
That on-line application process was worse part of the whole thing; my "interview" took exactly 1 minute (drive to and from airport took me almost 2 hours).
 
The wait time for the "interview" for global entry can be pretty long. If you have decent flight benefits, it can save months to fly to a different city and do the interview there. I live in Charlotte, and the wait was 3+ months when I applied. I flew up to Newark, did the interview, and caught the next flight back. I was gone about 4 hours, and it saved me 3 months.
 
Back when I signed up I decided to go with NEXUS. At the time it was about 1/3 the price of Global Entry, and once your are enrolled in NEXUS you have all Global Entry benefits and are also included in the TSA pre check program. I don't know what the current pricing schemes are, but I'll bet your best bang for the buck is probably still NEXUS. The only catch is that the interview must be done at one of the Canadian centers. I hopped a flight to BUF, rented a car to drive across to the interview hung out at Niagara Falls for the day, then headed back to BUF and flew home.

Also, food for thought, if you get an AMEX Platinum card, they will reimburse you the fees to sign up for Global Entry and TSA Pre, along with all the other flying related benefits like access to airline clubs and an up to $200 reimbursement for any airline purchases (drinks, food, wifi, etc) every year.
 
When we signed up for GE from start to finish I think it took one month. Filled out everything online, one week after that got the email to come interview. There were lots of open slots in ORD so we just picked the time that worked for us for the interview. So worth it, my wife and I were through customs 45 min before my mom on our last trip.
 
Xcaliber said:
Also, the SENTRI part of the website doesn't seem to give much info. Is that for land borders only, or does that include flights? Does it only apply to Mexico? Is it only for arriving into the US from the southern border, or does it include arriving in Mexico (skip Mexico customs)? If it's only for arrivals into the US, how does that differ from Global Entry?
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Sentri is only used as an express lane on Intl bridges to the US. Coming back to Mexico, It is useless. On the skipping Customs in Mexico part, you must go on your initial visit, your permit is good for 6 months, so the next 6 months you do not need to go to Customs again. As in leave to theUS and drive back into Mexico and you can just drive away. You will be checked by Mexican IRS everytime, though, but that takes only a minute or so, given you're not bringing guns or TVs or things like that.

That being said, On air travel you will be checked by both every time.

On the same topic of air travel, I have Global entry, but only works at big airports that have it (DFW, IAH, SAT). That thing is focused for passengers that fky airlines a lot. It doesn't hurt to have it, but I would definetly recommend a CBP Overflight permit, it is free and allows you to fly non stop to any intl airport you wish (and allows GA flights) in the States.

Hth

Take care
 
Rocketman99 said:
Also, food for thought, if you get an AMEX Platinum card, they will reimburse you the fees to sign up for Global Entry and TSA Pre, along with all the other flying related benefits like access to airline clubs and an up to $200 reimbursement for any airline purchases (drinks, food, wifi, etc) every year.
Click to expand...

$200 per calender year, so sign up now for a year, and you get $400. Also can be used to purchase gift certificates redeemable for flights. There's also a sign up bonus now of 100,000 Amex Membership Rewards points, more than enough to fly to Europe in a $13,000 first class suite.

Several other cards will refund GE fees.
 
Yeh no GE kiosk at Tamiami, though eAPIs works well once you get past the registration hassle.

Will be interesting to see what happens when I do the train trip to Seattle from Vancouver Pacific Central.

Also preclearance in LHR and MAN should be great, later this year...
 
ahw01 said:
Yeh no GE kiosk at Tamiami, though eAPIs works well once you get past the registration hassle.

Will be interesting to see what happens when I do the train trip to Seattle from Vancouver Pacific Central.

Also preclearance in LHR and MAN should be great, later this year...
Click to expand...
Wait, you asked your question about GE, NEXUS, or SENTRI for use at Tamiami? Wow, I thought you were wanting to speed up your processing at a REAL airport. Customs at TMB could not be easier; I never used my GE card at TMB because there were only about 6 people in line at any given time. NONE of these programs will save you time under these conditions........
 
If you do Canada much then I would recommend Nexus. It is $50 for 5 years whereas Global Entry is $100 for the same duration, and you get Global Entry with it. The downside is having to go to the northern border to be interviewed, but it's worth it IMO.
 
Thanks for all the advice, ya'll. I'll definitely be getting GE, but I'm still on the fence about whether to go get NEXUS. I fly for a regional and we go to Canada all the time, so I think it'd be worth it to take a mini-vacation to Vancouver or Niagara. The only thing I can't get a definitive answer on is if one goes the NEXUS route, does that sign you up for the full GE program, or does it only allow you get utilize the GE kiosks when entering the US from Canada?
 
Xcaliber said:
Thanks for all the advice, ya'll. I'll definitely be getting GE, but I'm still on the fence about whether to go get NEXUS. I fly for a regional and we go to Canada all the time, so I think it'd be worth it to take a mini-vacation to Vancouver or Niagara. The only thing I can't get a definitive answer on is if one goes the NEXUS route, does that sign you up for the full GE program, or does it only allow you get utilize the GE kiosks when entering the US from Canada?
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Two of us have already answered that for you. Again, when you sign up for NEXUS you are automatically in GE. What is "the full GE program?" What else is there beside the kiosks, that's the whole point? I don't know if it works the other way because I have NEXUS, but I would assume GE enrolls you in NEXUS. NEXUS is the same program, but administered by Canada instead of the US. And based on another post, NEXUS is still much cheaper.
 
Rocketman99 said:
I would assume GE enrolls you in NEXUS. NEXUS is the same program, but administered by Canada instead of the US. And based on another post, NEXUS is still much cheaper.
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You'd assume wrong. GE gives you PreCheck, buy not Nexus. NEXUS gives you GE, but not PreCheck. Sentri gives you pretty much nothing. If you go to Canada (driving) a bunch, nexus is worth getting. If you don't, get GE and get precheck also.
 
With NEXUS you get the FULL GE program (there aren't different levels, you either have it or you don't) and you get TSA pre-check...all for half the price of GE by itself. Doesn't make sense, but that's the feds for ya.

So yes, if you have NEXUS and you decide to take a vacation to Europe, you can use your GE benefits on the way back into the US from Paris, London, Frankfurt, etc.
 
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