Booking Intl flight Before or After I get Global Entry?
 

Hi All,

Just booked my Global Entry interview- the first available time was 4 MONTHS from now. Considering flying to JFK- I could get in next week! But I digress...

I am planning on SE Asia in Sept/October- my GE Interview is Aug19th. Should I wait to book my flights so I am able to enter my 'Known Traveler' number? Am I able to do so after I book/pay for flights?

Thanks!

You can update your personal details after you've booked. So I'd book my flight whenever I saw a fare I liked.

Very helpful :) Thank you!

>>Why are you bothering to apply for it foggybridges? Do you plan to make frequent trips to the USA?You are talking about it here only as part of a larger trip it appears. I would not see it as worth the hassle if you will not be a frequent visitor to the USA.<<

Huh (?) - It seems pretty clear the OP lives IN the US. Global Entry is mainly for US citizens who travel internationally.

While it may be used by many Americans janisj, it is not limited to them. It is intended for anyone who will ENTER the USA frequently although there isn't even a given number of entries you anticipate.

http://www.cbp.gov/travel/trusted-tr...s/global-entry

Many Canadians apply for example even when they only plan to drive south to Florida every winter. Other travellers who perhaps visit the USA frequently for business from their home country also apply.

The OP wrote, "Considering flying to JFK- I could get in next week!" I took that to mean could go to the USA next week. On re-reading it, it could be that he meant get in to an interview. But it isn't clear.

The OP then wrote about a trip to SEA and obviously was then referring to entering the USA as part of that trip. There is nothing to indicate that he would be entering 'home'. It read to me as if it were part of a larger trip and that is why I asked the question.

So NO, it is NOT clear that the OP lives in the USA. If it had been clear then there is no reason why I would have asked the question.

Having a UScentric viewpoint might make it 'seem' clear to you janisj but I am not UScentric in my thinking.

Janisj- You were right I am a proud American (sorry dulc!)

Not that I need to justify WHY I'm getting Global Entry, but here it goes- I WANT TO. Also, I hate standing in lines, and GE also gives me TSA pre-check on domestic flights, so I don't need to remove liquids/take off my shoes or coat. And seeing as I fly bi-weekly, that will be a bunch fewer lines.

And yes, I meant to fly to JFK from DFW because there is little to no wait time to get an interview at JFK.

And the reason I was wondering about booking my tickets before/after is because you have to put a known traveler number in when booking tickets, if you have one. I was unsure of whether or not I could put that in after the fact, which you can see Janisj already answered.

That's fine foggybridges. I simply don't believe in making assumptions and you didn't indicate you were American. Your comment re JFK is what probably made me think you might not be.

By the way, I have heard that if you keep checking for cancellations, they do occur quite often and you can book into that space. Many business travellers book an appointment and then have to cancel for one reason or another, thus creating a chance for you to move up your interview.

Thank you, that was helpful information.

good idea janisj, i was guessing about that too

Foggy, my DH and I applied for G E in late January of this year. I scheduled our appts (at Ohare) for the day we were flying off the Switzerland. When we returned to ORD two weeks later, we both successfully entered the country using G E.

I did not enter our trusted traveler information into my UA account until after we got home and I could get to my PC computer. The G E info was in the box of mail when we got home.

Once you are approved and your passport and fingerprints are entered into the system, you should be good to go. No need to have your trusted traveler # in order to book a ticket.

Fly to ABQ, closer than JFK and appointments are usually immediate or a few days out.

Thanks all!

Plans changed and I've already booked my flights, but good to know Simpsonc that I'll be good to go no matter what when I get back!!