There were no lines in Germany or France.

9/18/2014 2:29:00 PM

i have definitely been stuck in long lines in both paris and frankfurt, just depends on when you arrive and with what other flights, etc

i'm really interested in global entry but i live abroad (and my 'home' airport is asheville where my parents live, so can't interview there) -- is the interview short and on time? might try to schedule one on a trip in/out of dulles in november or on an atlanta layover in december...

the machines/kiosks have definitely made entering the US as a citizen much faster even without global entry

9/19/2014 3:57:30 AM

Ah, I flew into Munich.
Yeah, took about 10 minutes total and was right on time although the apt was scheduled directly after their lunch so that may have helped.

9/19/2014 9:09:26 AM

thanks -- i just filled out the application but haven't submitted it yet

another question, if you don't mind... do you know if they contacted your employer (or previous employers, if applicable)? just wondering if i need to give my old boss in california a heads up

9/19/2014 10:12:21 AM

I assume they did some sort of check ahead of time but they didn't mention it in the interview.
They just asked about felonies and fingerprinted me.

9/19/2014 10:39:51 AM

Quote :

"Wish the list of countries it helps you get into was a little better."

You'll need to get a black passport to skip those lines

9/19/2014 6:09:23 PM

Heading to Toronto yet again next week. All the hotels are booked (or $800+ a night) so I'm Airbnb'ing it. Surprising the number of really nice apartments downtown for $130-150/night.

9/30/2014 6:35:47 PM

We recently tried airbnb for the first time while visiting Venice and it was great. Spent around $200/nt to stay in San Marco (very close to the main attractions and a water taxi station). Hotels and other B&B's were going for about 400-500/nt easily, so we were very pleases with the way airbnb turned out.

10/1/2014 10:53:20 AM

Yeah I don't get my Marriott points or free breakfast and a lounge but you can find some really nice places on AirBnB for much cheaper than a hotel.

10/1/2014 11:18:46 AM

https://medium.com/travel-adventure/what-its-like-to-fly-the-23-000-singapore-airlines-suites-class-17d9f3fee0d

10/1/2014 1:09:53 PM

just scheduled my global entry interview at dulles in november, had tons of open slots for the afternoon that i arrive (even had some openings for tomorrow)

submitted my application on sunday and got 'conditionally approved' today, in case anyone else is curious about the time frame

10/1/2014 3:03:36 PM

AirBnB I'm staying at this week in Toronto:

10/6/2014 10:46:02 PM

Neato free lounge access with a first class upgrade going to Toronto. Thought lounge access was only for purchased international first class tickets.

11/3/2014 4:57:30 PM

and 3414309 different credit cards

[Edited on November 3, 2014 at 7:28 PM. Reason : ]

11/3/2014 7:28:33 PM

I know that I meant first class international tickets automatically get lounge access. I didn't think upgraded international tickets did.

11/3/2014 7:36:48 PM

Quote :

"just scheduled my global entry interview at dulles in november, had tons of open slots for the afternoon that i arrive (even had some openings for tomorrow) submitted my application on sunday and got 'conditionally approved' today, in case anyone else is curious about the time frame"

just wanted to update this, for anyone interested in getting global entry

had my interview at dulles on friday (was 5 min late for my scheduled time due to a very long line at immigration/customs but they told me they could fit me in if i came back in 30 min) -- interview was less than 10 min (picture taken and fingerprinted plus asked a few questions about arrest record, etc)

approval notice was in my account by the next time i checked my email 2 hrs later, have to wait until card arrives and is activated before using apparently

will test it out when i fly home for christmas in december, very much looking forward to bypassing the lines

11/18/2014 8:52:26 AM

I have had global entry since it started and LOVE it

11/18/2014 3:37:18 PM

Grrr I still need to complete the form.

On another note. Anyone flown Air Canada's "leisure" budget line Canada Rouge? Reminded me of Southwest. Had to take a last minute flight from Denver with a layover in Vegas to Toronto. I think I flew right back over DIA on my way to Toronto. lol.

--Also anyone hear about IBM cracking down on hotel rates? I've used ACC, MCK, IBM, BAC, DTC, and a few others. I've never been asked for an ID. I've been told you can always say you're there for an interview.

[Edited on November 20, 2014 at 12:31 AM. Reason : s]

11/20/2014 12:13:54 AM

Wanted to get Platinum, but I guess this will have to do.

It's good to be gold.

Congratulations - you met the requirements of your Gold Status Challenge. We have upgraded your SPG account to the Gold level, and you will now enjoy elite recognition and rewards, including:


•
Three Starpoints® per eligible U.S. dollar spent, a 50% bonus over Preferred members.

•
Enhanced rooms at check-in.¹

•
4 p.m. late checkout.²

•
Your choice of a welcome gift with each stay. Choose from bonus Starpoints, complimentary in-room Internet access and more.

7/5/2015 7:21:15 PM

I don't have the energy to do credit card shuffle the way you do. In a weird way I admire you and in another way you disgust me.

7/5/2015 10:18:42 PM

[Edited on July 5, 2015 at 11:47 PM. Reason : ]

7/5/2015 11:47:45 PM

Who the fuck am I tipping 18% when I have to pay for my food by swiping a credit card on an iPad at an OTG restaurant? The iPad? Doesn't make sense to tip someone who's going to bring me my food PRIOR to them bringing me my food.

8/6/2015 5:00:28 PM

Why not, if you're not paying it?

8/7/2015 9:31:47 PM

It says recommended tip 18%.

8/8/2015 12:05:32 PM

[Edited on August 8, 2015 at 12:05 PM. Reason : double post]

8/8/2015 12:05:32 PM

Is it ethical to put a seat upgrade on your p-card? I choose the lowest cost flight from Pittsburgh to Portland, $177, only to realize it only had free seats in the middle. Fuck 5 hours on a plane in the middle.

8/8/2015 12:18:10 PM

BTW on the cusp of US Airways American elite gold status

8/8/2015 12:31:42 PM

Seat upgrades aren't allowed on mine, but I wouldn't book a long flight with just middle seats either.

8/9/2015 12:08:36 AM

^^^LOL. why would you think tww would be a great place to ask that question and not your company?

8/9/2015 10:13:35 AM

OT The guy in this pic is a "street performer" in New Orleans. He poses frozen like this with the filthy stuffed animal dog for very long periods of time. Don't get it, but interesting that he is an internet meme.

Quote :

""

8/10/2015 12:34:28 PM

Quote :

"only to realize it only had free seats in the middle. Fuck 5 hours on a plane in the middle."

HUR, I always try to switch seats during online check in or once at the airport. A lot of times the preferred customers will get upgraded leaving their good aisle/windows seats near the front open to switch to.

8/10/2015 12:59:20 PM

Yeah usually within 24 hours (when you can check in) you can usually get an economy plus seat or an aisle/window seat. Rarely are the E+ seats full when you check in. I think on most airlines if you have status you can pick an E+ seat before check in too.

8/10/2015 1:20:08 PM