The cost of skipping long airport lines is set to rise due to increased fees for expedited security programs, according to a recent press release by US Customs and Border Protection (CBP), but a passport app can help.
Effective from October 1, the rate for the Global Entry The program, for example, will increase from $100 to $120.
Global Entry facilitates expedited clearance for pre-approved, low-risk travelers upon arrival at select US airports. Users verify their membership by taking a photo, then receive on-screen instructions to go to a CBP officer who confirms their successful completion of the process.
However, applying for and accessing this expedited release service can take “several months,” including submitting an online application and waiting for conditional approval and an in-person interview before traveling or upon arrival at the airport.
For those who want to avoid the extra $20 fee or deal with potentially long wait times, CBP suggests an alternative: a passport app called Mobile Passport Control (MPC).
The free app allows travelers to submit their photo, customs declaration and passport information to expedite their re-entry into the country at participating airports. This means having access to dedicated lines for MPC users, which offer a fast track through immigration.
“Travelers who successfully use the MPC passport app no longer have to fill out a paper form and can be provided with a designated queue,” the US CBP notes on its website. “As a result, travelers can experience shorter wait times, less congestion and efficient processing.”
Business-leisure travel shifts
CBP’s mobile app offering is poised to attract younger, tech-savvy travelers who also display a strong preference for digital wallets for their payment needs.
In addition, Gen X and millennial consumers play a significant role in driving the increase in travel expenses, accounting for approximately 31% and 28% of expenses, respectively. This highlights the importance of tailoring services to meet their travel preferences and needs.
And as more consumers are expected to travel this year, prioritizing the needs of leisure travelers should be a priority for companies in the travel industry.
According to Richard WazaczCEO of the exchange company TravelexThere has been a noticeable change in the mix of business and leisure travel, with a greater number of consumers compared to business travelers.
This change will significantly affect the dynamics of the travel ecosystem this year, Wazacz said, pointing to reports from airlines such as British Airways that highlight a decline in business class bookings alongside an increase in economy and economy plus bookings.
“This [trend] it clearly impacts on the ecosystem because business travelers and leisure travelers behave differently and have different needs,” he explained.
