How Mobile Passport Control Works
Before our family got Global Entry, we used the Mobile Passport Control app to get through US Customs faster than the regular line. I had heard about the MPC app on social media but wasn't convinced that I should use it until I saw American Airlines advertising it in the emails for my upcoming trip to Costa Rica. So, here's what it is and how it went.
The Mobile Passport Control app is completely free. You download it to your phone and complete your profile and the profile of any other family members on your itinerary (you can add up to 12 family members!).
This would be ideal to do before you actually travel...but can be done as you land if you haven't done it already. I had my husband and three kids all on my one MPC entry. Enter each traveler's information and scan their passport.
Only certain airports accept MPC. Make sure your point of entry is covered.
Once you land back in the US, you complete your entry. You'll need to answer CBP standard questions and take a new photo of each person on the itinerary.
You cannot submit your entry until you are actually in the arrival airport.
Once your entry is accepted, you can proceed to the Customs lines.
Is Mobile Passport Control worth it?
When we reached the US Customs area in Chicago, I was fully expecting a separate lane for Mobile Passport Control participants. Everything I read said this would be the case. Alas, there was no separate line for MPC --- not at the beginning at least. There was a very long line for US Passport holders, and then a very short line for Global Entry. Those were the only options. At this point, I was super aggravated. My kids were exhausted and we were really counting on this.
So, we got in line with the other 10,000 people and moved like cows in a herd. It was bad. It was painful. But, luckily, after about 20 minutes, we entered a new area of CBP and there it was! There was a sign for "Mobile Passport Control." And no one was in that line! Literally, not one person. In fact, it was roped off. I had to go find a CBP officer and have them open up the lane for us.
Once we got into the MPC lane, it was spectacular. We weaved through the empty lanes, straight up to the CBP officer's booth...and voila, we were done. We bypassed at least an hour of standing in line. So, although we had to work for it, in the end I was glad we did it. And it was free. Did I mention that? So yeah, totally worth it. Also, apparently there is a dedicated line at many airports right when you arrive at Customs. So, yes, I would definitely recommend!
Why get Global Entry when I can use Mobile Passport Control for free?
Believe me, I thought that too. But then we waited in that first long line that we were initially grouped in. And saw all the Global Entry people breeze on past us. In that moment, I looked at my husband and said, "As soon as we get home, we're getting Global Entry." And so, we did.
Another huge benefit of Global Entry is that it comes with TSA PreCheck! So even for domestic travel, you get to go in the fast lane. Zoom zoom.