NEWS & OFFERS: Using the new Global Entry app, new IHG BA Amex offer and new free Qatar wifi

Using the new Global Entry app

I wrote recently about the new US Global Entry app, which allows you to use your phone to do Global Entry immigration on arrival. While there is rarely a queue, I have been to an airport where they were having technical issues, and there was a large queue for the few machines that were actually working. So, if you have GE, it’s worth having the app on your phone just in case.

I actually did it on the plane while we were taxiing to the stand, which is probably easiest as you need a plain background behind you. I selected which airport I was at, took a photo as directed and got a screen with my photo, a green band with the submission number and an expiry time. The pass lasts for 1 hour.

When I got to the GE lane, I walked past the machines and showed the app to the officer, who, after asking how I’d heard about the app (it had only been out a few days), said I was good to go. Was it much quicker than using a machine? No. Would I use it again? Probably. 

New IHG Amex Offer save £70 when you spend £300

Just because I have virtually nothing I need to book in Europe, Amex are suddenly swimming in offers for hotels and airlines! To add to the new Marriott, Hyatt and Hilton offers, there is now an IHG offer too. 

It’s handy as it is cumulative, so if you have a couple of cheaper stays coming up, you can still use it. It is also available until 31 December 2023 which gives a bit of time to use it.

You can use it in Spain, Germany, France, Austria, UK and the Netherlands at participating hotels, including most Intercontinental, Kimpton, Regent and Crowne Plaza hotels. 

Here are some hotels that we have reviewed that are participating in the offer:

• Intercontinental O2 London
• Intercontinental Park Lane
• Kimpton Fitzroy London
• Crowne Plaza Heathrow
• Kimpton De Witt Amsterdam

I also recently stayed at the Kimpton Blysthwood in Glasgow, which I recommend and will be reviewing. 

New free fast Qatar Wi-fi from Starlink

Qatar Airways has announced it will collaborate with internet supplier Starlink and in the future, roll out a complimentary high-speed, low-delay internet on specific aircraft and routes. Once the service is active, passengers will get ultra-fast Wi-Fi speeds of up to 350 Megabits per second, which can be used for a variety of internet-based services such as video streaming their favourite entertainment and sports videos, gaming and faster web-browsing. It should also be available gate-to-gate. Qatar already has a fast Wi-Fi service on many of its aircraft, such as most of the B777s, so you’d assume they will target aircraft with slower Wi-fi first. 

Starlink, of course, is Elon Musk’s satellite communications system – the world’s largest satellite internet constellation engineered and operated by SpaceX. If you ever see a string of lights in the sky, you are probably looking at the Starlink satellites. 

Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive, His Excellency Mr. Akbar Al Baker, said: “Qatar Airways is proud to announce its agreement with Starlink to provide seamless and complimentary Wi-Fi to its global passengers. This exciting collaboration is not only in line with our industry-leading approach to technological adoption, but also serves as an unmissable opportunity to connect Starlink to our global passengers. We look forward to our passengers benefitting from this state-of-the-art addition to Qatar Airways’ in-flight experience.”

 Starlink is also being implemented by JSX, Hawaiian Airlines, airBaltic, and ZIPAIR. I recently flew with JSX (review soon) and found their Wi-Fi fast and simple to use. That is also free.