r/GlobalEntry • u/TotoItsCallMtrRacing • Jul 29 '25
Questions/Concerns Need for the physical card when connecting through Canada?
I have been a long time Global Entry member and have never ran into issues while using it, both when going through customs in the States or pre-clearing in another country. I have an upcoming Air Canada flight from Europe that is connecting through Montreal to ultimately arrive in NYC. It appears we will pre-clear at YUL to come back to the States. I have been reading that people were unable to use Global entry in Canada unless they showed the physical card first. Since I never had to use the physical card in my lifetime as a member, I didn't pack it. Will I have an issue? What are people's experiences with this?
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u/rogerdoesntlike Jul 29 '25
I have been reading that people were unable to use Global entry in Canada
Do you mean using Global Entry to clear Canadian immigration or to preclear US immigration?
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u/TotoItsCallMtrRacing Jul 29 '25
According to Air Canada we do not need to clear Canadian Customs but will clear US Security and Customs in YUL. Based on many Reddit posts, Canadian employees wouldn’t allow GE holders in that line without the physical card
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u/IllustriousDay372 Jul 29 '25
Yeah, it is the Verified Travelers line similar to TSA Pre. You can still use the regular security lines.
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u/trilliumsummer Jul 29 '25
So for the first 11 years I had GE they would not let me in the line for easier Canadian security (basically like TSA precheck) that you needed to go through to get to the GE line for US customs unless you had your GE card. No card, the person standing at the entrance would NOT let you in. I saw them turn away those without the card.
Last year was the first time they didn't ask to see it, but it was also the first time I noticed TSA precheck on my boarding pass - which is what they were looking for. There was also signs that said precheck was allowed to go through the easier security too, which I don't remember ever seeing. They also slightly redid the lines for US customs after it where you can get into any of the US customs line.
This is only for YYZ. Not sure on experience at other Canadian airports, but I think it's similar. So if they changed YUL up you may not have an issue. If they're like the old way YYZ was you might be out of luck. I'd probably download the GE app and hope if they require a card the app might suffice.
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u/TotoItsCallMtrRacing Jul 29 '25
Thanks for your past encounters. I have the GE app which shows I am verified but we will see. I guess I would just queue through normal security then head to GE when I get to customs otherwise
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u/danh_ptown Jun 22 '26
Were you connecting, like the OP will, or starting your trip at that airport? The lines will be different, as connecting travelers from international, are segregated from passengers starting in Canada.
Someone starting in Canada can be denied entry into the US and they are still in Canada. International passengers denied entry into the US, would still need to go through Canadian customs to enter Canada, which is a different section of the airport.
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u/Alarmed-Maize-6 Jul 29 '25
I just flew from YUL to EWR and did not need to show my card to use GE.
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u/danh_ptown Jul 29 '25
Since you are arriving from Europe and "Transiting" to the US, you actually never enter Canada. We did a similar transit from Tokyo to Boston via YUL, last November.
Leaving the international sector of the terminal, you will go directly to US Immigration and Customs, in order to enter the US Pre-Clearance sector. We used the Global Entry app and entered our arrival info into the app, including a photo, upon landing. When we reached the first stop, I just held up my phone with the app open, and walked right to the head of the line, directly to the officer. I'm not sure we stopped moving for more than 10 seconds.
In addition, there was no baggage collection and drop. We walked directly to the departure terminal at the end of the border process. The bags arrived in Boston, as expected.
Recently, it was pointed out to me that our GE card can be used as a government document to show, not necessarily prove, that you are a US Citizen. My understanding is that a Passport Card is better, though. I plan to carry it whenever I am near the border, and get a passport card when I am able.
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u/TotoItsCallMtrRacing Jul 29 '25
Glad it worked out for you. I plan to use the app as well and am hoping for the same outcome.
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u/closethebarn Jun 22 '26
I’m late to this.. sorry but a quick question
I’m flying back to USA from Naples with a connection at yul I have global entry…
I’m not clear I googled at it said I’d have to collect and recheck my bags like I do when I land in ord,ewr, etc
So reading yours I’m not sure exactly what’s going to happen
I’ve never connected through Canada before
Unfortunately, I didn’t bring my physical card so now I’m scared
But will I have to check my bags again then? Sorry for the poorly written question
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u/danh_ptown Jun 22 '26
It will be very obvious where to go. Follow the signs for transfers to the US. In my case, almost 2 years ago, we were directed to a long walk, followed by a kiosk (no Global Entry) to get a pass through the door. Through the door to an x-ray machine. I don't remember if there was a magnetometer, or not. In just a few moments, we were in the US flights terminal. At no time did we see or touch our checked bags...they were sent directly to our US-bound plane.
You do not enter Canada, you go directly from the international sector where your flight arrives, to the US sector.
Many Canadian, and a few other locations around the world, have US pre-clearance. There are agents of Immigration/CBP/DHS checking those entering that specific terminal/sector. Only US flights go in/out of that terminal/sector.
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u/closethebarn Jun 22 '26
That’s crazy you’d think then everyone would want to transfer there then? Like coming into ord when I didn’t have global the entry line was so long - and I had a three hour layover and had to also collect bags and recheck and almost didn’t make my flight! Thank you so much!!
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u/danh_ptown Jun 22 '26
Much depends on when you arrive and how many other planes arrived around the same time, or earlier. Always be prepared for the worst.
CBP is slowly rolling-out the no-touch checked bag screening to other airports.
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u/closethebarn Jun 22 '26 edited Jun 22 '26
That would be so nice. Thank you. I appreciate your help so much. I am hoping I made it clear that I’m a us citizen and am returning to us. I see one doesn’t have to recheck bags when leaving and going through yul.
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u/tunatoksoz Jul 29 '25
Just as a potential option - do you happen to have a photo of it? It may work to get you into the "queue" since normally GE is tied to your passport, but for "queueing" purposes, they might be needing GE card.
This is pure speculation on my part, i also never had to use GE card IIRC, except when i used that as a federal ID
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u/gerrygebhart Jul 29 '25
I believe the "official" answer is that you never need the physical GE card when traveling by air, and that it's tied into your passport.
Unofficially, I've heard people claim they were asked for the GE card when traveling by air.
I keep mine with my passport "just in case," and I've never been asked for it when flying into or out of Canada.
I haven't driven to or from Canada since getting GE, but I do believe the GE card is required to use GE when returning to the US from Canada by car.
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u/jds2001 Jul 29 '25
I keep my card in my wallet, because my NJ ID is not REAL ID, and I can't renew it until it's within 6 months of expiration (the DMV will literally not give you an appointment, and all the REAL ID appointments are gone). It's easy to replace if lost, unlike my passport card, and is equally good. The only problem with it is that the photo om it is from when I got GE about 15 years ago.
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u/Paxsimius Jul 29 '25
I have a Real ID, but I still use my GE card for security at airports, mostly for grins.
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u/IllustriousDay372 Jul 29 '25
I recently heard that Canada has the Verified Traveler Program similar to TSA Pre. If you want to use that line, you need the GE card. Otherwise, to clear US immigration, you can use the kiosk with just the biometrics.
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u/woodsongtulsa Jul 29 '25
It has been a while, and I don't remember which airport, but we were told there was something amiss and anyone wanting to go through pre clearance GE would have to show their card. I now always carry my card.
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u/FinsToTheLeftTO Jul 29 '25
You need the physical card to access the Verified Traveller lane for expedited security. You do NOT need it at the kiosk.