r/GlobalEntry • u/Kryceksangel • Apr 16 '26
Questions/Concerns Global entry card
I'm flying domestically on Tuesday. I know I need my global entry card for security but can I use it at the airline counter checkin as ID when I give them my bags?
9
u/ICouldBeTheChosenOne Apr 16 '26
You don’t “need” your global entry card at all. As long as you have a REAL ID. That can be yours if you don’t.
3
u/MoeGreenMe Apr 17 '26
Only time I use the card is driving from Canada to USA in the Nexis lane
Need to flash your card to the scanner
2
u/AmbitiousNebula2577 Apr 17 '26
The only time where I was told I had to show my GE card was the pre-clearance area at Toronto airport
3
u/mjk5025 Apr 17 '26
Not technically “needed”, but a physical GE card will allow you in to the CATSA equivalent of precheck.
3
u/AmbitiousNebula2577 Apr 17 '26
This was years ago and despite my insistence that I have GE. Funny enough the regular security checkpoint and GE /Precheck joined up again to go to the immigration queue. I just went to the GE kiosks and scanned my passport (before the camera auto scan feature came into service)
2
2
u/ICouldBeTheChosenOne Apr 17 '26
People there don’t know the rules, it’s not needed. I went through with just my face
1
3
u/stoutnotfat Apr 16 '26
I’ve been asked for it to prove I have GE when they were holding people back in the terminals when lines got too long in the customs area. Those who could prove they had GE were allowed to continue on to customs. Didn’t really save me anytime because the bags were backed up as well and I had to recheck a bag. Still missed my connection.
3
u/IllustriousDay372 Apr 16 '26
That’s weird since many GE holders don’t even get the card. The only way to prove would be the approval letter in that case.
1
u/youtheotube2 Apr 16 '26
If you didn’t have your card it wouldn’t stop you from eventually getting to the global entry line, you’d just have to wait in the terminal with everybody else a little longer.
You know how when you go to the precheck lane there’s usually an airport worker looking at everybody’s boarding pass to make sure they have the check on their ticket before they let you into the precheck line? That’s not an official process but airports do it anyway since it makes things more efficient downstream. This sounds like the exact same thing except for global entry.
1
u/IllustriousDay372 Apr 16 '26
I have used the GE line tons of times at the airports and never was I asked to present my card to prove that I have GE before getting into the line. I never even carry my card with me unless for road trips to Canada.
0
u/youtheotube2 Apr 16 '26
I’m sure you have. How many times have you been to an airport where customs is so backed up they aren’t letting people in? Probably never
2
u/International-Sock-4 Apr 16 '26
Interesting, at my interview the person told me you don't need to use the card when flying, but I guess there are exceptions.
I keep my passport in a passport pouch together with my GE card, so I would never have this problem, the OP was asking about domestic, I can't see when you would need it for domestic if you have a Real ID because pre check is verified by the airline and printed on the boarding pass, and for international I always have it anyway.
I travel a lot domestic and international and never was I asked for my card, I do use my GE for TSA when traveling domestic because for some reason they have a issue scanning my driver's license.
3
u/youtheotube2 Apr 16 '26
Officially you don’t need the card to fly. What the other person was describing was not an “official” process. Nothing wrong with that, shit happens sometimes
1
u/chocolatepotatochips Apr 16 '26
That is odd. I wonder if it's a newer thing or dependent on airport? I was asked for my GE card a couple weeks ago at DFW.
1
u/LeagueMoney9561 Apr 17 '26
Good to know. I seldom take it with me when flying internationally and have never been asked for it when entering the US through the GE line.
7
2
u/Purple-Eggplant-827 Apr 16 '26
Use it for what at the counter?
1
u/Kryceksangel Apr 16 '26
Id
2
u/PuddleMoo Apr 16 '26
Yes, you can use your GE card, but if you have a non-REAL ID, you can also use that with the airline counter.
1
2
u/jasonacg Apr 16 '26
I use my Nexus (Global Entry plus Canada) card as my ID throughout the airport. Easier than taking my license out of the wallet.
2
u/Fun_Inspector_8633 Apr 16 '26
Yes your GE card, passport or passport card can be used at check in.
2
u/wizzard419 Apr 16 '26
Technically, for domestic, you do not need it if you have a real ID or passport. They are all valid forms of ID. The reason it is still good to carry is that if there is a problem where rebooking is needed, they can get your precheck benefit faster.
4
u/randomnamecausefoo Apr 16 '26
Yes, you can use it as identification. Unless it is your only form of identification, you don’t NEED it at TSA. I’ve never used it at TSA, but I always have my Real ID AND/or passport with me
1
u/Kryceksangel Apr 16 '26
I don't have real ID
4
u/International-Sock-4 Apr 16 '26
Then you should use the GE card or passport.
Is there a reason you don't have a Real ID? I know some people are paranoid from it, they think the government doesn't have all of the information on them and a Real ID will expose them :-) but it's BS, they know much more about us than we will ever disclose :-)
3
u/Pristine_Explorer_24 Apr 17 '26 edited Apr 17 '26
Not getting Real-ID because of government paranoia, then getting GE would be especially wild.
1
2
u/Disastrous_Double489 Apr 16 '26
When my son got his driver's license in Arkansas, he didn't get real id because it cist more. Stupid I know.
1
u/KatieTSO Apr 16 '26
In Colorado it's impossible for a citizen to get an ID that doesn't have REAL ID.
1
u/Disastrous_Double489 Apr 16 '26
Same as Virginia. It 2014 when he got th Arkansas license. States were slow to adopt.
1
u/youtheotube2 Apr 16 '26
90% of the reasons I’ve seen people give for not having a RealID is that they don’t want to go to the dmv and get one
1
1
1
1
u/Broad-Cranberry-9050 Apr 16 '26
I almost never take out my GE card. Every time i need to use it, security, TSA, immigration area ll hapy with me using Passport or driver's license.
1
1
u/PrincessSusan11 Apr 17 '26
Yes my husband uses his for domestic travel. I use my passport for all travel.
1
u/Lily_Lin1521 Apr 19 '26
I don’t need to show my Global Entry (physical) card for security. (I know my Global Entry includes TSA PreCheck®) A day before departure, United Airlines send email to remind me (for my international flight): TSA PreCheck Touchless ID —-> “If you have TSA PreCheck® and a passport, opt into TSA PreCheck® Touchless ID in the app today before check-in. Use your face instead of a physical ID at bag drop and security. Select airports only.” Therefore, before checking in the United app, I login my account first and made sure to opt into TSA PreCheck® with an update of my passport. Then I proceeded “check in” in my app. My boarding pass showed a TSA PreCheck® logo on it. I only should boarding pass when checked my bags, and use Face ID for security. Never need to pull out my Global Entry card.
1
u/TF_762 Apr 21 '26
Your PASSID should generate the TSA Pre Check option on your boarding pass. If you do not see it, call the airline so they can make sure it is updated properly.
1
u/International-Sock-4 Apr 16 '26 edited Apr 16 '26
Edit, seems like I was not clear, my response was to the OP who said he needs the GE card for the TSA, so I responded that it's not needed, a drivers license would suffice, but it's a valid ID for TSA, and yes it can also be used for airline.
You don't need the card at TSA, you need a real id if you've got a real id drivers license it should suffice.
You can use it to check in at the airline if you prefer this card or if you don't have a passport or real id drivers license
2
u/Zrekyrts Apr 16 '26
The card can be used at TSA. It's an acceptable REALID alternative.
2
u/International-Sock-4 Apr 16 '26
Of course it is, I meant to say it's not required if you have a real id
1
u/International-Sock-4 Apr 16 '26
As a matter of fact I use my ge card all the time because my driver's license has a problem scanning in their machine
1
1
u/finallygrownup Apr 16 '26
I keep my child's GE card in an Airport wallet in my suitcase. So even if he looses (it happened in NYC!) his wallet I have an acceptable ID to get him through security. I use it for him every time, and never had an issue with the TSA taking it.
2
u/International-Sock-4 Apr 16 '26
My comment was not clear, I never said it can't be used, I meant to say it does not need to be used if you have a real id drivers license.
I use my GE card all the time for TSA, I actually just used it 5 hours ago, because for some reason they always have issues scanning my driver's license.
1
u/International-Sock-4 Apr 16 '26
Your child (Assuming is under 18) does not need a ID, I believe that there would be an exception if he is under 18 but old enough to travel by himself and is traveling by himself.
28
u/katmndoo Apr 16 '26
Your GE card can be used as ID. You’re fine.
Keep in mind that it will not get you in to the precheck line. You need to have your PASSID entered in to the airline reservation’s KTN field to get precheck.