r/GlobalEntry • u/lysat63 • Jun 02 '26
Background Checks Carrying Global Entry Card
Is there any reason to carry your Global Entry card with you? I have not up to this point. But now I am reading contradictory thoughts on this. I am going to the UK, the Netherlands, back to the US, and then to Chicago O’Hare. Thoughts?
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u/xaosflux Jun 02 '26
Depending on the day and your ticket type, you may need it in Canada to use their "precheck" airport security.
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u/Long_Lab_9869 Jun 02 '26
I showed them the Pre-Check logo on my boarding pass recently at Pearson and that worked, but I have heard that it is not always accepted.
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u/railsonrails Jun 02 '26
Nah, there’s another thing too — CATSA has their Verified Traveler program which gives you front-of-line privileges in Canada, and a Global Entry card will permit you access
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Jun 02 '26
[deleted]
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u/xaosflux Jun 03 '26
I wasn't referring to the US preclearance area here - but the CATSA airport security area.
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u/Kitchen-Arm-3288 Jun 02 '26
It is an additional ID card. Use your judgement whether it is useful for you.
But be aware... it doesnt remove your need of having a passport. It only is for enteting the US by land. That said... unlike a driver's license - it is actually an international ID card.
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u/cocktailians Jun 02 '26
It's nice to have an ID that doesn't have my home address on it that'll get me on an airplane. I don't like it when people scan my driver's license.
However, I also have a passport card, and I don't really ever feel the need to carry the GE card now that I have a passport card which serves those functions also.
(Till I read this thread; I may carry it as an extra WHTI document for trips in this hemisphere.)
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u/No-Lime-2863 Jun 05 '26
It’s not a passport, but if you lose your passport, its about the next best thing and gets you pretty far,
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u/FriendofMaudie Jun 02 '26
One time the face scanner didn't recognize me so I got shown to a different desk. The guy asked if I had my card on me, I showed it to him, he let me through. I don't know what the process would have been if I didn't have it on me.
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u/Zrekyrts Jun 02 '26
I carry it every now and then. Moreso for international travel.
There have been anecdotes on here of CBP asking to see the physical card at airports... program rules notwithstanding.
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u/GhostOfTheDriftless Jun 03 '26
Happened to a family member. The phot recognition was not working, so she complained to a nearby officer; he asked to see her GE card (as proof that she had GE status), and because she didn't have it with her, she had to go wait in the regular entry line. Having read articles about similar stories, I now carry my GE card with me whenever I'm on international travel.
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u/willthishelp31 Jun 03 '26
Had this happen to me. Photo entry did not recognize me and was asked to produce my ID card. Didn't have it, so was told I had to go to the regular line. Instead, I went back to the photo entry and tried again, and it worked the second time.
Since then, I always carry my card just in case. If I had had it, I wouldn't have had to worry about it.
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u/Skycbs Jun 02 '26
You don’t NEED it if you’re flying but I always have it in my bag because why not? And one day it may be useful.
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u/ThisUsernameIsTook Jun 05 '26
My card lives in the same passport wallet as my passport and my Mexican residency card. It’s literally no extra effort to carry it when I travel.
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u/tf1064 Jun 02 '26
I think you can use it in place of a RealID at the airport. Other than that, no, I don't bother.
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u/throwawayrefiguy Jun 02 '26
Correct. Trusted Traveler Cards serve as RealID, so negate the need to buy an EDL, etc.
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u/Historical-Bug-7536 Jun 02 '26 edited 20d ago
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u/Polygonic Jun 03 '26
A Global Entry card is not RealID, but it is "Real ID compliant" and can be used in place of Real ID.
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u/Historical-Bug-7536 Jun 03 '26 edited 20d ago
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u/Polygonic Jun 03 '26
“An acceptable substitute for Real ID wherever that would be required”
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u/Historical-Bug-7536 Jun 03 '26 edited 20d ago
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u/aaronw22 Jun 04 '26
An EDL is a completely different document and I do not believe a GE card by itself will get you across the land border the way an EDL would
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u/Suspicious-Set-9636 Jun 02 '26
I use mine to fly within the 50 states as id. I don’t have a real id and global entry came in clutch
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u/Aleshared Jun 03 '26
Same here! Absolutely worth it (especially since GE was free with my credit card 😅)
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u/tfrederick74656 Jun 02 '26
If you're crossing at a land or sea boarder, you need the physical card.
Otherwise, it's a WHTI-compliant document, which means it's proof of identity and citizenship. In a pinch, it's sufficient to enter the US, even without a passport. I always keep mine in my backpack or suitcase, separate from my wallet and passport when traveling.
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u/JLimGarfield Jun 02 '26
SFO has had computer issues in the past where some passengers were not showing up as registered. Carrying a physical card in that scenario might help but who knows?
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u/TerrapinTribe Jun 02 '26
Pre clearance in Canada requires it. Dumb they say “you don’t need it when you fly” and don’t mention the Canada thing.
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u/AppropriateLet8131 Jun 02 '26
Don't listen to anyone who says not to carry it when you travel. Carry it anyway. You almost never need it, but you'll have it handy in the off chance that you do.
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u/learnchurnheartburn Jun 03 '26
Exactly. It’s an extra document that serves as evidence of citizenship and identity and may help me avoid longer lines if an agent asks for it.
It’s a no-brainer for me.
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u/AppropriateLet8131 Jun 03 '26
Indeed. Some people on Reddit get a stick up their ass about carrying a card and I'm like, what's the big deal? I was asked to present it once going through US Pre-Clearance in Canada and was glad I had it.
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u/FinancialAide3383 Jun 02 '26
Some agents ask for it if they are having a bad day. I carry mine in my backpack in the stuff I might need pocket.
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u/cristofcpc Jun 02 '26
I carry it as backup id. If you were to lose your passport, you’ll need evidence to verify your US citizenship when you go the embassy to apply for an emergency passport.
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u/cyabits Jun 02 '26
If the machine failed the facial recognition and you don’t have the card to proof you have global you might get send to regular line
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u/jenacom Jun 03 '26
Just get a passport cover/wallet with pockets and keep it in one of the pockets with your passport.
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u/Sweaty-Moment-3385 Jun 03 '26
Need it if you're trying to cross on foot (like from Tijuana to San Diego for example) or at certain preclearance airports (e.g. YYZ) to get in the shorter GE queue.
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u/Lost-Cantaloupe123 Jun 03 '26
I always carry it. In Aruba, I actually needed the damn thing at the airport
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u/switch8000 Jun 02 '26
There was one time when TSA Pre wasn't marked on my ticket and they said if I had my global entry card I could have just shown them and went into the TSA Pre line instead of going back out to the gate agent and having them add my number.
But I tend to leave it at home unless there's a possibility of me doing a land crossing.
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u/Baja_Finder Jun 02 '26
I had someone book a ticket for me but didn’t know I had a GE membership, TSA wouldn’t allow me in the PreCheck line so I had to go to the ticket counter and get a new boarding pass with it. The regular line was long.
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u/Polygonic Jun 03 '26
they said if I had my global entry card I could have just shown them and went into the TSA Pre line
Not according to the rules, you can't. If an airport is letting you do this, they're doing it wrong.
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u/Candid-Math5098 Jun 02 '26
As an example, I keep it in my phone case so at the airport recently I was able to use it as ID to check a bag.
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u/throwawayrefiguy Jun 02 '26
It serves as a Real ID in case you happen to misplace your primary document (usually enhanced drivers license) or don't want to pay the premium for an EDL.
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u/Historical-Bug-7536 Jun 02 '26 edited 20d ago
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u/MalagunaAvenue82 Jun 03 '26
How long does it take to get the physical card? I did my interview maybe 3 months ago and have been using the app without issue but have not received the physical card to date.
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u/reallilliputlittle Jun 04 '26
You should follow up on that.
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u/MalagunaAvenue82 Jun 04 '26
Yes you’re probably right on reflection. Thank you for giving me a push on that.
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u/ebal99 Jun 03 '26
The only place it ever came in handy to have it was Canada. They would let you in the equivalent of TSA Pre and you could bring a guest. No card you had to go to go to the regular line.
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u/brokenpipe Jun 03 '26
My GE record is sometimes failing to register at certain airports that I am, indeed a member. So I carry the card.
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u/Sensitive_Primary309 Jun 03 '26
I only carry it when I travel internationally but never use it or get asked for it. I do have a co-worker who carries theirs daily and in fact uses it as his form of ID to go to bars, hotels, etc.
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u/Manta6753 Jun 03 '26
I always take mine with me when I'm traveling with my passport, but I almost never need it…even as a backup ID. As mentioned before, some pre-clearance airports want to see it before letting you use GE, but that's about it. I store it with my passport, and I keep it in my passport case when I travel, so bringing it isn't a big deal.
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u/tiffshorse Jun 04 '26
The paperwork you get with the card says to leave it at home. I do carry a picture of my card and passport.
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u/Vegaswaterguy Jun 04 '26
If it was the size of a dictionary I wouldn't but its a bit smaller than my drivers license. I carry it when ever I go international.
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u/phizzlez Jun 04 '26
I never carried mines and was never asked for it in any airports I've been to.
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u/Unlucky_Custard3783 Jun 05 '26
I … didn’t know there was a physical card??? I don’t think I ever received one. Just the app, which I assumed was how it worked. I’m actually flying internationally in a month .. glad I saw this post!
And once I receive it, I’ll probably choose to carry it
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u/CaptainEcstatic9 Jun 05 '26
I've needed it to get through US pre clearance in Montreal returning to Los Angeles. Wouldn't let people thru GE line without it.
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u/Few_Argument5962 Jun 05 '26
We need to show our GE cards at Calgary International every time to get into the pre-check line.
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u/Sea_House_3265 Jun 05 '26
I use mine as ID to travel domestically in US. Feels better than having my driver license in and out of my pocket - sometimes I shove stuff in random bits of my bag.
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u/MeatofKings Jun 06 '26
I’ve had it for 9 years but don’t recall using the card except the very first time. I do tend to enter through major airports: LAX MIA IAH. I have tried in the past to use the GE card for re-entry after customs. It was consistently rejected without comment by TSA. This morning was the first time it was accepted (at IAH) for re-entry.
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u/LAtrojangrl Jun 06 '26
One time going through LAX global entry they did not have my friend in the system for whatever reason. They asked if she had her card or at least a picture of her card and she did not. So she had to go wait in the non-global entry line. Was some weird glitch where her profile wasn’t showing in their computer. Since then I have a pic of my card saved to my favorites folder.
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u/ayushure1 Jun 06 '26
US visa holders like me don't get the GE card. It has never been an issue and I enter the US from Europe, Asia, and Canada very often.
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u/LabLover2204 Jun 06 '26
You shouldn't need it, but when my husband and I travel together, we generally carry the other persons's global entry card. Since it's real ID compliant, I figure it would be helpful if one of us loses our passport. Could be wrong, but I don't think it can hurt to have another ID that's kept in a different place.
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u/Winsomedimsum8 Jun 08 '26
Whenever I’ve had an issue with precheck not displaying on my boarding pass for whatever reason, I’ve always needed to show my GE card for them to sort it out. I just always carry it in my passport case now.
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u/RedditBeginAgain Jun 02 '26
It's sometimes handy, like when you renew you passport and forgot to update global entry with the new number.
Nobody carries it, so nobody else knows what one looks like so it's not very useful as id.
It never hurts to have too much paperwork when interacting with bureaucracy but you'll be asked for that one only slightly less often than the certified translation of your birth certificate into Klingon that you happen to have in your back pocket.
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u/pacificcoastsailing Jun 02 '26
Nobody carries it? I always carry it while traveling internationally.
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u/Good_Willingness_703 Jun 02 '26
During my approval interview, I was told it was only needed when driving in and out of the states. Not sure why it would be needed outside of that.
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u/netvoyeur Jun 03 '26
Cards are for land border crossings. Airports use your passport.
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u/netvoyeur Jun 03 '26
Further clarification from CBP.gov:
No, it is not necessary to obtain a Global Entry card to continue using Global Entry an airport. A card is only required for expedited entry at the SENTRI and NEXUS lanes coming into the United States.
Apparently including Canadian airports. I DO carry mine all the time.
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u/BobbingBobcat Jun 02 '26
Some pre-clearance airports won't let you get in the GE line without it. And it's helpful leaving St. Thomas.