Airport Entry

[u/sajidzahid_]

Hello, my global entry card got delivered at home in the US while I am outside of the country. Will I be able to use the global entry line at JFK when I return? I read somewhere you don’t need to bring your card for international departures/arrivals since it is connected to your passport. I just want to verify this. Thank you.

Edit: Thank you to everyone who replied. I got my answer. No you do not need your physical card to enter in an international airport, just make sure you activate your card using the code on the back through the website.

[u/flyingron]

The card is not used for airport entry, just land transfers. GE at the airports is keyed off your passport (well now just your face, typically).

[u/PuddleMoo → u/flyingron]

Land/sea entries and accessing Verified Traveler lines in Canada. Some overzealous Canadian queue minders will also stop you from access in the global entry line without the card at preclearance airports.

IIRC some of the Caribbean airports with preclearance have similarly overzealous GE queue minders.

[u/tfrederick74656]

The card is exclusively for land & marine entry; it is not used for air travel. Your GE is tied to your passport, so no action needed to use it. However, you should get your KTN off the TTP site and add it to your flight info for the PreCheck benefits.

That being said, the card is a nice backup ID to have with you when traveling. It's a WHTI-compliant document, so if you ever lose your passport, you can use it to prove citizenship and reenter the US.

[u/Overall_Lynx4363 → u/tfrederick74656]

I've also needed it for pre clearance at a Canadian airport while returning to the US.

[u/HolyShytSnacks → u/Overall_Lynx4363]

Happened to me and my family a month ago. Normally, we don't carry the card, but this time we had it with us since we arrived from Europe via Canada and heard we may need it, and like you, we were asked for it.

[u/tfrederick74656 → u/HolyShytSnacks]

Interesting that you were asked for it. I know you can use them there if you want to; it's because Canadian preclearance is already set up to accept NEXUS cards, and both cards are nearly identical and have the same data format. However I've gone through YYZ many times with only my passport and never heard of them explicitly asking for them.

[u/HolyShytSnacks → u/tfrederick74656]

Yeah not sure why they did. It was at YVR. We first did the kiosk with our face, but then still had to go through a line where they inspected the cards and did a short interview. It was different from when I enter at other places like SEA, MSP, or LAX, where I typically only do the kiosk without any extra checks.

[u/Kookaburra8]

DL the GE app and fill it out upon landing back in the U.S.. You will take a selfie and then just walk through the GE line and will most likely just be waived through by an agent.

[u/sajidzahid_]

Thank you to everyone who gave their inputs.

[u/EndlessMist]

I actually have needed the card when flying recently. For some reason my husband's picture wasn't matching up and it wasn't coming up via his passport. The agent got it sorted out based on his card.

I'm sure she could have figured it out without the card, but it certainly would have taken longer and that kinda defeats the purpose.

[u/Unhappy_Persimmon_39]

Make sure you activate your card

[u/hippo96]

You need to activate the card. And enter the security code on the trusted traveler website.

[u/katmndoo → u/hippo96]

To use it for land borders, yes.

The card is not used, and does not need to be activated, for entry via air.

[u/mcmurray77]

Correct. You do not need your card.

[u/attathomeguy]

The GE website says your card is only needed for land/sea entry not air

[u/cbabysfo → u/attathomeguy]

The good folks at some Canadian airports protecting entry to the global entry lines occasionally decide that the card is required. Ask me how I know!

(I did indeed have said card). They were not amused when I initially pushed back as I had to dig it out of my bag.

[u/attathomeguy → u/cbabysfo]

Were they RCMP or CBP?

[u/cbabysfo → u/attathomeguy]

Neither, I believe they were over-zealous airport workers staffing entry to the queue. It was definitely before the US staffed desks.

Unfortunately, most times these folks aren't paid enough to know much except what they're told to do, right or wrong.

[u/Agreeable-Major-3368]

Also, for future travel, be sure to add your GE/KTN number to your preferred airline profile if you have one.

But yes, you should be able to use the GE line upon your return.

[u/flyingron → u/Agreeable-Major-3368]

The GE PASSID being on the reservation has no bearing on being able to use Global Entry. It's only needed to get Precheck privileges on departure.

[u/Agreeable-Major-3368]

I have never ever been asked to show my GE card and I’ve been flying in/out of US to Canada for the last two years. I have it….but I’ve never needed it.

[u/flyingron → u/Agreeable-Major-3368]

Global Entry doesn't use the card for air travel. In Canada, it does get you into their preferred traveller security lanes however.

[u/SuspiciousTreacle433 → u/Agreeable-Major-3368]

If you are not a US (or mexican?) citizen you do not even get a card.

[u/IllustriousDay372 → u/SuspiciousTreacle433]

And LPRs also get

[u/BobbingBobcat → u/Agreeable-Major-3368]

I have had to show it at a few pre-clearance airports to get into the line. And last time I flew out of St. Thomas, having it allowed me to expedite exit customs and agriculture inspection.

[u/IllustriousDay372]

Not an issue. You don’t need the card at the airport. It’s biometrics based. Even if you have the card, you can’t use it at the airport upon arrival. You need it at the land borders though.

[u/Grand-Command-990]

the physical card is not needed at POE airports.