Pack your Global Entry card — here are 3 times you may need to use it

Global Entry expedites entry to the U.S. for American travelers via designated Global Entry kiosks at more than 75 airports, allowing them to bypass lengthy U.S. Customs and Border Protection lines. In addition, if you depart from one of 15 preclearance locations, you can clear customs before physically reentering the U.S.

After applying for Global Entry, you'll receive a physical Global Entry card via mail within two to four weeks. If you're like me, you likely put the card away in a drawer without ever thinking about it again.

Per U.S. Customs and Border Protection, which runs Global Entry, it's "not necessary to obtain a Global Entry card to continue using Global Entry at an airport." Even so, you may be asked to show the card in the three circumstances outlined below.

When you should carry your Global Entry card

Here are three scenarios when you should plan on showing your Global Entry card.

When you are at an airport that provides preclearance

If you're traveling to a destination where you will use Global Entry before returning back to the U.S., you may be asked to show the card to access that line and those kiosks.

"Although the Global Entry card is not required for air travel, every international traveler is subject to random checks or additional questions by a CBP officer when they are entering the United States," a CBP spokesperson told TPG. "There have been no changes in the processing of Global Entry members other than the transition to facial comparison technology where a person could be asked for evidence of program affiliation in order to direct them towards processing kiosks or portals or otherwise assist them in navigating the arrivals area."

This is also the case at Canadian airports, per the Canadian Air Transport Security Authority, CBP's Canadian counterpart. It said members of Trusted Traveler Programs, including Global Entry, must show their "document of entitlement" to access those lanes in Canada.

"Passengers with a Global Entry card or sticker can access the Verified Traveller Screening Lines at Canadian airports," a CATSA spokesperson said via email.

Therefore, passing through airports that allow Americans to preclear U.S. customs in a foreign territory before entering the U.S. might result in you being asked to show your Global Entry card as an added verification layer.

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If you are traveling to one of the 14 below preclearance airports, bring your Global Entry card just in case:

• Calgary International Airport (YYC)
• Edmonton International Airport (YEG)
• Halifax Stanfield International Airport (YHZ)
• Montreal-Trudeau International Airport (YUL)
• Ottawa International Airport (YOW)
• Toronto Pearson Airport (YYZ)
• Vancouver International Airport (YVR)
• Winnipeg Richardson International Airport (YWG)
• Lynden Pindling International Airport (NAS)
• L.F. Wade International Airport (BDA)
• Queen Beatrix International Airport (AUA)
• Dublin Airport (DUB)
• Shannon Airport (SNN)
• Zayed International Airport (AUH)

Nexus and SENTRI lanes

Even though you shouldn't need your physical card to use Global Entry at U.S. airports, you should be prepared to show your card if entering the U.S. by car via SENTRI or Nexus lanes.

"A card is only required for expedited entry at the SENTRI and NEXUS lanes coming into the United States," per CBP.

SENTRI is a Trusted Traveler Program that allows U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents, Canadian citizens and permanent residents, and all other foreign nationals to enter the U.S. from Canada and Mexico via SENTRI-specific lanes. SENTRI users also have access to TSA PreCheck lanes at airports within the U.S. and overseas territories.

Nexus, on the other hand, provides prescreened travelers with expedited processing services when they enter the U.S. and Canada by plane, car or boat. It provides access to Nexus-only processing lanes at designated entry ports along the northern border, kiosks when entering Canada by air and Global Entry kiosks when arriving at a preclearance airport.

SENTRI and Nexus members also get access to Global Entry, and that card serves as membership to all three programs — which is why these individuals would need to show it.

Select cruise ports

Cruisers may want to carry their card with them since specific cruise ports may require a physical card.

For example, Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale, a popular cruise port, says travelers must show their cards. "Cruise guests enrolled in CBP's Global Entry program should follow the signage directing them to the front of the line and present their Global Entry card to the Customs agent for processing," said TPG Managing Cruise Editor Erica Silverstein.

Bottom line

If you're a Global Entry member who will be preclearing customs before returning to the U.S., especially if your flight is originating in Canada, strongly consider bringing your physical Global Entry card with you to ensure you can access the line to use the Global Entry kiosk. Additionally, if your travels include cruising or a border crossing by land, you may want to have it handy as well.

While you won't always need it, the last thing you want is to have gone through the effort of getting Global Entry but not be able to use it.

Related reading:

• 14 things to know about Global Entry
• Guide to using Global Entry abroad and the countries where citizens can also apply for the expedited screening
• How to apply for Global Entry: Tips for first-timers
• Global Entry is now free for kids — here's how to register