Pack your Global Entry card — here are 3 times you may need to use it
Editor's Note
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.
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.
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Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.