While your card isn't required to access Global Entry kiosks at the airport, there are other scenarios in which you'll need it. If you plan to take advantage of Global Entry's access to NEXUS or SENTRI, your Global Entry card will be required.

Whether you need to carry your physical Trusted Traveler Program (TTP) card—such as Global Entry, NEXUS, or SENTRI—depends on your mode of travel. For air travel, you generally do not need the physical card; your status is linked to your passport and your "Known Traveler Number" (KTN). As long as your KTN is added to your airline reservation, the "TSA PreCheck" indicator will appear on your boarding pass, allowing you to use the expedited lanes. However, for land or sea border crossings into the United States from Canada or Mexico, the physical card is mandatory. These cards contain RFID chips that are scanned by Border Patrol agents at dedicated SENTRI or NEXUS lanes. In 2026, while Global Entry cards are not required for international airport arrivals (where facial recognition is now the standard), they are still considered a valid form of federal ID. Therefore, while air passengers can leave it at home, it is a "best practice" to carry it in your passport cover as a backup form of identification or in case you find yourself crossing a land border where the digital systems are temporarily offline.