Updated September 4, 2021
I’m sitting at the gate at LAX (Los Angeles International Airport) pondering the question, Is the NEXUS card worth it? With my boarding pass, passport, and NEXUS card in hand, I’m waiting for my flight to Halifax via Boston.
I can’t help but reflect on my experience a couple of hours ago with U.S. immigration, customs, and airport screening procedures. The whole process was quick and painless. Once again, I’m thankful to have a NEXUS card. In fact, I seem to experience these moments of gratitude every time I enter the U.S. or return to Canada. Throw a connecting flight into the mix and those anxious moments about missing the connection seem to dissipate, thanks to NEXUS benefits.
Table of Contents
Is a NEXUS card worth it?
A couple of hours ago, with my NEXUS card in hand, I was directed to the lane leading to the Global Entry self-serve kiosks.
Without fail, I’ve always found a free kiosk and completed the questionnaire within a couple of minutes.
Whether it’s Vancouver, Montreal, Boston, Philadelphia, or Los Angeles, the non-NEXUS alternative has always been a much longer process. It invariably involves a long snaking queue of travellers waiting for available kiosks or to be interviewed by border services officers. In fact, one arrival in Boston from Zurich resulted in queuing to queue. The lines were so long, passengers from our SWISS flight were herded into two lines in a hallway while members of NEXUS and other trusted traveller programs simply skipped the lines and proceeded to the Global Entry kiosks.
Back to my LAX experience, next came TSA (Transportation Security Administration) screening. My boarding pass for the LAX to Boston flight had been issued in Taipei and it didn’t include a TSA Pre✓ designation. As a result, I was directed to the non-NEXUS lane. The thought of joining a long queue with extra screening measures wasn’t particularly attractive. Instead, I headed to a United kiosk to obtain a United-issued boarding pass. With my NEXUS information in the system, the new boarding pass displayed the requisite TSA Pre✓ designation permitting access to the TSA Pre✓ lane. The queue was short. It was also a fast process. The fact that shoes, belts, light jackets, laptops, and 3-1-1 ‘liquids’ bags don’t have to be removed makes for an expedited trip through screening.
My best guess on my LAX experience? My NEXUS card likely saved an hour that would have otherwise been spent in queues. Last year in Philadelphia, I figure it was closer to two hours. And I won’t even speculate on the queue-to-queue nightmare in Boston!
What’s NEXUS?
NEXUS is a Canada-United States trusted traveller program. It’s for pre-approved low-risk Canadian and U.S. citizens and permanent residents travelling to, from, or within the U.S. or Canada. Mexican nationals who are members of Mexico’s Viajero Confiable program can also apply for NEXUS membership.
The program facilitates expedited entry using automated self-serve kiosks at airports. At land crossings, there are designated NEXUS lanes. For travellers using marine services, there’s a call-ahead system.
It also fast tracks members through dedicated airport security screening lanes. At busier airports, there may be a dedicated lane leaving the baggage claim area.
Benefits in Canada
I live in Canada, and use my NEXUS card on all domestic and international flights.
- The larger airports have dedicated NEXUS screening lanes. All that’s required to enter is a boarding pass and a NEXUS card. If there isn’t a dedicated screening officer, NEXUS cardholders receive priority access to an agent serving both NEXUS and non-NEXUS lanes.
- If there’s a queue, it’s short and efficiently managed. NEXUS members tend to be experienced in screening procedures so the process moves quickly. It’s unusual to see families with young children and strollers in NEXUS lanes.
- When arriving by air in Canada, NEXUS members don’t need to complete a Declaration Card if the airport has self-serve NEXUS kiosks.
- My only contact with CBSA (Canada Border Services Agency) officers is at customs control to hand in the receipt printed by a NEXUS kiosk. Instead of queuing to be interviewed at immigration control, I spend a few minutes at a self-serve kiosk.
- A NEXUS kiosk has always been available, without any queues. I place my passport on the reader, get in position for an iris scan, and answer a few simple questions similar to those on the Declaration Card. The kiosk prints a receipt to be handed to an officer at customs control. It takes less than two minutes. There have been numerous occasions, especially when arriving at less busy airports such as Halifax, that it’s clear I’ve been the first one to reach the arrivals area.
- I use my NEXUS card where government-issued identification is required. This is handy when boarding a plane for flights within Canada. Why reach for a passport or driver’s licence when a NEXUS card is so handy after passing through security?
Benefits in the U.S.
Many of my Aeroplan redemptions involve flights through U.S. hubs. It’s on these occasions my NEXUS card has been invaluable.
- A NEXUS application costs 50 USD and if approved, NEXUS benefits are in effect for five years. NEXUS provides access to both Global Entry and TSA Pre✓. It costs $100 to apply for Global Entry (that includes access to TSA Pre✓) or $85 to apply for TSA Pre✓. NEXUS is a good deal.
- When entering the U.S. or at U.S. pre-clearance centres in Canada, there are dedicated Global Entry lanes for members of NEXUS and other trusted traveller programs. Unlike in Canada, my experience has been that there’s contact with a U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officer. If there isn’t a dedicated officer, NEXUS members receive priority access to one.
- NEXUS membership grants access to TSA Pre✓ expedited screening. This is a huge time saver at busy airports. HUGE. Unlike in Canada, presenting a NEXUS card doesn’t provide access. A TSA Pre✓ designation needs to appear on a boarding pass. When booking travel, enter your Known Traveller Number or PassID to qualify for TSA Pre✓.
Zero tolerance for mistakes or abuse
As trusted travellers, NEXUS members are held to a high standard. The smallest of infractions can result in having a card confiscated and NEXUS privileges revoked. Trade lawyer Cyndee Todgham Cherniak cites several examples in Canadians Living in Border Cities at Risk for Nexus Pass Confiscations.
Carefully and honestly completing a declaration card or responding to questions at a kiosk is a condition of continued participation in the program. An honest or dishonest mistake may result in losing trusted traveller status. It’s a good idea to be aware of what you’re carrying, and pinpoint exactly what needs to be declared. Jet lag is no excuse for failing to provide correct information.
How to apply for a NEXUS card
My experience is described in How to apply for a NEXUS card.
For information on eligibility requirements and the application process, consult the official NEXUS site.
Get a ‘free’ NEXUS membership
(i) CIBC
In 2018, CIBC was the first credit card issuer in Canada to offer a NEXUS fee rebate. It’s available *once every four years (up to 100 CAD) by charging the application or renewal fee to a CIBC card with the NEXUS benefit:
- CIBC Aventura Visa Infinite
- CIBC Aventura Visa Infinite Privilege (*2 statement credits every four years)
- CIBC Aventura Gold Visa Card
Effective November 8, 2020, the CIBC Aeroplan Visa Infinite Privilege Card has an entitlement to one NEXUS application fee rebate every 4 years (50 USD).
(ii) TD
Effective November 8, 2020, TD introduced a NEXUS benefit to all cardholders on the TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite, TD Aeroplan Visa Business, and the TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Privilege credit cards. It provides a statement rebate of up to 100 CAD every four years for each cardholder, up to a maximum of four rebates in each four-year period.
(iii) American Express
Effective September 1, 2021, the AMEX Platinum and the AMEX Aeroplan Reserve cards offer a $100 NEXUS credit once every four years. The NEXUS credit on the AMEX Gold Rewards card is $50.
Is a NEXUS card worth it?
With one application fee and two renewal fees behind me, it’s the best $150 travel expenditure I’ve ever made. After twelve years of NEXUS benefits, and two connecting flights I would have surely missed but for my NEXUS card, it’s worth its weight in gold.
If you found this post helpful, please share it by selecting one or two social media share buttons. What’s your experience travelling with a NEXUS card? Please share your thoughts in the comments.
Care to pin it for later?
As an American with “TSA Pre,” and Nexus, let me clarify one point.
When departing from America these programs will expedite you through departure security only if you fly a (participating?) American carrier from a participating American airport.
Thank you Anna for adding value to the post with this clarification.
Anne Betts recently posted…Choosing a travel partner
Thanks for sharing this article with us.
Would you recommend the Nexus to travelers crossing the border in a vehicle?
Absolutely, especially if you use the busier border crossings with dedicated NEXUS lanes. All passengers in the vehicle need to have NEXUS status. It’s worth it for the occasional flights within Canada for expedited CATSA screening, and a game changer in the US to be able to use the Global Entry kiosks and TSA Pre screening. I highly recommend it.
Anne Betts recently posted…Anti-pickpocket gear
I think NEXUS card will have some effect, it can help check in quickly.
When there are two Nexus card holders in a vehicle crossing for US to Canada, can we present cards to kiosk together or must we wave them one by one?
I’ve never used a land crossing via the NEXUS lane so I can’t speak from experience. At the CBSA site, the instructions are as follows:
– When you enter Canada or the United States using the NEXUS lane, stop and hold your NEXUS card in front of the proximity card reader.
– Proceed to the booth and stop for a visual inspection by a CBSA or a CBP officer.
– Unless you are directed to an inspection area, you may proceed into Canada or the U.S. when authorized to do so.
My experience with card readers is that they read one card at a time. My suggestion is to present them separately, then proceed to the booth staffed by the CBSA officer. If you need clarity before travel, I suggest you call your nearest NEXUS centre. I’ve called in the past with questions and have found staff to be very helpful.
We live in Windsor Ontario and both of us have Nexus cards. There are dedicated Nexus lanes at both the Tunnel and the Bridge. Hours of Nexus only lanes vary but are marked as open or closed when you drive onto the plaza. Just wave both cards at the reader and drive up to the booth. Very fast, very easy.
First, all occupants of the vehicle using a dedicated Nexus land crossing lane must, I repeat, must have a Nexus card. Even an infant. If one person in the car doesn’t have a Nexus card you must use the regular lanes or risk losing your Nexus privileges. I can’t stress this enough. At the very least you will be automatically sent to secondary inspection and that’s going to happen crossing into Canada or the US regardless of your country of origin.
Now that we’ve got that out of the way, I have to say that having a Nexus card has made crossing the border at any of the four crossing points around Niagara Falls almost as simple as crossing a toll booth bridge. The driver takes all the Nexus cards and stops short of the booth to wave the cards at the RFID reader. These are clearly marked and very hard to miss. Going into the U.S. the reader will show a digital count of all the cards it’s seen so you know everyone is good to go. By the time you pull up to talk to the Border Guard they have already seen your info. I often get greeted by name when I pull up to the guard.
As was mentioned in the article your responsibility when crossing with your Nexus card is to have your information straight. Regardless of why I was in the U.S. or for how long (I live in Hamilton so I go over for Amazon packages frequently) you need to be ready to state why you were away, for how long and what you have to declare, plus the exact amount. Be prepared to do this without prompting. Have any receipts ready to show. I have my Amazon order info called up on my phone before I get to the booth because Amazon orders never have receipts in the boxes. Above all, tell the truth. If you went over for two hours to shop declare everything. If you get caught in a false declaration you are going to lose your card. Period. End of story. That being said, I’ve had my card for four years now and brought back thousands of dollars in goods from extended holidays to only being over the border for 15 minutes to collect my package and head home. I’ve been sent in to pay duties once. Just once.
Crossing into the U.S. involves a bit more scrutiny than coming back to Canada but that’s true even without a Nexus card. Be prepared to give a valid reason for your trip into America. If you’re just going for groceries then name the store you’re going to hit. If you’re going for a two week vacation be ready with what hotel you’re booked into, your return date and your return to work date, if applicable.
I’ve made it sound way more intense than it really is though. Using a Nexus lane is faster. It just is. Even using a Nexus card when you’re in a car with passport only holders will usually make the crossing easier as the Border Guards love dealing with Nexus card holders and make the inspection easier on everyone. Usually.
My two favourite Nexus crossing stories happened just after we got our cards and sold me on the hassle of enrolling in the program.
Coming home from an 18 day trip to Myrtle Beach, car loaded with boxes and bagsfrom too much shopping and my wife nervously sitting in her seat clutching her pile of receipts while repeating the grand total over and over again so I wouldn’t forget, we roll up to the booth, flash our cards to the reader and pull to a stop at the guard booth. The Canadian guard doesn’t even look at us and mutters “Have a nice day”. Stunned I say “Excuse me?” and he repeats “Have. A. Nice. Day.” and looks back at whatever he was reading. I stammer “Thanks” and floor it. Welcome to the Nexus program!
Boarding a cruise to Alaska in Vancouver later that year we ran smack into a scene much like the picture at the top of this article. Endless travelers with their passports waiting and waiting and waiting. I spot a lane that appears inactive but has Nexus signs on the posts. I ask the harried attendant if the lane is in use (sea and air use of Nexus cards was very new at the time) and she beams a huge smile and says “YES!, follow me” and like Rock Stars we are escorted past the endless waiting and then watch in disbelief as the Inspector stops asking passport holder to come to his desk so he can process us. We were next to his booth regardless of how long those passport only holders had been waiting. I’m pretty sure I we were called a bunch of bad names, but we were also the first people to the bar on the ship!!
Yes, Nexus is worth it if you mostly cross by land. That’s where the program started.
Wave them together. The card readers will know how many you have. No problem.
I’m returning to Toronto from Morocco. Can I bring spices and oils in with nexus or do i have to go through regular passport lines?
Use NEXUS, and at the kiosk answer “yes” to the question about declaring foodstuffs. The receipt printed by the kiosk will indicate that you’ve something to declare and in all likelihood you’ll be directed to an inspection area. Have the items readily accessible for inspection.
Anne Betts recently posted…25 Tips on earning Aeroplan miles
Hi Anne Betts! Article well compiled, I think nexus card really worth it if you are traveling via America to Canada.
Thanks for such Info
qman.dev recently posted…What are the American Airlines AAdvantage Benefits?
The dhs.gov website states that only the TSA Pre is included when you are approved for Nexus and not Global Entry. Did this change or can you clarify this please? Thanks.
Global Entry includes TSA Pre. This link might help: https://www.tsa.gov/travel/frequently-asked-questions/what-difference-between-global-entry-tsa-precheck-and-other
Two weeks in Myrtle Beach had us returning with a car full of shopping. Boxes and bags piled high and my wife clutching her baggie of receipts while I repeated the total over and over again so I wouldn’t forget it when I declared how much we were bringing back. We are prepared, like good Nexus card holders, to be honest and ready with our information. Pull up to the booth and the guard says “Have a nice day”. Stunned I stammer “Pardon me?” and he repeats “Have. A. Nice. Day.” Still shocked I hit the gas and our first return crossing with our Nexus cards is over.
Is a Nexus card worth it? Hell yes!
Sean recently posted…25 Tips on earning Aeroplan miles
The only problem I have is there are very few center to do the interview. I applied not knowing that there are none in my state, and the closest is 3 hours away.
Same. I have a good friend in Colorado who applied for NEXUS and was approved, only to find out the nearest interview location was in North Dakota! He ended up having to switch to a Global Entry application and pay the difference in program fees, just to avoid having wasted the entire process.
The Nexus is only practical for those living in “border” states – the interviewing locations are all near the Canadian border because you are interviewed by US and Canadian officials at the same time. If you are not near the Canadian border – Global re-entry is your best bet.
What happens to the Nexus card if my status changes from PR to Citizen in Canada?
You’ll need to update the information in your NEXUS profile. Your Permanent Resident Card is taken from you at the citizenship ceremony so having a Canadian passport will be necessary for returning to Canada after international travel. Apply for one as soon as possible after the ceremony and add your Canadian passport to your profile. Unfortunately, I couldn’t do it online, but the folks at the NEXUS Enrolment Centre were able to do it. I dropped in without an appointment and it was accomplished within five minutes.