mahasamatman

I've used both NEXUS and passport in the GE machines at YVR. The one difference is that if you use your passport, you don't need to fill out the customs declaration form.

emcampbe

Actually, you are incorrect here. Those with green cards must use it, it's not that they can. My wife used to always try her passport, and it always told her to insert her permanent resident card instead. I forget the exact wording it uses.

Ari

If you use your NEXUS cards in the GE machine, you don't have to fill out a customs form. If you use your NEXUS card in a NEXUS machine, you do have to fill out a customs card. There are no longer NEXUS machines traveling into the USA in transborder airports as far as I recall as they have all been replaced with GE machines I believe. That has been my experience anyway

Ok, I'll take it.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Back to *United Airlines*:

UA might give you trouble using your NEXUS card only without passport even though it is clearly allowed by both countries (so long as you are a citizen of one or the other). Passport is recommended. Air Canada is better at accepting NEXUS only. Be prepared to put up a fight and stand your ground. Have TIMATIC printouts with you. It is easier to travel into the US than out of the US because you pre-clear. That said, hopefully UA has gotten better in this regard recently; I haven't attempted it recently as my passport hasn't been out for visas for extended periods lately.

Ari

Not conclusive?

https://www.cbp.gov/travel/us-citizens/whti-air-faq

https://help.cbp.gov/app/answers/det.../619/related/1

http://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/prog/nexus/faq-eng.html

(emphases added)

Hidden in the WHTI CFR is one obscure reference to a "NEXUS Air Card" which has been supplanted by CBP directives which you can FOIA if you like. The bit about "kiosks only" seems debunked by the "non-NEXUS lanes" part.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

It is high time for *United Airlines* and other carriers to step up to the plate and accept NEXUS cards for their original intended purpose. They have three raised logos on them, not two.

mahasamatman

Thanks for the correction. I haven't tried in a couple of years.

And be prepared to make alternate arrangements because you can't win. SFO is particularly egregious about this.

Ari

I'm fortunate that I only did the gauntlet twice; once I was on Air Canada and didn't get a second look (checked in online without issue both ways). The other time I was on United. It took some work in the GS room at ORD (two agents and a phone call) and a note was put in the record for the gate agent (who didn't trust the note and read TIMATIC for himself). But it worked. On the way back, I was able to check in online (with stored passport data) and it wasn't an issue at the gate as I was already pre-cleared and it was contract staff working the gate anyway that was borrowed from Air Canada, I think. I had no issues at the border even though I had commercial goods to declare both ways both times and had to speak to a CBP/CBSA officer in each direction on each trip.

Those were the only two times my passport was out for visas and I had to travel without it. Every other time I have used my passport for airline check-in with United; I use NEXUS card with Air Canada "just because" and they seem setup for that. I recommend using a passport, but that recommendation is no excuse for airlines like United not to step up to the plate and do what is right.

emcampbe

I'm aware of what different places say. I'm also aware of the responses I've gotten from both customs officials (mostly in the Nexus office) and airline personal willing to accept these items only.

Even if we agree that if you need to do more than a machine (i.e. secondary, machine not working, etc.) and the immigration officer is ok with a Nexus card only (and we are certainly not agreeing to that - last time I came to YYZ for example, we arrived late - I think around 12:30am...long story...and with our 2 year-old who can't use the machine, and since the special services line was closed at that point, had to use the regular line - agent insisted on passports - that's just one example from over the years). Even if we accepted that premis, you still have to know that airline personal will accept it.

Maybe unfortunately, but it is what it is, airline employees checking ID may or may not accept Nexus as the ID used to check in/board an aircraft to Canada. A check in kiosk certainly won't. The fact is, the airlines have their own set of proof they want to see which may or may not match what CBSA/CBP uses. So it's their right to deny boarding if you don't show a passport. Maybe you will get on. Maybe you will after initial denial, and a fight (doubtful). Or maybe you'll just be denied boarding. You can certainly fight on principal, report to the DOT, etc., as long as that takes, but meanwhile, if the goal is to be on that scheduled flight, any option besides having a passport with you will not make that guarantee, IMO and IME,

If it was a pain to carry your passport, then sure, it might be worth the argument at the airport. But a passport book is not a pain to bring or handle - simply tuck away in a pocket, purse or bag and bring out if you need it and the Nexus card doesn't work. I have tried enough in the past, and when they didn't accept it, just handed over my passport - but in the end, realized its easier to skip the first part and hand over my passport. Incidentally, this works every time on the first try, no argument needed, and I get to the lounge faster.

What others want to do, of course, is up to them - I'm just stating my point of view. But we can be pretty confident that Nexus isn't so well known outside of Canada, so that it just isn't that easy to use for that purpose.

<rant over>

HeyAussie

Absolutely disgraceful that United can't get their act together on Nexus. I travelled DEN-YVR and unable to check in online and at the airport, the agent couldn't issue a boarding pass without a passport. If NEXUS is good enough for CBP, it should be ok for United. Their computer system doesn't seem to accept NEXUS as a valid travel document.

My travel colleague had the same problem and ended up with a BP that didn't have 'Pre-Check' printed on it so got turned around at security for being in the wrong lane, despite having NEXUS and basically being 'qualified' for that line. At least my BP had Pre-Check on it and lucky we both had our passports with us.

This should be a really simple fix for United, I don't know why they can't do it, its apparent this is not a one off incident from this thread.

mahasamatman

Even if you have have paid for PreCheck or are otherwise qualified, you are not guaranteed to get it every time. That's intentionally part of the program. You can even be hit with SSSS.

And (tangentially on topic) in case you haven't been notified, you no longer have to fill out the paper declaration when entering Canada with a Nexus card.

N1120A

I just carry my passport anyway.

False. Completely false.

No, it asks for a travel document. Indeed, as mentioned, green card holders are not even allowed to use their passport or NEXUS card in the machines - at any airport.

Actually, I've had my NEXUS card work in machines that weren't at a preclearance airport, but I think that was only at ORD off flights from Canada.

US Citizens DO NOT have to use their passport at GE kiosks in preclearance airports. That is false. They can use NEXUS cards.

As for boarding, AC agents always accept NEXUS for boarding and check in. OAL are not quite as consistent, but experienced agents are usually decent at allowing NEXUS.

eigenvector

Although I understand the desire to travel without one's passport when you travel constantly but also need to get several visas issued, the long and short of it is that there is no 100% guarantee that you will be able to successfully travel to the US and return to Canada by air with only NEXUS.

It is an airline issue and your best bet is to take Air Canada if you must attempt this.