My family of three (two parents and a 6-year-old) were denied boarding at the gate an Air Canada flight from LAX to Vancouver. All three of us are US Citizens with Nexus cards; the two adults have passports as well. We went over everything and presented our Nexus card information in online check in and at the ticket counter, and checked our luggage. Thee were no problems identified at the ticket counter.

When we attempted to board the plane, the gate agent refused to accept our daughter's Nexus card without a passport. She claimed that Canada would not allow us in. They removed our luggage and refused us transport.

We ended up having to book all new flights to Seattle and then drive from Seattle across the land crossing at Interstate 5. THe Canadian border agent at the land crossing accepted our daughter's Nexus card; and when we asked about being denied air travel, told us that both Canada and USA allow air travel with just a Nexus card. We have checked that with both Canadian and US authority websites and confirmed that. Air Canada's own policy is that at the gate, a Nexus card is sufficient for identification to travel between the US and Canada, though they "encourage" bringing a passport.

My question is: What is my recourse for having my family denied boarding to our flight, which basically wrecked our day and resulted in new tickets on another airline, rental car to drive from Seattle to canada, hours and hours of lost time, and considerable distress? Thanks!!