Traveling to Canada on AS with a Nexus card but no passport
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2006
Posts: 885
Traveling to Canada on AS with a Nexus card but no passport
Does anyone have any real world experience traveling to Canada on AS with a Nexus card but without a passport? Both countries explicitly say it's fine but apparently some airlines don't know that and gate agents occasionally deny boarding.
My wife's passport just expired, she has to go to YVR on short notice and I'm hoping that AS knows the rules.
My wife's passport just expired, she has to go to YVR on short notice and I'm hoping that AS knows the rules.
#2
Technically Alaska's website only refers to verifying documents, and defers to the relevant governments for what's valid. Your wife will be at the mercy of the agents though.
If you want to avoid any problems, get a rush passport (if there's still time even for that).
Neil
If you want to avoid any problems, get a rush passport (if there's still time even for that).
Neil
#3
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: YVR
Programs: WS Nothing, AC Something, AS Gold. Too big for 737Max washrooms
Posts: 893
I fly in and out of Vancouver into/out of the US all the time and the ONLY time I have to show my passport is at the gate. Government employees are happy with the Nexus card but the airlines ask for the passport. Some agents are clueless about Nexus and some recognize it.
The rush passport seems like very good advice.
The rush passport seems like very good advice.
#4
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: YVR, HNL
Programs: AS 75k, UA peon, BA Bronze, AC E50k, Marriott Plat, HH Diamond, Fairmont Plat (RIP)
Posts: 7,817
I fly in and out of Vancouver into/out of the US all the time and the ONLY time I have to show my passport is at the gate. Government employees are happy with the Nexus card but the airlines ask for the passport. Some agents are clueless about Nexus and some recognize it.
The rush passport seems like very good advice.
The rush passport seems like very good advice.
#5
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: British Columbia
Programs: AS MVPG100K, Marriott Marriott Titanium Elite, Hilton Gold
Posts: 7,263
Does anyone have any real world experience traveling to Canada on AS with a Nexus card but without a passport? Both countries explicitly say it's fine but apparently some airlines don't know that and gate agents occasionally deny boarding.
My wife's passport just expired, she has to go to YVR on short notice and I'm hoping that AS knows the rules.
My wife's passport just expired, she has to go to YVR on short notice and I'm hoping that AS knows the rules.
Returning SEA-YLW, if Passports have not yet been verified the agents will call all passengers with outstanding verification to present themselves at the gate. Again never had success with my Nexus card.
Interestingly, the only time I am able to enter the United States via air without providing my Passport was departing YVR with US Pre-clearance. The Nexus Terminals in YVR will read a Nexus Card unlike SEA or PHX.
Great for Global Entry even if transiting the United States. Also used it successfully at land border crossings and arriving by marine.
James
#6
Join Date: May 2006
Location: TUS/PDX
Programs: WN CP/A-List, AS MVPG75K
Posts: 5,798
If your wife has any trouble getting a rush passport, she can drive across. NEXUS is good for land entry without a passport. Just hop a flight to BLI or SEA and drive.
It always makes me laugh when the agents at YVR make people show passports to get on the plane. Everyone is technically in the US.
It always makes me laugh when the agents at YVR make people show passports to get on the plane. Everyone is technically in the US.
#7
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Delta, BC
Posts: 1,645
If your wife has any trouble getting a rush passport, she can drive across. NEXUS is good for land entry without a passport. Just hop a flight to BLI or SEA and drive.
It always makes me laugh when the agents at YVR make people show passports to get on the plane. Everyone is technically in the US.
It always makes me laugh when the agents at YVR make people show passports to get on the plane. Everyone is technically in the US.
#8
Formerly known as stellertony
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: MEX
Programs: UA Gold, DL Gold, NEXUS, APEC
Posts: 1,146
Timatic, the international tool that airlines use to determine visa and passport requirements, is super clear about NEXUS. If youre worried about a rogue agent you can use the Emirates website to print out a copy: https://www.emirates.com/english/pla...uirements.aspx
I dont think Ive flown AS with just a NEXUS card, but I have flown Delta and Westjet without issue (except that I couldnt check in at a kiosk or online, both times an agent had to check me in.)
I dont think Ive flown AS with just a NEXUS card, but I have flown Delta and Westjet without issue (except that I couldnt check in at a kiosk or online, both times an agent had to check me in.)
#10
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: YVR, HNL
Programs: AS 75k, UA peon, BA Bronze, AC E50k, Marriott Plat, HH Diamond, Fairmont Plat (RIP)
Posts: 7,817
Timatic, the international tool that airlines use to determine visa and passport requirements, is super clear about NEXUS. If you’re worried about a rogue agent you can use the Emirates website to print out a copy: https://www.emirates.com/english/pla...uirements.aspx
I don’t think I’ve flown AS with just a NEXUS card, but I have flown Delta and Westjet without issue (except that I couldn’t check in at a kiosk or online, both times an agent had to check me in.)
I don’t think I’ve flown AS with just a NEXUS card, but I have flown Delta and Westjet without issue (except that I couldn’t check in at a kiosk or online, both times an agent had to check me in.)
Even the CBP and CBSA tell you to check with your airline first as they may require you to present a passport.
https://help.cbp.gov/app/answers/det...al-information
Under theWestern Hemisphere Travel Initiative(WHTI), the NEXUS card has been approved as an alternative to the passport for air travel into the United States for U.S. and Canadian citizens. However, if you are traveling without a passport we advise that you contact the airline first.
http://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/travel-vo...v-eng.html#_s1
Acceptable documents to denote identity and/or citizenship
You should carry a valid Canadian passport for all visits abroad, including visits to the United States (U.S.). A passport may be required by your airline or alternative transportation authority, as it is the only universally-accepted identification document, and it proves that you have a right to return to Canada.
No, you really aren't. 'Technically' or otherwise. You are pre-cleared for entry into the US. That's all.
#11
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2006
Posts: 885
I've looked some more and the websites for both Canada and the US are unambiguous. They say that the Nexus is acceptable without a passport.
I called AS and after researching their manual the agent read exactly the same language as on the government websites except AS only mentioned travel to three cities in Canada, one of which is YVR.
Therefore AS policy is in agreement with government regulations at least for the route that matters to us. Given that agents are asking for passports when presented with a Nexus card the question remains what will happen at the gate if she either doesn't provide one or shows one that is expired.
I called AS and after researching their manual the agent read exactly the same language as on the government websites except AS only mentioned travel to three cities in Canada, one of which is YVR.
Therefore AS policy is in agreement with government regulations at least for the route that matters to us. Given that agents are asking for passports when presented with a Nexus card the question remains what will happen at the gate if she either doesn't provide one or shows one that is expired.
#12
She will almost certainly lose the in-person battle and miss her flight. Get a rush passport if she absolutely positively have to travel by plane. This isn't the kind of thing you should go in hoping you can talk your way past the gate agent about.
Neil
Neil
#13
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: YVR, HNL
Programs: AS 75k, UA peon, BA Bronze, AC E50k, Marriott Plat, HH Diamond, Fairmont Plat (RIP)
Posts: 7,817
Agreed. She will almost certainly lose this battle at the gate. The GA's at YVR will only accept a passport. Whether that is AS' requirement, someone else's rule or no one's, if the agents at your airport feel the same, you most likely aren't going to win this in time to catch the flight. If she must travel, get the rush passport.
#14
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2006
Posts: 885
I've dug further and AS provides a tool to confirm what documents are required (https://alaskaairlines.traveldoc.aero). Here is what it says...
Passengers holding a NEXUS card may only use this document in lieu of a national passport if the passenger is travelling directly from the United States to one of the following NEXUS designated airports in Canada:
Calgary International Airport (YYC),
Edmonton International Airport (YEG),
Halifax Robert L. Stanfield International Airport (YHZ),
Montral-Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport (YUL),
Ottawa Macdonald-Cartier International Airport (YOW),
Toronto Billy Bishop City Airport (YTZ),
Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ),
Vancouver International Airport (YVR) or
Winnipeg James Armstrong Richardson International Airport (YWG).
Passengers holding a NEXUS card may use this document in lieu of a national passport, provided the passenger is travelling directly from one of the following NEXUS designated airports in Canada to the United States:
Calgary International Airport (YYC),
Edmonton International Airport (YEG),
Halifax Robert L. Stanfield International Airport (YHZ),
Montral-Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport (YUL),
Ottawa Macdonald-Cartier International Airport (YOW),
Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ),
Vancouver International Airport (YVR), or
Winnipeg James Armstrong Richardson International Airport (YWG).
Given that this information comes directly from AS website it seems reasonable that agents working these routes know both the applicable government and company rules.
Passengers holding a NEXUS card may only use this document in lieu of a national passport if the passenger is travelling directly from the United States to one of the following NEXUS designated airports in Canada:
Calgary International Airport (YYC),
Edmonton International Airport (YEG),
Halifax Robert L. Stanfield International Airport (YHZ),
Montral-Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport (YUL),
Ottawa Macdonald-Cartier International Airport (YOW),
Toronto Billy Bishop City Airport (YTZ),
Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ),
Vancouver International Airport (YVR) or
Winnipeg James Armstrong Richardson International Airport (YWG).
Passengers holding a NEXUS card may use this document in lieu of a national passport, provided the passenger is travelling directly from one of the following NEXUS designated airports in Canada to the United States:
Calgary International Airport (YYC),
Edmonton International Airport (YEG),
Halifax Robert L. Stanfield International Airport (YHZ),
Montral-Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport (YUL),
Ottawa Macdonald-Cartier International Airport (YOW),
Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ),
Vancouver International Airport (YVR), or
Winnipeg James Armstrong Richardson International Airport (YWG).
Given that this information comes directly from AS website it seems reasonable that agents working these routes know both the applicable government and company rules.
#15
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: YVR, HNL
Programs: AS 75k, UA peon, BA Bronze, AC E50k, Marriott Plat, HH Diamond, Fairmont Plat (RIP)
Posts: 7,817
I'm not disagreeing that this is the rule as well as CBP and CBSA accepting only a Nexus. I've looked this up myself in the past. I am just saying that based on my experience, and the experiences that others have posted in this thread and in the Nexus thread, some GAs (those at YVR for example) have insisted on a passport. You can argue the rule with them, show them this printout, show them the CBP, CBSA and WHTI sites etc. and you will likely win eventually as you are correct. But will you make the flight you are wanting to board? If I had no pressing need to fly on that flight, I would try it. If I had to fly, I would take the safe route and renew my passport. You may not - and really shouldn't because of WHTI - have any problem whatsoever, which is how it should be. But on the flip side, if you do run into a GA who wants a passport, can you afford to miss the flight while you argue your case?