nomiiiii

Given that alaska's website itself says its okay, i would personally book the earlier flight in the day to YVR, expecting to not be able to catch it as I argue with the agent, and eventually getting put on the later flight after escalating.

Plus get the flight cost refunded with some miles thrown in for being involuntarily denied boarding despite having the documents listed on alaskaair website.

jiburi

Am a US resident with NEXUS and Passport. At entry into Canada, NEXUS automated machines were inoperative in YVR. I had to see the regular agent. When I presented my NEXUS card, the agent asked instead for my passport. Not knowing why, I presented my passport, of which I carried just in case.

I don't know how it would have been dealt had I not carried it, but I too would suggest you carry it.

Jiburi

CalanMan

I wouldn't take this as gospel. alaskaairlines.traveldoc.aero is not an AAG/AS website, it's a third party (the domain is traveldoc.aero), which claims to be "A preferred provider of Alaska Airlines," with a logo from two brand refreshes ago.

In their terms and conditions, which you have to accept to get information from them, they state "Neither we nor any third parties provide any warranty or guarantee as to the accuracy, timeliness, performance, completeness or suitability of the information and materials found or offered on this website for any particular purpose. You acknowledge that such information and materials may contain inaccuracies or errors..."

Referencing a source that isn't the airline itself, which also doesn't guarantee its own information, isn't going sway any airline employee or government agent.

swingaling

Technically, you need a passport in the event of a secondary inspection from airport staff.

In the United States, a trusted traveler card, such as NEXUS, is a valid secured document under the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative and may be used by itself to reenter the United States from Canada, including by air. Although the card creates a presumption of nationality, neither US nor Canadian law views the NEXUS card as full proof of citizenship. NEXUS cards issued after September 2010 are accepted as proof of citizenship (if the card holder is a citizen of either country), and the traveler is no longer required to carry the passport if traveling by land only. However, airport documentation checks can and do require presentation of a passport in addition to the NEXUS card in the event of a secondary inspection.

Mehdron

The UA agents checking me in at SEA for a AC flight SEA-YYZ were able to force their systems to check me in with just a Nexus card in September, but they told me that in January the systems will change to require a passport. YMMV.

missamo80

That's not Alaska's website, that's a 3rd party website with Alaska's logo slapped on it. Chances are that site reports what the government requires, not what Alaska's gate agent might tell you is required.

You keep coming back and hoping for a different answer and keep getting told the same thing: you fly with only a NEXUS card at your peril, and stand a very good chance of getting into a long debate at the gate and missing the flight.

Neil

PV_Premier

is getting a new passport more inconvenient that flying to BLI and driving to YVR? because with a Nexus card, you're going to very likely end up in the latter situation based on all the feedback you got here. it might also end up being expensive.

Flying for Fun

Driving SEA-BLI is only 90 minutes, If north of Seattle even shorter. To fly the 92 miles and rent a car (even if the rental company allows international use into Canada) would be very expensive. As of late SEA-BLI flights are expensive too compared to the gold old $89 BLI-LAS non-stop fares we used to get. Looking at a one-way for this Friday SEA-YVR is $179, SEA-BLI is $182. Personally, I would just drive.

sbedelman

Could you tell me where you found this information about a secondary inspection requiring a passport. I can't find any mention of that either in the documents from Canadian or US authorities or from AS itself. Thanks.

sbedelman

I went to that website because the AS agent I spoke to called the company's international desk and they told him to tell me that what is on that site is what I should go by. The agent then read from AS online guide for agents and it had exactly the same wording.

I'm not trying to get a different answer from anyone. I'm only trying to find out what people's experiences have been. I now know that people are being asked for passports. That's very useful. I've brought this Alaska's attention and asked that they look into the matter. Hopefully they'll take care of the situation.

Often1

This thread is a good example of how poor information gets spread around:

1. OP came here with a question and has heard from an array of people that the AS GA will most likely require a passport.

2. OP has also been told that any Passport Agency can issue a passport for as soon as same day travel if need be. Travel soon is easy.

3. Someone else says that it's laughable that people go through this because they are "technically" in the US at Pre-Clearance. That is absolute rubbish and for some people, dangerous rubbish.

4. If OP's wife is denied boarding for improper docs, that is not IDB. The assertion that it is IDB is also rubbish, suggesting that it's a good idea to read the DOT rule before posting about it.

That leaves OP with the choice of taking the advice of people who know what is likely to happen or having his wife get in a fight at the gate and be denied boarding. Maybe or maybe not.

This is all about risk tolerance. Me? I'd get the passport.

sbedelman

I must have missed it. Who asserted that if someone is denied boarding because they attempted to travel to Canada with a Nexus card in lieu of a passport that it would be an IDB?

xobile

As all NEXUS cards in or before 2010 have expired or been renewed, wouldn't all current nexus cards be considered valid proof of citizenship for purpose of US Canada travel?

SamuelS

No.

I have Nexus, but am only a Permanent Resident, not a citizen.

Expecting AS sub-contracted minimum wage handling agent staff in Canada to differentiate between who has a Nexus card and is a citizen and whom is a resident and who needs a passport and who doesn't is a long shot.

eponymous_coward