Traveling to Canada on AS with a Nexus card but no passport
#32
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: PDX
Programs: AS (MVP), UA (silver), AA, DL, Hilton (Gold)
Posts: 231
"Under the Western 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. You will also not be able to use the Global Entry kiosk upon entering the U.S."
https://help.cbp.gov/app/answers/det...al-information
https://help.cbp.gov/app/answers/det...al-information
#33
Join Date: Nov 2009
Posts: 103
"Under the Western 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. You will also not be able to use the Global Entry kiosk upon entering the U.S."
https://help.cbp.gov/app/answers/det...al-information
https://help.cbp.gov/app/answers/det...al-information
Another data point on this. I was flying w/Canadian traveler, traveling with Nexus card from SEA-YLW. AS agent would not check-in without a passport. The agent cited - TravelDoc- ICTS Europe Systems - as the reason for not checking-in. I thought a call to the 75k reservation line might help (i am 75k), phone agent told me nexus was only valid for land travel, not for air
I was very surprised at the unfamiliarity with the Nexus program.
#34
If they were flying to Kelowna then the agent was correct, that page clearly lists the airports you can use your NEXUS card for travel to/from and Kelowna isn't one of them. Looks like it's only valid for Canadian airports with US pre-clearance facilities.
Neil
Neil
#35
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: PDX
Programs: AS (MVP), UA (silver), AA, DL, Hilton (Gold)
Posts: 231
Coming back to this my quote from CBP talks about entering the US. Would need to find the documentation for what you need to enter Canada.
I really think the prudent measure is to travel with a passport.
I really think the prudent measure is to travel with a passport.
#36
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: home = LAX
Posts: 25,933
Also, the NEXUS card is linked to a passport and its expiration date. You are supposed to update your NEXUS info online whenever you renew your passport.
So even if a NEXUS card linked to a valid passport may work for someone in a given situation, that doesn't necessarily mean that a NEXUS card linked to an expired passport would necessarily work in the same situation, especially if the card is scanned rather than just looked at.
So even if a NEXUS card linked to a valid passport may work for someone in a given situation, that doesn't necessarily mean that a NEXUS card linked to an expired passport would necessarily work in the same situation, especially if the card is scanned rather than just looked at.
#37
Join Date: Nov 2009
Posts: 103
https://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/prog/nexus/faq-eng.html
#38
All of that is true. You can use it as proof of identification when entering. That's entirely different from whether airlines can and should accept it as a substitute for a passport.
Neil
Neil
#39
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Portland, OR
Programs: AS 75K, UA Plt
Posts: 226
Also, the NEXUS card is linked to a passport and its expiration date. You are supposed to update your NEXUS info online whenever you renew your passport.
So even if a NEXUS card linked to a valid passport may work for someone in a given situation, that doesn't necessarily mean that a NEXUS card linked to an expired passport would necessarily work in the same situation, especially if the card is scanned rather than just looked at.
So even if a NEXUS card linked to a valid passport may work for someone in a given situation, that doesn't necessarily mean that a NEXUS card linked to an expired passport would necessarily work in the same situation, especially if the card is scanned rather than just looked at.
#40
Join Date: Nov 2009
Posts: 103
My confusion was AS policy...is the policy, okay to use Nexus when traveling to US and select Canadian airports (on the "list"), otherwise, need a passport?
#41
Join Date: Nov 2009
Posts: 103
My confusion was AS policy...is the policy, okay to use Nexus when traveling to US and select Canadian airports (on the "list"), otherwise, need a passport? My issue is with the website (traveldocs), it is not correct to stay you can only use your nexus in lieu of passport at Nexus designated airports, that is not true. It seems the AS policy is based on an incorrect statement from a third-party website, no?
#42
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Portland, OR
Programs: AS 75K, UA Plt
Posts: 226
My confusion was AS policy...is the policy, okay to use Nexus when traveling to US and select Canadian airports (on the "list"), otherwise, need a passport? My issue is with the website (traveldocs), it is not correct to stay you can only use your nexus in lieu of passport at Nexus designated airports, that is not true. It seems the AS policy is based on an incorrect statement from a third-party website, no?
Also when traveling in countries other than Canada and Mexico then I don't even try to use Nexus.
#43
Join Date: Nov 2009
Posts: 103
For air travel I only use Nexus when going through security with TSA or the Canadian equivalent. For all airline activities - online cfheckin, airport checkin and boarding I use passport. I tried Nexus a few times for boarding AS both in Canada and in the US flying to Canada and all I got was a blank look. I think you have to accept that Nexus is a pretty small program and expecting airline personnel to recognize it is a bit much.
Also when traveling in countries other than Canada and Mexico then I don't even try to use Nexus.
Also when traveling in countries other than Canada and Mexico then I don't even try to use Nexus.
When you are traveling across international borders, customs and immigration will require that you provide proof of citizenship. This proof can vary, as each country has its own requirements for entry. In order to get through the check-in and security process quickly and easily, please make sure that the name on your travel documents matches the name on your ticket.
#44
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Portland, OR
Programs: AS 75K, UA Plt
Posts: 226
Aiming higher here, what is the actual AS policy? and does it seem strange they would write a policy based on incorrect information?
When you are traveling across international borders, customs and immigration will require that you provide proof of citizenship. This proof can vary, as each country has its own requirements for entry. In order to get through the check-in and security process quickly and easily, please make sure that the name on your travel documents matches the name on your ticket.
When you are traveling across international borders, customs and immigration will require that you provide proof of citizenship. This proof can vary, as each country has its own requirements for entry. In order to get through the check-in and security process quickly and easily, please make sure that the name on your travel documents matches the name on your ticket.
#45
Join Date: Nov 2009
Posts: 103
I think you are going down a rabbit hole here...just do what works, passport for airline stuff and Nexus for security stuff, and don't expect AS (or any airline) to train all their employees on Nexus. It's a niche program. One big problem for airlines with Nexus is without scanning they don't know if it links to a valid passport and they could be breaking the law.