Last time I decided to use Global Entry instead of Nexus at YUL (for... fun?), the machine didn't recognize my fingerprints, and sent me to secondary, where a few fairly confused agents stared at computer screens for ten minutes before sending me along my merry way.

I'll stick to the iris scans while I'm able...

When did you apply ?

The GE advantage is you don't need to fill out the paper declaration form. And if you are bringing "food" the GE machine asks more precise questions thus avoiding having to say yes unless you have meat or fruits (as asked on screen).

I am confused about fees - Nexus is $50 or GE is $100? So, if I apply for either, does one pay for the additional fees, for the "second" application?

If you get GE first, then Nexus you pay both.

If you get Nexus first, you automatically get GE at the same time and only pay the Nexus fee.

Had interview, was told i was approved, no official letter
 

I went to yyz with the family for an interview this past Saturday am. We were all told we were approved. But the rest of the family got the approval letter posted; while i got nothing. The system to check fingerprints kept going down (i had to have mine redone while i was there)...but then was told everything was fine. I have left a message on the yyz office #. Any other suggestions?

Do you get an email notification if the status on the website changes. I applied May 1. I checked today for the first time since and it says "Pending review" (I didn't expect it to say anything else). Just wondering if I am suppose to keep on checking or the system is smart enough to send you a notification once the status changes.

yes -- you should receive an email any time there is a status change

Whooops so I better check my BB every now and then as I am expecting that e-mail any minute.

Renewal application on March 7, approved today with no interview required.

March 16th or so

IIRC, I think the emails are not instant, but are batched and sent, perhaps once a day, at whatever time, to everyone who has been conditionally approved since the last one. So you could theoretically log in and find a conditional approval prior to actually getting the email. They will also send you an email every few days after that if you have not yet scheduled an interview.

Saw a sign in YYZ Nexus yesterday about new cards being sent out with new biometric features. Didn't read the whole thing, but it looks like August. ANyone know what this is about?

New cards again? Really? It took forever for TSA to recognise the current ones.

Here we go: applied on March 17 ( new Nexus application ) and just received on my BB the e-mail of status change. Went online and got conditionally approved and here I am going into the second step: scheduling an appointment :(