Nexus Card - which number to use?
 

I asked the Canadian official at the YOW nexus office last week Friday - she stated it was the number at the top left hand corner of the card.

I asked the AC check-in agent - she stated it was the bottom right hand number at the bottom of the card.

So which number is the one we use?

I don't enter my NEXUS number into AC because of issues with online check in but your NEXUS number is the PASS ID number. I usually enter my passport online and then use it at GE machines... No issues yet...

It is fine to enter it AT OLCI, just not before.
I enter the PASS ID number.

Is the PASS ID number the bottom right hand number?

I entered the top left hand number (what number does this represent?) at OLCI - perhaps that was the reason for the problem at US preclearance after making my entries into the YOW transborder US preclearance GE machine? Or, should I enter the passport number at OLCI, which means that I have to show the passport (or can I still show the nexus card) when I see the check-in agent (for the baggage drop - I do not like to use the baggage drop lane per se) or show my photo id to the gate agent, as I am boarding?

PASS ID is the number on the left (at the back of the card). It doesn't matter what you enter at OLCI - you can show passport or NEXUS. I usually show passport as that is the more accepted easier option.

The lettering PASSID is directly above the number in smaller font

As in:

PASSID/Numéro d'identification
999999999 XX999

I do not input an ID when I buy the ticket: neither passport nor NEXUS, just AE number.
When I OLCI, I input NEXUS.
When I arrive at GE machine, I put the NEXUS card in it, with the data lines in the same position and orientation they are when the passport is inserted.
The GE machine spits out the ticket. I hand it to the officer dude.
I keep the NEXUS handy to access the quick lanes then put it away.
At the boarding gate, I show the NEXUS as photo ID also. Has always worked in Canada and US for that purpose.
I keep the passport in the purse as much as possible, to avoid it becoming crumpled and beaten up, since having read about a certain other Canadian airline refusing to board passengers with beaten-up passports.
However, on some but not all occasions, the desk agent who takes my checked bag has wanted to see the passport, not the NEXUS.

We're talking about US bound flights though :p

Ugh. So I had done OLCI on Monday, but I wasn't able to print my boarding pass. So at YYZ, I went to the kiosk. It said I could insert my passport or NEXUS card, so I chose NEXUS. It couldn't read it. Twice. Then it sent me to an agent.

She said she absolutely needed my passport. So I rifled through my bag to pull it out, then she said "oh wait this is working, I don't need it" after I'd finally pulled it out :rolleyes:

GE machine read the card fine. I got sent to secondary, because I was being cautious with chocolate==dairy. They waved me through fast enough that I bet I saved time versus getting the exit line with all the other passengers :p

Into the NEXUS security line, the x-ray saw a knife at the bottom of my bag. So they dumped it all out, and couldn't find anything (hint: there was no knife).

Bad day for secondary inspections :p

I was glad the MLL was just around the corner from there ;)

I'm sure somewhere in this massive thread, there is a simple answer to this, but I couldn't find it.

I had an email today from DHS, stating: "Your Trusted Traveler membership will be expiring soon. If you wish to renew your membership, you will need to log onto the GOES website at https://goes-app.cbp.dhs.gov/main/goes to submit your renewal application."

My card expires in April 2014. Is this early notice normal?

Question 2:

So I signed in and go through questions for renewal ; it leads to this. I am already approved for GE and now use this always entering into the US. Does this "You are not eligible" mean something, or is it a computer hiccup?
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Based on the citizenship or permanent residence country you selected, you are eligible to apply for the following programs:

NEXUS (NEXUS program information)

SENTRI (SENTRI program information)


You are not eligible to apply for the following programs:

Global Entry (Global Entry program information)

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Question 3. If I submit the renewal request now, will it screw up my use of Nexus / GE before April 2014?

Any insight is helpful.

I flew to the US two weeks back and the Nexus screeners at YYZ kindly allowed me to keep my shoes on.

1) Based on past posts, renewal notices (emails) are sent out six months before your Nexus expires.
2) Dont know the answer but best guess is that it is a glitch since applying for Nexus gives you GE anyway.
3) Applying for renewal will not screw up anything.
If in doubt call one of of the centers. I found they respond the same day after leaving a voice mail. However not sure if the current US govt issues will affect this as it applies to non critical staff. Nexus is processed by CBP which comes under 'critical'.

Obtaining NEXUS allows the acquisition of GE for no additional charge, but GE requires a separate approval and is a separate program. Probably 99.99% of people who have NEXUS have GE but I would imagine theoretically it is possible not to have GE if not applied for, the CBP interview did not happen, etc. Under the current circumstances, I think it sounds like a database glitch and perhaps furloughed IT people.

I would apply asap as renewal application should not affect the remaining eligibility and it seems times are stretching a little.

I read that federal workers who do work that generates revenue are also being kept on - and that is what is keeping passport offices running, not the fact that it is critical. Hard to tell as both explanations have the same effect.

Thanks for the anwers, folks. Note I already have GE and always use it.

I'll apply for renewal in early November and report back.

Data Point - Person 1
Applied August 26th (Noonish)
Conditional Approval - October 15
Interview Booked - Oct 29 (YHZ)

Data Point - Person 2
Applied August 26th (Evening)
Conditional Approval - October 16
Interview Booked - Oct 29 (YHZ)

Do you enter both components of the PASSID, or just the first part (before the XX999). I just entered the first part.