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Why not Nexus for expedited entry? Looks less expensive

What am I missing here? Nexus is only $50, allows expedited entry, and has all the benefits of TSA pre-check. There must be a drawback that I'm not getting. Could someone fill me in because I'd go with the Nexus $50 price tag over the $100 and up of the others any day. And thank you to the person who posted the link to the comparison chart of the four programs.
And Happy Thanksgiving.

Posted by
9363 posts

If I'm not mistaken, Nexus is only expedited entry between the US and Canada.

Posted by
8378 posts

What Nancy said. Its a substitute for a passport for travel across the US/Canada border. You won't find kiosks anywhere else.

Posted by
8261 posts

Sorry, there is some serious misinformation going on here on the website. I know the posters means well, but they really should double check facts before posting. Nexus has quite a few features.

Nexus is designed for expedited entry along the Canada and US border, but has additional features as well.

First, it qualifies you for TSA pre-check approximately 90% of the time. It isn't 100% because TSA still does random checks periodically.

It also qualifies you to use global entry kiosks at any airport that has them. There is an option of having a retinal scan done when you go for your interview for the Nexus card that makes the time at the kiosk quite fast. My sister has used these very effectively for quick entry back into the country.

Posted by
8261 posts

A person with a Nexus card already has a passport. These are linked and examined during the interview for the nexus card. It is true that when crossing the US Canada border one only has to show the Nexus card and does not need to show their passport.

The special Nexus lanes at the border are a real advantage for a quick border crossing when driving. The disadvantage is if you have even one person in the car that does not have a NEXUS card, into the regular lanes you go......

Posted by
8261 posts

Phil, I have never been asked for anything other than my NEXUS card. I usually cross between Washington and Canada. Where do you cross the border?

Posted by
17649 posts

Sounds to me that Nexus is intended for travel between US and Canada only.

The NEXUS program allows pre-screened travelers expedited processing
by United States and Canadian officials at dedicated processing lanes
at designated northern border ports of entry, at NEXUS (CA Entry) and
Global Entry (US Entry) kiosks at Canadian Preclearance airports, and
at marine reporting locations. Approved applicants are issued a
photo-identification, proximity Radio Frequency Identification (RFID)
card. Participants use the three modes of passage where they will
either present their NEXUS card, have their iris scanned, or present a
WHTI and make a declaration.

Posted by
8261 posts

Here is a quote from the homeland security website:

All NEXUS members can enjoy the benefits of Global Entry at no additional cost through using the automated kiosks for entry at participating airports. NEXUS members will need to check their status in their Global Online Enrollment System account, as they may need to submit their 10-fingerprints or any other necessary documentation in order to receive Global Entry benefits. (GOES)

Posted by
17649 posts

If nexus works the same as Global Entry that's great. We have it and when traveling with nothing but carry-on it saves a lot of time.

So, someone here has used nexus to clear immigration in Dallas after arriving from Paris?

Posted by
10123 posts

I understand now. It's set up as a US-Canada service, but if you are flying in from a third country and need to go through passport control, it will work for you in this circumstance. But for someone who doesn't cross the US-Canadian border regularly, the other services are easier to obtain, even if they cost more. Got it now. Thanks everyone.

Posted by
17649 posts

We've used Global Entry about two dozen times now at a handful of airports. Like I indicated its great if all you have is carry on. When we have checked luggage more often than not those going through the standard lines have caught up with us before the luggage arrived. On about half of those occasions we have gain made up time by skipping the long customs line. I guess on average we saved maybe 15 minutes at check-in and maybe another 15 minutes at customs with checked luggage and maybe a total of 45 minutes when we just had carry on.

On one occasion the customs line stretched on forever and the GOES line was empty so we walked past maybe a hundred people who were annoyed to see us go by to say the least. We were actually heckled by quite a few. For GOES your police record has to be pretty near perfect.

We only saw problems at a customs check the one time at IAH. I don't know what the hold up was, there were literally hundreds of people lined up trying to get out. Don't know why as we took a line marked GOES got through in seconds and never looked back.

Posted by
9363 posts

I have never, in all of my travels, encountered a "long customs line". A long immigration/passport control line, maybe, but never customs.

Posted by
8378 posts

I'll admit if I am wrong, but this is what I saw on CBP website: "Under the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative, the NEXUS card has been approved as an alternative to the passport for air, land, and sea travel into the United States for US and Canadian citizens." When I was researching GE and TSA-Pre, I saw nothing about Nexus having same privileges as Global Entry. So if it works that way, great. If getting the Nexus card gives you a Known Traveler Number, that you then provide to your frequent flier airlines, I can see how that would enable you to qualify for Pre.

Posted by
13809 posts

This is an interesting discussion. Money aside, it would be easier for me to get Nexus as there is an application center which is about a 2 hr drive away for me. The closest global entry interview centers are Seattle or SLC, so would have to be done on a layover or by making a specific trip there for an interview.

I have on occasion gotten TSA precheck in the last year. It doesn't make a big difference at my usual departure airport as there is only one line for security, but I can leave my shoes on which is nice.

I also ran in to a long customs line (not immigration, had been thru there and were exiting the international arrival area) in MSP a year ago. There was one guy on the desk and a whole plane load getting backed up. They finally added another. Even the flight crew was stuck in line.

Posted by
9363 posts

Interesting. This was a line where they asked if you had anything to declare? Usually you just walk out the "nothing to declare" door. At ORD you go through immigration, get your bag, then go through a final passport check, then you're out. But neither check is "customs".

Posted by
108 posts

I have a NEXUS card and it does indeed allow me to use the Global Entry kiosks at US airports when I fly through them.

NEXUS is a U.S.-Canada program and you actually get approved by both U.S. CBP and Canadian CBSA, so you also get benefits going in to Canada, too. However, as others have pointed out, the NEXUS enrollment centers are only in Canada and near the Canadian border in the U.S., so that doesn't work so well if you're not near that area often. Also, for a long time, NEXUS has had a very long wait for appointment times. Not sure if Global Entry appointment times are as backed up.

Posted by
13809 posts

Yes, it was at the Nothing to Declare lane. The Yes, I have something to Declare area had about 5 customs agents at their stations with no one even in line for them.