Why NEXUS is worth every penny

It’s a trusted traveller card that helps you flow through security faster. But is NEXUS still worth the time and effort?

Yes, it takes a while to get approval to the program, and you must comply to terms or risk the pass being confiscated, but in my humble opinion, NEXUS is still worth every penny.

1. It’s $50/five years

You read that right… NEXUS is only $50 for five years. For $10 a year, you can bypass long lines and be on your way.

For comparison, it is $100 for Global Entry and $85 for TSA Precheck, both for five years.

2. It’s great for carry-on travellers

If you’re a business traveller and only fly with a carry-on, NEXUS will save you time. On arrival, once you clear immigration (via NEXUS kiosks), you simply hand the receipt to the customs officer at the exit.

If you do travel with checked luggage, you’ll still need to wait for your bags to spit out, so chances are, non-NEXUS users will still catch up with you.

3. Handy if you drive across the border

There are special NEXUS lanes at land borders where drivers hold out membership cards in front of an RFID reader, then an officer will ask some questions and wave you past.

4. It’s not just for the U.S.

Contrary to popular belief, it’s not just for travel to/from the United States. NEXUS is great for travellers returning to Canada as it enables international flyers to clear immigration through kiosks.

Best part, you’ll no longer need to fill out those customs cards on the plane!

5. Business travellers can beat the rush

If you’ve gone through the airport around 7 or 8 a.m., especially at Toronto-Pearson, you know how busy and backed up the rush can be. The lines snake through pre-clearance, and NEXUS enables access to TSA Pre-check in participating U.S. and Canadian U.S. pre-clearance airports.

Simply scan your passport, answer the prompts, hand your receipt to an officer, and you’re on the way.

Do you have a NEXUS card? What’s your experience been like? Add your comments below.