I haven’t seen this posted elsewhere, to the extent that I don’t read every other blog on the planet.  I received an email this morning from the NEXUS program informing me of some changes that are rolling out at Canadian airports.  The big change is that you will now be required to insert your card into the kiosk.  While this seems minor, it was previously not necessary, and therefore also not entirely necessary to carry your NEXUS card with you at all.  You would scan your passport, look into the mirror for your iris scan, and be on your way.  Those steps still exist, but will be preceded by the act of inserting your NEXUS card into the machine.

For those that might be unaware, and this might also be worth its own post, NEXUS is a trusted traveler program administered jointly between the United States and Canada.  NEXUS participation allows you to fast track into Canada or the U.S. at land crossings and airports.  It’s very similar to Global Entry – in fact, NEXUS enrollment will generally give you access to Global Entry transit kiosks as well – but with the added benefit of also working for entry into Canada.  Global Entry expedites U.S. entry only.

Some reasons to choose NEXUS over Global Entry:

• As mentioned, streamlined customs clearance into Canada and the U.S.
• Lower cost:  Global Entry is $100 per person, while NEXUS is $50 for adults and free for minors

There are downsides:

• To be eligible for airport entry, you must complete an iris scan, which means you must interview or otherwise attend an appointment at a Canadian enrollment center equipped with a scanner – this will generally mean an airport, but some land crossings have these as well
• Global Entry is reimbursed by a number of credit cards.  In fact, it used to be that NEXUS was as well on American Express Platinum cards – any charge by the GOES system used to administer the programs was automatically credited up to $100; that’s changed, and now only GE and Pre-Check are explicitly eligible

Still, if you are a traveling family, NEXUS comes out on top for cost :$100 total for 2 adults, free kids, versus $200 for 2 adults + $100 per child with GE.  For transit benefits, it’s better as well, but only if you can conveniently interview at a Canadian airport.  Contrasted with Global Entry, where you can interview at most major U.S. airports, it’s a bit less convenient.

For your convenience, here are the important parts to the changes, from the email I received:

“Dear NEXUS Member,

The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) is beginning to replace kiosks with new “next generation” kiosks to provide faster, more reliable and more efficient service in the air mode.

The installation of the new kiosks begins with Macdonald-Cartier International Airport in Ottawa and will be phasing in to the rest of the Canadian airports that offer NEXUS by late October/early November.

The way you interact with the new kiosk has changed. Namely, you will now be required to insert your NEXUS membership card into the kiosk card reader.

For your reference, please refer to the following instructions when using the new kiosk:

1. Please have your NEXUS card ready;
2. Select language of choice before inserting your NEXUS card into the document reader;
3. When prompted, insert your NEXUS card into the document reader;
4. Ensure the card is face up (picture side) and fully inserted into the reader;
5. Leave the card in the reader until instructed to remove it;
6. You will receive audio instructions advising you to look into the mirror;
7. You will use the arrows located on the mirrors to adjust to ensure that you see both eyes;
8. Look into the mirror, moving slightly forward or backward until you see the circle centered between your eyes change from orange to green; and
9. Follow the instructions on the screen and answer the questions on the monitor.

We encourage you to visit the NEXUS website http://www.nexus.gc.ca for future updates.

We thank you for your continued participation in the NEXUS program and encourage you to share your experience using the new kiosks so that we are better positioned to facilitate your travel.”

Don’t forget your NEXUS card when transiting Canada!  And if you hadn’t heard about the program before, consider it if you’re planning international travel.  Small children are eligible as well, even if they can’t complete the iris scan.  I’ll write about that separately.