Flying out of BUF and crossing with Nexus

[marisabuzz]

We are Nexus newbies! We received our cards in June and have crossed into the Buf/NF area twice. We found out the hard way that there are NO nexus lanes open at Queenston/Lewiston on weekends (GRRR) and that Whirlpool is not open 24 hours a day.

We are flying to MCO soon and I was just wondering do we need our passports for our trip? I'm thinking we don't need them because we should be fine using our Nexus cards at the border crossing and as ID at the airport. Is that right to assume? I hope it is because that means one less thing to have to carry and worry about.

 

[SaraMc]

According to the government website, you have to carry it with you as you may be asked to provide it at time of inspection.

 

[marisabuzz]

Do you have a link that says that?

Should have done this before posting but I googled "Nexus passport required" and I'm still confused.

This says yes I don't need a passport. It is only required if you are a resident (but not a citizen?) of either country. http://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/prog/nexus/faq-eng.html

Wiki says you don't need a passport if the card was issued after September 2010. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/NEXUS_(frequent_traveler_program)

I can't recall if that's what the people at the interview mentioned.

What does everyone do? Do you bring passports anyway?

 

[JennyT1]

I think officially you don't need your passport. Dh and I argue over this every time I hand him nexus and passports at buf. But 75% of the time the guard asks for my passport. So we always carry both though this time I plan on asking and just offering nexus to see what happens. We leave today so I'll post back.

 

[marisabuzz]

K can't wait to hear the outcome! Hope you have fun!! We leave in a few days.

The TSA site I believe states that you need just a provincial drivers license to get through security at the airport and at the land crossings we just use our nexus cards. So that's why I don't think we need passports.

 

[scrappinginontario]

Since getting our Nexus cards 3 years ago we have stopped carrying our passports unless going on a Disney cruise.

 

[Muskrat191]

When we got our Nexus, we were told we didn't need our passports for Canada-US-Canada trips unless you have a Visa or something in your passport. We don't carry them for the rest of the family when cross by car (we live near Niagara Falls on the Canadian side), but I carry mine due to the work Visa that I have. Once you are at BUF, it is a domestic flight to MCO, so anything on the TSA list of identification is fine.

When the Whirlpool bridge is open, I've never had more than 4-5 cars in front of me. For early morning flights (before the Whirlpool is open), we cross at Fort Erie, and haven't come across any traffic at 5am or so. I haven't crossed at Queenston/Lewiston in years, so I don't have any info about that bridge. Nexus is sometimes closed at the Rainbow Bridge, but I haven't bothered to figure out the hours (since we typically cross at the Whirlpool bridge).

 

[AngelDisney]

I used my Nexus card when checked in online but still was asked to show my passport. Now I always carry both just in case. If I travel to other countries, I can still use my Nexus card for my arrival back to Toronto.

 

[marisabuzz]

I used my Nexus card when checked in online but still was asked to show my passport. Now I always carry both just in case. If I travel to other countries, I can still use my Nexus card for my arrival back to Toronto.

Did they ask for your passport at the airport or at the border?

 

[AngelDisney]

Did they ask for your passport at the airport or at the border?

At the airport, I was asked to show my passport at the counter when I dropped off my baggage though I had used my Nexus info for online check-in. For road trips crossing the border, I have never been asked to show my passport. I just show my Nexus card.

Hope this helps!