"What is the NEXUS card in Canada?"

"NEXUS is a joint Canada–United States trusted traveller programme that allows pre-approved, low-risk travellers to cross the Canada–US border more quickly. NEXUS members can use dedicated lanes at land border crossings and expedited processing at most Canadian and US airports. The application fee is $50 USD and membership lasts five years. NEXUS is issued by the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) and US Customs and Border Protection (CBP)."

"Does the NEXUS card also include TSA PreCheck?"

"Yes. NEXUS membership includes TSA PreCheck eligibility in the United States at no additional cost. NEXUS members can use TSA PreCheck lanes at US airports by entering their NEXUS Known Traveller Number (KTN) when booking flights. This effectively makes NEXUS more valuable than a standalone TSA PreCheck membership ($85 USD for five years) — you get both the Canada–US border expediting and US airport security fast lanes for $50 USD."

"How do I get reimbursed for NEXUS through my credit card?"

"Pay the NEXUS application fee with your eligible credit card. The reimbursement typically appears automatically as a statement credit within a few billing cycles — no manual claim is usually required. However, some cards require you to submit the charge through a benefits portal or call customer service. Check your card's Certificate of Benefits for the exact process. The reimbursement counts against your annual travel credit, if the card has one."

"Is NEXUS worth it for Canadians who travel to the US?"

"Yes, for Canadians who cross into the US frequently — whether by air, land, or sea. NEXUS gives you dedicated lanes at major land crossings (Peace Bridge, Rainbow Bridge, Ambassador Bridge, etc.), expedited processing at Canadian airport preclearance facilities, and TSA PreCheck in the US. At $50 USD for five years ($10/year), and with many premium Canadian cards reimbursing the fee entirely, NEXUS is among the best value travel programmes available to Canadians."

NEXUS Card Canada: Which Credit Cards Reimburse the Fee? (2026)

Q: "Which Canadian credit cards reimburse the NEXUS fee?"

"Several premium Canadian credit cards offer a travel credit that covers the NEXUS application fee (USD $50, approximately CAD $68–$70). Cards that typically include NEXUS reimbursement include the American Express Platinum Card ($799/year), the TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Privilege ($599/year), and the CIBC Aeroplan Visa Infinite Privilege ($599/year). The reimbursement is usually part of a broader annual travel credit. Verify current benefits at each issuer's website."

The NEXUS card is a jointly administered Canada–US trusted traveller programme that lets pre-approved members cross the border faster at land ports and airports. For frequent Canada–US travellers, NEXUS is one of the highest-value travel benefits available — and several premium Canadian credit cards reimburse the $50 USD application fee in full.

What Is the NEXUS Card?

NEXUS is administered jointly by the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) and US Customs and Border Protection (CBP). It is distinct from Global Entry (US-only) and FAST (commercial drivers).

NEXUS benefits:

Land border: Dedicated NEXUS lanes at major Canada–US crossings — significantly shorter wait times
Air travel (Canada → US): Expedited processing at US preclearance facilities inside Canadian airports (YYZ, YVR, YUL, YYC, YEG, others)
Air travel (US → Canada): Self-service kiosks at participating Canadian airports
TSA PreCheck: Full TSA PreCheck eligibility at US airports (enter your Known Traveller Number when booking)
Marine: Dedicated NEXUS lanes at select marine ports of entry

Cost: $50 USD per person, valid for five years ($10 USD/year)

Application: Apply online at the Government of Canada website, complete an in-person interview at a NEXUS enrolment centre, and pass background screening by both countries.

Which Canadian Credit Cards Reimburse the NEXUS Fee?

The NEXUS application fee ($50 USD ≈ $68–$70 CAD at current exchange rates) is reimbursed by several Canadian premium credit cards, typically as part of an annual travel credit.

Card	Annual Fee	NEXUS/Travel Credit	How Reimbursement Works
Amex Platinum Card	$799	$200 annual travel credit	Charge NEXUS fee to card; credit appears automatically
TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Privilege	$599	Travel credit includes NEXUS	Charge to card; credit applied to statement
CIBC Aeroplan Visa Infinite Privilege	$599	Travel credit includes NEXUS	Charge to card; verify with CIBC
RBC Avion Visa Infinite Privilege	$399	Travel credit	Verify current terms at rbc.com
National Bank World Elite Mastercard	$150	Up to $150 travel credit	Charge to card; covers NEXUS and other travel fees

Benefits are subject to change. Always verify current terms at the issuer’s website before applying or making assumptions about coverage.

Amex Platinum: Best All-Round NEXUS + Travel Card

The American Express Platinum Card ($799/year) includes a $200 annual travel credit that covers eligible travel purchases charged to the card, including NEXUS. The credit resets each calendar year.

Beyond NEXUS, the Amex Platinum offers:

Centurion Lounge access (Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounges as a Platinum benefit)
Priority Pass lounge membership (unlimited visits)
Hotel status with Marriott and Hilton
Comprehensive travel insurance
$200 dining credit
Amex Membership Rewards (transferable to Aeroplan 1:1)

At $799/year, the Amex Platinum’s break-even requires you to actually use its credits and perks — but for frequent travellers, the credits alone ($200 travel + $200 dining = $400) offset more than half the fee.

NEXUS vs Global Entry vs TSA PreCheck

Canadians often confuse these programmes:

Programme	Administered By	Best For	Cost	Canada Coverage
NEXUS	CBSA + CBP (joint)	Canadians crossing into the US regularly	$50 USD / 5 years	Yes — Canadian airports, land border
Global Entry	CBP (US only)	Americans and non-Canadians crossing into the US	$100 USD / 5 years	Limited Canadian preclearance
TSA PreCheck	TSA (US only)	US airport security only	$85 USD / 5 years	No Canada coverage
FAST	CBSA + CBP	Commercial truck drivers	Free	Land border commercial

For Canadians: NEXUS is the best option. It includes TSA PreCheck at no extra cost, costs less than Global Entry, and covers Canadian airports and land crossings. There is no reason a Canadian should get TSA PreCheck or Global Entry instead of NEXUS.

How to Apply for NEXUS

Create an account at the Trusted Traveler Programs website (ttp.dhs.gov)
Complete the application online — includes personal details, travel history, employment, background information
Pay the $50 USD fee with your eligible credit card to capture the reimbursement
Wait for conditional approval — usually a few weeks
Schedule an in-person interview at a NEXUS enrolment centre in Canada or the US
Complete the interview at a designated CBSA/CBP location (many major Canadian airports have enrolment centres)
Receive your NEXUS card by mail and register your Known Traveller Number (KTN) for TSA PreCheck

Renewal: NEXUS renews at the same $50 USD fee. No interview is required for most renewals.

Maximising NEXUS Value with Your Credit Card

Step 1: Apply for a card with a travel credit that covers NEXUS (Amex Platinum, TD or CIBC Aeroplan Privilege) before paying the NEXUS fee.

Step 2: Pay the NEXUS application fee with the card. The $50 USD ≈ $68–$70 CAD charge will appear on your statement.

Step 3: The reimbursement (as part of the annual travel credit) should post automatically — check your statement within 2–3 billing cycles. If it doesn’t, call your card’s benefits line.

Step 4: Add your NEXUS Known Traveller Number (KTN) to all airline profiles. This automatically applies TSA PreCheck to your eligible US flights — no additional action needed per booking.

Is NEXUS Worth It Without a Credit Card Reimbursement?

Even without a reimbursing card, NEXUS at $10 USD/year per person is exceptional value for anyone who:

Crosses the Canada–US land border more than 3–4 times per year
Flies through US preclearance in Canada at least 2 times per year
Flies within or through the US frequently (TSA PreCheck access)

A family of four pays $200 USD for five years of NEXUS — equivalent to one avoided land border wait on a busy holiday weekend.

NEXUS programme terms, fees, and participating locations are set by CBSA and CBP and are subject to change. Credit card travel credit terms are set by card issuers and subject to change. Verify current terms at the Government of Canada website and your card issuer’s website before applying. See our Advertiser Disclosure.