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Several Chase credit cards can reimburse your Nexus application fees
Ryan is a former TPG credit cards writer who has been around points and miles for several years and has published content at Miles to Memories, AwardWallet and The Points Guy. His wife joins him on many of his trips, and they enjoy snowboarding, diving, and seeing animals in the wild. When not traveling, Ryan is probably answering questions from his family about how he travels so much and whether this points & miles stuff is illegal.
April 21, 2022 • 7 min read
The cards we feature here are from partners who compensate us when you are approved through our site, and this may impact how or where these products appear. We don't cover all available credit cards, but our analysis, reviews, and opinions are entirely from our editorial team. Terms apply to the offers listed on this page. Please view our advertising policy and product review methodology for more information.Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author's alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.
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Quick summary
Nexus provides expedited security and border crossing benefits in both the U.S. and Canada, including TSA PreCheck access and faster processing at select Canadian airports.
The application fee for Nexus is lower than for similar programs, and some travel cards offer reimbursement for this fee.
Nexus can be used for land, air and sea crossings, making it versatile for frequent travelers between the U.S. and Canada.
Enrollment requires an interview at specific locations, mostly near the U.S.-Canada border, which may limit convenience for some applicants.
What to consider
Nexus enrollment centers in the U.S. are only near the Canadian border, and Canadian airport locations remain closed until further notice.
Eligibility is limited to U.S. and Canadian citizens and permanent residents, as well as certain Mexican nationals.
Some travel cards provide reimbursement for the Nexus application fee every four years, but not all cards offer this benefit.
What you'll miss from the article
A detailed breakdown of Nexus benefits, application steps and how to maximize fee reimbursements for yourself and family members.
Generated by AI with support from our editorial team.
Update: Some offers mentioned below are no longer available. View the current offers here.
It may surprise you that a credit card in your wallet could help you breeze through airport security and border controls in more than one country. You're likely familiar with Global Entry and TSA PreCheck, but a lesser-known option called Nexus can provide expedited security benefits in both the U.S. and Canada.
The most interesting aspect is that enrollment in Nexus will not only provide TSA PreCheck benefits and expedited processing when you return to the U.S. from abroad, it also allows for expedited airport screening at multiple airports in Canada. And, if you aren't flying, having a Nexus card can speed up your border crossings when traveling by car or by boat.
The kicker? The Nexus application fee is much cheaper than Global Entry or TSA PreCheck, and several credit cards from Chase offer reimbursement for your application fee.
Unfortunately, interview locations aren't as widespread as with the other expedited screening programs, but for some travelers, it could still make sense.
Here's what you need to know about getting Nexus by leveraging your credit card.
What benefits do you get with Nexus?
(Photo by David Paul Morris/Bloomberg/Getty Images)
With Nexus, you will enjoy expedited border crossing and airport security benefits in the U.S. and Canada. Here's a look at benefits you'll receive:
Access to TSA PreCheck lines at U.S. airports.
Expedited security lanes for arrivals and for security checks before departure at nine airports in Canada, including all of the major international gateways.
Use of Global Entry kiosks at over 70 airports when flying into the U.S.
Use of Nexus expedited entry lanes at over 20 land border crossings when driving between the U.S. and Canada (note that everyone in the car must have a Nexus card to use these lanes).
Ability to sail between Canada and the U.S. using just a phone call to report your border crossing; unless customs officials stop you for an inspection, you can proceed to your destination using the confirmation number from your phone call.
Thus, you get access to TSA PreCheck and Global Entry lanes in the U.S., plus benefits in Canadian airports and at the border with Canada.
It might surprise you that Nexus offers the benefits of Global Entry ($100 application fee) and TSA PreCheck ($85 application fee) while charging just $50 to apply. While children under 18 do need their own Nexus cards, it is free to add minors to an adult's application. Thus, a family with two parents and two children would pay just $100 in application fees.
To apply, your first step is to complete this online application. After conditional approval, you'll need to schedule an interview.
This is where applying for Nexus becomes a bit trickier than applying for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck.
Since Nexus is run jointly by U.S. Customs and Border Protection and the Canada Border Services Agency, all Nexus interview locations in the U.S. are located near the Canadian border. You can schedule your interview in Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New York, North Dakota, Vermont and Washington state on the U.S. side of the border. There are enrollment centers located in some Canadian airports, if that is more convenient for you, but these locations are closed until further notice at this time.
If you're approved, you will receive your Nexus card and can begin using your Known Traveler Number to enjoy all of the perks outlined above.
Mexican nationals who are members of Mexico's trusted traveler program, Viajero Confiable.
Credit cards that reimburse your Nexus application fee
(Photo by Johannes Eisele/AFP/Getty Images)
When Chase launched the Aeroplan Credit Card in late 2021, it became the first credit card in the U.S. to offer reimbursement for Nexus application fees. Since then, the list of cards with this benefit has grown. It now includes the following (all issued by Chase):
Aeroplan® Credit Card ($95 annual fee).
Chase Sapphire Reserve® ($550 annual fee).
IHG One Rewards Premier Business Credit Card ($99 annual fee).
IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card ($99 annual fee).
Southwest Rapid Rewards® Performance Business Credit Card ($199 annual fee).
United Club℠ Infinite Card ($525 annual fee).
United℠ Explorer Card ($0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $95).
United Quest℠ Card ($250 annual fee).
You can be reimbursed up to $100 in application fees every four years on these cards. Simply pay your application fee with the relevant card and you should receive a statement credit automatically.
Since the Nexus application is $50 and enrollment is valid for five years, you may have enough credits across your Chase cards to cover the application fee for yourself, family members and even some friends.
Getting through airport security quickly and with less effort makes the travel experience so much better. Numerous credit cards offer these perks, but Chase has upped its game by also covering Nexus application fees as a benefit on several of its credit cards.
Along with improving your airport experience, a Nexus membership can help with expedited crossings at the U.S.-Canada border by land and by sea. And given that the Nexus application fee is the cheapest, this might be your best bet for overall value, especially since children can be added to adults' applications for free — as long as you can find an enrollment center that works for you.
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By commenting, you agree to our Community Guidelines to help create a positive space for conversation. The responses below are not provided or commissioned by the bank advertiser, our partners, or The Points Guy (“TPG”). They have not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any of these parties. All responses are submitted by individual contributors, and neither the bank advertiser, our partners, nor TPG are responsible for ensuring that all posts and/or questions are answered.
