Canada warns of Labor Day border delays, and how you can help reduce them
This week, the Canada Border Services Agency issued a warning about delays and long cross-border wait times for the upcoming Labor Day weekend.
"Travelers are returning to a [Canadian] border that is managed differently, with evolving COVID-19 requirements, which can mean delays during peak periods," read the CBSA statement. "The CBSA is working with government and industry partners to mitigate long border wait times, but there are also things that travelers can do to make the process easier."
The agency issued the warning to both set traveler expectations and to offer advice on better preparation for a Canada border crossing. The CBSA and other Canadian government agencies have shared specific recommendations about the latest policies and procedures and required and suggested documents.
Whether you're planning a Labor Day trip to Canada by land, sea or air, it's important to prepare in advance. Based on Canadian government suggestions and TPG's own experiences, here are the best ways to get ready to enter Canada, be it during a busy holiday weekend or on a standard travel day.
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Extended delays forecast at Canadian borders
The CBSA based its warning about Labor Day delays at the Canada border on a combination of dramatically increased travel demand and the changing border crossing requirements.
This year, Canadian airports have suffered from extended wait times at security and customs with "extreme" delays experienced, particularly at Toronto Pearson Airport (YYZ).
While government officials have promised increased staffing and facilitated processes at the borders, COVID-19 vaccination requirements, random testing and checking of required documents are still slowing down the process.
For the latest health-related requirements for crossing the border into Canada, visit the official Canadian government COVID-19 website.
For the latest wait times at specific land border crossings, the government of Canada updates this table of listings for more than two dozen land-border crossings. The information is updated hourly, seven days a week.
On a recent weekday, most Canadian land crossings reported no delays, although one did show a 50-minute wait. Waits of more than three hours have been reported at Canadian land borders on prior Labor Day weekends.
Checking the CBSA land crossing delays prior to a drive can help optimize your crossing time. You can even check the website a few times ahead of your trip to see what sample waits are like during your targeted day of the week and time of day for travel.
Related: Canada resumes random arrival COVID-19 testing at major airports
What you can do to prepare for and limit delays
While there's nothing you can do about travel regulations and holiday crowds, you can take some steps to facilitate your entry into Canada this Labor Day weekend.
Flexibility in timing can be a great workaround to help avoid Labor Day border bottlenecks. If you can travel on Thursday or Tuesday versus Friday and Monday, this will help you avoid the heights of the traveler traffic and backups at customs and security.
Be sure to have your required travel documents in order before arrival.
"Canadian law requires that all persons entering Canada carry proof of citizenship and identity. A valid U.S. passport, passport card, or NEXUS card satisfies these requirements for U.S. citizens. Children under 16 only need proof of U.S. citizenship," according to the U.S. Department of State website.
Beyond your identification documents, the ArriveCan form is the most important requirement for entry. The ArriveCan document covers identification and health-related information, including vaccination status. All travelers, regardless of vaccination status, must submit their information in ArriveCan up to 72 hours before they enter Canada.
The form "collects contact, health and travel information to protect the health and safety of travelers and expedite processing at the border," according to the CBSA website.
You can reduce your wait times at the border by completing the mandatory ArriveCan submission before you arrive. ArriveCan is available as an app for your phone or on the ArriveCan website.
More than 1.4 million travelers used the ArriveCan app in a single summer week, according to the CBSA. For a recent trip to Canada, I was able to complete the forms in less than 10 minutes (once I had my documents ready).
Air travelers landing in Toronto, Vancouver International Airport (YVR) and Montreal-Trudeau International Airport (YUL) can use ArriveCan's Advance Declaration feature to complete their customs and immigration declaration in advance of their arrival in Canada.
"Early usage data indicates that using the optional Advance CBSA Declaration cuts the amount of time a traveler spends at a kiosk by roughly one-third," according to the CBSA.
Related: 5 small Canadian cities you can use points and miles to visit
Bottom line
This Labor Day weekend, you should expect delays crossing borders into Canada, both at airports and at land crossings. The Canada Border Services Agency issued a warning this week that travelers may face long wait times to get through border control.
Travelers planning a trip to Canada over Labor Day or any other busy travel times can reduce potential wait times by preparing documents in advance and, in particular, completing the required ArriveCan forms via the app or website ahead of time.
Choosing an alternate day of travel or time of day based on typical wait times posted for border crossings is also a good technique to avoid wait times at border crossings in Canada.
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| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
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There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.