Best Cards With NEXUS

Having NEXUS means you'll be pre-approved for an expedited screening process when entering the U.S. and Canada. If you frequently fly into Canada, this perk can be extremely helpful when moving through customs and immigration after you land. This also works if you're driving into Canada or the U.S. from the respective country. So say goodbye to long border waits if you're game for a cross-country road trip! All cards on this list come with a credit that will reimburse you for your application—meaning you could be a NEXUS holder...for free.

Personal Cards

🏆 Best for Travel Credits

Chase Sapphire Reserve®

Annual Fee: $795

100,000Bonus Points

Earn 100,000 bonus points after you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.

The Chase Sapphire Reserve® is a premium travel credit card tailored for frequent travelers seeking luxury perks and rewards. With a focus on travel benefits, this card offers a generous welcome offer, airport lounge access, travel statement credits, and valuable rewards through the Chase Ultimate Rewards program, making it an excellent choice for travelers.

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Best for 2X on Everyday Spending

Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

Annual Fee: $95

75,000Bonus Miles

Earn a one-time bonus of 75,000 miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel.

The Capital One Venture Rewards credit card makes travel rewarding and easy. Earn miles on every purchase, which you can redeem for various travel expenses like flights, hotels, and car rentals. Plus, with no foreign transaction fees, it’s an ideal choice for international travel. If you’re looking to maximize rewards without crazy fees, this card would be a great addition to your wallet. This one continues to be a Daily Drop favorite.

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🏆 Best for United Loyalists

United Club℠ Card

Annual Fee: $695

Up to 90,000 bonus miles Bonus Miles

Earn 80,000 bonus miles after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. Plus, earn an additional 10,000 bonus miles when you add an authorized user in the first 3 months your account is open.

The United Club℠ Card is a premium co-branded airline credit card for United Airlines fans. It offers exclusive United Club membership, United MileagePlus miles for spending, and other travel perks making it a solid choice for frequent United Airlines flyers who want luxury and premium travel experiences.

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🏆 Best for Frequent United flyers

United℠ Explorer Card

Annual Fee: $0 intro annual fee in the first year, then $150

Up to 60,000Bonus Miles

Earn 50,000 bonus miles after you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months your account is open. Plus, earn an additional 10,000 bonus miles when you add an authorized user in the first 3 months your account is open.

The United Explorer Card is a co-branded airline credit card designed for individuals who frequently travel with United Airlines. It offers United MileagePlus miles for spending, a free checked bag, and other travel benefits, making it a suitable choice for those who want to earn rewards and enjoy perks when flying with United.

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🏆 Best for IHG Loyalists

IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card

Annual Fee: $99

140,000 Bonus PointsBonus Points

Earn 140,000 Bonus Points after spending $3,000 in the first 3 months from account opening.

The IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card is an excellent choice for frequent travelers and hotel enthusiasts. With this card, you can earn valuable IHG Rewards points on your everyday purchases and enjoy premium benefits like complimentary hotel nights, automatic elite status, and more, making it the perfect companion for those seeking luxury hotel experiences.

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🏆 Best for Aeroplan Loyalists

Aeroplan® Credit Card

Annual Fee: $95

60,000Bonus Points

Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months your account is open.

The Aeroplan® Credit Card is a travel rewards credit card designed for frequent flyers and Air Canada enthusiasts. Cardholders can earn Aeroplan points for their purchases, enjoy travel benefits like free checked bags, and access exclusive Air Canada perks, making it an ideal choice for those who frequently travel with this airline.

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🏆 Best Mid-Tier United Card

United Quest℠ Card

Annual Fee: $350

Up to 70k bonus miles and 500 PQPBonus Miles

Earn 60,000 bonus miles and 500 Premier qualifying points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months your account is open. Plus, earn an additional 10,000 bonus miles when you add an authorized user in the first 3 months your account is open.

The United Quest Card blends solid travel perks, award flight discounts and elite status acceleration, making it one of the most well-rounded mid-tier cards for United fans.

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Business Cards

🏆 Best for High Business Spend

Capital One Venture X Business

Annual Fee: $395

150,000Bonus Miles

Earn 150,000 bonus miles once you spend $30,000 in the first 3 months from account opening.

The Venture X business credit card offers robust rewards and benefits tailored to entrepreneurs and small businesses (plus, many travel perks for those who want to hit the skies and see the world).

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IHG One Rewards Premier Business Credit Card

Annual Fee: $99

Earn 140,000 Bonus Points after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.

The IHG Rewards Premier Business Credit Card is a powerful tool for business travelers. With this card, you can earn IHG Rewards points on business expenses and take advantage of exclusive perks such as free anniversary night certificates, automatic elite status, and a variety of travel benefits, making it a top choice for those seeking a rewarding business travel experience.

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Southwest® Rapid Rewards® Performance Business Credit Card

Annual Fee: $299

80,000Bonus Points

Earn 80,000 points after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.

The Southwest® Rapid Rewards® Performance Business Credit Card is built for businesses that fly Southwest often and want extra comfort along the way. With perks like bonus points, preferred seats, and upgraded boarding, this card makes it easier to earn and travel smarter.

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Which Card is Right for You?

NEXUS is ideal for frequent travelers between the U.S. and Canada. Some top-tier travel cards offer to cover the NEXUS application fee every five years, so if you often cross the border, this perk is worth considering. Choose a card with strong rewards on international travel, and maybe one that pairs well with Global Entry or TSA Precheck to cover all your security needs.

Other Ways to Earn

NEXUS-specific rewards might be rare, but cards offering this benefit usually come packed with travel rewards. Look for bonus points on flights and accommodations, as well as cards with flexible points transfer options to airline or hotel loyalty programs.

Pros and Cons

Pros

Simplifies border crossings between the U.S. and Canada

Comes with TSA Precheck and Global Entry

Only a small application fee

Cons

Can take longer to get approved

Mostly useful for travelers between the U.S. and Canada

FAQs

Which credit cards cover the NEXUS application fee?

A few premium travel cards cover the NEXUS fee. Check the benefits to see if this perk is included.

How does NEXUS differ from Global Entry?

NEXUS is designed for U.S.-Canada travelers, offering faster border crossings. Global Entry is broader, focusing on speeding up reentry into the U.S. from international destinations. NEXUS also includes Global Entry perks for U.S. travel.

Can I use NEXUS at U.S. airports?

Yes, NEXUS members can use their cards at Global Entry kiosks when entering the U.S., making it useful even beyond Canada. Plus, NEXUS members also get TSA Precheck benefits in the U.S.

How long does it take to get approved for NEXUS?

It can take several weeks or even a couple of months to get approved, so plan ahead if you're hoping to use it soon. There’s an interview process too, so that can add a little time.

Why Trust Daily Drop?

At Daily Drop, our editorial team is made up of seasoned travel and credit card experts who have spent years mastering travel rewards and testing the best strategies firsthand. Founder Nate Buchanan, of Kara and Nate, has personally earned and redeemed millions of points and miles over the past 10+ years, saving tens of thousands of dollars on travel. Our team shares similar hands-on experience, ensuring our recommendations are practical, tested, and built on real-world knowledge. After all, we wouldn’t be Daily Drop if we weren’t practicing what we preach.

Our independent reviews break down rewards, perks, fees, and overall value to help you make informed decisions. We also analyze audience data, considering reader engagement and trends, so our recommendations reflect what actually matters to you.

While we may earn a commission if you apply for a card through our site, our opinions are our own — based solely on expert analysis and firsthand experience, not influenced by any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. Our goal is simple: helping you maximize your rewards and travel smarter.

Read our full methodology for more information.

Authors

Written by: McKay Moffitt

Writer

Edited by: Tiffany Eastham

Writer & Editor

Updated:Mar 5, 2025