Quick Fix
Your NEXUS PASSID shows up on the back of the card, tucked in the upper-left corner. It’s a 9-digit code you’ll use as your Known Traveler Number (KTN) whenever you book flights or adjust reservations. Just type the numbers—no swiping needed.
What’s the deal with NEXUS and Known Traveler Numbers?
When you’re crossing borders between the U.S. and Canada, your NEXUS card doubles as a Trusted Traveler Program card. The 9-digit PASSID on the back is what airlines and border agents recognize as your Known Traveler Number. But here’s the catch: that number has to be typed in correctly when you book or check in. Otherwise, you won’t get those TSA PreCheck® perks.
Here’s exactly how to find your NEXUS PASSID
- Flip your card over
Grab your NEXUS card and turn it face-down. Look at the upper-left corner—you’ll see a 9-digit number formatted like
12 345678 9. That’s your PASSID, and it’s also your KTN. - Enter it when you book or adjust a flight
- On the airline website, head to “Passenger Details” while booking your trip.
- Find the “Known Traveler Number / Redress Number” field and drop in the 9 digits from your NEXUS card.
- If the box says “PASS ID” instead, no worries—just use the same number.
- Double-check your boarding pass Once you’ve booked, make sure your boarding pass shows the TSA PreCheck® symbol (✓TSA PRE). That little checkmark only appears if the airline sent your KTN and the TSA system recognized it.
- Fix reservations you’ve already made
- Log in to your airline account and pull up your reservation.
- Click “Edit Passengers” and add your 9-digit PASSID in the KTN field.
- Save the changes, then reprint your boarding pass to be safe.
Still not seeing the ✓TSA PRE symbol?
- Wrong label? Try “Known Traveler Number,” “PASS ID,” or even “CBP PASSID.” Skip “Redress Number” or “TSA ID”—those won’t work.
- Airline still won’t play ball? Call their reservations line and ask them to manually add your KTN. Give them the 9-digit NEXUS PASSID, and they’ll update your record.
- Already have a printed boarding pass? Head to the check-in counter and ask the agent to update your reservation with your KTN before you hit security.
How to avoid this headache next time
- Save your PASSID somewhere safe—like your phone’s notes or a password manager. It’s printed only once on the card, so don’t lose it.
- Add it to your airline profile ahead of time. Most airlines let you store a KTN in your frequent flyer account so it fills in automatically when you book.
- Keep an eye on the expiration date every travel season. Your NEXUS card lasts 5 years, so renew it on the CBP NEXUS site before you start planning your next trip.
- Use the same KTN for every trip—Global Entry, NEXUS, and SENTRI all use the same 9-digit format. Type it the same way every time.
- Print a backup boarding pass with the ✓TSA PRE symbol. Snap a photo on your phone too, just in case.
Fun fact: As of 2026, NEXUS cards stay valid for 5 years from the day they’re issued. The PASSID format hasn’t budged since the program started, so you won’t have to relearn anything new.
