4 Ways to Skip Long Lines at the Airport

As travel restrictions and public health measures loosen around the world, more and more people are ready to travel. Unfortunately, it looks like airport staff have not been able to keep up. There have been widespread reports of hours-long delays at many airports, resulting in people arriving 3-4 hours early to be able to run to the gate and make their flights.

Is there any way to avoid these long line-ups at the airport? Well, there are always Priority Security Lanes and there are a few ways to get in that line instead of the regular line - but they involve a tradeoff between cost and time to implement.

Method 1: Fly Business Class

Cost: $$$$$        Time to Implement: Immediate

Business Class passengers will always have access to priority security lines and check-in processes at the airport. If you're paying cash fares for Business Class, that can get pretty expensive. Alternatively, you can try to collect points to get business class flights for the price of a regular economy flight.

Method 2: Obtain a NEXUS card

Cost: $                Time to Implement: 6+ months

NEXUS card holders can go through an expedited line when traveling or coming back to Canada or the U.S. To obtain a NEXUS card, you will need to apply online and pass an in-person interview.

Due to the pandemic, Canadian NEXUS offices such as the one at Pearson are still closed, but there are NEXUS offices in the U.S. where you can schedule an interview. That said, the NEXUS process was notoriously long even before the pandemic - you're better off trying to enroll in the process as soon as possible, and to give yourself plenty of time before the expiry date to renew.

Many credit cards these days offer a statement credit for NEXUS application fees every 48 months, which include:

• American Express Aeroplan Reserve Card ($100 CAD)
• American Express Gold Rewards Card ($50 CAD)
• American Express Platinum Card ($100 CAD)
• CIBC Aventura Visa Infinite ($50 USD)
• CIBC Aeroplan Visa Infinite Privilege ($50 USD)
• TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite ($100 CAD for up to 4 applications)
• TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Privilege ($100 CAD for up to 4 applications)

Method 3: Get a credit card with Priority Security Lane access

Cost: $$                Time to Implement: 2-3 weeks

If you're not flying Business and you don't have a NEXUS card, the only other option is to get a premium credit card that offers Priority Security Lane access. The cards that offer this benefit tend to have high annual fees and high income requirements, so be prepared to pay to skip these long lines.

No income requirement:

• American Express Business Platinum Card: $499 Annual Fee and Toronto Pearson (YYZ) Priority Security Lane access
• American Express Aeroplan Reserve Card: $599 Annual Fee and Toronto Pearson (YYZ) Priority Security Lane access
• American Express Aeroplan Business Reserve Card: $599 Annual Fee and Toronto Pearson (YYZ) Priority Security Lane access
• American Express Platinum Card: $699 Annual Fee and Toronto Pearson (YYZ) Priority Security Lane access

Minimum $150,000 individual or $200,000 household income requirement:

• Vanity Enviro Visa Infinite Privilege: $395 Annual Fee for non-members ($245 for members) and Priority Security Lane access at YTZ, YOW, YVR and YUL
• Desjardins Odyssey Visa Infinite Privilege: $395 Annual Fee for non-members ($295 for members) and Priority Security Lane access at YTZ, YOW, YVR and YUL
• BMO Eclipse Visa Infinite Privilege: $499 Annual Fee and Priority Security Lane access at YTZ, YOW, YVR, and YUL
• TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Privilege: $599 Annual Fee and Priority Security Lane access at YTZ, YOW, YVR, and YUL
• CIBC Aeroplan Visa Infinite Privilege: $599 Annual Fee and Priority Security Lane access at YTZ, YOW, YVR, and YUL
• CIBC Aventura Visa Infinite Privilege: $599 Annual Fee and Priority Security Lane access at YTZ, YOW, YVR, and YUL

Minimum $200,000 individual or household income requirement:

• RBC Avion Visa Infinite Privilege: $399 Annual Fee and Priority Security Lane access at YTZ, YOW, YVR and YUL

Method 4: Fly Air Canada with Aeroplan 35K Status or higher (or fly WestJet with Gold Status or higher)

Cost: $$$$$                Time to Implement: Varies

If you have Aeroplan 35K Status or higher and are flying with Air Canada, you can fast track security at a number of airports in Canada, U.S., Europe and Asia. This includes most major airports in Canada, such as Pearson (YYZ). For the full list, click here.

If you have WestJet Gold Status or higher and are flying with WestJet, you can fast track security at a number of airports in Canada, U.S. and Europe. This includes most major airports in Canada, and most destinations WestJet flies to in the U.S. and Europe. For the full list, click here. Until September 30, 2022, you can apply to status match your Air Canada, Porter or British Airways status with WestJet.

If you're not able to use any of the three methods above, then remember to budget enough time to get to the airport and go through customs to ensure you make your flight. Safe travels and good luck!