TSA (Transportation Security Administration) has long been the bane of many flyers citing pedantic policies. While many of these policies have important reasons to ensure safety for both the passengers and flight crew, TSA is seeing flyers bring their Costco cards and present them as valid identification.
They have urged people not to try this, and their concerns are part of the Real ID Act, which was implemented post-9/11 and requires passengers to present approved forms of IDs.
Policies Are Cracking Down
Laws in the U.S. take identification seriously. Policies that require people traveling across borders via commercial aircraft to present a valid ID are to combat identity theft and fraud.
However, without much explanation, citizens might not know what constitutes a valid form of ID. Is a driver’s license fine? As long as it isn’t a Costco membership card, most forms of ID are acceptable.
The Problem With Costco Cards
Many may believe that Costco cards qualify as a valid ID because they do contain both a photo of the individual as well as some personal information.
TSA doesn’t agree, and has said that these cards do not meet the federal standards for a secure identification. The cards don’t have the necessary security features that makes other IDs valid as part of the Real ID act.
A Misconception
Now that we’ve clarified that Costco membership cards can be used for nice perks at the retail giant but not as a way of ID in air travel, let’s explore where the misconception could have come from.
At a glance, the card could seem like it has enough information to be a valid ID, but TSA debunked it quickly.
Where It Originated
There are Reddit posts and recent blogs that could be responsible for spreading the misconception. Some Reddit users have said that when they forgot their real ID, TSA accepted a Costco equivalent. However,
TSA has denied these claims and stated multiple times that the membership cards will not allow their holders to fly. Since then, articles making these claims have made amendments to reflect this policy and help amend the previous misconceptions.
Their Official Response
TSA has directly addressed the spread of misconceptions via social media. While denouncing the fact that individuals can use the membership cards, they took a lighthearted approach to get the message across, stating, “We love hot dogs & rotisserie chickens as much as the next person, but please stop telling people their Costco card counts as a REAL ID because it absolutely does not.”
Lorie Dankers, a spokesperson for TSA, has said that this rumor makes the rounds every few years.
What ID Can Be Used?
While this misconception might prompt citizens to think that only their Real ID is an acceptable form of identification at TSA, there are numerous others that can be used as a stand-in.
These IDs include: U.S. passports and passport cards, enhanced Driver’s Licenses (EDLs), trusted traveler cards (Global Entry, NEXUS, SENTRI), military and veteran IDs, Permanent resident and border crossing cards, federally recognized Tribal IDs, and Canadian provincial driver’s licenses (for Canadian travelers). While all of these should be valid, those planning to go through TSA should have a look at their website for the full list.
Stay Informed
Citizens should stay informed and in the loop so as to not run into any problems while trying to take national or international flights. The overall efficiency of check-ins at airports can be slowed down drastically by people not bringing the right IDs.
If a Costco card is presented, then TSA agents have to ask additional questions to verify the holder’s identity, grinding lines to a halt.
Traveling For Canadians
Canadian travelers who are flying into the United States need to bring their own Canadian passport, and it is the main way of identification. Canadians do not need to bring their Real ID but do need to showcase additional documentation like passports or NEXUS cards.
For land or sea travel, Canadians can use their enhanced driver’s license or other traveler cards that are verified. In these scenarios, a Costco card is not accepted either.
A Persistent Rumor
Although the Costco membership card rumors are being quelled by TSA themselves, this won’t likely be the last time the misconception makes the rounds on social media and blog posts.
At the end of the day, safety and security protocols cannot be compromised. TSA will not show any leniency on the matter when it’s about national security and the safety of potentially millions of people.
Not A Valid ID
Key takeaways are to never gamble with TSA and always double-check that you have the necessary identification to have a smooth experience traveling.
Thousands could have been inconvenienced by this rumor, and it’s better to play it safe and remember that Costco cards will never be an acceptable ID unless TSA themselves say otherwise.
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