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TSA Deems Costco Membership Cards Invalid for Domestic Air Travel
- On May 7, 2025, the TSA enforced a federally mandated rule requiring travelers to present a passport or a REAL ID-compliant state ID for domestic flights in the U.S.
- This requirement stems from a 2005 law enacted after the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks to improve airport security by standardizing ID validation.
- TSA clarified that a Costco membership card does not meet REAL ID standards and presenting it will cause delays, despite rumors suggesting otherwise.
- TSA spokesperson Lorie Dankers explained to SFGATE that while a Costco card might help start identity verification, it cannot replace a compliant ID and will prolong screening.
- The enforcement aims to minimize disruption for compliant travelers but signals stricter screening for those lacking REAL ID, reinforcing the need to use approved identification.
81 Articles
81 Articles
TSA Is Begging Travelers to Stop Trying to Use Their Costco Cards as ID
Apparently, this needs to be said: your Costco membership card may grant you access to maybe the best hot dog you’ll ever eat, but it will not get you through airport security. It is not a valid ID. Just because your picture is on it does not mean you can whip it out in any place that requires official identification. This comes directly from the Transportation Security Administration, better known as the lovely people at the TSA who make travel…
TSA Reminds Flyers Costco Memberships Are NOT Valid IDs
In what might be the most American public service announcement of the decade, the TSA took to Facebook to clarify a pressing issue: your Costco membership card, no matter how many free samples you’ve devoured, is not a REAL ID. As of May 7th, Americans have been required to secure a Real ID, in order to fly domestically. The Real ID includes a gold star on your driver’s license. Even though Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem announced that …
Costco membership cards do not count as Real ID, TSA says
A Costco membership card can get you lots of toilet paper and a rotisserie chicken for $4.99, but it cannot pass as ID at an airport security checkpoint. A new warning from the Transportation Security Administration makes that fact very clear.
Costco membership card cannot be used as valid ID to pass security checks in the United States.
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