Can you fly with your passport card?

Asked by: Loy Tremblay  |  Last update: September 15, 2022
Score: 4.4/5 (27 votes)

You may not have heard about the U.S. passport card before. The passport card cannot be used for international air travel, but it is still a great ID to have in your wallet. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) accepts the passport card as ID for domestic flights.

Why is the U.S. passport card not valid for air travel?

Because the passport card will be specifically designed to facilitate land and sea border crossings, it is not compatible with the global air environment, which is already set up for passport books.

Where can I travel with a passport card?

To learn more about the U.S. passport card visit travel.state.gov. Valid for entering the United States from Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Bermuda at land border crossings or sea ports-of-entry. A passport card can be used as ID for domestic flights. It cannot be used for international air travel.

Is a passport card the same as a passport?

The passport card was designed for the specific needs of northern and southern U.S. border communities with residents that cross the border frequently by land. The passport book is the only document approved for international air travel.

What can I use to fly instead of a passport?

Identification
  • Driver's licenses or other state photo identity cards issued by Department of Motor Vehicles (or equivalent) ...
  • U.S. passport.
  • U.S. passport card.
  • DHS trusted traveler cards (Global Entry, NEXUS, SENTRI, FAST)
  • U.S. Department of Defense ID, including IDs issued to dependents.
  • Permanent resident card.

Do You Need a Passport Card? | Determining Whether it’s Worth the Cost

16 related questions found

What do you need to fly on a plane 2022?

You must present an acceptable ID, such as a valid passport, state-issued enhanced driver's license or U.S. military ID, to fly within the U.S. You will not be allowed to fly if your identity cannot be verified.

What is a passport card good for?

The U.S. Passport Card can be used to enter the United States from Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Bermuda at land border crossings or sea ports-of-entry and is more convenient and less expensive than a passport book. The passport card CANNOT be used for international travel by air.

Is the passport card worth it?

If you're a frequent traveler to Canada or Mexico by land or sea, then the passport card can be a budget-friendly option. Both passport books and cards are valid for 10 years, so if it fits your travel plans, the passport card can be a cheaper alternative. Passport books are $145 for adults and $115 for minors.

Do I need a passport to fly in the US 2022?

US citizens do not currently need a passport for domestic flights. While most people present a state-issued driver's license or a military ID, the Transportation Security Administration lists several acceptable forms of identification.

Why would you need both a passport book and a passport card?

Passport cards have specific travel purposes

You're golden. Passport books allow U.S. nationals to travel by land, air, and sea to a cornucopia of countries all over the world. Whereas with passport cards, they are not valid for international air travel.

Where can I travel without a passport as a US citizen?

Best Places to Travel Without a US Passport
  • Puerto Rico.
  • US Virgin Islands.
  • Northern Mariana Islands.
  • American Samoa.
  • Guam.
  • Canada.
  • Alaska.
  • Mexico.

Can I use a passport card to fly to Dominican Republic?

When you enter the Dominican Republic by air, you'll need a valid passport book because, as stated before, passport cards aren't accepted for air travel. You will also be required to fill out an e-ticket or paper form upon arrival and departure.

Can I go to the Bahamas with a passport card?

Passport Requirements for the Bahamas

If you're traveling to the Bahamas by sea (as in a cruise), you can use a passport or substitute one of the following documents: a passport card. a Trusted Traveler card. an enhanced driver's license (sometimes called Real ID) with security features.

Can I use passport card to fly to Canada?

Entry into Canada: Canadian law requires that all persons entering Canada carry proof of citizenship and identity. A valid U.S. passport, passport card, or NEXUS card satisfies these requirements for U.S. citizens.

Can I use passport card to fly to Jamaica?

For those traveling by sea, a passport card is acceptable for entry into Jamaica and return to the U.S. Passport cards are smaller and less expensive than full passports, and are accepted for travel by land or sea, but not air, within Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean islands.

Do you need passport card book?

You do not need to have both a passport card and a passport book. You can choose which one suits your situation best. For example, your passport card will suffice if you are a frequent traveler across Canada and Mexico. But, if you are planning to travel to other international countries, you can get your passport book.

Do you need a REAL ID to fly in the US?

Beginning May 3, 2023, every air traveler 18 years of age and older will need a REAL ID-compliant driver's license, state-issued enhanced driver's license or another acceptable form of ID to fly within the United States.

Can I fly to Mexico with a passport card?

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) accepts the passport card as ID for domestic flights. Use the passport card when entering the United States at land-border crossings and sea ports-of-entry from Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Bermuda. Do not use it for international air travel.

Why do I need a REAL ID?

A REAL ID is a driver's license or identification card that is also a federally accepted form of identification. It can be used to board a domestic flight within the U.S. and enter secure federal facilities, such as military bases, federal courthouses, and other secure federal locations.

Is getting a passport card faster?

Note that there is no significant difference in processing time for a passport card versus a passport book. Both can be expedited, but some passport agencies do not expedite passport cards.

How long is a passport card good for?

Can the validity of a U.S. Passport Card be extended? The validity of passport cards and books are fixed for adults and children at ten and five years, respectively.

Do I need a passport book or card or both?

A passport book is always required to travel internationally. The only exception is that you may use a passport card in order to enter the United States by a land border crossing or at a sea port-of-entry. Passport cards cannot be used for international air travel.

What is meant by passport card?

Introduced in 2008, the passport card is a relatively inexpensive personal identification card that can be used in place of a passport book or driver's license at land and sea entry points to the United States.

Do you need to be vaccinated to fly?

If you are not fully vaccinated against COVID-19, you will NOT be allowed to board a flight to the United States, unless you meet the criteria for an exception under the Proclamation and CDC's Amended Order. A booster dose is not needed to meet this requirement.

What can you not take on a plane 2022?

any and all firearms, replica weapons, toy guns & BB guns are NOT allowed in your carry-on bag. Guns must be unloaded and transported only in checked bags. The weapon must be inside of a hard-sided, locked TSA Gun case Approved, and declared to your airline at check in.