HONOLULU (KHON2) — If you’ve been thinking your Costco membership card is good enough for airport security, think again. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) recently made it clear that Costco cards will not be accepted as valid identification when you’re flying.
In a post on their official Facebook page, TSA shared:
“We love hotdogs & 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.”
This statement comes after a lot of confusion from travelers, some of whom thought their Costco card, which has a gold star on it, would count as a REAL ID. Some of those who engaged with the TSA post even joked online, saying things like “at least it has a STAR on it” or “So, you’re saying we should bring you a chicken?”
But the truth is, a REAL ID is a special kind of ID that meets strict government standards. The REAL ID Act was passed in 2005, and it has taken nearly 20 years for all states to issue these IDs.
If you want to fly domestically, you’ll need either a REAL ID-compliant driver’s license, a state-issued ID or another acceptable form of ID like a passport.
You can get a REAL ID by visiting your state’s driver’s license office and providing documents like your full name, birth date, Social Security number, proof of address and legal status.
You can click here to learn more about state issued identification cards and here for information on obtaining a Hawaii State driver’s license.
So, while Costco cards are great for shopping, they won’t help you board your flight. Make sure you have the proper ID next time you travel!