A MORE affordable alternative to the Real ID requirements can help travelers avoid major delays at the airport if they don’t have the updated identification.
The little-known alternative costs $100 less than applying for a new passport book and a quarter of the price for passport renewal.
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A January estimate found that only 56% of Americans have a Real ID, meaning those without one will be subjected to additional screening when the new rule takes effect, Forbes reported.
Luckily, travelers who haven’t upgraded to the new enhanced license can opt to apply for a passport card instead.
The passport card is not valid for international travel but is an acceptable form of ID for travel between states.
Those with a passport book can also apply for a passport card if they don’t want to carry it when traveling nationally.
To apply for the card, Americans can fill out an application on the TSA website.
In some instances, Americans will need to go to an in-person interview for the card.
The card allows land border crossing into Canada and Mexico as well as sea travel to select Caribbean countries.
A passport card is valid for the same amount of time as a standard passport book, which is 10 years for adults and five years for children under 16.
To apply for the card, citizens will need to pay $65, which is $100 cheaper than it costs to get a new passport book.
Renewing the card costs $30, compared to the $130 cost of renewing a passport book.
The tiny card is about the size of a driver’s license, making it easy for travelers to slip it into their wallets.
Anyone without a Real ID or an eligible passport book is encouraged to apply before the May 7 deadline for Real IDs.
Airport crowds are already beginning to build as the Las Vegas airport announced it had one of its busiest days ever.
“If you are traveling today, allow for additional travel time as there is traffic leading into the airport and TSA checkpoints have longer wait times than normal,” the Harry Reid International Airport posted to social media on April 28.
The airport took an exceptionally long time clearing passengers through security checkpoints, local NBC affiliate KSNV reported.
TSA spokesperson Lorie Dankers told the outlet that Sunday was their third-busiest day ever at the Vegas airport.
Acceptable identification at TSA checkpoints
All passengers 18 years and older must show valid identification at airport checkpoints in order to travel. The following is a full list of identification accepted at TSA checkpoints.
- Driver’s licenses or other state photo identity cards issued by Department of Motor Vehicles (or equivalent)
- Beginning May 7, 2025, if you plan to use your state-issued ID or license to fly within the US, it must be REAL ID compliant. If you’re not sure if your ID complies with REAL ID, check with your state department of motor vehicles.
- A temporary driver’s license is not an acceptable form of identification
- State-issued Enhanced Driver’s License
- US passport
- US passport card
- DHS trusted traveler cards (Global Entry, NEXUS, SENTRI, FAST)
- US Department of Defense ID, including IDs issued to dependents
- Permanent resident card
- Border crossing card
- An acceptable photo ID issued by a federally recognized Tribal Nation/Indian Tribe, including Enhanced Tribal Cards (ETCs).
- HSPD-12 PIV card
- Foreign government-issued passport
- Canadian provincial driver’s license or Indian and Northern Affairs Canada card
- Transportation worker identification credential
- U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Employment Authorization Card (I-766)
- U.S. Merchant Mariner Credential
- Veteran Health Identification Card (VHIC)
Travelers shared photos on social media of the large crowds and backed-up security terminals.
In the photo, the queue for the TSA line extends far past the usual preset lines.
Several road closures near the airport further delayed passengers from arriving on time for their flights.
“We continue to advise people to arrive early and to arrive prepared for the screening process,” Dankers said.