Have you been mistaken for a diplomat when using US Passport Card in foreign country?
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2010
Posts: 70
Have you been mistaken for a diplomat when using US Passport Card in foreign country?
In the last couple of years, I've used my U.S. Passport Card as my ID when I'm overseas.
My Passport Book stays in the safe(in-room or at front desk) so it doesn't get lost.
I've often been asked by hotel staff, airline check-in clerk, and local police a very strange
question: "sir, are you with the American Embassy?" My reply has always been "NO, I most
certainly am not" and that usually stop their questions. I think the problem is that our
genius U.S. State Deparment graphics designers had chosen to put the following words at
the bottom of the Passport Card: "United States Department of State"
This happens to me often in Singapore and other S.E. Asian countries, where it's sometimes
not a good idea to be identified as an American, let alone being mistaken for a diplomat.
Not so much a problem in E.U. countries. Hotel clerks in most E.U. countries don't seem to
have a problem when I check in using my Passport Card. Nor do they ever think that the
card implies that I'm even associated with the State Dept. Probabaly because they see tons
of American guests all the time.
Why can't the State Dept put those words on the back, or in a different wording, such as
"Issued by the US State Department" or "Passport Agency".... etc..... You really gotta hand
it to those government employees sometimes.... I just hope the next edition of the
Passport Card will be changed to avoid this confusion.
My Passport Book stays in the safe(in-room or at front desk) so it doesn't get lost.
I've often been asked by hotel staff, airline check-in clerk, and local police a very strange
question: "sir, are you with the American Embassy?" My reply has always been "NO, I most
certainly am not" and that usually stop their questions. I think the problem is that our
genius U.S. State Deparment graphics designers had chosen to put the following words at
the bottom of the Passport Card: "United States Department of State"
This happens to me often in Singapore and other S.E. Asian countries, where it's sometimes
not a good idea to be identified as an American, let alone being mistaken for a diplomat.
Not so much a problem in E.U. countries. Hotel clerks in most E.U. countries don't seem to
have a problem when I check in using my Passport Card. Nor do they ever think that the
card implies that I'm even associated with the State Dept. Probabaly because they see tons
of American guests all the time.
Why can't the State Dept put those words on the back, or in a different wording, such as
"Issued by the US State Department" or "Passport Agency".... etc..... You really gotta hand
it to those government employees sometimes.... I just hope the next edition of the
Passport Card will be changed to avoid this confusion.
Last edited by caviarwire; May 17, 2010 at 11:05 pm
#2
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Catania, Sicily/South Jersey (PHL)/Houston, Texas/Red Stick/airborne in-between
Programs: United Global Svs, AA PlatPro, WN RR, AZ/ITA Freccia, Hilton Diam, Bonvoy Gold, Hertz Prez, IHG
Posts: 3,548
In the last couple of years, I've used my U.S. Passport Card as my ID when I'm overseas.
My Passport Book stays in the safe(in-room or at front desk) so it doesn't get lost.
I've often been asked by hotel staff, airline check-in clerk, and local police a very strange
question: "sir, are you with the American Embassy?" My reply has always been "NO, I most
certainly am not" and that usually stop their questions. I think the problem is that our
genius U.S. State Deparment graphics designers had chosen to put the following words at
the bottom of the Passport Card: "United States Department of State"
This happens to me often in Singapore and other S.E. Asian countries, where it's sometimes
not a good idea to be identified as an American, let alone being mistaken for a diplomat.
Not so much a problem in E.U. countries. Hotel clerks in most E.U. countries don't seem to
have a problem when I check in using my Passport Card. Nor do they ever think that the
card implies that I'm even associated with the State Dept. Probabaly because they see tons
of American guests all the time.
Why can't the State Dept put those words on the back, or in a different wording, such as
"Issued by the US State Department" or "Passport Agency".... etc..... You really gotta hand
it to those government employees sometimes.... I just hope the next edition of the
Passport Card will be changed to avoid this confusion.
My Passport Book stays in the safe(in-room or at front desk) so it doesn't get lost.
I've often been asked by hotel staff, airline check-in clerk, and local police a very strange
question: "sir, are you with the American Embassy?" My reply has always been "NO, I most
certainly am not" and that usually stop their questions. I think the problem is that our
genius U.S. State Deparment graphics designers had chosen to put the following words at
the bottom of the Passport Card: "United States Department of State"
This happens to me often in Singapore and other S.E. Asian countries, where it's sometimes
not a good idea to be identified as an American, let alone being mistaken for a diplomat.
Not so much a problem in E.U. countries. Hotel clerks in most E.U. countries don't seem to
have a problem when I check in using my Passport Card. Nor do they ever think that the
card implies that I'm even associated with the State Dept. Probabaly because they see tons
of American guests all the time.
Why can't the State Dept put those words on the back, or in a different wording, such as
"Issued by the US State Department" or "Passport Agency".... etc..... You really gotta hand
it to those government employees sometimes.... I just hope the next edition of the
Passport Card will be changed to avoid this confusion.
I've had my Official US Passport (brown) confused for a Diplomatic (black) one a couple of times, which was nice as it let me skip a big line both times.
I'd suspect if others tried using the PPcard often outside the States they would have similar stories. heck, I have also passed through Saudi Arabian military check points with a bank of America photo visa debit card and a Costco card YMMV
Ciao,
FH
#3
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: An NPR mind living in a Fox News world
Posts: 14,165
No, I've not had any of those experiances with the PPCard yet.
I've had my Official US Passport (brown) confused for a Diplomatic (black) one a couple of times, which was nice as it let me skip a big line both times.
I'd suspect if others tried using the PPcard often outside the States they would have similar stories. heck, I have also passed through Saudi Arabian military check points with a bank of America photo visa debit card and a Costco card YMMV
Ciao,
FH
I've had my Official US Passport (brown) confused for a Diplomatic (black) one a couple of times, which was nice as it let me skip a big line both times.
I'd suspect if others tried using the PPcard often outside the States they would have similar stories. heck, I have also passed through Saudi Arabian military check points with a bank of America photo visa debit card and a Costco card YMMV
Ciao,
FH
#4
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Bern, Swiss-o-land
Programs: M&M (LX/LH) Silver, Marriott Platinum, Accor Silver, AF/KL Silver, Swiss Railway
Posts: 791
Related story:
I am a US citizen who works for a foreign govt. in Europe. Whenever I travel back to the US, the immigration officer always remarks that I do not live in the US.
He then asks me what I do abroad and I always say, "Oh, I work for the government."
I never mention which government and the immigration officer always assumes that I work for the US government.
The little victories...
I am a US citizen who works for a foreign govt. in Europe. Whenever I travel back to the US, the immigration officer always remarks that I do not live in the US.
He then asks me what I do abroad and I always say, "Oh, I work for the government."
I never mention which government and the immigration officer always assumes that I work for the US government.
The little victories...
#5
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Chicago
Posts: 11,513
Is novelty the reason?
#6
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: IAD
Programs: *wood Gold
Posts: 1,781
Costco card.... International.... So worldly, so welcome.... (A few of you will probably remember that old MasterCard jingle...)
#7
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Catania, Sicily/South Jersey (PHL)/Houston, Texas/Red Stick/airborne in-between
Programs: United Global Svs, AA PlatPro, WN RR, AZ/ITA Freccia, Hilton Diam, Bonvoy Gold, Hertz Prez, IHG
Posts: 3,548
I'd heard stories of guys using AMEX cards back in the 80s, as they were then similar to geneva convention ID card layouts.
Ciao,
FH
#8
Moderator: Coupon Connection & S.P.A.M
Join Date: May 2000
Location: Louisville, KY
Programs: Destination Unknown, TSA Disparager Diamond (LTDD)
Posts: 57,953
I've been on the receiving end of much bowing and flattery but it was because they were trying to make a sale.
#9
Join Date: Feb 2010
Posts: 1,347
In the last couple of years, I've used my U.S. Passport Card as my ID when I'm overseas.
My Passport Book stays in the safe(in-room or at front desk) so it doesn't get lost.
I've often been asked by hotel staff, airline check-in clerk, and local police a very strange
question: "sir, are you with the American Embassy?" My reply has always been "NO, I most
certainly am not" and that usually stop their questions. I think the problem is that our
genius U.S. State Deparment graphics designers had chosen to put the following words at
the bottom of the Passport Card: "United States Department of State"
This happens to me often in Singapore and other S.E. Asian countries, where it's sometimes
not a good idea to be identified as an American, let alone being mistaken for a diplomat.
Not so much a problem in E.U. countries. Hotel clerks in most E.U. countries don't seem to
have a problem when I check in using my Passport Card. Nor do they ever think that the
card implies that I'm even associated with the State Dept. Probabaly because they see tons
of American guests all the time.
Why can't the State Dept put those words on the back, or in a different wording, such as
"Issued by the US State Department" or "Passport Agency".... etc..... You really gotta hand
it to those government employees sometimes.... I just hope the next edition of the
Passport Card will be changed to avoid this confusion.
My Passport Book stays in the safe(in-room or at front desk) so it doesn't get lost.
I've often been asked by hotel staff, airline check-in clerk, and local police a very strange
question: "sir, are you with the American Embassy?" My reply has always been "NO, I most
certainly am not" and that usually stop their questions. I think the problem is that our
genius U.S. State Deparment graphics designers had chosen to put the following words at
the bottom of the Passport Card: "United States Department of State"
This happens to me often in Singapore and other S.E. Asian countries, where it's sometimes
not a good idea to be identified as an American, let alone being mistaken for a diplomat.
Not so much a problem in E.U. countries. Hotel clerks in most E.U. countries don't seem to
have a problem when I check in using my Passport Card. Nor do they ever think that the
card implies that I'm even associated with the State Dept. Probabaly because they see tons
of American guests all the time.
Why can't the State Dept put those words on the back, or in a different wording, such as
"Issued by the US State Department" or "Passport Agency".... etc..... You really gotta hand
it to those government employees sometimes.... I just hope the next edition of the
Passport Card will be changed to avoid this confusion.
http://travel.state.gov/passport/ppt...card_3926.html
PURPOSE
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.
FB
#10
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: PDX
Posts: 908
Given the fact that many countries around the world have national ID cards and may accept some foreign ID cards, I understand why someone may choose to use the passport card for identification purposes. After all, the US passport card looks like another national ID card, especially in foreign countries. I was able to use it to do money transfers in Germany, check into hotels in Germany, France and Italy, and use it as an ID in any other situations not involving official immigration control. On the other hand, I did not have much luck abroad with my state-issued driving licence.
This brings me to my question - why limit the official purposes of the passport card to just crossing the land and sea border between the neighbouring countries? Why not include the laser-engraved signature and announce that in addition to crossing borders, it can be officially used as a primary form of ID in all official transactions? I bet that many governments and businesses abroad would be more likely to accept it as the ID and stop requiring the passport book for some silly reasons such as buying a pre-paid SIM card. This card is purely voluntary, so right-wing nuts should not complain too much about the scary national ID card because nobody forces them to get one.
#13
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Chicago
Posts: 11,513
I would guess if it is that big a concern you could also stick to using the US Passport Card for it's intended purpose
http://travel.state.gov/passport/ppt...card_3926.html
PURPOSE
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.
FB
http://travel.state.gov/passport/ppt...card_3926.html
PURPOSE
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.
FB
2) Checking into a hotel, one usually has his passport!
#14
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: SAN
Programs: PR Premier Elite
Posts: 1,950
In the last couple of years, I've used my U.S. Passport Card as my ID when I'm overseas. My Passport Book stays in the safe(in-room or at front desk) so it doesn't get lost.
I've often been asked by hotel staff, airline check-in clerk, and local police a very strange question: "sir, are you with the American Embassy?" My reply has always been "NO, I most certainly am not" and that usually stop their questions. I think the problem is that our genius U.S. State Deparment graphics designers had chosen to put the following words at the bottom of the Passport Card: "United States Department of State"
This happens to me often in Singapore and other S.E. Asian countries, where it's sometimes not a good idea to be identified as an American, let alone being mistaken for a diplomat.
I've often been asked by hotel staff, airline check-in clerk, and local police a very strange question: "sir, are you with the American Embassy?" My reply has always been "NO, I most certainly am not" and that usually stop their questions. I think the problem is that our genius U.S. State Deparment graphics designers had chosen to put the following words at the bottom of the Passport Card: "United States Department of State"
This happens to me often in Singapore and other S.E. Asian countries, where it's sometimes not a good idea to be identified as an American, let alone being mistaken for a diplomat.
I too do not like to carry my passport book on me in person because it's loss would be a major problem and thus it is a "high value" possession best locked up someplace safe when I am out and about. In Indonesia especially this is a big problem because Police often check documents. Police will usually accept a Xerox of your passport and a state issued Drivers License but may hassle you a little about it. My experience with the Passport Card has been much more positive.
#15
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Between IAH and AUS
Programs: DL AA
Posts: 121
I would guess if it is that big a concern you could also stick to using the US Passport Card for it's intended purpose
http://travel.state.gov/passport/ppt...card_3926.html
PURPOSE
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.
FB
http://travel.state.gov/passport/ppt...card_3926.html
PURPOSE
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.
FB
When I am staying with friends or relatives in far away lands, I don't carry my passport on me. On occasion, I have even left it in a hotel. A US state issued driver's license will may be accepted in the rare instance of being asked but every time I have been asked if I have my passport. A federal issued ID card is accepted without question. Driver's license does not equal ID card in many countries. YMMV