Is it worth it to get a passport card if you are already renewing a passport book?
I've tried searching on the passport card threads, but if this specific question has been discussed I've managed to miss it.
I'd seen the passport card discussed and pitched when it was new primarily as a "lighter" option for people who only travel between the US and the other North American countries. I hadn't realized that you could get one if you have a full passport book.
But with my passport expiring (and basically full - I'd need new pages soon if it weren't within 6 months of kicked anyway), and noticed on the renewal fees that you have the option of getting a passport card along with the book for an extra $20.
I'm really not sure what advantage it has when I have to have the book anyway for about 90% of my international travel. Beyond the case of "can leave the book at home for the rare-for-me .ca or .mx trip," are there any uses/advantages I'm missing?
OTOH the extra $20 is trivial, and the only down sides I can see are that it's one more piece of ID I have to be careful with, and it will make my next renewal in late 2019/early 2020 marginally less convenient.
ETA: oops typo'ed the title - mods, if you see this can you edit "to gea" to "to get a"
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Sure! For an extra $20 I sure would. Not only is less information about your travels available to those who go through your passport, but its no larger than the normal drivers license and can be stored in your wallet. I personally have seen very few of them, but think that they are a great idea.
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Just be prepared for the random TSO with a chip on his shoulder and an attitude who will tell you "That's not a valid ID" or "We don't accept those here."
The plus side is that if you have time to spare, you own this one. Just start calling supervisors and elevate.
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Absolutely! When in the position of showing ID for daily use (bank, nightclub, etc), that's the only ID I show anymore. It has my name, DOB, and photograph. Not enough to worry me.
It's also what I carry on me as proof of citizenship when abroad and don't want to risk losing my passport book.
I think its worth it. I've used it many times in other countries when I don't want to carry my passport with me (ie, going to a club at night) but still want some ID. I usually get some slightly confused looks when using it but the only time I had any problem was in Vegas when an overly excitable pit boss summoned down a bunch of security while trying to figure out if it was real.
Most TSA folks tell me they have never seen one when I present it but I've never been challenged on its validity. I wouldn't be surprised if the passport card was expanded to cover some air travel in the future, especially between the US and CA.
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yes it is worth it (and i missed doing it when i had a "bald moment" when i renewed my passport and not purchasing one)
Quote:
Originally Posted by TSORon
Sure! For an extra $20 I sure would. Not only is less information about your travels available to those who go through your passport, but its no larger than the normal drivers license and can be stored in your wallet. I personally have seen very few of them, but think that they are a great idea.
they are a great idea and credit to you for being up front that you haven seen very few of them but i will put up 3 hockey pucks that where you know what one looks like, there are "just a few" of your counterparts who have never seen one and have refused to admit the pax into the secure area cuz a passport card was not a valid form of i/d. training and consistency is the key...
It is proof of identity, age, and citizenship, does not have your address on it, and unlike a driver's license of state ID, cannot be used for identity theft. Use it when asked to prove identity at hotels, and by merchants who insist of photo ID when using credit cards.
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Thanks guys. It's interesting to see that most people seem to be taking it as a "more private option than a DL" when I'd have assumed that it was something I needed to be more careful with.
Doesn't sound like the down sides are much to worry about; I'm not sure I'll actually carry it day to day but sounds worth the extra $20.
Has anyone actually seen whether it's accepted abroad in lieu of a full passport in those countries that require (or give lip service to the requirement of) carrying your passport at all times? I've certainly done the "carry a copy of the photo/signature page instead" in some, but was under the impression that they usually wanted to be able to see your entry stamp (or the departure card, for those that require you to keep one or staple one in.)
__________________ My Blog|“[M]oral disapproval, without any other asserted state interest,” has never been a rational basis for legislation.
Thanks guys. It's interesting to see that most people seem to be taking it as a "more private option than a DL" when I'd have assumed that it was something I needed to be more careful with.
Doesn't sound like the down sides are much to worry about; I'm not sure I'll actually carry it day to day but sounds worth the extra $20.
Has anyone actually seen whether it's accepted abroad in lieu of a full passport in those countries that require (or give lip service to the requirement of) carrying your passport at all times? I've certainly done the "carry a copy of the photo/signature page instead" in some, but was under the impression that they usually wanted to be able to see your entry stamp (or the departure card, for those that require you to keep one or staple one in.)
It was not accepted in Uzbekistan. A locally notarized photocopy of my US PP/visa was accepted by the same policeman.
It is not accepted for air travel anywhere, at least on my last trip to Canada this spring by CBP at Sault Sainte Marie. But, things may have changed.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Diplomatico
You can already use it when flying between the US and California.
You can also use it when flying between the US and Miami.
In all seriousness, I'm a strong advocate of the passport card. $20 for a 10-year government photo ID is a VERY good deal. I use mine for all domestic travel because I can keep it out to show to the TDCs and airline agents without worrying about losing my driver license. If I lose my license, I'd be screwed if I needed to rent a car. The same does not apply if I lose my passport card.
Plus, as already noted, the passport card doesn't have your home address, so you won't be exposing your private information (compared to showing your license or state-issued ID).
Finally, if you apply for a job, or otherwise need to prove your identity AND citizenship/eligibility to work, you can use the passport card because it proves BOTH (just like a passport book).
I was checking here after seeing several TV ads for the Passport Card during the figure skating pre-Olympic competition......thanks to all for the wise insights.....
Since Oklahoma is unlikely to quickly change to the "enhanced" drivers license, I'll order a Passport Card to be ready for the next round of ID-tightening by TSA.
It looks like the Passport Card is available as long as you have a valid passport, so minimal paperwork and fees. Great! Thanks again to all.
As the OP, I decided for $20 to say "why not"... am waiting for my renewal plus new card to arrive. I'm still undecided on carrying the passport card day to day, though.
__________________ My Blog|“[M]oral disapproval, without any other asserted state interest,” has never been a rational basis for legislation.
As the OP, I decided for $20 to say "why not"... am waiting for my renewal plus new card to arrive. I'm still undecided on carrying the passport card day to day, though.
In making your decision as to if to carry the passport card daily, consider if you can carry the card inside its RFID shield into your wallet, pocket, or purse.
Otherwise, there's a pretty nasty RFID vulnerability with the card. It can be easily cloned, meaning someone can impersonate you before the authorized government RFID readers. It also would make it easy for a terrorist to detonate a device in a public place only after they confirmed the presence of a number of Americans in the location.
And despite the RFID revealing "no personal information" and just a serial number (as the supporters love to say), all it takes is something like the Google-maps van driving down residential streets at night to create a database matching the serial numbers to street addresses. At that point, every retailer's and marketer's fantasy will be to buy that database, use it to keep track of who comes near their store or venue, and bombard you with advertising.
The passport card is great for certain uses, but one must mitigate the risks too.
In making your decision as to if to carry the passport card daily, consider if you can carry the card inside its RFID shield into your wallet, pocket, or purse.
Otherwise, there's a pretty nasty RFID vulnerability with the card. It can be easily cloned, meaning someone can impersonate you before the authorized government RFID readers. It also would make it easy for a terrorist to detonate a device in a public place only after they confirmed the presence of a number of Americans in the location.
And despite the RFID revealing "no personal information" and just a serial number (as the supporters love to say), all it takes is something like the Google-maps van driving down residential streets at night to create a database matching the serial numbers to street addresses. At that point, every retailer's and marketer's fantasy will be to buy that database, use it to keep track of who comes near their store or venue, and bombard you with advertising.
The passport card is great for certain uses, but one must mitigate the risks too.
when i renewed my passport and not purchasing one)
that you haven seen very few of them but i will put up 3 hockey pucks that where you know what one looks like, there are "just a few" of your counterparts who have never seen one and have refused to admit the pax into the secure area cuz a passport card was not a valid form of i/d. training and consistency is the key...
