US Passport & Card, early renew just the Passport?
Mar 8, 23, 4:54 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Los Angeles
Programs: American Airlines ExecPlat, Asiana Diamond
Posts: 120
US Passport & Card, early renew just the Passport?
I have both a US passport and passport card I got from the last renewal. My current passport doesn't expire until 2026, however I am running out of pages and I want to do an early renewal. At the same time, the passport card I got years ago is pretty much useless for me, so I don't need it.
If I do an early renewal for just my passport, am I forced to also renew the passport card, or can I just submit the passport? Is it linked to the original passport, or is it considered a separate entity, and I can just hold on to it, not early renew it and just let it expire?
If I do an early renewal for just my passport, am I forced to also renew the passport card, or can I just submit the passport? Is it linked to the original passport, or is it considered a separate entity, and I can just hold on to it, not early renew it and just let it expire?
Jul 29, 23, 10:13 pm
#2
Join Date: Jan 2021
Location: LAX, TIJ
Programs: UA, AS, Volaris, VivaAerobs
Posts: 204
Yes, you can let the U.S. Passport Card expire and just renew U.S. Passport Book if you feel that the former has out lived its usefulness. They are completely separate things so you can just the card lapse and keep it and send the book for renewal.Like you, I probably will have to replace the book before its expiration date as I'm close to running out of pages and I'm also letting the card lapse as I no longer see a use for it.
Aug 27, 23, 2:18 am
#3
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: Saipan, MP 96950 USA (Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands = the CNMI)
Programs: UA Silver, Hilton Silver. Life: UA .56 MM, United & Admirals Clubs (spousal), Marriott Platinum
Posts: 14,266
A U.S. passport card is a good idea for domestic flights if one prefers to divulge a residential address as seldom as possible. 
Aug 27, 23, 10:49 am
#4
Join Date: Sep 2015
Posts: 87
I've found having a passport card to be very useful to keep in my wallet. I've had instances where I lost my license and it was very valuable to still have personal ID on me. Also gives me peace of mind in case I somehow lose my passport while traveling, that I at least have SOME kind of backup.
