Overview

• The TSA clarified that Costco membership cards are not accepted as valid identification under REAL ID requirements.
• Officers may use a non-government photo card only as a baseline in rare lost-ID scenarios, but it cannot replace a government-issued credential.
• Travelers showing only a Costco card risk being directed into a time-consuming identity verification process that could prevent boarding.
• Chowhound updated its post to remove claims of Costco card acceptance and now warns it is unlikely to clear TSA quickly.
• Passengers must present REAL ID-compliant driver’s licenses or other accepted documents such as passports, passport cards, veteran health IDs and DHS trusted-traveler credentials.