Costco membership cards do not count as Real ID, TSA says

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A new warning from the Transportation Security Administration notes that, contrary to social media rumors, a Costco membership card cannot pass for Real ID at an airport security checkpoint. (NJ Advance Media | Patti Sapone)Patti Sapone | NJ Advance Media

A Costco membership card can get you lots of toilet paper and a rotisserie chicken for $4.99, but it cannot pass as ID at an airport security checkpoint. A new warning from the Transportation Security Administration makes that fact very clear.

“Can’t fly on hot dogs and hope,” the TSA posted across its social media accounts on June 4. “Your Costco Gold Star Membership card might score you a 48-pack of TP, magical rotisserie chicken and a hot dog and soda that defies inflation, but it won’t get you through a TSA checkpoint.”

Travelers flying within the United States have been required to present a REAL or Enhanced ID since new requirements went into effect on May 7. Other forms of federally compliant identification — including a U.S. passport or passport card — can be used to board domestic flights and access certain federal facilities too. But contrary to social media rumors, Costo membership cards are not an approved form of identification.

“I mean at least it has a star on it,” one commenter said on the TSA’s post, referencing the “Gold Star” label on membership cards for the warehouse club.

“I should have put ‘Using a Costco membership card as a REAL ID’ on my 2025 Bingo card,” someone replied.

Here is a list of other approved forms of identification, all not associated with Costco:

• State-issued Enhanced Driver’s License (EDL) or Enhanced ID (EID)

• U.S. passport

• U.S. passport card

• DHS trusted traveler cards (Global Entry, NEXUS, SENTRI, FAST)

• U.S. 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

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