The Truth About The "TSA Banned Costco Cards" Rumor: 5 Essential Facts You Must Know Before May 2025

The viral claim that the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has "banned" Costco cards from airport security checkpoints is highly misleading. The reality, as of December 18, 2025, is a simple, yet crucial, clarification: a Costco membership card has never been, and is still not, considered a valid form of identification for air travel in the United States. The recent surge in this rumor stems from a necessary reminder issued by the TSA to travelers in light of the impending REAL ID enforcement deadline, ensuring the public understands what documents are federally recognized for boarding a domestic flight. This article breaks down the official policy, the REAL ID requirements, and what you absolutely must carry to avoid being turned away at the airport security checkpoint.

The confusion has been amplified because some travelers, perhaps noticing the photo on their Costco Membership Card, may have mistakenly believed it could serve as a secondary or primary ID. The TSA’s recent public service announcement—often delivered via social media—was a direct effort to dispel this myth and prevent travel delays, especially as the critical REAL ID Act deadline approaches, which will fundamentally change how millions of Americans fly domestically.

The REAL ID Deadline and Why Your Costco Card Will Never "Fly"

The core of the issue lies in the federal government's REAL ID Act, passed by Congress in 2005. This act establishes minimum security standards for state-issued driver’s licenses and identification cards (ID cards). The full enforcement date for this act has been postponed several times, but the current, definitive deadline is May 7, 2025.

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What is a REAL ID-Compliant Document?

Starting on May 7, 2025, every air traveler 18 years of age and older will need a REAL ID-compliant driver’s license, a state-issued Enhanced Driver's License (EDL), or another federally-accepted form of identification to board commercial aircraft flying within the United States.

A REAL ID-compliant card is easily identified by a star—usually a gold or black star—located in the upper corner of the license or ID. This star signifies that the card meets the strict security standards set by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).

The Costco Card Confusion: The Gold Star Myth

The rumor that the TSA "banned" Costco cards was partly fueled by a misconception regarding the gold star on some membership cards. Unlike the gold star on a REAL ID-compliant driver's license, the gold star on a Costco Executive Membership card is merely a symbol of the membership tier—it has no bearing on its validity as a government-issued identification document. The TSA’s message was a clear, preemptive warning: your warehouse club membership card, regardless of its color or symbols, is not a valid substitute for a government-issued photo ID.

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List of TSA Acceptable Forms of Identification (Post-May 7, 2025)

To ensure a smooth experience at the airport security checkpoint, travelers must present a valid, unexpired, and federally-recognized photo ID. The following list outlines the primary documents accepted by the TSA for domestic air travel, which are all considered REAL ID-compliant alternatives:

• State-issued REAL ID-compliant Driver’s Licenses or other state Photo ID cards.
• U.S. Passport or U.S. Passport Card.
• DHS Trusted Traveler Cards (e.g., Global Entry, NEXUS, SENTRI, FAST).
• U.S. Department of Defense ID (e.g., Military ID).
• Permanent Resident Card or Alien Registration Card.
• Border Crossing Card.
• Federally recognized, tribal-issued photo ID.
• HSPD-12 PIV Card.
• Foreign government-issued passport.
• Canadian provincial driver's license or Indian and Northern Affairs Canada card.
• Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC).

A Costco card, a gym membership card, or any other private-sector card is not on this list because they do not meet the federal security standards for identity verification.

What Happens If You Forget Your REAL ID or Passport?

While the TSA is very clear about its ID requirements, the agency does have a process for travelers who arrive at the checkpoint without a proper form of identification. This is where the confusion about using a secondary card, like a Costco card, often arises, but it is not a guarantee of travel.

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If you lose or forget your government-issued ID, you may still be permitted to fly, but you must be prepared for a significantly longer and more intensive screening process. The TSA officer will ask you to complete an identity verification process, which involves presenting other items that contain your name and photo, such as a credit card or, in some cases, a high-quality photo ID like a Costco card or other membership card.

The key difference is this: the Costco card is NOT accepted as the primary, standalone identification to proceed through the checkpoint. It is only used as a supplemental document during the TSA ConfirmID process, where the TSA officer will use publicly available databases to confirm your identity. Be warned: if the TSA cannot confirm your identity, you will not be allowed to proceed to the gate and your boarding pass will be invalid.

Essential Travel Tips to Ensure REAL ID Compliance

The May 7, 2025, deadline is a hard date, and the TSA is unlikely to grant further extensions. Being prepared is the only way to avoid unnecessary stress and delays at the airport. Here are three essential tips for all domestic travelers:

1. Check for the Star NOW

The most important step is to look at your driver's license or state-issued ID right now. If it does not have the gold or black star, it is not REAL ID-compliant. You should contact your local Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) or equivalent state agency to begin the process of upgrading your license. The application process for a REAL ID requires specific documentation, including proof of identity, social security number, and two proofs of residency.

2. Use a U.S. Passport as a Backup

A U.S. Passport or U.S. Passport Card has always been, and will continue to be, an acceptable form of identification for domestic flights, regardless of the REAL ID deadline. Keeping your passport current is the safest and most reliable way to ensure you can always pass through the airport security checkpoint, even if your state-issued ID is not yet compliant.

3. Understand the Difference Between ID Types

Remember that a federally-recognized photo ID is different from a private-sector card. The TSA needs a document that proves your identity and has been issued under strict governmental security protocols. This distinction is why a Costco Membership Card, while useful for buying discounted gasoline and bulk groceries, is completely irrelevant when it comes to the security requirements for air travel. The recent "ban" clarification is simply a reminder to bring the right documents: your government-issued ID—and leave the warehouse club card in your wallet until you get to the food court.