US Passport Card

[BearClause]

I watch Travel Channel a lot and noticed several of the ads for the new ID requirements for surface travel to/from Canada/Mexico/Carribean. I looked up the State Department's costs for a new "Passport Card" ($20 for valid regular passport holders) and figured this looked like a reasonable thing to get. I wasn't too keen on the more expensive NEXUS or SENTRI "trusted traveler" cards. They seem rather pricey and do I really need to give all my fingerprints? And their "trusted traveler" benefits seem to be limited to use at one border, although I suppose they're considered valid ID.

Frankly I don't live within 500 miles of a US border, but I thought it might come in handy if and when the TSA ever decides that California drivers licenses are no longer valid ID for airline travel (it's getting complicated with Real ID requirements). Maybe I'll drive to British Columbia on my next visit to Washington and use this thing.

I know a few people reading this probably live closer to a border and likely make more border crossings that I would. Is there any rush to get these new cards before they're required?

[mikegarrison]

NEXUS is for frequent travelers. For most people it's not worth the extra cost and hassle. For people who cross the border often enough, it's great. It does save you a lot of time. But everyone in your party has to be NEXUS for you to take advantage of it.

[mikegarrison]

Apr 28, 2009 20:27:37 GMT -5 BearClause said:

I know a few people reading this probably live closer to a border and likely make more border crossings that I would. Is there any rush to get these new cards before they're required?

The cards are not required if you are carrying a passport book, nor will they be required if you are carrying a passport book. They are only intended for people who don't have a passport book or who don't want to carry it with them when they cross the border.

But if you fly internationally, you need the passport book. The card will not suffice.

[BearClause]

Apr 28, 2009 20:35:07 GMT -5 mikegarrison said:

Apr 28, 2009 20:27:37 GMT -5 BearClause said:

I know a few people reading this probably live closer to a border and likely make more border crossings that I would. Is there any rush to get these new cards before they're required?

The cards are not required if you are carrying a passport, nor will they be required if you are carrying a passport.

I was thinking most people without current paper US passports would be opting for just the Passport Card since apparently drivers licenses will no longer be acceptable for border crossings. It only cost me $20 although someone without a current US passport is going to need to fork over more for a new application. These Passport Cards are cheaper than regular paper US passports though, so I think that might be one reason to get them beyond just their compact size.

You're right - I don't particularly like carrying around my passport. It's bulky and made of paper. I've heard of cases where one got wet and the passport holder was told to wait until it was dry again. I think some of the security features (like watermarks) don't work well when wet, although the ID page is usually plastic-coated. When I traveled by air last week, the TSA screeners checking IDs flashed some sort of blacklight on my drivers license. I'm thinking similar steps are taken at border crossings.

note: I edited after your mods.

[Deleted]

I don't think it's fair that travel outside the U.S. (primarily Canada, the Caribbean, or Mexico) will require so much money. Passports are expensive, especially for a family of 5. It becomes a luxury item.

[bunnywailer]

This whole passport card thing is totally, unequivocably, 100% the fault of George Walker Bush.

Thanks, I just wanted to get that in before Ruffda beat me to it.

[mikegarrison]

Apr 28, 2009 21:13:15 GMT -5 @ruffda said:

I don't think it's fair that travel outside the U.S. (primarily Canada, the Caribbean, or Mexico) will require so much money. Passports are expensive, especially for a family of 5. It becomes a luxury item.

There are allowances for young children travelling with parents, but international travel generally requires passports. This is just the way it is.

[Deleted]

It just seems like it shouldn't cost me $400 to venture into Canada.

I blame W.

[BearClause]

Apr 28, 2009 22:50:18 GMT -5 @ruffda said:

It just seems like it shouldn't cost me $400 to venture into Canada.

I blame W.

Since I already had a paper US passport, it was only $20 for the fee, and about $3 (including a bubble mailer) to mail my passport and application in via First Class Parcel with delivery confirmation. The photos cost me less than 30 cents for five 2x2" photos. I created a 4x6" sheet using ePassportPhoto.com and had the sheet printed at Target using real wet-process photo paper. The passport and Passport Card is good for 10 years anyways, so the cost is essential spread out.

I realize it's $100 per person for a full passport, but if all you need is the Passport Card, it's only $45 where $25 goes to the "acceptance facility".

The real pain is that the Dept of State doesn't organize their instructions and fee schedule very well. It's all in different places. I had actually stapled a photo according to their directions (both stapled to the square) on the application only to find out that they had different instructions (one staples and one loose) somewhere else. And whose idea was it to return one photo by stapling it to a passport page? What do I need it for, especially given that they stapled the photo right where my face was?

Still - I remember getting my first passport. I just went to the Passport Office in San Francisco and didn't have to pay any special expedited fee, and they took all requests and renewals. Now they only take expedited requests and have probably cut back staff. Now most new passports are done at post offices or other public agencies, and renewals are almost exclusively through the mail and processed at a central facility.

[XAsstCoach]

I recall reading that the card is also valid for cruises. Seems like cross border travel and cruise goers were the ones adversely affected by the new passport policies...so this was their solution.

I also thought about getting a passport card just for the sake of having another id card.

[BearClause]

Apr 29, 2009 0:40:28 GMT -5 XAsstCoach said:

I recall reading that the card is also valid for cruises. Seems like cross border travel and cruise goers were the ones adversely affected by the new passport policies...so this was their solution.

I also thought about getting a passport card just for the sake of having another id card.

Well - yeah. Spending $20 plus shipping and the cost of photos for a 10 year federal issue ID was my primary reason even if I don't visit Mexico or Canada often.

The State Dept isn't making a mint on my application fee. For my $20 they actually spent $4.95 (priority mail) to ship my passport back and something on the manufacturer/shipping/packaging of the card.

It's a bit strange that it arrived with a little Tyvek/metal sleeve to store it in when not used. Apparently they're addressing the concerns that the radio-frequency ID chip can be scanned and include the sleeve to block radio waves (like a tin-foil hat). I heard New York State now issues drivers licenses with RFID chips and send one of these sleeves with each license. The newer US passports (e-passports) also have one, but they supposedly put foil in the covers to block RFID function unless it's open. Even so, some companies are doing a brisk business in overpriced metallic passport covers for additional "protection". Once I get one, I'm just going to dig around the lab for a discarded ESD bag that fits.

BTW - this is what it looks like (I am not Happy Traveler and he doesn't exactly look like he's 28):



I

[Pirate VB Fan]

Apr 29, 2009 1:28:58 GMT -5 BearClause said:

Wow, that thing looks like it was designed in the 1950s. I realize it is the federal government, but the design just looks archaic to me.

p.s. "Happy" must have led a very hard life to look like that at 28.

[XAsstCoach]

I do like the design of this card. Not too flashy, not too dull. Looks pretty good.

[Deleted]

You have to remember that Happy married Wretched. That's added a few years to his face.

[BearClause]

Apr 29, 2009 11:10:03 GMT -5 XAsstCoach said:

I do like the design of this card. Not too flashy, not too dull. Looks pretty good.

All black lettering is embossed. The DOB, number in the lower left corner, and the A in USA are darker and heavier. There's also a US seal eagle embossed just around the top of the photo.

The back has lots of info in block lettering - like the information on a passport - for scanning with optical readers. I've seen similar block lettering on some of my visas. This photo has a blank area where the lettering should be:



I hear some states (New York, Washington, Arizona, Vermont, etc) are issuing enhanced drivers licenses, where legal status is verified and they serve as legal documents for border or sea crossings. I don't think California is looking to do this anytime soon. They've already applied for a Real ID extension to the end of 2009 and privacy concerns seem to be an issue.

www.dhs.gov/xnews/releases/pr_1196872524298.shtm
www.nydmv.state.ny.us/edl-main.htm
www.dol.wa.gov/driverslicense/edl.html