Why Get a Passport Card? 4 Benefits of Having One

Travelers treasure their passport books, which allow them the precious liberty of flying to hundreds of countries. But when you look at applying for a passport book, you may stumble across passport cards, which boast a much smaller price tag. So, why get a passport card? Is it even worth it?

We can’t lie—we do be liking the way this one looks.

In a nutshell, getting a passport card is worth it if you’re traveling to certain countries or looking for an alternative ID option—under the right conditions.

You won’t often see a passport card “in the wild” with its shimmering red, white, and blue colors. They’re for specific travel purposes only, so they’re not as popular as passport books. But you’re taking less of a risk by carrying around a passport card, which can give you a sense of relief.

It’s best to see if the benefits of a passport card apply to you (and understand its limitations) to ensure you’ll get an equitable return on investment.

What is a passport card?

As a result of the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI), laws changed in 2007 involving which documents were required for entry to other countries in North America. Because of the change, U.S. nationals could only access next-door countries, such as Canada and Mexico, with passport books. (Before 2007, birth certificates were permissible.)

As a more affordable and efficient way for U.S. nationals to cross borders, the U.S. State Department started issuing passport cards in July 2008. The passport card is an inexpensive travel document that is only valid for land and sea travel to 19 other countries in North America.

What’s the difference between a passport book and passport card?

With passport books and passport cards, it’s not exactly an apples-to-apples comparison. While both of them have the same application forms and processing times (which could be up to several months), they have different purposes. Passport books are for the big travel leagues—flying to countries all over the world—whereas passport cards are for one continent only.

Let’s take a look at the key differences between passport books and passport cards:

1. Passport cards have specific travel purposes

Getting on a cruise? You’re golden.

Passport books allow U.S. nationals to travel by land, air, and sea to a cornucopia of countries all over the world. Whereas with passport cards, they are not valid for international air travel.

So, why get a passport card? They’re valid for U.S. domestic flights, and they’re acceptable for travel by land or sea to the following locations: Mexico, Canada, Bermuda, and these islands in the Caribbean:

• Anguilla
• Antigua and Barbuda
• Aruba
• The Bahamas
• British Virgin Islands
• Caribbean Netherlands
• Cayman Islands
• Dominica
• Dominican Republic
• Grenada
• Jamaica
• Montserrat
• Saint Kitts and Nevis
• Saint Lucia
• Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
• Turks and Caico

2. Passport cards cost less than passport books

If you’re buying a passport book for the first time (and you’re 16 or older), you may feel a little sticker shock. They cost $110 for the application fee and $35 for the execution fee.

However, passport cards are a fraction of that cost, as they were created to be more affordable for U.S. nationals. They’re only $30 for the application fee and $35 for the execution fee ($80 in savings). You’ll be happy to know that both passport books and passport cards are valid for 10 years for those aged 16+ and for 5 years for minors.

3. Passport cards are smaller than passport books

A passport card will fit snug as a bug in your wallet.

Passport cards are the size of a credit card, rendering them small and portable. You can easily slip your passport card in its protective sleeve (for security reasons) and then into a regular-sized wallet pocket.

On the flipside, at 5” X 3.5” inches, passport books are bigger, and they’re also thicker because they have several pages that allow for stamps and visas. When you have a passport book, you’ll likely need a larger travel accessory to keep it safe and accessible.

What are the benefits of a passport card?

While passport cards may be small and thin, they can do more for you than you think. You may find that a passport card is exactly what you need in your travel toolkit. From money savings to easy accessibility, let’s take a look at the benefits of a passport card:

1. It’s convenient for cruises and border crossings

Whether you’re taking an Alaskan cruise to Canada or road tripping to Mexico City, a valid passport card will work in those situations. And because passport cards have an RFID chip in them, guards at the Canadian and Mexican borders can grant you access across the borders more quickly.

If you’re taking a cruise in the Caribbean, be sure to check with your cruise line if a passport card will suffice. Passport cards aren’t valid for entry in some Caribbean countries. (Closed-loop cruises, which depart and return from the same U.S. port, usually don’t require a passport.)

But if you have to return to the U.S. by plane from any foreign country for any reason, you’ll need a passport book.

2. It’s durable and cheaper to replace

Your passport card will survive those off-road adventures.

Unfortunately, passport books can easily succumb to tears, rips, holes, water damage, and more—and these incidents could make them no longer valid. You’d also have to dish out another $110 to replace a passport book.

However, since passport cards are made of plastic, they’re sturdier. They can survive tough situations. And if your passport card does get lost, stolen, or broken, you won’t have to fret so much at the bill. The renewal cost is only $30.

3. It’s an alternative form of identification

In 2023, the TSA will require all travelers 18 years of age and older to present a REAL ID-compliant driver’s license, state-issued enhanced driver’s license, or other form of acceptable ID for domestic flights.

If your current driver’s license doesn’t meet these requirements, and it doesn’t expire until after that date, getting a passport card can save you a trip to the DMV. While you could use a passport book, you’ll avoid the risk of losing it by having a convenient passport card instead.

4. A card is less risky to carry abroad

Your passport book is the hero of international air travel that allows you to jet-set the world over. Yet sometimes, your passport card can be a helpful sidekick in foreign countries when you need to prove your age for extracurricular activities.

This way, you can minimize your risk of anything happening to your passport book. Also, those abroad aren’t always familiar with the names of U.S. states; so they’re more likely to accept a passport card than a driver’s license for identification purposes.

Get free passport & visa information you need on GoAbroad.com

Is getting a passport card the right move for you?

Passport card or passport book? It probably depends on your destination.

Passport cards are a game changer when it’s beneficial for your specific travel situation. If you’re only traveling to one of the 19 included countries by land or sea, passport cards are your ticket in. But while they can save you a few bucks, they don’t offer the same versatility as passport books.

Also, if you’ve signed up for a program in one of those 19 countries, a passport book may still be required. But having a passport card can feel like an added bonus, especially while abroad—you can safeguard your passport book while using the card for “more trivial” ID purposes. Ultimately, it’s up to you!