No, Your Costco Card Won’t Get You Through Airport...

A viral joke has once again stirred confusion at airport security: can your Costco membership get you through TSA checkpoints?

The short answer, according to the Transportation Security Administration, is a firm “no.” And they’re not amused—well, maybe just a little.

On June 4, the TSA’s Pacific division posted a light-hearted but direct message on X: “We love hotdogs & rotisserie chickens as much as the next person but please stop telling people their Costco card counts as a REAL ID because it absolutely does not.”

The comment was clearly meant to shut down a growing misconception that a Costco card can somehow stand in for a federally approved identification document. While the post got plenty of laughs online, the agency says the confusion can cause real issues at airport checkpoints.

The Costco Card Myth That Won’t Die

This isn’t the first time the rumor has circulated. According to TSA spokesperson Lorie Dankers, this Costco-as-ID myth pops up every so often, especially when large travel periods approach.

“People try to hand over their Costco membership at the airport and get surprised when it’s not accepted,” Dankers told SFGate. “It’s a membership card, not a government-issued ID.”

In fact, the recurring gag has made enough rounds that the TSA felt compelled to speak up—again—before it leads to more missed flights or frustrated travelers.

Real ID Deadline Has Passed

As of May 7, all travelers flying within the U.S. need to present a Real ID or another form of federally accepted identification to get past security.

The Real ID Act, passed in 2005 and delayed several times, finally took full effect this year. The new standard requires states to issue ID cards that meet stricter verification rules. Real IDs are typically marked with a star in the upper corner.

Don’t have one yet? You’ll need to bring a valid passport or one of several other approved documents. TSA officers won’t—and can’t—make exceptions.

What Will Get You Through Security?

Here’s a breakdown of documents TSA will accept for domestic flights:

A Real ID-compliant driver’s license or ID card
U.S. passport or passport card
DHS trusted traveler cards (Global Entry, NEXUS, SENTRI, FAST)
Military IDs and Department of Defense credentials
State-issued Enhanced Driver’s License (EDL)
Permanent resident cards (green cards)
Tribal-issued photo IDs
Employment Authorization Cards (Form I-766)
Transportation Worker Identification Credentials (TWIC)
U.S. Merchant Mariner Credentials
Veteran Health ID Cards (VHIC)
Certain foreign government-issued passports

Notice anything missing? That’s right—no retail or membership cards, no matter how official they might look.

Why This Matters for Travelers

While TSA’s social media team may have leaned into humor to get their message across, the issue is serious. Showing up with the wrong ID means delays, missed flights, and sometimes even being denied access to the terminal entirely.

And the Costco confusion is just one example. Every year, TSA officers encounter travelers who think work badges, student IDs, or other non-government documents will work.

“They may have photos and names, but they’re not verified or secure in the way federal IDs are,” Dankers noted.

Costco’s Role in All This? None.

For the record, Costco has never claimed its membership cards double as travel documents. The retailer’s iconic plastic card is designed for bulk shopping, not boarding planes.

So while it might get you access to cheap gas, discounted electronics, and endless samples, don’t expect it to get you through TSA screening.

Save the Chicken, Bring the Right ID

If you’re planning a trip, double-check what’s in your wallet before heading to the airport. And while your Costco card might help you save on vacation supplies, it won’t help you get past security.

Leave it at home—unless you’re picking up dinner on the way.