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Android users can upload a digital passport for travel
Caroline Tanner
News reporter
A classically trained journalist, Caroline Tanner covers news and travel for TPG. She is a dual-journalism graduate of Mizzou and Northwestern.
Sept. 24, 2024
•
4 min read
Android users can upload a digital passport for travel
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As Apple and Google respectively expand their digital ID technologies to house state mobile driver's licenses in Apple and Google Wallet, Google has added an international travel feature to its wallet.
In a recent announcement, we learned U.S. passport holders will now be able to store a digital passport in Google Wallet for use at select U.S. Transportation Security Administration checkpoints.
Digital IDs are accepted at 28 U.S. airports, per the TSA, but only Apple and Google support digital IDs (for select states) through a state's Department of Motor Vehicles. Individual states are responsible for verifying digital IDs by confirming a user's identity. After verification, you can create and store a digital ID on your phone.
Apple's digital ID is currently available in Arizona, Maryland, Colorado, Georgia and Ohio, with plans to launch in California later this year. In 2023, Google added a feature for Android users to store their digital ID in California — Iowa, New Mexico and Ohio are expected to follow later this year (and Colorado down the line).
Although Android users can download Google Wallet immediately, Google Wallet is not compatible with Apple software. Digital IDs can be used with the iPhone 8 or newer versions of the device (any that run iOS 16.5 or later) or the Apple Watch Series 4 or newer variations of the device (any that run watchOS 9.5 or later).
"This is a Google product and announcement, and it is built on the same platform and to the same technical standards as other digital IDs that will work on TSA readers," a TSA spokesperson said. "From TSA’s perspective, we read the passport and treat the transaction the same as we do with those who have other forms of digital ID and mobile driver’s license."
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Once it's rolled out, digital passports stored on Google Wallet will be able to be used at any U.S. airport with the digital ID technology, specifically:
- Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)
- San Jose Mineta International Airport (SJC)
- San Francisco International Airport (SFO)
- Harry Reid International Airport (LAS) in Las Vegas
- Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX)
- Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC)
- Denver International Airport (DEN)
- Will Rogers World Airport (OKC) in Oklahoma City
- Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW)
- Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport (MSY)
- Gulfport-Biloxi International Airport (GPT) in Mississippi
- Jackson-Medgar Wiley Evers International Airport (JAN) in Mississippi
- Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL)
- Miami International Airport (MIA)
- Nashville International Airport (BNA)
- Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport (CVG)
- John Glenn Columbus International Airport (CMH)
- Richmond International Airport (RIC)
- Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) near Washington, D.C.
- O'Hare International Airport (ORD) in Chicago
- Des Moines International Airport (DSM)
- Eastern Iowa Airport (CID) in Cedar Rapids, Iowa
- Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW)
- John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) in New York City
- LaGuardia Airport (LGA) in New York City
- Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI)
- Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport (SJU) in San Juan, Puerto Rico
- Honolulu's Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (HNL)
According to the agency, as more states start enabling digital IDs, the TSA will add compatible identity verification machines at even more airports. Some states have their own versions of a digital ID that travelers can use to pass through security, but these are stored via state-produced apps.
Even though digital IDs are more convenient and touch-free, keep in mind that the TSA still requires travelers to carry a physical form of identification for airport security checkpoints, as it may still be required to verify your identity.
The State Department declined to comment regarding when digital passports would be fully available for use for travel.
Related reading:
- Real ID is finally coming May 7 but with a phased enforcement plan
- Real ID vs. driver's license: Everything you need to know
- I tried the TSA PreCheck Touchless ID program at O'Hare — and it's a game changer
- Can you get through airport security without ID?
- TSA PreCheck travelers will no longer have to show ID or boarding pass at certain airports
Featured image by KATHLEEN FINAY/GETTY IMAGES
Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.
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Best for dining at restaurants
TPG Editor‘s Rating
Go to reviewCard Rating is based on the opinion of TPG‘s editors and is not influenced by the card issuer.
Rewards Rate
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
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You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.Excellent to Good
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.