Act now: The Real ID deadline is less than a year away
Third time's the charm, says the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, which, despite a five-year delay, says it is one year out from implementing the Real ID requirement for domestic air travel.
"The Real ID implementation date is May 7, 2025. On that date, airline travelers will need to have a REAL ID-compliant state-issued identification card or driver’s license or a U.S. Passport," a Transportation Security Administration spokesperson confirmed via email.
Here's everything you need to know.
What is a Real ID?
Every state, along with Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands, is issuing compliant IDs, so your license may already be a Real ID.
You can tell if your driver’s license is Real ID-compliant if there's a star in the upper right or left corner, as shown below.
However, if your ID is missing the star or says something like “federal limits apply” or “not for federal identification,” your ID is not Real ID-compliant.
If you see the star but want to double-check, this tool will help determine whether your ID will work for air travel. You can also use that page to check individual state requirements.
In many states, getting a Real ID may only involve renewing your driver’s license; costs vary by state, ranging from $10 to $85.
Living in a state that issues a Real ID doesn’t mean you’ll automatically receive one, so be sure to ask for one if you want it.
"Each state is encouraging its residents to be Real ID ready," per the TSA spokesperson.
Can I still fly if I don’t have a Real ID?
When the Real ID Act is enacted, passengers departing U.S. airports will not be allowed through TSA checkpoints without a compliant Real ID.
If you don't want to upgrade your driver’s license to a compliant version, you can still travel with a U.S. passport or any of the following TSA-approved forms of identification:
- U.S. passport card
- DHS Trusted Traveler card (Global Entry, Nexus, SENTRI, FAST)
- Permanent resident card
- U.S. Department of Defense ID
- Border-crossing card
- State-issued enhanced driver’s license
- 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
- U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services employment authorization card (I-766)
- U.S. merchant mariner credential
Travelers under 18 need not provide identification when traveling with a companion. A TSA PreCheck card is not a valid form of compliant photo ID.
Could the deadline be pushed back again?
Even though the TSA says it will move forward with the Real ID deadline next year as planned, it's reasonable to remain skeptical given previous delays to 2021, 2023 and now 2025.
"Travelers have seen this deadline slip so many times, and so far back, that they may understandably be tuning out the agencies’ messaging found at airports," said Henry Harteveldt, founder of Atmosphere Research, a travel industry analytical firm. "It will be critical for DHS, the TSA, and airlines to communicate the upcoming change later this year, ideally starting no later than the Thanksgiving travel period."
Bottom line
For those who don't already have a Real ID, you have a little less than a year to obtain one. As the deadline approaches, make an appointment at your local DMV sooner rather than later.
Also note that even if you have Clear or TSA PreCheck, you still need an ID matching Real ID requirements.
"Should the deadline slip modestly, I suspect travelers will understand. But if the deadline slips more than three months, especially if this occurs at the last minute, I’m concerned DHS and TSA will lose their remaining credibility," warned Harteveldt. "Travelers will engage in a massive communal eye-roll. It will be like the fable of the boy who cried wolf — when the agencies are ready to implement, no one will believe them."
Related reading:
- Everything you need to know about getting a Real ID
- The top credit cards for Global Entry and TSA PreCheck
- Real ID requirements for air travel in US delayed until 2025
- Why you should get TSA PreCheck and Clear — and how you can save on both
- Clear is latest TSA PreCheck enrollment provider
- 7 ways to get free or discounted TSA PreCheck, Global Entry and Clear
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- 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.
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| 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. |
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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
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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.