Your Costco membership card? No, this is not a replacement for a real ID.

The membership card which gives you a Combo meal in hot dog of $ 1.50 will not, in fact, of the agents of transport of transport of transport.

This is what airport security officials recall travelers as some forget the details For a real identity documentWho require passengers navigating through airport security control points to present a form of identification in accordance with the federal government, improved by safety, star or flag.

And this big gold star on Costco cards does not count.

“I cannot fly on hot dogs and hope”, the TSA published Wednesday, in its social media accounts. “Your Costco Gold Star membership card could mark a pack of 48 TP, a magic roast chicken and a hot dog and a soda that defies inflation, but that will not allow you a TSA control point.”

While the TSA is known for have a sense of humor online (The agency’s Instagram handle is @TSABut the name is Travel Tips & Dad Joke Hits 🎶), the position was designed as a real reminder to those who think that the membership card could be a real replacement of an identification issued by the government.

Every few months, a Reddit wire Handle travelers at this tip: if you find yourself at the airport without an appropriate identity document, try your Costco card instead.

“It is the most real identification”, ” Someone commented. “He has the golden star they want to see”, ” Another said.

Some messages make it easy: go through safety with the same card that allows you to offer you bulk size offers.

On May 25, the food site Chowhound I picked up a thread that made this advice under the promising title “How your Costco card can save you at the airport”.

On June 3, the article was updated to include disclosure: TSA does not explicitly indicate that a costco card can be used as a form of identification. With new Real ID requirements, using your membership card alone will not allow you to allow you to safety.

There is no Kirkland special at the airport.

However, because Costco membership cards include your photo and name, this can help TSA agents Confirm your identity If you have no other form of identification. However, it does not replace a form of identification issued by the government.

TSA agents should most likely take additional measures to confirm your identity, and you may be withdrawn for additional screening.

If you are about to travel and you have no real identity, you can go through the safety of the airport with an element of the state Improved driving licenseA permanent resident card (also known as the green card), a valid passport, a passport card or an identification for trusted traveler programs such as World entrance And LINK.

But don’t leave your Costco card at home. The large -scale store has hundreds of locations worldwide, and they all take the same membership card.