The buzz around Costco’s membership card has been hard to miss lately. That shiny gold star on the card might make you feel like a VIP at the warehouse club, snagging bulk deals and a legendary $1.50 hot dog combo. But when it comes to getting through airport security, don’t expect that card to work any magic. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has been crystal clear: a Costco card is not a substitute for a Real ID, no matter what you might have heard on social media.
The confusion started with rumors swirling on platforms like Reddit, where some travelers suggested that a Costco membership card could be a last-ditch option if you show up at the airport without proper identification. The logic? The card has your name, photo, and that eye-catching gold star, which some mistakenly thought mimicked the star on a Real ID-compliant driver’s license. A few enthusiastic posts even claimed it was a clever hack to breeze through security. But the TSA is putting the brakes on that idea, emphasizing that your Costco card won’t get you past their checkpoints.
On June 4, the TSA took to social media to set the record straight with a mix of humor and bluntness. “Can’t fly on hot dogs and hope,” they posted, poking fun at the idea that a card good for bulk toilet paper and rotisserie chickens could double as official ID. They added, “We love hotdogs and 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 post sparked a wave of reactions online, with some travelers joking about the mix-up. One commenter quipped, “I mean, at least it has a star on it,” while another said they should’ve added “Using a Costco card as a Real ID” to their 2025 bingo card.
So, why the confusion? It likely stems from the Real ID requirements that kicked in recently. As of last month, anyone boarding a commercial flight in the U.S. needs a federally compliant form of identification, like a driver’s license or ID card with a star or flag emblem. These enhanced IDs meet strict security standards set by the federal government. A Costco card, despite its photo and name, doesn’t come close to meeting those requirements. The gold star on the card might look official, but it’s more about club membership than federal compliance.
If you show up at an airport with just your Costco card, don’t expect a smooth trip through security. At best, TSA agents might use it as a secondary way to verify your identity if you’ve forgotten other forms of ID, but it’s not a guarantee. You’ll likely face extra screening or delays, and in the worst case, you could be denied boarding altogether. The TSA advises travelers to stick to approved forms of ID, which include a state-issued enhanced driver’s license, a U.S. passport, a passport card, a permanent resident card, or trusted traveler program IDs like Global Entry or NEXUS. Other options include a Department of Defense ID, a border crossing card, or an acceptable photo ID issued by a federally recognized Tribal Nation.
The mix-up has been fueled by well-meaning but misleading advice online. For example, a May 25 article from the food site Chowhound ran a piece titled “How Your Costco Card Can Save You at the Airport,” suggesting the card could be a workaround for forgotten IDs. After backlash, the article was updated on June 3 with a clarification: the TSA does not accept Costco cards as valid ID, and relying on one could lead to trouble at the checkpoint. The reality is, there’s no “Kirkland special” that gets you through security.
For travelers, the lesson is simple: double-check your ID before heading to the airport. A Real ID-compliant driver’s license or one of the other approved forms of identification is a must for domestic flights. If you’re unsure whether your driver’s license qualifies, look for the star or flag in the upper corner. Without it, you’ll need an alternative like a passport or trusted traveler card. And while your Costco card is great for stocking up on bulk goods or grabbing a cheap lunch at the food court, it’s not going to help you board your flight.
That said, don’t leave your Costco card at home entirely. With hundreds of Costco locations worldwide, that membership card can still come in handy for picking up travel essentials or snacks on the road. Just don’t expect it to get you through the security line. As the TSA’s lighthearted but firm reminders show, when it comes to air travel, stick to the real deal—Real ID, that is.
