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Howard
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Passport card
What are the advantages of having a passport card in addition to the normal passport?
Driving north at say, San Ysidro, can you get into a different line that is normally shorter?
Flying into the states from Mexico, what does the card get you?
We don't stop playing because we grow old;
we grow old because we stop playing
George Bernard Shaw
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freediverbrian
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Nothing, a passport card is for land use only entering the US no international. It is not a fast pass , it is cheaper document . If you have a
regular passport no need for a card.
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mtgoat666
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Passport card not valid for intl air travel. Only accepted at land borders. It might be accepted in readi lanes at land border.
You are better off with real passport and global entry - that’s the golden ticket
[Edited on 7-25-2019 by mtgoat666]
Woke!
“...ask not what your country can do for you – ask what you can do for your country.” “My fellow citizens of the world: ask not what America
will do for you, but what together we can do for the freedom of man.”
Prefered gender pronoun: the royal we
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Howard
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So for land travel from Mexico there is no benefit other than the convenience of carrying it in your wallet Vs carrying around the passport book?
We don't stop playing because we grow old;
we grow old because we stop playing
George Bernard Shaw
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bajaguy
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Passport Card
Can I use my passport card at Ready Lanes?....... Yes.
Adults and children with U.S. passport cards can save time at the U.S.-Mexico border by using designated Ready Lanes that read the passport card's
Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology.
Passport Card - Bureau of Consular Affairs:
https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/passports/apply-r...
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David K
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Doesn't the passport book with the camera logo on it also RFID to used in the Ready Lane? I have both but use Tecate northbound so no Ready Lane
option there.
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bajafam
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Pros:
cheaper
can be used in the Ready Lanes
easier to carry than the book
waterproof
Cons:
only for travel by land and sea
restricted to travel of 20 countries: Mexico, Canada, Bermuda and 17 islands in the Caribbean.
No ability to look at all your fun country stamps
[Edited on 7-25-2019 by bajafam]
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AKgringo
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For residents of states that have been slow to comply with "real ID" standards (like AK and CA) the passport card has served for boarding domestic
flights, and entrance to federal buildings where an ID is required.
If you are not living on the edge, you are taking up too much space!
"Could do better if he tried!" Report card comments from most of my grade school teachers. Sadly, still true!
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BornFisher
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Get the card. You don`t need one until you need one. Could save you lots of hassle someday.
"When you catch a fish, you open the door of happiness."
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rhintransit
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Quote: Originally posted by Howard  | | So for land travel from Mexico there is no benefit other than the convenience of carrying it in your wallet Vs carrying around the passport book?
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Well, at land crossings with ready lanes, those are usually shorter. Of course, that requires a ready lane open. Crossing at Otay Mesa, two
different pedestrian crossings, one has, one does not...or rather has something marked ready lane but is used as regular lane. When I inquired about
this, the agent told me, well, people don’t read the signs and we end up with everyone anyway so we just gave up on it.
reality\'s never been of much use out here...
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Howard
Super Nomad
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Location: Loreto/Manhattan Beach/Kona
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Mood: I'd rather regret the things I've done than regret the things I haven't done.
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Thanks to all, very informative and on point.
See how nice we can all play in the sand box!
We don't stop playing because we grow old;
we grow old because we stop playing
George Bernard Shaw
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Bajazly
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So if you have Ready or GE, do you need to have the passport card or is the passbook ok?
Believing is religion - Knowing is science
Harald Pietschmann
"Get off the beaten path and memories, friends and new techniques are developed"
Bajazly, August 2019
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Paco Facullo
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A big advantage I've found for the passport card is that when traveling I take both so I'm able to leave my passport in my room safe (if there is one)
and carry my passport card as ID....
Also everyone should take a photo of your passport and place in a folder in your email account. This is in case everything gets stolen it will be MUCH
easier the identify yourself at the Embassy..
Also, add all international free calling numbers for all the CC cards you are taking..
Since I've given up all hope, I feel much better
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JoeJustJoe
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Howard wrote: "What are the advantages of having a passport card in addition to the normal passport?"
The advantages outweigh the disadvantages of not getting both a passport and passport card when you renew your passport.
What is it about another $30 dollars to get both?
So the only disadvantage of not getting both at the same time is about $30 dollars?
The advantages are using the Ready lane, and the convenience of having a passport card in your wallet.
Now when I had only the passport, I wouldn't waste my time getting a separate passport card, because the advantages are not that great to hassle to
the paperwork, photos, and higher fee.
However if you're going to renew your passport, it's a no brainer to get both with the same paperwork online, unless you're a cheapskate and don't
want to fork over a few extra bucks for both.
[Edited on 7-25-2019 by JoeJustJoe]
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bajafam
Senior Nomad
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Location: Northeast AZ, Bahia Asuncion, BCS :)
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It's not necessarily being a cheapskate. Especially if you have to fork over the cash for more than one set.
Adults (new application) $110 for book, $30 for card, $140 for both (good for 10 years) + agent application fee of $35 for book, $30 for card +
passport photo fee $ varies
Children (new application) $80 for book, $15 for card, $95 for both (good for 5 years) + agent application fee of $35 + passport photo fee $ varies
Adult (renewal by mail) $110 for book, $30 for card + photo fees
Child renewal is the same as applying for a new passport as it is not done by mail.
As one can see, it gets pretty pricey. No one discusses the agent fee, or the photo fee.
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bajafam
Senior Nomad
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Location: Northeast AZ, Bahia Asuncion, BCS :)
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Not to mention the expediting fees, if those are needed.
Also note that credit and debit cards are not accepted for payment of the passport itself. You have to pay with check or money order (an additional
fee)
Agent fees are payable by cash, check, money order, or credit/debit
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JoeJustJoe
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| Quote: Originally posted by bajafam | It's not necessarily being a cheapskate. Especially if you have to fork over the cash for more than one set.
Adults (new application) $110 for book, $30 for card, $140 for both (good for 10 years) + agent application fee of $35 for book, $30 for card +
passport photo fee $ varies
Children (new application) $80 for book, $15 for card, $95 for both (good for 5 years) + agent application fee of $35 + passport photo fee $ varies
Adult (renewal by mail) $110 for book, $30 for card + photo fees
Child renewal is the same as applying for a new passport as it is not done by mail.
As one can see, it gets pretty pricey. No one discusses the agent fee, or the photo fee. |
Since I'm betting that not too many members here have young children, I'm mainly talking about individuals paying $110 dollars, plus $30 more for the
passport card, when you renew your card.
I did it all online same paperwork, and only one sets of photos at Wallgreens for $10 dollars, and for $140 dollars for the passport and passport
card, which I consider a great deal.
After filling it out online and printing it, I then mailed it out, no agent fees to pay, and it came very quickly about two weeks later, or at
least it did for me.
Now I can understand how expensive it is to get a passport for the whole family, especially the first time, and so I don't consider families as
cheapskates, as I do for individuals who won't pony up an extra $30 dollars for a passport card.
For those families if they don't want to pay the big bucks for passports for the whole family, and they are only making a quick border trip, they
could always skip the passport, drive over the US/Mexican border, and when they drive back home, and go through US customs, take the driver's license,
and birth certificates, like many thousands of people especially Mexican-American, with families still do, and as long as they are American citizens,
US Customs will let them return no problem.
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bajafam
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You must apply in person using Form DS-11 if at least one of the following is true:
You are applying for your first U.S. passport
You are under age 16
Your previous U.S. passport was issued when you were under age 16
Your previous U.S. passport was lost, stolen, or damaged
Your previous U.S. passport was issued more than 15 years ago
If any of those apply, there is an agent acceptance fee. I think that is relatively new but important to note.
The photo fees have also increased. We paid $15 each at Walgreens last year.
Doing the whole cross with IDs and birth certificates is becoming more and more difficult. You're looking at a lengthy stay in secondary, most likely.
Also, without a passport, you cannot get the necessary FM-T to be in Mexico legally, so there's that.
[Edited on 7-25-2019 by bajafam]
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JoeJustJoe
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Bajafam, if you look at my original post I was mainly talking about getting a passport and passport card when you renew and it's real easy online
provided you qualify and you do not need a trip to the post office or to pay an agent.
I did my passport/ passport renew about 2 years ago, when Walgreens charged only $10 dollars, now if $15 dollars is going to set someone back.
You can always take your own your passport photo with your iOS/Android phone, and the State department has a free photo cropping tool on it's website,
and there is an app for Passport Photo Booth, and it's free!
If I'm making a brief Baja trip, I usually do it has a pedestrians, and for years, I have seen US Customs, just wave people through when they are
armed with only a Driver's license and birth certificate, despite the fact the requirements changed many years ago that said a passport was required.
The only people who get sent to secondary seem to be people they would send to secondary regardless if they are carrying a passport or not. Once in a
blue moon would I hear a customs official tell a US citizen to get a passport the next time.
You don't want to get me started on the FMM tourist card, especially for quick trips by car over the border.
[Edited on 7-25-2019 by JoeJustJoe]
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Bajazly
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I gotta say, if one can't afford the doc fees for international travel, about $25 a year PP for 10 years, maybe they shouldn't be traveling
internationally. The doc fees are a drop in the bucket compared to what it will cost to travel abroad.
If you're dirt bagging in Mexico, then you are saving a bunch of money there, so.... There is a cost for everything in life and traveling
internationally is not some god given right.
Believing is religion - Knowing is science
Harald Pietschmann
"Get off the beaten path and memories, friends and new techniques are developed"
Bajazly, August 2019
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