TSA Says Costco Cards Won’t Fly at Airport Security Despite Hot Dog Love

In a rather amusing twist at airport security checkpoints, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) had to issue a reminder this week that, no matter how much you love their hot dogs or rotisserie chickens, a Costco membership card is not a valid form of identification for domestic flights. Yes, folks, that shiny card might get you a great deal on bulk toilet paper, but it won’t get you past the security line.

The clarification comes on the heels of the REAL ID requirement, which kicked into gear on May 7 for all domestic travelers. A REAL ID, marked by enhanced federal standards, is now mandatory unless you’re carrying a passport or another federally approved ID, like a Department of Defense-issued card. The TSA took to social media to playfully chide the public, saying they adore Costco’s culinary delights as much as anyone, but let’s not confuse a warehouse club card with proper travel documentation.

This REAL ID mandate, born from a 2005 law inspired by the 9/11 Commission report, had been in the works for years. Yet, as deadlines loomed, DMV offices across the country saw chaotic lines in April and May, with many scrambling to figure out what documents—passports, birth certificates, or Social Security cards—were needed to upgrade their IDs. It’s a classic case of waiting until the last minute, and now, some are learning the hard way that a Costco card, no matter how beloved, just won’t cut it.