TSA tells Americans their Costco cards won't fly at airport security despite love for hot dogs
"We love hotdogs & 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 TSA wrote on Facebook Wednesday.
The reminder comes less than a month after the U.S. began requiring a REAL ID driver's license when flying domestically May 7.
Aside from REAL IDs, which have enhanced federal standards, domestic flyers can also use their passports or another federally-approved form of identification like Defense Department-issued IDs (but not a Costco card).
"Department of Defense IDs for active and retired military continue to be an acceptable form of ID at TSA checkpoints following the implementation of REAL ID last month," the TSA wrote on Facebook Thursday.
REAL IDs were available for years before the requirement went into effect after a 2005 law passed based on recommendations from the 9/11 Commission report.
With many procrastinating until shortly before the deadline, DMV centers were inundated with long lines in April and early May, and there was confusion about what forms of identification, such as a passport, birth certificate or Social Security card, were acceptable at a DMV to secure a REAL ID.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
%3Amax_bytes(150000)%3Astrip_icc()%2FTAL-naples-florida-FAVUSBEACHDEST0825-224994e1789d4ad683b6b7d534d36631.jpg&w=3840&q=100)
Travel + Leisure
3 minutes ago
- Travel + Leisure
We Asked 7 Travel Experts Their Favorite U.S. Beach Getaway—and They All Picked the Same Destination
Here's a bit of good news for you: the days may be getting a little shorter, and you might even feel a slight chill in the morning air—but summer isn't over yet. In fact, according to the travel professionals we spoke to, there's no reason your summer ever has to end, so long as you head to their shared favorite beach getaway destination. In August, we asked travel professionals to share their favorite coastal escapes, and one state came up again and again with resounding enthusiasm: Florida. After all, it's called the Sunshine State for a reason, and with 825 miles of beaches along its eastern, southern, and western coasts, it offers more than enough shoreline to explore. If you're looking for specific spots to visit, the experts have you covered. Here are the top beach destinations travel professionals recommend you visit in Florida. Brad Busby, the executive vice president of Hospitality at RREAF Holdings, suggests seeking out lesser-known beach towns as the season winds down to help people unwind on one final getaway. "Cocoa Beach, Florida, is a prime example, where peaceful days on the sand might be punctuated by the awe of a rocket launch from nearby Kennedy Space Center," he told Travel + Leisure . "[It] offers a sense of nostalgic charm, reminding us of a time when beach towns felt more personal and more relaxed." David Ciccarelli, the CEO of also recommends venturing beyond the usual spots in search for more solitude. That's why he thinks a drive up to West Palm Beach is a fantastic way to spend a Floridian vacation. "It's away from the crowds of Miami's beaches, and further north of the yacht capital of the world is West Palm," Ciccarelli said. "I first visited there because my grandparents have a place in the city, and they took me to the beach each day. Certainly, it's changed since then, but it has all the beauty without the busyness of Miami." Looking for both a little hustle and bustle with your beach time? Follow Elizabeth Valdez, the founder of Paradise Food Tours, to Naples and Bonita Springs. "It's where powder-soft beaches, upscale dining, and serene natural beauty overlap, offering the sophistication of Palm Beach without the crowds of Miami or the commercial buzz of other Gulf Coast towns," Valdez told T+L, adding that the area has something for everyone. "Naples offers art galleries, luxury resorts, and manicured golf courses, while Bonita Springs has a slower, more casual vibe: think nature preserves, historic charm, and a laid-back beach culture." Shannon Jones, a travel advisor and founder of KeeKee's Big Adventures, believes more travelers should consider Sarasota as a prime beach escape. "It has a small-town feel with a great culinary scene, think Italian, seafood, and more," Jones said. "The area has a youthful vibe due to local colleges like Ringling College of Art & Design." Bonus: Sarasota also has a strong arts and culture scene thanks to spots like the Ringling Museum and the upcoming Mote Science Education Aquarium. Ava Wilson, a travel expert at Travel Taste Discover, calls Navarre Beach her top pick for a quieter coastal experience. "Loved by families looking for secluded beaches as well as the general tourists, and for good reason, it is a beautiful beach. Sugar white sand, emerald waters, and fewer crowds than what we usually have in Florida's panhandle, Navarre Beach is one of my favorite domestic beach destinations that I recommend to literally everyone." According to Wilson, the prime time to visit is September as it's the time when "the temperatures are still balmy and the summer crowd is gone." Susan Blume, the founder of Personal Escape Travel, recommends an easy, breezy getaway that's quick to reach and packed with everything you need in one spot. "One of my favorite beach destinations to recommend is Delray Beach. Very easy flights from most of the East Coast, lots of hotel options, and a great stretch of beach," Blume said. Here, you can "walk everywhere in terms of dining and nightlife, plus there are always cultural events. It's a reasonable getaway and a good option for a long weekend." Chelsea Wimberley, an online scout for Destin-Fort Walton Beach Tourism, invites travelers to visit her home turf. "Destin-Fort Walton Beach is surrounded by water, and each waterway is different. We have The Gulf, Choctawhatchee Bay, Destin Harbor, and each is unique for all kinds of water activities. It's also the perfect place to try something new, such as snorkeling, fishing, or paddleboarding." Her must-see picks include the tidepools and the Gulf on Okaloosa Island because it's "laid back, kids can play in the sand, and right on the water."
%3Amax_bytes(150000)%3Astrip_icc()%2FTAL-header-exterior-hotel-albatross-HTLALBATROSSOPEN0825-8eb55df73dfd46b388136f48dc9fffc3.jpg&w=3840&q=100)
Travel + Leisure
33 minutes ago
- Travel + Leisure
This Tiny, 272-acre Town on the Jersey Shore Doesn't Sell Alcohol—but a Charming New Inn Invites You to Have a Drink on the Porch
The Jersey Shore might not be the first place that comes to mind when you think of beautiful Victorian-style architecture and—wait for it—a dry town. But there's not much about the town of Ocean Grove, and it's charming, newly renovated Hotel Albatross, that's expected. 'This town is completely unique, from its founding as a religious retreat, to the fact that all the homes and businesses have historical land leases from the Camp Meeting Association,' explains Dominick Perrier-Strand, director of hotels for RC Management. RC Management also operates the nearby Majestic Hotel, The Hideaway in Long Beach Island, and Point Pleasant's Casa del Mar. In addition to renovating and reimagining the historic property under the strict guidelines of Ocean Grove's historical preservation commission and the Camp Meeting Association, the Hotel Albatross team had to contend with a challenge that would make most hotel owners balk. The town prohibits the sale of beer, wine, and liquor. In fact, just 40 years ago, the gates of Ocean Grove were locked on Sundays, and cars were not permitted to enter the town. The lobby cafe. 'Guests are welcome to bring their beverages of choice to enjoy on our property. With the hotel ideally situated on Ocean Pathway, our porches (with a BYO bottle of wine) are the unofficial social club of Hotel Albatross,' Perrier-Strand says. The team offers a complimentary Albatross Aperitif each Saturday throughout the summer, and also features a rotating weekly wine selection. If guests are celebrating a special occasion, the concierge can arrange to have a favorite bottle delivered from the team's go-to wine shop in neighboring Asbury Park. 'It'll be chilling in your room before you even unpack,' he says. 'Plus, guests are always welcome to hail a ride to a nearby bevy shop in our six-seater golf cart.' Another unexpected hiccup that cropped up during the renovation? Accessibility. 'The building's Victorian charm created a challenging environment for people with accessibility needs or difficulty climbing stairs. We are proud to have built the first hotel with an all-stop elevator in Ocean Grove, including a stop outside,' says Perrier-Strand. 'We hope that this will make the town available to a wider range of travelers looking to experience our slice of the Jersey Shore.' Interior of the Lobby Lounge. The hotel's fully refreshed interior was designed by Mapa Mueller (who previously worked on concepts like The Equinox Hotel and Life House Hotels) and incorporates cheeky wallpaper as well as vintage pieces like an heirloom mirror from the 1950s and archival press clippings to honor Hotel Albatross' early days. The lobby boasts a rotating merchandise nook styled with personal pieces from the home of Julian C. Hamer, an artist, collector of antiquities, avid gardener, and curator & docent of the local Centennial Cottage Museum on Ocean Grove's Central Avenue; the overall vibe is eclectic yet cozy, with a healthy dose of quirk. The 27 rooms, including two sprawling suites named after famous Ocean Grove residents like Hamer and local architect Mark Pavliv, feature special touches including Serta mattresses, Salt & Stone bath products, and pour-over stations with coffee from Maiden Coffee Roasters in nearby Neptune Township. Complimentary beach passes as well as Priority Coast bicycles are available. While the property doesn't have a permanent on-site restaurant, Perrier-Strand says his team is excited by pop-up opportunities like hosting a nightly prix fixe tasting menu with beloved New Jersey concepts like Buoy's in Manasquan and Dock & Claw on Long Beach Island. They've also hosted trendy New Zealand ice cream pop-up Golden Boy, highlighted New Jersey wine producer Ripe Life Wines, and plan to offer curated fondue and wine pairing nights during the winter months with C'est Cheese from Asbury Park. 'The challenge here was really to establish a new standard of hotel and service that's never been available in Ocean Grove before," Perrier-Strand adds. "We had to be sure that introducing a new accommodation class and price point was going to work in what has historically been a Victorian bed-and-breakfast coastal town.' Nightly rates start at $249 per night and can be booked at
WIRED
34 minutes ago
- WIRED
Need A Portable Battery Bank? This One Is $350 Off
Save cash and store power with a massive discount on this portable battery bank. All products featured on WIRED are independently selected by our editors. However, we may receive compensation from retailers and/or from purchases of products through these links. Learn more. Are you an outdoor adventurer looking to turn your boring campsite into a well lit glamping ground? The Jackery Explorer 1000 V2 is marked down to $449, almost $350 off its list price, a supercharged price reduction for a product that's otherwise a little spendy. Jackery portable power stations have found their way onto multiple WIRED lists, including our roundup of the best power banks, as well as our favorite portable power stations, thanks to their consistent, relatively quiet operation. They're a great pick for adventurer who don't want to go too far from their devices, and they can hide in a closet to act as a backup power source during an outage or other emergency. They come loaded with a variety of connections, in this case three AC outlets, two USB-C and one USB-A, plus a DC 12V car outlet just in case. The Jackery Explorer 1000 V2 that's discounted doesn't have quite the same feature set as the Plus version that WIRED writer Simon Hill reviewed. Most notably, the Plus version is expandable with additional battery packs, while the discounted V2 is stuck at 1000Wh. The Plus also has a slightly higher output power, 3,000W compared to the V2's 2,200W, so make sure to take that into account if you intend on really putting this battery through its paces. There are some advantages over the more expensive model, however. Apart from a lower price for the same capacity, the Explorer 1000 V2 is lighter and more portable than its Plus counterpart, making it easier to chuck into your truck for a weekend away. It also charges slightly faster from a wall or car, but probably not by enough to make a huge difference in your life. Both models support Jackery's app, which lets you track capacity and charging, as well as manage battery and energy settings while in use. While I don't have capacity tests for the 1,000Wh version, the larger 2,000Wh Plus model was able to power a portable air conditioner for almost seven hours, so you should be looking at about half that for this smaller model. It's also compatible with Jackery's solar panels if you want to keep it topped up while on a trip. While you can buy the base unit on its own for $449, there are also discounts on bundles with the battery, like a $749 bundle that includes a pair of 100W solar panels, or a $499 bundle with a convenient carrying case. Both are solid deals, and while there are regular discounts on Jackery devices, this one may not last long.
