Motivation Excellence Gives Tips for Navigating US Citizen Travel Requirements in 2025
CHICAGO, Feb. 4, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- As a performance improvement agency that specializes in group travel incentives and corporate events and meetings, our Motivation Excellence team has a few new travel policies on our radar for 2025. Whether you plan to fly domestically or internationally this year, as a US traveler there a several changes you need to know well before you head to the airport.
REAL ID in the USA
Starting May 7, 2025 you will need REAL ID-compliant identification from your state, or a valid passport to fly ANYWHERE. Yes, that means travel within the United States too. Earlier this year, the TSA published their " final rule" on the deadline and enforcement of this law that was passed back in 2005 as a result of 9/11 security flaws.
'You know if your state ID is compliant if there's a star in the upper right corner,' says Joe Reise, Director, Travel Purchasing, Planning, and Supplier Relations at Motivation Excellence.
To find out how to get a REAL ID in your state visit usa.gov/real-id. You'll be required to bring in certain documents to verify your social security number, identity and address.
'Homeland security has an FAQ website that provides all the information travelers need to know. The bottom line though is if you don't have a valid REAL ID or valid passport you won't get past security at U.S. airports as of May 7, so take action now if you plan to travel domestically this year,' warns Reise.
REAL IDs will be required to enter a military base or other secure federal facilities after May 7, as well.
ETA in the UK
United States citizens traveling to or through the UK (England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland) are now required to get an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) before you fly.
'The key thing with the ETA is that it applies to layovers too,' Reise says. 'The application process can take up to 72 hours, so it needs to be on your to-do list the week before your planned travel if your flight is taking you into a UK airport.'
The fastest way to apply is through the UK ETA app which is available for iPhone and Android users through the App Store or Google Play Store. You'll need your actual passport, an email address and a digital way to pay like a credit card, Apple Pay or Google Pay.
ETIAS for European Travel
We first wrote about Americans needing to add a visa-like travel document to U.S. passports for European travel more than a year ago, but the requirement deadline is still fuzzy. According to the Travel Europe website, the European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS) will be operational six months after the automated Exit/Entry System (EES) is up and running.
'We hear that EES and then the subsequent ETIAS travel authorization for non-EU nationals will come into play sometime in 2025, but we haven't heard a definite date yet,' Reise states.
Reise suggests US travelers check the US Department of State for the latest information and requirements you need to know before international travel.
Motivation Excellence makes sure our clients and their participants are aware of extra hoops to jump through well in advance of our incentive group travel programs, whether domestic or international. We hope this information will help guide you to safer and happier travel adventures in 2025!
Motivation Excellence uses high-end travel and merchandise incentives, meetings and events to help our clients Inspire Extraordinary Performance among the people who mean the most to the success of their business. Through data-driven metrics we create customized solutions that minimize risk and maximize results while providing business intelligence companies often don't realize they're missing.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Boeing sent a new plane on a 3-day journey to China in fresh sign of easing trade tensions
A Boeing 737 Max landed in China on Monday, the first in around two months. The same plane had previously been sent back to Seattle after trade tensions flared. China and the US are set for another round of negotiations in London on Monday. Boeing has sent a plane to China for the first time since tariff tensions boiled over, ahead of further trade talks between the US and China. The 737 Max touched down in Zhoushan around noon local time on Monday, according to data from FlightAware. It concluded a lengthy transpacific journey that began on Friday, when the plane, registered as N230BE, flew from Seattle to Hawaii. On Saturday, it had another refuelling stop in Guam. China is 16 hours ahead of Seattle, so though the plane arrived three calendar days after it first took off at around 10 a.m. local time Friday, its journey was roughly 59 hours in total. Boeing did not immediately respond to a request for comment. This wasn't the first time that this jet, painted in the livery of Xiamen Airlines, crossed the ocean. Flight-tracking data shows it first departed Seattle in March, only to end up back there a month later. It was one of three planes that Boeing sent back to the US in April from its delivery center in Zhoushan after trade tensions escalated. President Donald Trump had introduced tariffs as high as 145%, and China retaliated by imposing a 125% fee on anything imported from the US. "Many of our customers in China have indicated they will not take delivery," Boeing CEO Kelly Ortberg said on an earnings call later that month. He added that around 50 planes would instead be resold to other airlines. However, tariff tensions have since eased. In May, talks saw the US reduce its levy on Chinese products to 30%, while China reduced its tariffs to 10%. On Monday, the two countries are set to meet for another round of talks in London in hopes of resolving the trade war. That's especially welcome news for Boeing. Ortberg said China accounts for about 10% of its commercial-aircraft order book. Meanwhile, rival planemaker Airbus predicts China will be the world's biggest market for aviation services by 2043, accounting for 20% of all aircraft deliveries. The European firm received a boost last week after Bloomberg reported that China is mulling an order for hundreds of Airbus jets. Airbus stock subsequently rose more than 3%. Read the original article on Business Insider Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
%3Amax_bytes(150000)%3Astrip_icc()%2FTAL-charging-phone-at-airport-CHRGNGATAIRPORT0625-ebd344fdeb90453aa2ba4bec2aee9b67.jpg&w=3840&q=100)
Travel + Leisure
2 hours ago
- Travel + Leisure
TSA Warning Urges Travelers to Stop Making These 2 Common Tech Mistakes at Airports
After the chaos of check-in lines and security checkpoints, there's a small ritual that feels almost sacred: finding a seat near your gate, plugging in your phone, and catching your breath with a scroll through emails or TikTok. But according to the TSA, these small comforts could come at a cost. In a March 2025 Facebook post, the agency's IT team warned travelers that using public USB charging ports and logging onto public Wi-Fi could leave personal data vulnerable to hackers. One of the most common mistakes travelers make is plugging phones into an unprotected USB charging port at the airport, which hackers can corrupt with malware. Once you're plugged in, hackers can use the USB connection to export personal data through a tactic known as "juice jacking" or "port jacking." To protect yourself, you can purchase a USB data blocker, which only allows for your device to be charged—without transferring data. Alternatively, you could simply plug your phone into a wall charger rather than a USB port. Another option is to charge your devices using a TSA-compliant battery pack (which should always go in your carry-on bag anyway, and never your checked bag). TSA also cautions against the use of public Wi-Fi, which includes the free airport Wi-Fi. These unsecured networks can be dangerous if you plan to make online purchases or need to enter sensitive information, such as social security numbers and credit card details. In addition to capitalizing on unsecured networks, hackers have been known to use a tactic called the 'man-in-the-middle" attack, where they set up a Wi-Fi hotspot that looks like a free public WiFi network. When you connect, the hacker can intercept all your information. The safest thing to do is to rely on your phone's data while at the airport—or in any public place. If that isn't an option, you should confirm that you are connecting to the real, official airport Wi-Fi. For an added layer of protection, consider using a virtual private network (aka a VPN), which can further encrypt your data and mask your IP address (a unique identifying number that's assigned to every device connected to the internet). As tempting as it is to relax and recharge at the gate, it's worth taking a few simple precautions to protect your data. Stick to wall outlets or your own battery pack for charging, avoid public WiFi when possible, and use a VPN if you must connect. A little awareness can go a long way in keeping your personal information safe—all before you board the plane.
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Yahoo
No, your Costco card does not count as REAL ID, TSA says
The Transportation Security Administration wants to make something very clear: you can't use your Costco membership card as a form of identification. On June 4, the TSA attempted to dispel rumors on social media that using a Costco card is equivalent to using a REAL ID to get through airport security. According to reports, the rumor has been seen on Reddit posts and blog posts. TSA spokesperson Lorie Dankers said presenting your Costco card to TSA will just lead to delays. "Let me tell you something about that. Whoever wrote that story is recycling old material,' Dankers told SF Gate. "Essentially, what the process they're describing is … let's say you lost your ID and only had a Costco card in your pocket. That would help establish a baseline identity for you. The TSA officer would use that as a starting point to confirm your identity, but they would still have to go through our identity verification process.' Here is the type of ID you're supposed to have at the airport. The REAL ID Act, passed in 2005, sets security standards for issuing sources of identification, such as driver's licenses. Congress passed the REAL ID Act in response to the September 11 attacks. Texas began issuing REAL ID-compliant cards on October 10, 2016. These cards are marked with a gold circle with an inset star located in the upper right-hand corner. If you look at your current Texas driver's license, it should have a gold star at the top-right corner of the ID. Your current Texas driver's license or ID is REAL ID-compliant if it has a gold star in the top right corner. If it doesn't, you'll see the gold star on your next renewal or request a replacement card. If you plan to fly domestically, the deadline to be REAL ID ready was May 7, 2025. On June 4, the TSA shared a post on X, advising people not to attempt to use a Costco membership card of any kind to bypass airport security. A Costco membership card will not count as a REAL ID. According to you can apply for a new REAL ID-compliant Texas driver's license or ID in person at a Texas DPS office. You may be eligible to renew your existing Texas driver's license or ID online. You can still use your current, unexpired Texas driver's license or ID to drive and for non-federal ID purposes. When it's time to renew your driver's license or ID, you'll get a REAL ID-compliant one. REAL IDs work for domestic travel, but can't replace a passport for international flights. Passports are still required for venturing beyond U.S. borders. This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: No, your Costco card does not count as REAL ID, TSA says
