Use A Passport Card For Convenient Travel

by garrett on March 31, 2010

Anyone who travels abroad knows that passport book doesn’t last long because they get worn out before long and aren’t too handy to transport. Many frequent travelers prefer to use a passport card instead because it is more convenient to store and access when needed. A card is sturdier and convenient to carry around and access quickly when crossing borders.

The passport card was created to accommodate those who regularly cross the border to The Bahamas, Caribbean Islands, Mexico and Canada. Travelers can cross the border several times when they use the card as an alternative to stamps or passbooks that wear out when they are used too often. The card is well suited for people who have jobs across national boundaries and commute a number of times per week.

A passport card is made up of something called a vicinity-read radio frequency ID device. A computer database connects with the chip that contains the information needed for safe border crossing. There is no personal information about the cardholder on the chip on the card, which makes it safe to use.

These travel cards are to be read close up by people who are trained to read these kinds of cards. This way, no one else can read the card besides the designated personnel at the border locations. The card is meant to be stored in a blocker sleeve when it’s not being used so it won’t be scanned by accident.

One of the most attractive aspects of the card is that it is more economical than a traditional passport. The standard passport book charge for an adult who is getting one for the first time is $100.00. An adult can get a card for more than half the price at $45.00 for the same 10-year life span the passbook lasts for.

Any traveler that has a current passport can upgrade the passbook to a card. There is a modest $20.00 fee incurred to renew the card as opposed to going through the hassle and expense of buying a whole new card. The savings and convenience are two good reasons to switch from a passbook to a card method.

There is one reason travelers may not want to switch from the book to the card, however. The card in prohibited for use when people travel internationally by way of airplane.. When travelers make these particular trips, they need to use their fully equipped passbooks for their entire international trip. People don’t use airlines to travel out of the country as often, so a card is the best choice for people who regularly cross borders.

While the passbook is still the popular choice around the world, the passport card is the more convenient choice for traveling. A card does away with the inevitable deterioration of the book over time. It is also more accessible and convenient for quick use at the borders. Travelers can get a card on the Internet, through a local passport agency or other passport provider.

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