Real ID Is Now the Law, Not a Suggestion
As of May 7, a Real ID-compliant form of identification is required to board domestic flights. Look for the gold or black star in the upper corner of your driver’s license. If it’s not there, your license won’t get you through the checkpoint.
Workarounds exist. A valid U.S. passport book or card works. So does a Global Entry card, a state-issued enhanced driver’s license, or a handful of other federally accepted documents. If you’re flying with a non-compliant ID, bring backup: a bank statement, a Social Security card, anything that reinforces your identity. You could technically still be denied boarding without a Real ID — extra documentation makes that outcome less likely.
Your Phone and Your Lounge Access Need Attention Too
Download your airline’s app before you leave the house, not from the departure gate while everyone stares at the departures board. Log in, enable push notifications, and let the app track your flight. During irregular operations — delays, cancellations, reroutes — the app frequently updates before the gate agents announce anything. That head start matters when rebooking windows are narrow and the phone queue is an hour long.
One more thing that’s changed quietly: airport lounge guest policies. What worked last summer may not work now. American Express Centurion Lounge cardholders can only bring two guests for free if they spend at least $75,000 annually on their eligible card. Miss that threshold and guest fees apply. Read your specific card’s current terms before you walk up to the lounge with four people expecting a free brunch — the policies shift, and the staff at the door have no obligation to grandfather your assumptions.
