Passport Card vs Passport book

[cheermom2four]

I applied with my two kids for passport books beginning of June and just received both kids' and I just literally received an email regarding mine being mailed and will arrive by the 15th of this month. My husband didnt apply with us (but had to be there to sign the application for the kids in person) because he had to wait for a certified birth certificate to arrive from vital records. Well, I let him handle applying for his passport alone and I just checked the status of his (per his request) and he applied for a Passport card (he's cheap and probably saw the price difference and thought he'd cut corners here - smacking my head right now). What the heck is the difference and is a card even worth it? We have cruises only booked for Bahamas and then the Caribbean. We eventually wanted to do the Alaskan cruises out of Vancouver but I just read the passport card is useless for air travel. What the heck is it even good for then?

 

[Crystal O_o]

The difference is one is land entrance (card) and one is via flying. So if you fly out of the states you will need the book.

edit: FWIW: they are almost the same price and it never made sense to me to get the card over the book.

 

[Maggie'sMom]

I applied with my two kids for passport books beginning of June and just received both kids' and I just literally received an email regarding mine being mailed and will arrive by the 15th of this month. My husband didnt apply with us (but had to be there to sign the application for the kids in person) because he had to wait for a certified birth certificate to arrive from vital records. Well, I let him handle applying for his passport alone and I just checked the status of his (per his request) and he applied for a Passport card (he's cheap and probably saw the price difference and thought he'd cut corners here - smacking my head right now). What the heck is the difference and is a card even worth it? We have cruises only booked for Bahamas and then the Caribbean. We eventually wanted to do the Alaskan cruises out of Vancouver but I just read the passport card is useless for air travel. What the heck is it even good for then?

The card really isn't good for much more than what a BC can do in regards to cruising. The main reason to get a passport when cruising is in case something happens and you have to leave the cruise early and fly back. The card won't help with that. And it won't be sufficient for the Alaskan cruise unless you are driving across the border into Canada.

 

[bumbershoot]

Silly DH.

 

[cheermom2four]

Thanks that's what I thought. The price difference is in fact $110 for the book and $30 for the card. I'll let him know to try to call and see if they can change it or he will just need to reapply for the passport book once he gets the card and his birth certificate back. I dont want to take risks especially since he's already had a full hip (both) replacement. I'm all about making sure worst case scenarios are covered even if they wont happen.

 

[Bree]

My DH does stuff like this all the time LOL!!!

The passport card is good for people who live close to the Canadian or Mexican borders and frequently drive back and forth.

 

[Bruiserknits]

Yep, get the full passport. Then you will have it and it will be great for taking trips other than a Disney cruise. I want to fill mine up!

 

[sweetpee_1993]

Thanks that's what I thought. The price difference is in fact $110 for the book and $30 for the card. I'll let him know to try to call and see if they can change it or he will just need to reapply for the passport book once he gets the card and his birth certificate back. I dont want to take risks especially since he's already had a full hip (both) replacement. I'm all about making sure worst case scenarios are covered even if they wont happen.

I'd be interested to know what they tell him, of that's okay. I wonder if they'll make him reapply all over again. Interesting!

 

[cheermom2four]

My DH does stuff like this all the time LOL!!!

I thought about going with him because he just tries so hard to save money in EVERYTHING. He would kill over if he saw what Disney cruises cost versus what his aunt and uncle were telling them they paid on a non disney cruise. LOL

 

[lanejudy]

We have Passport Cards and we do use them for cruising -- but only because we live near the Canadian border and do land crossings. Plus we understand the risk of not being able to fly home immediately if an emergency arises. If you are getting passports for the sole purpose of cruising, it's best to get the book; the card is a waste of money for that purpose because you can do the same for free with BC and drivers license.

Enjoy your cruise!

 

[bumbershoot]

The price difference is in fact $110 for the book and $30 for the card.

Yep. Huge difference.

I dont want to take risks especially since he's already had a full hip (both) replacement. I'm all about making sure worst case scenarios are covered even if they wont happen.

Good thinking. Not fun to take time getting the emergency passport when you'd rather be flying home for hip surgery etc.


If he just sent it off, hopefully he can just upgrade it.