Expert: Roberto Gomes - 4/12/2009

Question
Hello - Last fall I obtained a passport card, which is good for Mexico, Canada & Caribbean travel.  What I didn't know was that it was not good for air travel to those countries - still don't know why.

On a trip to Aruba from Portland,OR via JFK - the airline agent in Portland asked for my passport and I showed her the card - she checked me in for my flights, and checked luggage through to Aruba.

When I was boarding for Aruba, I was stopped and not allowed to board - because I needed my full passport.

My question - is it the policy of airlines checking in passengers for international flights to check for proper passports at the beginning leg of the trip, or just the final leg - the flight to the foreign country?

Answer
Dear David,

Since I do not know who issued this passport card (and to be honest with you, it's the first time that I heard of such document) I can not guarantee if it is valid for international travel. The US Department of State issued a rule last year imposing the use of passport by all US citizens.

Back to the airline policy...the agent in Portland did not checked you in properly, since you need to show a valid passport. I understand that you actually flew from Portland to JFK and normally at the last point the airline agents recheck visas and passports. Even so, from time to time they receive fines for improper docs and visas.

Hope this helps to clarify your question.
Best Regards,
R.Gomes