US Gals -- Passport Cards?

[VeloVT]

I need to renew my passport (I've been putting it off for the past year or so). I was looking at the State Dept website today to get the scoop on renewing it and discovered that they are now offering a "passport card", like a drivers' license. It's only good for land border crossings (so, Mexico and Canada).

http://www.travel.state.gov/passport/ppt_card/ppt_card_3926.html

I definitely plan to renew my traditional "passport book", since it's necessary for all international air travel (including Canada/Mexico). However, I can see how the card might be convenient to have on occasion. I am pretty close to the Canadian border (northern Vermont). I have been thinking about doing some bike touring in Canada this summer, plus my bf and I keep talking about weekend trips to Montreal... etc, etc. In these contexts, it would be much easier to have a card in my wallet than to constantly be worried about keeping tabs on my passport (does it fit in my purse/seatbag? do I feel safe leaving it in the hotel room? etc etc). This is maybe one of those weird "family culture" things, but traveling with my parents when I was younger it was always a very big deal to have it on you and keep it safe -- I remember being forced to wear one of those awful passport holders that goes around your neck/under your clothes as a teenager traveling through England/Ireland and HATING it the whole time.

Anyway, does anyone have a "passport card"? Is it worth the extra time/money to get one?

As I mentioned, we are actually pretty close to Canada. I even thought about training for the Montreal Marathon this fall (My dad ran the Ottawa Marathon last year), so that's a factor in my decision.

Thanks for any info/advice!

[malkin]

I just renewed my passport, and while I liked the idea of the passport card, I really couldn't convince myself that I needed one, since it is only for land crossings.

If you're close to the border and would drive, I'd say go for it.
As long as you have room for one more card in your wallet, that is.

[shootingstar]

Am Canuck, hence have no interest to checking what U.S. govn't requires of Americans for international travel... but presumably for the card, there must be a fee for applying?

And presumably the traditional passport for air travel internationally, Americans can still use for land border crossings?

If you are in no hurry to visit Canuckland in next few months, why not save money and just get the international passport book renewed since the latter probably costs money also?

Note: I loved Vermont, been there twice. lst time was my lst self-supported bike touring trip ever.

[Possegal]

I guess I knew they were planning to offer this, knowing some folks that work there. But I haven't given it any thought myself. I don't live close to the border, but since my cousins all live there, I drive over quite often to visit them. I can't see paying extra for something that my regular passport can do. BUT, I have no intention of BIKING over. :) I can understand your reasoning. It would be much easier to deal with than the passport if you were biking over. Though knowing me, that means much easier for me to lose. :) And I'm betting the Dept of State would look just as harshly at losing this as it does on losing the passport book.

How much more for the card and is it good for the same number of years?

[mayanorange]

Sounds like a green card for citizens... weird... I have a book- the new one with some mystery electronics in the cover!

[withm]

I just got mine. When I renewed I signed up for both the book and the card thinking that in a few years driving trips from Michigan into Canada would be likely. Sure a regular passport would be good too but it was only $20 extra (and a couple bucks for additional photos). It's credit card sized, and has the electronic chip embedded. Comes in a foil lined paper sleeve - they recommend to keep in the sleeve to protect the guts of the card. I will carry it in my wallet when I go to Michigan next month just in case I decide to venture into Canada.