Travel smarter now: REAL ID, automatic refunds and essential tips

Travel smarter now starts with knowing the new rules and your rights. As of May 7, 2025, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) began full enforcement of the REAL ID requirement for boarding domestic flights; travelers must present a REAL ID‑compliant state ID or another acceptable federal ID such as a passport or Trusted Traveler card to avoid extra screening or delays.

This article collects the essential facts and practical steps, REAL ID details, DOT automatic refund rules, packing and airport tips, Trusted Traveler options, and what to do if an airline fails to refund you, to help you leave home prepared and stress‑free.

REAL ID: What Changed and Why It Matters

The REAL ID enforcement that began May 7, 2025, means checkpoint agents will expect to see a REAL ID‑compliant state license or another acceptable federal ID when you try to board a domestic flight. TSA emphasized the safety benefits of the program and noted that the requirement ‘bolsters safety by making fraudulent IDs harder to forge,’ urging travelers to prepare in advance.

Before enforcement began, TSA reported that roughly 81% of travelers at checkpoints already presented an acceptable ID. That leaves nearly one in five travelers who still need to act, or who should carry an alternative federal ID, to avoid delays and potential additional screening.

If you show up with a non‑compliant state ID you may face extra screening and setbacks that can disrupt your travel plans. For frequent travelers and one‑time flyers alike, awareness and preparation are the simplest ways to avoid surprises at the security line.

How to Get and Verify a REAL ID

To apply for a REAL ID, you must visit your state DMV in person with documentation: proof of identity, proof of Social Security number (or proof of ineligibility), and two proofs of residency. There is no universal online shortcut; beware third‑party websites and services that claim to ‘expedite’ REAL ID applications, the Better Business Bureau and consumer groups have issued warnings about scams.

TSA offers an interactive REAL ID tool and guidance on how to tell if your license is compliant: look for the star or approved mark on the card. If you can’t get a REAL ID before your travel date, use a U.S. passport, passport card, DHS Trusted Traveler card (Global Entry/NEXUS/SENTRI), military ID, or federally recognized tribal ID instead. Children under 18 traveling with an adult generally do not need ID.

Book DMV appointments early, follow official state DMV instructions, and bring originals or certified copies of all required documents. Taking these steps now prevents last‑minute scrambling and reduces the chance of falling for fraudulent services.

Automatic Refunds: Know Your Rights

The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) finalized a rule requiring airlines and ticket agents to issue automatic, prompt refunds in cash or the original form of payment whenever refunds are owed. Secretary Pete Buttigieg summed it up succinctly: ‘Passengers deserve to get their money back when an airline owes them, without aches or haggling.’

DOT defines ‘automatic’ and ‘prompt’ with clear timelines: for credit‑card purchases, refunds must be returned within 7 business days of becoming due; for other payment methods, within 20 calendar days. Airlines must issue refunds without requiring passengers to ask when a refund is owed under the rule.

If your refund does not arrive within these DOT timelines, you should first contact the airline and your card issuer; you can also file a complaint with DOT’s Aviation Consumer Protection (Air Consumer) division. DOT provides online complaint portals and phone lines to help escalate unresolved cases.

What Triggers a Refund: Significant Changes, Baggage, and Ancillary Fees

DOT’s rule identifies ‘significant changes’ that can create a right to a refund. This includes domestic departure or arrival changes of more than three hours, international changes of six hours or more, a different airport, added connections, or a downgraded class of service when the passenger declines rebooking or credits.

Checked‑bag fees must be refunded automatically if baggage is significantly delayed, commonly 12 hours for many domestic itineraries and longer windows (15 to 30 hours) for international travel depending on the route. Ancillary fees for services such as Wi‑Fi or seat selection must also be refunded when the service paid for is not provided.

Airlines may offer vouchers or credits, but only if the passenger affirmatively accepts them. If you prefer money back, you must get a refund in the original payment form; alternative credits or vouchers must be transferrable and valid for at least five years if offered as an option.

Document Everything and Use Airline Tools

When flights change or bags are delayed, documentation is your strongest evidence. Keep screenshots of airline messages, emails, and push notifications from airline apps; save boarding passes, receipts for essentials, and any mishandled‑baggage report numbers issued at the airport. DOT guidance stresses that these records speed refunds and strengthen complaints.

File a mishandled baggage report at the airline’s baggage desk immediately upon discovering a problem. Many carriers require near‑immediate reporting for best reimbursement rights; be sure to retain the written report number and receipts for essentials you must buy while waiting for your bags.

Turn on airline app notifications and save airline messages as part of your record. DOT requires airlines to notify passengers of refund rights when flights are canceled or significantly changed, so use those notifications as part of your documentation if you later need to seek a refund or file a DOT complaint.

Trusted Traveler Programs, Accessibility, and Extra Protections

Enroll in TSA PreCheck or CBP Global Entry if you travel often, these programs speed security and arrivals and can be worth the time and cost. CBP harmonized Trusted Traveler Program fees to $120 (effective Oct 1, 2024) for Global Entry, NEXUS, and SENTRI; membership continues to grow and CBP expanded international partnerships to broaden eligibility, making enrollment more valuable for frequent travelers.

Travelers with disabilities have specific protections enforced by DOT, including rights related to wheelchair assistance and complaint processes. Document and escalate incidents; DOT maintains a disability hotline and complaint procedures and airports deploy CROs (Complaint Resolution Officials) to assist when issues arise.

For money matters, if an airline misses DOT refund timelines for a credit‑card refund, contact your card issuer, many issuers offer dispute rights, while simultaneously filing a DOT complaint. DOT enforcement has already secured nearly $1 billion in refunds to passengers and assessed penalties against airlines, demonstrating that regulatory action can lead to meaningful recoveries.

Packing, Screening, and Quick Airport Tips

Pack smart to move through security faster. Follow the 3‑1‑1 liquids rule (containers 3.4 oz/100 ml or less in one quart bag), separate medications and baby food, and consult TSA’s ‘What Can I Bring?’ list before you leave home to avoid surprises and delays at the checkpoint.

Place electronics and quart bags in easy‑to‑reach places so you can remove them quickly if required. Keep essentials, ID, boarding pass, medication, phone, chargers, and a credit card or cash, in your carry‑on so you can manage short disruptions like baggage delays or gate changes without searching checked luggage.

If you cannot obtain a REAL ID in time, bring acceptable alternatives (passport, Trusted Traveler card, military ID, or tribal ID) and know that children under 18 generally do not need ID when traveling with an adult. Arrive early at the airport, enable flight alerts, and monitor gate and flight updates to react quickly if a significant change occurs.

Final Practical Checklist to Travel Smarter Now

Before you leave home: verify your ID (REAL ID star or passport), screenshot itineraries and receipts, enroll in PreCheck/Global Entry if frequent, and enable airline alerts. Pack essential items in your carry‑on and follow TSA packing rules to ease your passage through security.

At travel time: file baggage reports immediately if luggage is delayed, save all airline communications, and document any cancellations or significant changes. If you are owed a refund, expect automatic processing within DOT timelines (7 business days for credit cards, 20 calendar days for other methods) and contact DOT’s Air Consumer division if timelines are missed.

When in doubt, use official sources: TSA’s REAL ID page and ‘What Can I Bring?’ guidance, DOT’s Refunds and Other Consumer Protections explainers, and your state DMV. Traveling smarter now combines compliance, documentation, and the right tools so you can focus on the trip instead of dealing with preventable hassles.

Safe travels and remember that a few minutes of preparation, checking your ID, enrolling in trusted programs, and saving receipts, can save hours later and help you secure refunds and assistance when you need them most.