Faulty travelling documents can ruin your vacation in a second. On domestic flights within the United States, passengers arriving without a photo ID that complies with the requirements of the REAL ID after May 7, 2025, are denied entry at TSA counterpoints, with a new fee of ConfirmID of 45 dollars to be charged as of February 1, 2026, to verify using biometrics, no boarding guaranteed.
Short-term Repercussions at Security
TSA will not allow entrance without government-issued photo ID such as driver license, passport, and military cards. Officers can also seek to verify manually through databases and questions, failure of which will result in a denial. Anticipate 10-30 minutes delay, secondary screening or accompanied removal. Non-refundable tickets will not be refunded by airlines, leaving you without any refund and with rebooking fees of more than 200 dollars as well as lost time.
Flight and Financial Fallout
Boardings lost your seat; late options attract carrier charges of Delta (200) or Southwest (75 early bird). International cases are even worse: airlines refuse to embark invalid visas or ETAs and risk being stranded in a foreign country at the cost of the hotel. Onward tickets are not checked in 2026, and instant gate refusals are issued.
Longer-Term Repercussions
Multiple problems put your profile under increased attention. Uncooperative behavior increases the risks of no-fly list. Recovery includes emergency passport rushes (200+) or visits to DMV.
Quick Fixes
Carry backups, renew early and check compliance through TSA app. Children below 18 fly without ID. Checks are better than the mop-up—learn not to do it.