passport RFID?

Please use the Search box at top center to read numerous past threads about this disappointingly durable Urban Myth. This is a business marketing situation, not a crying need for tourists. Your thinking that the all-paper IDP can be scanned suggests that you are not thinking straight.

Karen,

There are many who say RFID covers are a solution to a problem that doesn't exist. That it's simply a scare tactic to sell sleeves. Maybe they are right -- I really do not know. But considering the speed and nature of the changes in technology, every single day, who really does know?

What I do know, however, is that when we received our Global Entry Cards they were in an RFID cover and the instructions said to keep them in the envelopes when not actually using them. That may be an indication that there is validity to using the sleeves. Again, who really knows?

With regard to the credit cards that have chips, most banks will give you several for free. And the cost of one for a passport in minimal compared the overall cost of traveling.

We use them on everything that has a chip or magnetic stripe. Over kill? Maybe. Using them may not help, but it doesn't hurt. Based on many years of experience, our mantra is "Expect the best, but be prepared for the worst".

Hope this helps your decision making and doesn't add to the widespread confusion about the issue.

The cover of US passports contains RFID blocking material. The passport can only be read by RFID scanners if it is open.
https://travel.state.gov/content/passports/en/passports/FAQs.html#ePassport

The passport card, Nexus, or Global entry cards have a long distance chip in them meaning your card can be read at border crossings while you are still in your vehicle by the more powerful readers employed there. This is why they give you a very nice copper lined holder for those cards. I keep my Global Entry card in the sleeve simply because they gave it to me.

What do you mean by copies of credit cards? Xerox photocopies? No, absolutely not. Anyway, the only ones you need to worry about for RFID are the ones that have the tap or wave technology. Other chip cards require physical contact with a reader machine and cannot be read through the air. IF you have a chip, it does not automatically mean you have touch or wave capability. Look for the symbol that is similar to a WiFi emblem and if you see that on your cards they have RFID. You might want to get card sleeves for these if you are paranoid. Or just wrap them in foil. :-)

International Driver Permits are simply pieces of paper that have your picture attached. I have not seen one with any type of chip technology, at least not one issued in the US. Nothing there for an RFID reader to read.

From what I understand you only need an RFID cover if you have a phone with Apple Pay or another app that allows you to hold the phone up to pay. With that being said, if the cover gives you a measure of comfort or security then why not, as long as it is no a false sense of security and you know of all the other precautions you need to take.

It is just marketing hype to sell an un-needed product. That is the least of your concerns. If you really want to be concerned about something then be concerned about old fashion pickpockets. Far great threat ---- and the threat is not that great -- but still more than from a RFID scanner. Also read a report that there is more information on your driver license than in your passport. What is in your passport is a 64 digit encrypted number that is of little value to anyone.

https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/tech-tips/rfid-sleeves

Karen, as my Scottish grandmother used to say "Dinna fash yoursel". Wherever you are planning to travel to, relax, take sensible precautions and forget you ever heard of RFID. Nonsense stuff for scaredy cats.

Just make sure you stow it and don't lose or have your passport, cards, money taken by a crafty pick pocket artists or scammer...that is WHAT you really need to be concerned with and PLAN for...