COSTCO ID

When accountant Ian Lawless lost his passport on holiday he expected a long delay and a trip to the British Consulate. But when he arrived at the airport in Prague, officials agreed to let him get on the plane after he produced picture identification... in the form of an ID card for Costco. Ian was on the way to the airport at the end of a three-day trip with girlfriend Pamela Royle when he realised his passport and all his official identity documents were missing.

"I didn't think I'd have a chance of getting on the plane, but it was too late at night to go to the consulate, so I thought I'd get some advice at the airport," said Ian, from Warrington, who works at Legal Drive Hire, in Bury. "We fully expected I wouldn't be able to get on the plane and would have to look for a hotel to stay that night then get a temporary passport the next day. I was due back in work next morning, I was really kicking myself."

The couple arrived at the airport at 7pm for their 8.30pm flight and explained their plight to Czech officials and by 8pm they were cleared to board. Ian said, "They asked me quite a few questions and said the airline would need confirmation that Manchester would allow me to enter the country without my documents."

He added, "They phoned Manchester, who did some checks to make sure it was me and that I was booked on the flight. They agreed they would accept me. But the airline wanted a form of identification with a picture and I explained all I had was my credit cards. As I put them back in my wallet I spotted my Costco card, everyone had a look at it and confirmed it was me."

Ian has had the card for two years after his company paid the £12-a-year fee for customers to use the company. "I've bought lots of stuff, mainly food and crates of beer, but also electrical stuff. It's handy to have, but I never thought it would get me on a plane! Everyone in Prague was really helpful and I don't know if it was the card that tipped the balance, but it definitely helped. I'll be taking it with me next time I go away but I'm not convinced it would work twice!" (Source: Manchester Online)