Real ID
Information regarding the Real ID and when it will be needed for air travel.
Do I need the Real ID to fly right now?
Currently, your drivers license is still an acceptable form of identification to travel with. However, you will be required to have a Real ID by May 7, 2025 in order to board domestic and commercial flights.
When will the Real ID be required for air travel?
You will need to obtain your Real ID by May 7, 2025. This update, indicated by a star in the upper right-hand corner of your driver’s license, will be required in order to board domestic and commercial flights for anyone 18 years or older (State-issued enhanced driver’s license or another acceptable form of ID to fly within the United States will also be accepted). For more information about the Real ID, please visit the SCDMV website.
Pre-Book Parking FAQs
For more information about Columbia Metropolitan Airport’s Pre-book Parking services, please contact us.
How do I CHANGE my booking?
You may change your booking up to 24 hours before your selected arrival time. Visit the following link for changes: https://booking.flycae.com/manage-booking/search/
Changes to the dates of stay are subject to the terms and conditions of your booking. Certain promotional products cannot be amended, it will be made clear at the point of booking if this is the case.
Please note if you booked during a sale or at a lower price and that rate is no longer available, the new rate will apply. Where specified in the product details some special offer bookings cannot be amended or cancelled.
How do I CANCEL my booking?
Cancellations are subject to the terms and conditions of your booking. Where specified in the product details some special offer bookings cannot be amended or cancelled.
Cancellations must be made at least 24 hours prior to your scheduled parking arrival time/date. You may cancel your booking online here
When you cancel your booking, a $7.50 administration charge will be levied and deducted from the refunded amount unless you have purchased cancellation protection. Customers who have purchased Cancellation Protection are able to cancel their booking with no administration charge up to 24 hours prior to your scheduled parking arrival time/date. Fees for Cancellation Protection are non-refundable.
Bookings made less than 24 hours before departure cannot be cancelled and are non-refundable.
What happens after I made my booking?
You will receive an on-screen confirmation which details your booking reference and instructions (please read these carefully). We will also send you this information within a booking confirmation email. You may resend your booking confirmation here
You are responsible for supplying a valid email and we cannot be held responsible for non-delivery of booking confirmation emails due to transmission failure or incorrect address details.
Failure to receive the confirmation email has no bearing on the status of your booking, your booking is still valid, but please check your junk or spam folder just in case your booking confirmation email has been sent there. If not, your email address may have been entered incorrectly. You can also contact our Customer Center by email CAE@magusaparking.com and ask for your booking confirmation email to be resent or call 803-973-7433.
The airport parking office (run by Reef parking) is open 24 hours a day to assist with parking information and can be contacted on 803-822-8474 or speak to someone at the exit plaza.
Can I make a booking today to park at the airport?
Yes. Bookings can be made up to at least 2 hours prior to your arrival time.
All bookings are subject to availability and the Airport reserves the right to solely withdraw availability for a given date.
My Vehicle details have changed, what should I do?
You may change your car details here
What if I return later than the date/time on the booking?
You will be charged for the additional days in which you stay in the parking lot, based on the posted rates applicable to the lot. The excess parking fee will be payable upon exit of the lot.
Link to the overstay rate can be found here
What are the differences in the CAE parking lots?
All our lots are on site and are managed locally by the Airport.
However, the price can vary depending on availability, lot facilities and proximity to the terminals. To see a map of our lots visit parking
What is the minimum/maximum amount of time I can park?
There is no minimum stay duration for any of our parking lots. There is a 30 day maximum parking limit, if you wish to park for longer, please contact the parking office on 803-822-8474.
Bookings made less than 24 hours before departure cannot be cancelled and are non-refundable.
Does CAE have covered parking?
Covered parking is offered in the Garage only, for more info see parking
What payment methods are accepted pre-booking
Payment must be made in advance and online. We accept PayPal and the following credit/debit cards: Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover and JCB.
We reserve the right not to fulfil your booking if your card is declined for any reason, if the payment card has been used fraudulently or without the cardholder’s permission, or if you are under the age of 18.
How do I know my payment details are secure?
To protect your privacy and security, our website uses SSL encryption software, which is the industry standard. It encrypts your personal information so that it cannot be read.
You will know you are in the secure area of our site when the website address is preceded by “https://” and a padlock symbol appears in the frame of your browser.
Pre-booking parking process
I have booked parking in advance. What do I need to bring to the airport?
To enter and exit the parking facility please scan the QR code using your smartphone or printed email and take the ticket automatically dispensed. The boom gate will raise. Keep your ticket handy and scan to Exit.
If you need assistance, please press the intercom.
What do I do if my QR code doesn't scan?
Instructions: To enter and exit the parking facility please scan the QR code using your smartphone or printed email and take the ticket automatically dispensed. The boom gate will raise. Keep your ticket handy and scan to Exit.
IF the QR does not scan please select “Press For Ticket” on the screen and take a ticket. You do not need to push the help button. On Exit present your ticket and confirmation email to the Cashier manned exit station and they will allow you to exit. For both manned and automatic exits if there is any overstay charge this will be presented to you to pay before the gate will lift. If you need assistance or your QR CODE does not scan on exit please go to a cashier lane for assistance.
I have booked parking in advance. At the lot, what should I do?
Please take a ticket upon entry from the barrier. Upon exit, please present your booking confirmation to the attendant as payment for your reservation. If you arrive earlier or stay later than your reserved time, you will be charged the relevant overstay rates for that additional time.
What process do I follow if I pre-booked valet parking
If you have pre-booked Valet parking, follows signs to the valet parking area and park as directed.
A Valet operative will meet you and scan your booking confirmation email.
The operative will advise you of the process when you return and the process if your return flight is delayed. The operative will require your flight number, return information and phone number.
What happens if after entering the parking lot, I need to leave and re-enter the lot again.
Once you enter the lot the booking is considered activated, if you leave the lot the reservation will be treated as completed. You will need to start a new transaction to re-enter. Standard turn-up rates will apply.
I have a question regarding my parking that's not listed. Who do I contact?
Our airport parking office is open 24 hours a day to assist with parking information by calling 803-822-7930.
If you would like to speak to someone about an online/pre-booked parking reservation, please call 803-973-7433 or email CAE@magusaparking.com
I replied to the email booking confirmation and did not get a response, who can I email?
The booking confirmation email is a ‘no-reply’ address. For help via email, contact call 803-973-7433 or email CAE@magusaparking.com. In the subject of the email, put your name and Booking Reference number.
Do I get an assigned parking space when I pre-book parking?
There is no assigned parking at CAE. Customers are able to park in any available space – in both the garage or surface lot, regardless of if he/she pre-booked parking.
How do I get my handicap parking discount?
*HANDICAP PARKING DISCOUNTS: One day of free parking is available to all individuals with a valid Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) handicap placard or license plate. To receive this discount, customers are asked to book and pay for their pre-booked parking for the entirety of their trip. Upon returning from their trip, customers are asked to show their ADA placard or license plate to the parking attendant along with their booking statement. Once approved, a reimbursement will be submitted and a refund will be issued.
*Please note: In order to receive one day of free parking, the placard holder must be present in the vehicle upon exit.
(Note: Refunds take 5 – 10 business days).
Discounts will only be applied after a trip is completed.
General FAQs
For more information about Columbia Metropolitan Airport, please contact us. We welcome your questions, comments and suggestions.
How do I get to Columbia Metropolitan Airport?
Columbia Metropolitan Airport is located approximately six miles from downtown Columbia and is conveniently located near interstate highways I-20, I-26, I-77, and nearby I-95. Please visit our detailed driving directions for more information.
Which airlines have service from Columbia?
Airlines serving Columbia Metropolitan Airport are:
American (Ticket Counter Hours 3:30 am – 8:00 pm)
Delta (Ticket Counter Hours 3:45 am – 7:00 pm)
United (Ticket Counter Hours 4:30 am – 7:00 pm)
To learn more visit our airlines page.
How do I make airline reservations?
You may contact the airline or a travel agency to make flight reservations. You can reach airlines that service Columbia at these toll-free reservation numbers or through their websites:
American 1-800-433-7300 www.aa.com
Delta 1-800-221-1212 www.delta.com
United 1-800-241-6522 www.united.com
View our non-stop destinations or learn more about our airline partners.
Does the airport have a business center?
The Airport Business Center is located on the lower level in baggage claim and includes a small conference table. To reserve the center at no cost, call the airport at 803-822-5010, 803-822-5000 or stop by the USO—also located in the main lobby— to check the calendar and gain access to the center.
Where should I park at the airport and how much does it cost?
Surface Parking
- First ½ hour – FREE
- Each additional ½ hour – $1.00
- Daily Rate – $10.00
Garage Parking
- Each ½ hour – $2.00
- Daily Rate – $14.00
Fast Lane (Accessed with issued pass)
- $10.00 – Surface parking
- $14.00 – Garage parking
Premier Parking (Accessed with issued pass)
- The Premier parking lot is a parking option designed for the frequent flyer. The limited-access lot offers flat-rate parking right outside the airport terminal. This application based option is $1,000 per year.
Handicap Parking
- 1st day free (Subsequent days will be charged at the regular rate depending on lot location)
How can I have someone paged at the airport?
To have someone paged, you may call the USO at 803-822-5000. If you are at the airport and need to page someone, you may visit the USO on the upper level, main lobby.
I've lost something at the airport. Who do I contact for Lost & Found?
For items left on airplanes, please contact your airline. If you believe that you left something in the terminal area, please call the USO at 803-822-5000 between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m.
My baggage was lost. What can I do?
You will need to call the toll-free baggage claim number or submit a claim for the airline that you traveled with:
- American Airlines: Submit a claim on the AA website
- Delta Air Lines: 1-800-325-8224
- United Airlines: 1-800-221-6903
How do I obtain additional information not found on the website?
For more information about Columbia Metropolitan Airport, e-mail us at info@columbiaairport.com. We welcome your questions, comments and suggestions.
How do I get up-to-date information on my flight?
The airport’s Automated Flight Data System provides updated information on arriving and departing flights. Monitors are located throughout the terminal building so that flight information can be easily accessed. Flight information is also available on this website. If you need more information or wish to confirm your flight, please call the airline’s toll-free reservations number.
How do I get to Fort Jackson from the airport?
There are not specific shuttles set up to take passengers directly to Fort Jackson. You will need to contact one of the ground transportation agencies for assistance.
With the new security measures, how can I drop someone off for a flight?
Those individuals dropping off passengers may continue to do so at the terminal curbside as long as the driver remains with the vehicle at all times. The vehicle should not be left unattended at any time while in the designated loading and unloading areas. Vehicles are prohibited from parking in front of the terminal (upper and lower levels); all passengers must be actively loading or unloading their vehicle in this area. Unattended vehicles left terminal curbside and any other illegally parked vehicles will be ticketed and even towed.
Can I escort someone to the departure gate?
Only ticketed passengers are allowed through the security checkpoint and to the gate area. If special arrangements need to be made, please contact the airlines directly.
Is there taxi service offered at CAE?
Yes. Taxi pick-up is on the lower level of the terminal, in the baggage claim area, outside the doors to the left of the rental car counters. There are four taxi companies that operate at CAE: Checker Yellow, Capital City, Blue Ribbon and Carolina Taxi.
Can I Travel With My Pet?
The Columbia Metropolitan Airport welcomes and permits all service animals and adheres to regulations stipulated by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
All non-service animals, emotional support animals, and/or “pets” must remain in a carrier while in the airport terminal per Airport Rules and Regulations § 6-60 Animals. The only exceptions include traversing through TSA security screening and utilizing the post checkpoint pet relief area.
There are two pet relief areas at CAE:
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- Pre-security is located outside of the Arrivals/Baggage Claim on the lower level
- Post-security is coming soon!
Airline Policies
Please contact your airline for guidance regarding their pet policies
- American – https://www.aa.com/i18n/travel-info/special-assistance/pets.jsp
- Delta – https://www.delta.com/us/en/pet-travel/overview
- United – https://www.united.com/en/us/fly/travel/traveling-with-pets.html
TSA: Security Screening Process
Watch this video on “Taking your human on a plane”: https://www.tsa.gov/travel/travel-tips/taking-your-human-plane-what-every-pet-needs-know
Accessability FAQs
For more information about accessability at Columbia Metropolitan Airport, please contact us.
I require accessible parking, where should I park?
Handicap parking is available at all of the CAE parking lots. If you have distinguishing placards or special license plates issued for persons with disabilities, then you will be able to park in special accessible spaces within each parking lot.
We cannot reserve these accessible spaces. Note that if you park in one of these spaces without displaying the necessary permits, then your vehicle may be towed at your expense.
What do I do if I have an elderly person flying out that will need special assistance?
Special assistance for elderly and people with disabilities should be arranged directly with your airline in advance. Sky Caps are available on the terminal front for additional assistance. Someone with the Sky Caps team can be reached at 803-822-5002 to arrange assistance.
What do I do if I, or someone I'm traveling with, needs wheelchair assistance?
Our airlines carriers are dedicated to ensuring all travers – whether at the airport or onboard a flight – have access to wheelchair services or any information they need for traveling with their own wheelchair. Below are links to the accessible travel information for each airline that serves CAE: