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.

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.

The Experience CAE Guest Pass Program is for the personal use and enjoyment of the Columbia Metropolitan Airport (CAE), by allowing nontraveling guests to greet arriving friends and family at the gate, escort traveling family members and friends to their gates, shop and dine at the CAE’s stores and restaurant post-security or to view aircraft takeoffs and landings.

This program allows access to the secured side of the airport (post security) to guests who are not flying between the hours of 4:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. Guests must exit the terminal by 8:00 p.m.

Priority will be granted to ticketed passengers, enabling them to board their flights promptly.

Individuals with the Experience CAE Guest Pass may be required to wait before entering the checkpoint. The issuance of passes may be temporarily halted during peak travel periods or under special situations. Passes are NOT guaranteed.

To receive an Experience CAE Guest Pass, all authorized individuals, and any minors, meaning an individual 18 years of age or younger, will be required to provide certain personal information that triggers the need for an important Transportation Security Administration (TSA) Privacy Act Statement. All individuals should carefully read the TSA Privacy Act Statement below and consider the implications of providing their personal information. Additionally, information submitted to the Columbia Metropolitan Airport may be subject to public records requests.

TSA PRIVACY ACT STATEMENT

AUTHORITY: 49 U.S.C. § 114(f). PRINCIPAL PURPOSE(S): This information is collected by airport operators or their representatives in order to conduct checks of TSA’s Secure Flight watch lists on individuals who wish to access the Sterile Area at Columbia Metropolitan Airport, also known as CAE, which is located beyond the screening checkpoint. TSA may receive this information from airport operators or their representatives in order to resolve suspected or actual matches to this database. ROUTINE USE(S): TSA may share this information with aircraft and airport operators, foreign air carriers, or appropriate Federal, State, or other agency regarding individuals who pose or are suspected of posing a risk to transportation or national security, or for other routine uses identified in TSA systems of records, DHS/TSA 019 Secure Flight Records. DISCLOSURE: Voluntary failure to furnish the requested information will result in your inability to access facilities located in the airport beyond the screening checkpoint.

Individuals are also reminded that should they have any questions or comments regarding this process, they may contact TSA’s Contact Center at TSA-ContactCenter@dhs.gov.

Experience CAE Guest Pass Program has no expected end date, however, the Columbia Metropolitan Airport or the Transportation Security Administration has the right to cancel, suspend or modify the program at any time without prior notice.

Only REAL IDs and passports are valid for use with an Experience CAE Guest Pass. This includes licenses issued by other states, U.S. and international passports and digital IDs.

No, Experience CAE Guest Pass cannot be used with either of these special access programs.

No, arrangements for picking up an unaccompanied minor from a flight should be coordinated directly with the airline.

Every nontraveling guest must complete the online application and be approved.

Minors without valid photo IDs must also apply and be accompanied by an adult who has also been approved for an Experience CAE Guest Pass.

We strive to make your experience as easy, safe and comfortable as possible at the Columbia Metropolitan Airport (CAE). We have various amenities for travelers of all backgrounds, including adult changing tables, Service Animal Relief Areas, and more.

At this time, wheelchairs and wheelchair attendants to push wheelchairs are not available through the Experience CAE Guest Pass Program as they are an amenity of the airlines. However, participants are welcome to enter the checkpoints with their own wheelchairs or mobility aids when using the pass.

Experience CAE Guest Pass participants have the flexibility to park in any of our parking garages or lots. Guests are responsible for covering the associated parking costs.

Check out our parking options, availability, and pricing here.

Experience CAE Guest Pass access is approved only for personal use; commercial or professional use is prohibited. The Columbia Metropolitan Airport and/or the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) may deny or revoke access at any time at its sole discretion.

For airport-badged personnel, the program cannot be used as an alternative for security clearance when arriving for work in the airport areas beyond security. Failure to adhere to these terms may lead to the imposition of a fine and revocation of badged access.

You may change your booking up to 2 hours before your selected arrival time. Visit the following link for changes: go.lazparking.com/flycae/lookup

Changes may only be made to personal details, such as license plate number. Entry and Exit date and time cannot be adjusted once the reservation has been made. However, cancellations are free up to two hours in advance, so a booking may be cancelled and rebooked with new dates and times when allowed.

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.

Cancellations must be made at least 2 hours prior to your scheduled parking arrival time/date. You may cancel your booking online at go.lazparking.com/flycae/lookup

Bookings made less than 2 hours before arrival cannot be cancelled and are non-refundable.

Cancellations are subject to the terms and conditions of your booking. Where specified in the product details some special offer bookings cannot be cancelled.

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 [go.lazparking.com/flycae/lookup]

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 CAEParking@lazparking.com and ask for your booking confirmation email to be resent or call (803) 822-7930.

The airport parking office (run by LAZ parking) is open 24 hours a day to assist with parking information and can be contacted on (803) 822-7930 or speak to someone at the exit plaza.

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.

You may change your car details here: go.lazparking.com/flycae/lookup

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.  The overstay rate can be found here.

Prices can vary depending on availability, lot facilities and proximity to the terminals. To see a map of our lots visit parking

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 at (803) 822-7930.

Bookings made less than 2 hours before departure cannot be cancelled and are non-refundable.

Covered parking is offered in the Garage only, for more info, see our parking page. 

Payment must be made in advance and online. We accept the following Apple Pay, Google Wallet 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.

Yes! Parking reservations are provided by LAZ Parking, which partners with NIFT Rewards. You can opt-in for NIFT rewards when booking a reservation at go.lazparking.com/flycae. NIFT rewards are not directly affiliated with Columbia Metropolitan Airport. If you have questions about NIFT rewards, please visit gonift.com/contact_us/.

NIFT is a rewards program that is offered through our parking reservation platform, which is operated by LAZ Parking. When you make a reservation and check the box to “Remind me about gift offers and rewards”, you will opt-in to NIFT Rewards. This program is 100% free. An offer will be emailed to you, separate from your reservation confirmation. It will include a digital gift card that can be used for a variety of gifts, such as food delivery, clothing, and gym memberships. If you have questions about NIFT rewards, please visit gonift.com/contact_us/.  Up to one NIFT Gift can be earned per 30-day period.

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.

To enter and exit the parking facility please scan the QR code using your smartphone or printed email. The boom gate will raise. If leaving, scan your reservation at the exit to leave.

If you arrive earlier or stay later than your reserved time, you will be charged the relevant overstay rates for that additional time.

If you need assistance, please press the intercom.

Instructions: To enter and exit the parking facility please scan the QR code using your smartphone or printed email. The boom gate will raise. Scan your reservation at the exit to leave.

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.

To enter and exit the parking facility please scan the QR code using your smartphone or printed email. The boom gate will raise. Scan your reservation at the exit to leave.

If you arrive earlier or stay later than your reserved time, you will be charged the relevant overstay rates for that additional time.

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.

We’re here to help!  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 via email, you can contact us at CAEParking@lazparking.com

The booking confirmation email is a ‘no-reply’ address. For help via email, contact call (803) 822-7930. or email CAEParking@lazparking.com In the subject of the email, put your name and Booking Reference number.

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.

Please note: Pre-book parking does not assign you a specific parking space within the surface lot or parking garage. Customers are able to park in any open spot available.

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: 

1. To receive one day of free parking, the placard holder must be present in the vehicle upon exit.
2. Refunds take 5 – 10 business days. 
3. Discounts will only be applied after a trip is completed.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Surface Parking

• First ½ hour – $1
• Each additional ½ hour – $2.00
• Daily Rate – $12.00

Garage Parking

• Each ½ hour – $3.00
• Daily Rate – $17.00

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

• 1^st day free (Subsequent days will be charged at the regular rate depending on lot location) PLEASE NOTE: In order to receive one day free parking, the pacard holder must be present in the vehicle upon exit.

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.

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.

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

For more information about Columbia Metropolitan Airport, e-mail us at info@columbiaairport.com. We welcome your questions, comments and suggestions.

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.

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.

In order to ensure the safety of our guest, the public curb in front of the terminal (upper level) is for immediate pick up and drop off only. In this area, automatic ticketing is issued by photo enforcement for anyone parked longer than 5 minutes.

For both the upper and lower levels, vehicles are prohibited from parking in front of the terminal (upper and lower levels); all passengers must be actively loading or unloading their vehicle. Unattended vehicles left terminal curbside and any other illegally parked vehicles will be ticketed and even towed.

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.

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.

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:

• • 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

The Information Desk – manned by USO volunteers – is open Monday-Friday 8 a.m.-8 p.m. 

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.

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.

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:

American Airlines

Delta Air Lines

United Airlines