That’s because it’s a passport card. Cards are only useful for crossing into Canada or Mexico, or for some carribian islands.
More importantly, it’s not valid to use for entry via airplane anywhere, even if it’s one of the above. So basically most useful for people that commute between regularly or are going on cruises. Or in this case as proof of citizenship.
Full passports are $130 USD. I renewed both in November.
I’m of the general opinion that learning new things is never a bad idea, but let’s break down your sub question regarding usefulness.
At the very least a basic understanding is certainly useful. I make a point to at least learn alphabets and their sounds so I have a fighting chance putting what I hear into a translation engine. Similarly, Russian isn’t the only language that uses Cyrillic.
Paet that though? In my lifetime it was first unthinkable that I could ever visit Russia, then became possible and even a tourist destination (see: Trans-Siberian rail), and back to basically unthinkable to me.
It’ll most likely swing again.
Not at all. And it’s a little cheaper than my state ID (which is not a driver’s license, just an ID) and lasts considerably longer (10 years like a normal passport instead of 2 for the state ID).
Its great value, if you don’t already need a license and don’t plan on doing any air travel.