Passport cards are better than Real ID?

On a whim, I chose to get a passport card in addition to the normal book, while renewing. The clerk at Chandler City Hall _congratulated me_ on getting the card since it is "so much better than Real ID". Huh?

According to her, a passport card is the same or **better** than an Real ID card for the following reasons:

1. It can be used anywhere where a Real ID card can be used 2. A Real ID card needs to be renewed every 8 years -- the passport card is renewed every **10 years** 3. A Real ID card needs to be renewed in person in the MVD -- the passport card can be **renewed online** 4. If you do need to renew the passport card in person, you can do it at the Chandler City Hall which is a downright **pleasant** experience (which can literally never be said about the MVD)

I haven't yet flown with a passport card so I'm not sure what kind of friction that may or may not create. I see mixed reports in Reddit searches.

Still, if it turns out to be accepted without hassle, then it sounds like a much better option than a Real ID card!