Passports - Executive Decision Made!

[LeonieM]

Having worked out that any ESTA we get now for our next trip will have expired before we go again in March 2015, that I have now decided to save £200 and not renew our passports before we go.

They expire as follows:

Emma - 28th February
Paul - 6th March
Me - 6th March

According to everything I have read, we will have no problem flying on such short-dated passports, and this way we can save that £200 and use it for paying for the car instead (well, most of it).

[Ret400]

You are absolutely right LM, but be very careful of airline staff. Almost none (in my experience know about the short date rules for US)

I have twice, Edinburgh and London been in airport and checked about this. Each time the answer was No. I pointed out the rules and after a lot of phoning they eventually found somone who agreed, but we're still uncomfortable/unsure.

I eventually decided not to take the risk as the airline still has the right to refuse to let you travel, even if your passport is technically a different issue. If a person on the ground in the UK thinks that they might let the airline face a potential 5k per person fine.

If you do renew passport you can get extra 6 months added.

[LeonieM]

Just to be perfectly sure, I took this from the US Consulate's website:

Passport Valdity

With the exception of passport holders of Brunei the requirement that a passport be valid for six months beyond the holders stay in the United States is waived. If your passport is valid for less than 90 days, you will be admitted into the United States until the date on which the passport expires.

[Ret400]

Fully agree with you, my worry was that the staff had no idea and they have a right to refuse travel.

[UK Deb]

It seems that some airlines instate their own rules which might not necessarily mirror those of the destination country. If it's a booking condition then you're stymied. Are you flying with Virgin again? They don't have the stipulation. I'm guessing that the confusion some people have encountered at check-in boils down to staff not being aware of the changes to the requirements (i.e. that most countries are now exempt from the 6 month rule).

[LeonieM]

Yes, we are indeed flying with Virgin.

The travel agents still insist on 6 months, although when I argued it with Thomson she just shrugged and carried on doing the quote!

This waiver basically covers UK to US only - Europe to US still need 6 months according to some airports (someone on the Dibb got caught out a couple of weeks ago), and I understand it is also semi-linked to the ESTA requirement.

I will take a copy of the rules from the website, and if someone does try to make a point I will shove it under their noses!!

[ELAINE]

I'd be getting new passports.... i find travelling stressful enough without the possibility of an argument at check in :o

[Catlady]

I'd be getting new passports.... i find travelling stressful enough without the possibility of an argument at check in :o

Personal choice but I'd agree with Elaine, too stressful..