Death of the passport stamp?
Sep 17, 2014, 6:46 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2011
Posts: 2,344
Death of the passport stamp?
First off, I want to confess that I am obsessed with collecting passport stamps and always get excited when I visit a new country because I know I will get a new stamp.
However, recently, Hong Kong (I use a HK passport) has signed agreements with Germany, South Korea, and Singapore that will allow HK passport holders to use e-gates. While these are primarily meant for frequent travelers, I can't help but feel as though the death of the passport stamp is a lot closer than I thought.
Anyone share my pain?
http://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/a...-kong-visitors
However, recently, Hong Kong (I use a HK passport) has signed agreements with Germany, South Korea, and Singapore that will allow HK passport holders to use e-gates. While these are primarily meant for frequent travelers, I can't help but feel as though the death of the passport stamp is a lot closer than I thought.
Anyone share my pain?
http://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/a...-kong-visitors
Sep 17, 2014, 9:15 pm
#2
Moderator: Manufactured Spending
Join Date: Jul 2011
Posts: 6,580
I think passport booklets are an outdated tool and will probably be replaced by card-style passports at some point in the future. More and more countries are not stamping passports, and I believe most countries track visas by computer so it is not possible to travel on a counterfeit visa. Eventually, there should be no need for booklets anymore. Antiquated technology, however, is usually slow to disappear, so it may take a while.
Sep 17, 2014, 9:24 pm
#3
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2011
Posts: 2,344
I think passport booklets are an outdated tool and will probably be replaced by card-style passports at some point in the future. More and more countries are not stamping passports, and I believe most countries track visas by computer so it is not possible to travel on a counterfeit visa. Eventually, there should be no need for booklets anymore. Antiquated technology, however, is usually slow to disappear, so it may take a while.
Sep 17, 2014, 9:52 pm
#4
formerly known as Tad's Broiled Steaks
Join Date: Jun 2004
Posts: 6,412
First off, I want to confess that I am obsessed with collecting passport stamps and always get excited when I visit a new country because I know I will get a new stamp.
However, recently, Hong Kong (I use a HK passport) has signed agreements with Germany, South Korea, and Singapore that will allow HK passport holders to use e-gates. While these are primarily meant for frequent travelers, I can't help but feel as though the death of the passport stamp is a lot closer than I thought.
However, recently, Hong Kong (I use a HK passport) has signed agreements with Germany, South Korea, and Singapore that will allow HK passport holders to use e-gates. While these are primarily meant for frequent travelers, I can't help but feel as though the death of the passport stamp is a lot closer than I thought.
In any event, the HK e-channel (for non-residents) is inefficient, and I think the slip is a waste of paper.
Sep 17, 2014, 10:02 pm
#5
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2011
Posts: 2,344
The purpose was to "save time", although to be honest IMO the most efficient way would be to stamp passports on arrival but not on departure, following the example of the US, UK etc.
Sep 17, 2014, 10:12 pm
#7
Join Date: Aug 2013
Programs: Platinum, HH Diamond
Posts: 335
It makes my husband very sad that the simple passport stamp is going the way of the dodo.
Remember as kids, flipping through mom and dads passports and thinking about the places we can go. Flipping through the iphone doesn't do the same thing.
Remember as kids, flipping through mom and dads passports and thinking about the places we can go. Flipping through the iphone doesn't do the same thing.
Sep 17, 2014, 10:39 pm
#8
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Shanghai
Posts: 42,018
I happen to dislike passport stamps because adding extra pages is annoying.
Sep 17, 2014, 11:26 pm
#9
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: All around the world
Programs: Hilton, Hyatt, Marriott
Posts: 607
I love the receipt system they use in Hong Kong, I would be very happy if all countries adopted such a system. I'm sick of having to get a new passport every two years because the old one is full (passports are quite expensive in Canada).
Sep 18, 2014, 12:35 am
#12
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2011
Posts: 2,344
Besides, there will be nothing to stamp when our passports all become an ID card...
Sep 18, 2014, 12:49 am
#13
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: QLA
Programs: SBUX Gold
Posts: 14,507
I read an article saying the receipt system saved each agent something like 15-20 seconds per visitor, so when multipled thousands of times, you get thousand of people who are sad that they don't get a stamp.
Seriously though, they should retain 1-2 lines for "classic stamp" seekers. If they want a stamp, they can wait.
(I would probably be in that line)
Sep 18, 2014, 12:52 am
#14
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2011
Posts: 2,344
Nope... they physically don't have the stamps anymore, so they couldn't even if they wanted to.
I read an article saying the receipt system saved each agent something like 15-20 seconds per visitor, so when multipled thousands of times, you get thousand of people who are sad that they don't get a stamp.
Seriously though, they should retain 1-2 lines for "classic stamp" seekers. If they want a stamp, they can wait.
(I would probably be in that line)
I read an article saying the receipt system saved each agent something like 15-20 seconds per visitor, so when multipled thousands of times, you get thousand of people who are sad that they don't get a stamp.
Seriously though, they should retain 1-2 lines for "classic stamp" seekers. If they want a stamp, they can wait.
(I would probably be in that line)