Originally Posted by
richarddd
According to aa.com:
"Passports must be:
"Valid for at least 6 months after the date you enter a foreign country."
http://www.aa.com/i18n/travelInforma...ravel/main.jsp
Is this really the rule? We're traveling to European countries which have a much shorter requirement and it would be a hassle to renew sooner.
I suppose it's best to comply with AA's policy as written, even if they don't always enforce it, but wonder if there's some other policy that allows you to board AA flights so long as you comply with the destination country's rules, even if less than six months.
My own experience with AA is that they will find it admissible as long as
1) You hold a ticket with AA to return from your destination within the destination country's passport validity regulations
AND
2) YOU carry the country's regulations on passport validity with you and can demand at check-in to speak with a supervisor or executive, as a mere check-in agent will not take that responsibility... Nor will the supervisor know the regulation or believe you if you cannot show it in writing. Also nobody will research the regulation if you do not have it on you. Agents and even supervisors are not programmed for it and many are far too lazy anyway.
At any rate, allow some extra time as you are almost certain to face some opposition.
I find the same problem when checking-in for Argentina and Chile which require a special prepaid entry tax of American, Canadian and Australian passport holders. I do not pay it as I enter those countries with a European passport which I have in addition to my US one, and this sometimes causes some confusion which takes 10-15 minutes to clear.
Finally it is probably safer to renew your passport ahead of time.