US Passport Expires within 6 Months - Time to Get a New One?
Aug 12, 2017, 9:17 am
#61
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Dulles, VA
Programs: UA Life Gold, Marriott Life Titanium
Posts: 2,757
I've traveled with less than 6 months validity 5-6 times. Never had a problem with the airlines.
This is along the lines of "get to the airport 3 hours before a departure".
This is along the lines of "get to the airport 3 hours before a departure".
Aug 15, 2017, 5:49 am
#62
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: FRA
Posts: 229
I would just renew about 6 months before. Yes, it's like the 3-hour-rule, but really, it's not 
What would be nice is if they tacked on the time remaining on your old passport to the validity of your new one. I think the UK does this. This way you're not being stiffed some passport validity.
I also think it's generally a good idea to have a passport card with a different validity period so the two don't expire on the same day, but rather overlap about half their validity (e.g. passport book expires in 2020, passport card in 2025).
What would be nice is if they tacked on the time remaining on your old passport to the validity of your new one. I think the UK does this. This way you're not being stiffed some passport validity.
I also think it's generally a good idea to have a passport card with a different validity period so the two don't expire on the same day, but rather overlap about half their validity (e.g. passport book expires in 2020, passport card in 2025).
Aug 15, 2017, 7:03 pm
#63
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2000
Programs: UA Million Miler (lite). NY Metro area.
Posts: 15,075
Data Point
I made an appointment for my wife at the Stamford CT post passport office. We got there a few minutes before our appointment.You should have seen the non-appointment line. Out the door.
That might have been because they just opened, and were still backed up.
My wife was flying within 7 days. We entered. They reviewed her documents. They gave her a number. She's called within a couple of minutes. She's out in 20 minutes. ^ They tell her that the passport will arrive in 48 hours. I asked about hanging around to pick it up and was told NO. You can hang around if you're departing within 24 hours, otherwise the passport gets express mailed to you.
FYI, this government office makes the TSA look like rookies. @:-)
dh
I made an appointment for my wife at the Stamford CT post passport office. We got there a few minutes before our appointment.You should have seen the non-appointment line. Out the door.
That might have been because they just opened, and were still backed up.My wife was flying within 7 days. We entered. They reviewed her documents. They gave her a number. She's called within a couple of minutes. She's out in 20 minutes. ^ They tell her that the passport will arrive in 48 hours. I asked about hanging around to pick it up and was told NO. You can hang around if you're departing within 24 hours, otherwise the passport gets express mailed to you.
FYI, this government office makes the TSA look like rookies. @:-)
dh
Aug 15, 2017, 8:15 pm
#64
Join Date: Jun 2009
Programs: GE
Posts: 247
Do you also wait until your gas tank is completely empty before refilling or your brakes are completely worn before replacing?
Just set your calendar to remind you every 9 years and renew at your convenience at that point.
Aug 16, 2017, 6:31 am
#65
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: NYC
Programs: AA 2MM, Bonvoy LTT, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 14,636
So are there any documented cases of harassment? I just entered Germany with passport expiring in four months. No one batted an eye.
Aug 16, 2017, 4:04 pm
#66
Join Date: Jun 2009
Programs: GE
Posts: 247
And of course, it requires someone to actually look at your passport, which airline employees usually do better than border agents.
In any case there are a lot of people who are denied boarding regularly because of passport validity issues. There are dozens of examples if you google "denied boarding passport 6 months"
Aug 16, 2017, 5:56 pm
#67
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: NYC
Programs: AA 2MM, Bonvoy LTT, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 14,636
You were OK entering Germany because Schengen only requires 3 months validity remaining. Many other countries require 6 months. Some don't require any fixed period and only require the passport is valid during your stay.
And of course, it requires someone to actually look at your passport, which airline employees usually do better than border agents.
In any case there are a lot of people who are denied boarding regularly because of passport validity issues. There are dozens of examples if you google "denied boarding passport 6 months"
And of course, it requires someone to actually look at your passport, which airline employees usually do better than border agents.
In any case there are a lot of people who are denied boarding regularly because of passport validity issues. There are dozens of examples if you google "denied boarding passport 6 months"
If passport is valid for the countries being visiting/transiting, NOT renewing 6-9 months in advance is NOT an issue.
Before the German trip, was also able used it to enter Canada 5 months prior to expiration. Again not a problem.
Aug 16, 2017, 8:05 pm
#68
Moderator: Travel Safety/Security, Travel Tools, California, Los Angeles; FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: LAX
Programs: oneword Emerald
Posts: 20,625
Moderator's Note:
Folks,
I think that we have exhausted debating the point of how long before expiration a passport should be renewed.
If you don't have something new to add, it is time to move on.
TWA884
Travel Safety/Security co-moderator
I think that we have exhausted debating the point of how long before expiration a passport should be renewed.
If you don't have something new to add, it is time to move on.
TWA884
Travel Safety/Security co-moderator
Aug 29, 2017, 6:01 pm
#69
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: The Sunshine State
Programs: Deltaworst Peon Level, TSA "Layer 21 Club", NW WP RIP
Posts: 11,370
My passport is coming up for renewal. I have the paperwork but have not sent it in yet. This morning I woke with a fear “OMG Texas.” The address half the country mails their passport to is in Texas. I had to check. Luckily it is in Irving near Dallas, so mail and employees should get through.
If the passport office was in Houston they would be closed for weeks or months. Philly would be the only office left and might be swamped. Renewal times could be horrible nationwide. Thank goodness the passport office was not located in Houston.
You just normally don't have to worry that a hurricane could affect your passport renewal.
If the passport office was in Houston they would be closed for weeks or months. Philly would be the only office left and might be swamped. Renewal times could be horrible nationwide. Thank goodness the passport office was not located in Houston.
You just normally don't have to worry that a hurricane could affect your passport renewal.
Aug 31, 2017, 1:52 pm
#71
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2000
Programs: UA Million Miler (lite). NY Metro area.
Posts: 15,075
My wife received her new passport. It was a rush. Her old passport was returned with the new one.
I applied the regular way. My passport arrived without the old one. Is that normal?
dh
I applied the regular way. My passport arrived without the old one. Is that normal?
dh
Aug 31, 2017, 2:16 pm
#72
Moderator: Travel Safety/Security, Travel Tools, California, Los Angeles; FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: LAX
Programs: oneword Emerald
Posts: 20,625
Aug 31, 2017, 2:18 pm
#73
formerly gantid
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: IAD
Programs: UA Mileage Plus Platinum, Marriott Platinum elite, *G, Hilton Gold
Posts: 198
Aug 31, 2017, 2:26 pm
#74
Moderator: Travel Safety/Security, Travel Tools, California, Los Angeles; FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: LAX
Programs: oneword Emerald
Posts: 20,625
Moderator's Note:
General US Passport renewal processing issues and questions are generally discussed in the following thread in the USA forum:
TWA884
Travel Safety/Security co-moderator
TWA884
Travel Safety/Security co-moderator