Passport not scanning
Jan 17, 2011 | 7:21 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2010
Location: VIE
Posts: 12
Passport not scanning
I flew from MUC to JFK this morning on Lufthansa and could not get my passport to scan at the automatic ticketing machines.
I tried at least 6 different machines. When I finally went to the counter to get my boarding pass the lady assisting me also had problems and had to manually look me up.
How can I fix this? I think the page with my name and photo is bent a little. Can I get this replaced?
I tried at least 6 different machines. When I finally went to the counter to get my boarding pass the lady assisting me also had problems and had to manually look me up.
How can I fix this? I think the page with my name and photo is bent a little. Can I get this replaced?
Jan 17, 2011 | 7:43 pm
#2
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: MN
Programs: Lots of programs, dirt on all of them!
Posts: 11,943
I often, but not always, have the same problem. But I am not ready to fork over more than $100 (for a US passport anyway) just to get a magnetic stripe that works (i.e. the only way I know of to fix it is to apply for a new passport). This passport will be full in a year or two, well before the expiration date and I will get it replaced. Already had additional pages put in (fortunately when they were still free) and the passport is not even 5 years old.
Jan 17, 2011 | 7:51 pm
#3
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2010
Location: VIE
Posts: 12
I figured that might be the only way.
What was your turnaround time with getting those new pages? I'm relocating to Vienna at the end of February and would like to get new pages before I go, but also don't want to risk not having my passport back in time.
As it is now I have about 4 pages left.
What was your turnaround time with getting those new pages? I'm relocating to Vienna at the end of February and would like to get new pages before I go, but also don't want to risk not having my passport back in time.
As it is now I have about 4 pages left.
Jan 17, 2011 | 8:16 pm
#4
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Jul 1999
Location: Over the Bay Bridge, CA
Programs: Jumbo mas
Posts: 42,599
I figured that might be the only way.
What was your turnaround time with getting those new pages? I'm relocating to Vienna at the end of February and would like to get new pages before I go, but also don't want to risk not having my passport back in time.
As it is now I have about 4 pages left.
What was your turnaround time with getting those new pages? I'm relocating to Vienna at the end of February and would like to get new pages before I go, but also don't want to risk not having my passport back in time.
As it is now I have about 4 pages left.
Jan 18, 2011 | 4:47 am
#5
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: TAS
Programs: A3*G, UA 1K
Posts: 9,252
I figured that might be the only way.
What was your turnaround time with getting those new pages? I'm relocating to Vienna at the end of February and would like to get new pages before I go, but also don't want to risk not having my passport back in time.
As it is now I have about 4 pages left.
What was your turnaround time with getting those new pages? I'm relocating to Vienna at the end of February and would like to get new pages before I go, but also don't want to risk not having my passport back in time.
As it is now I have about 4 pages left.
But I am not ready to fork over more than $100 (for a US passport anyway) just to get a magnetic stripe that works (i.e. the only way I know of to fix it is to apply for a new passport).
I sometimes have the same problem with my passport, especially at LH machines. It scans fine at GlobalEntry kiosks though.
Jan 19, 2011 | 10:56 am
#6
Join Date: Aug 2006
Programs: UA 1P, AA, Hilton Honors
Posts: 1,167
I do not know how often this is enforced, but if a passenger entering the US has a machine readable passport and the passport can not be (machine) read, the passenger can be fined. I saw a passenger with an Irish passport fined by Immigration once because of this 'offense'.
Jan 19, 2011 | 10:56 pm
#8
Join Date: Sep 2000
Location: MSN
Programs: AA ExPlat, 1MM; HHonors Gold; SPG Gold
Posts: 226
I made the (stupid) mistake of accidentally running my passport through the washing machine. It hasn't worked for immigration officers when they've tried to swipe it, but they just always manually enter the data. One officer said it was no big deal and happens all the time. Aside from causing a bit of inconvenience with the manual entry, I wouldn't worry about it.
Jan 20, 2011 | 8:11 pm
#11
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2010
Location: VIE
Posts: 12
I made the (stupid) mistake of accidentally running my passport through the washing machine. It hasn't worked for immigration officers when they've tried to swipe it, but they just always manually enter the data. One officer said it was no big deal and happens all the time. Aside from causing a bit of inconvenience with the manual entry, I wouldn't worry about it.
More worried this could inconvenience me by always having to wait in line instead of using machines.
Jan 20, 2011 | 8:33 pm
#12
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Downers Grove, IL
Programs: UA Mileage Plus, AA Advantage
Posts: 5,983
I had that problem with a UA scanner at ORD once the lady had to put it in manually. It was no fun, thankfully that one was due to expire in about a year so I replaced it then.
Jan 22, 2011 | 11:44 pm
#13
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: BOS
Posts: 814
Jan 23, 2011 | 3:16 pm
#14
Suspended
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Calgary, Alberta
Programs: Hyatt Diamond, Fairmont Platinum, Aeroplan Diamond, HHonors Gold, SPG Gold
Posts: 18,686
Jan 23, 2011 | 7:21 pm
#15
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Oslo, Norway
Posts: 822
On those checkin machines my passport doesn't work either (maybe I don't do it right?) so I type the booking number or use my frequent flyer card or credit card anyway. As long as it scans properly in immigration controls I don't care.
My strangest experience with self service kiosks was in SVO. I checked in and selected a seat and it said boarding pass had been printed out, but I looked everywhere on the machine and no boarding pass. The machine had probably ran out of paper. Tried another machine and I got an error messag, so I went to a counter and got my boarding pass there.
My strangest experience with self service kiosks was in SVO. I checked in and selected a seat and it said boarding pass had been printed out, but I looked everywhere on the machine and no boarding pass. The machine had probably ran out of paper. Tried another machine and I got an error messag, so I went to a counter and got my boarding pass there.