Passport Expediting Services
Jun 17, 2015 | 6:17 pm
#31
Join Date: Sep 2004
Posts: 312
I've used an expedition service but it was 10 years ago, and I can't remember which one it was. It was three days before my international trip and I lost my passport. I didn't have time to travel to another city and passport agency because of work.
I had to FedEx my information to them, and then I guess they went in person to the agency, and they FedExed my passport to a FedEx facility near LAX. I had a four hour layover there, and cabbed over to the facility and picked up my passport. Felt like something out of the Amazing Race.
If you have three days? Third-party expedition service. Eight weeks? Just use the expedition with the passport agency and spring for overnight shipping.
I had to FedEx my information to them, and then I guess they went in person to the agency, and they FedExed my passport to a FedEx facility near LAX. I had a four hour layover there, and cabbed over to the facility and picked up my passport. Felt like something out of the Amazing Race.
If you have three days? Third-party expedition service. Eight weeks? Just use the expedition with the passport agency and spring for overnight shipping.
Jun 17, 2015 | 8:14 pm
#32
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: ORD
Programs: AA EXP >3 Million miles,HH Lifetime Diamond
Posts: 3,440
If you need the passport to get a visa, you can ask the Passport Agency to give you the new passport (and also the old one and any passport card in practice) back either the same day or the next business day. You don't have to wait for these items to be sent to you, possibly separately.
Jun 18, 2015 | 2:14 pm
#33
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: MCO
Programs: DL exDM MM
Posts: 762
OP has a bunch of viable choices, where using a passport service is the worst:
1. Double check whether the destination permits passports within six months of expiring, including details of whether any threshold applies to entry, planned exit, or maximum allowable stay as a tourist or business visitor. If the old passport can still be used, procrastinate on renewal until after the trip.
2. Apply for renewal by mail, pay expedite fees, and relax.
Oh, and as I feared, I just had a business conversation that might result in a short-notice trip to either Cayman or Bermuda during the next 4 weeks...
Jun 18, 2015 | 2:33 pm
#34
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: gggrrrovvveee (ORD)
Programs: UA Pt, Marriott Ti, Hertz PC, Avis PC
Posts: 6,095
If you're talking about just using the State Department's expedited service, then that's really up to you and 1) how quickly you need it and 2) how willing/able you are to go to your local agency and possibly stand around all day vs. shipping it off in the mail. If 2 weeks ain't quick enough for you, you have your answer.
Jun 18, 2015 | 5:28 pm
#35
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: ORD
Programs: AA EXP >3 Million miles,HH Lifetime Diamond
Posts: 3,440
One more question. Can the local passport agencies issue the larger number of pages passport. or only by mail I don't want to say extra pages cuz I know there are extra added anymore but I don't want to gave to get a new one any earlier next time around.
Jun 19, 2015 | 10:04 am
#36
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Minneapolis: DL DM charter 2.3MM
Programs: A3*Gold, SPG Plat, HyattDiamond, MarriottPP, LHW exAccess, ICI, Raffles Amb, NW PE MM, TWA Gold MM
Posts: 102,617
Yes, the Passport Agency locations can issue new passports with more pages. You check the box on the renewal form and IIRC the policy is that they do it if they think you need the additional pages, just the same as if you were applying by mail. Probably the best argument is if your current passport is full.