Quick Passport Question
#16




Join Date: Jan 2000
Location: London; Bangkok; Las Vegas
Programs: AA Exec Plat; UA MM Gold; Marriott Lifetime Titanium; Hilton Diamond
Posts: 8,876
I have used passport expedite agencies in the past that can get it done in 24 hours - but have been told on this board multiple times I'm foolish to spend the money and do it - can you recommend an alternate process that can get this done fast for me? I'm usually only in the states for a few days at a time - when I get back from Finland this trip on Saturday I'm only home for 36 hours before heading to Tokyo....
Expect many U.S. embassies abroad are the same. Suggest you call the embassy where you are and ask.
Having it done in the States would be a major pain.
#17
Original Poster




Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: NYC / TYO / RSW Up in the Air avoiding the Snowflakes
Programs: UA GS 1.8MM, AA 2.1MM, EK, BA, SQ, CX, Marriott LT, Accor P
Posts: 8,088
OP travels enough to obtain a second unrestricted passport, but they are valid only two years. My advice is to get a second passport. Have all the visas put in the ten year passport and all the stamps from non-visa countries in the two year passport. One who does this can always have one valid passport in hand, even while waiting for a visa, a new passport, or pages to be added.
#18
Original Poster




Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: NYC / TYO / RSW Up in the Air avoiding the Snowflakes
Programs: UA GS 1.8MM, AA 2.1MM, EK, BA, SQ, CX, Marriott LT, Accor P
Posts: 8,088
U.S. embassy in Bangkok used to do it while you wait. You now have to make an appointment in advance (not hard to get). While it used to be free, they now charge the same or pretty close to the cost of a new passport.
Expect many U.S. embassies abroad are the same. Suggest you call the embassy where you are and ask.
Having it done in the States would be a major pain.
Expect many U.S. embassies abroad are the same. Suggest you call the embassy where you are and ask.
Having it done in the States would be a major pain.
Last edited by bmwe92fan; Jul 7, 2015 at 11:03 pm
#19

Join Date: Jul 2002
Programs: UA 1MM, SPG Lifetime Platinum, Marriott Gold, IHG Platinum
Posts: 2,796
I haven't tried that, but one would probably be traveling with both passports most of the time, maybe more than 90% of the time. Being able to travel without the benefit of global entry / APEC / etc. seems better than not having the option to travel at all while waiting to get one's only passport back.
#20




Join Date: Jan 2000
Location: London; Bangkok; Las Vegas
Programs: AA Exec Plat; UA MM Gold; Marriott Lifetime Titanium; Hilton Diamond
Posts: 8,876
#21
Original Poster




Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: NYC / TYO / RSW Up in the Air avoiding the Snowflakes
Programs: UA GS 1.8MM, AA 2.1MM, EK, BA, SQ, CX, Marriott LT, Accor P
Posts: 8,088
Yes - I learned this the hard way last year and got much abuse here for that lol. Yes I travel more than 99% of folks but I seem to constantly miss all of these little rules even though yes I know its my responsibility! On most trips I am in four or five countries.... For example - on my trip last week to Slovenia I was in Germany, Austria, Slovenia, Italy, and Croatia - in four days and most of it driving (except for Germany). A typical Asia trip for me is Japan, HK, China, Indonesia, Singapore, Korea and Thailand. I guess I better bookmark the state department website from now on...
#22




Join Date: Jan 2000
Location: London; Bangkok; Las Vegas
Programs: AA Exec Plat; UA MM Gold; Marriott Lifetime Titanium; Hilton Diamond
Posts: 8,876
Following up on the ABTC and Global Entry issues on a second passport, it shouldn't work with ABTC since the passport details on the card are supposed to match what is in the passport that is presented.
But I checked Global Entry and there is space for three passports and one of mine was a second passport that I used to have so it appears you can have a second passport added and use Global Entry. Assume you have to go into the Global Entry office to have them enter the second passport information.
But I checked Global Entry and there is space for three passports and one of mine was a second passport that I used to have so it appears you can have a second passport added and use Global Entry. Assume you have to go into the Global Entry office to have them enter the second passport information.
#23
Original Poster




Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: NYC / TYO / RSW Up in the Air avoiding the Snowflakes
Programs: UA GS 1.8MM, AA 2.1MM, EK, BA, SQ, CX, Marriott LT, Accor P
Posts: 8,088
Following up on the ABTC and Global Entry issues on a second passport, it shouldn't work with ABTC since the passport details on the card are supposed to match what is in the passport that is presented.
But I checked Global Entry and there is space for three passports and one of mine was a second passport that I used to have so it appears you can have a second passport added and use Global Entry. Assume you have to go into the Global Entry office to have them enter the second passport information.
But I checked Global Entry and there is space for three passports and one of mine was a second passport that I used to have so it appears you can have a second passport added and use Global Entry. Assume you have to go into the Global Entry office to have them enter the second passport information.
#24
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: jfk area
Programs: AA platinum; 2MM AA, Delta Diamond, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 10,291
Thanks all - well at least I got 10 months use from this passport lol. Looks like I will be adding pages ASAP. I'm travelling to Tokyo after this - better read up on their requirements this morning!
EDIT - Thanks for the links all - guess I'm ok for Japan as they need only one page.... Thank goodness I am travelling on to Finland today - otherwise I might not be allowed in!
EDIT - Thanks for the links all - guess I'm ok for Japan as they need only one page.... Thank goodness I am travelling on to Finland today - otherwise I might not be allowed in!
#25



Join Date: Jul 2012
Posts: 226
The cost for extra pages is $ 82 . It is added in packets of 24 pages with max of 3 packets so make sure to ask if they can add 3 packets (same price $ 82). I know embassy in SIN does it in a day or two but will only add 2 packets.
I just read that US gov. is getting rid of this service by Dec.31, 2015!
If you are near PHL you can get a new passport on the same day at the Passport agency for extra $ 60, just need an appointment and remember to request the 52 pages version. I don't know about other locations.
My Indian friends tell me they just rubber band old and new passport together when they travel on visas. Hope that is possible especially when one has $ 150 visa valid for 7 more years in the old passport.
I just read that US gov. is getting rid of this service by Dec.31, 2015!
If you are near PHL you can get a new passport on the same day at the Passport agency for extra $ 60, just need an appointment and remember to request the 52 pages version. I don't know about other locations.
My Indian friends tell me they just rubber band old and new passport together when they travel on visas. Hope that is possible especially when one has $ 150 visa valid for 7 more years in the old passport.

