My previous Swiss passport had a polycarbonate page that lasted 10 years with no problem. I did keep it in a pouch, and didn't carry it in my pocket though.

If I travel with an NGP passport like I have done with some of my ordinary full duration US passports then it’s likely I will eventually get hit with some kind of problem because of a different damage risk profile for the NGP version than for the legacy version.

I deliberately did what I could to maximize my own chance of getting a legacy version when I did. I don’t know if NGPs are now a higher proportion of new US passports issued than they were at the start of the year, but both versions are still being sent out.

Applied online for adult renewal, routine processing (but did enter my scheduled November trip).

Applied: July 14
In Process: July 15
Shipped: July 28

Received a NGP. Don’t really understand why they have the picture quality so low but it is what it is.

Daughter turned 18 and renewal status
 

Daughter has had 4 passports so far and she turned 18 in June and latest passport expires Jan 2023. So we applied for renewal and this would be her first adult passport.

June 15 - Applied at local library. Gave her birth certificate and current passport. They said they need BC again.. not sure why but maybe cos it's first adult.

June 21 - Checks cashed and got online tracking

July 30 - Still IN PROCESS. Since its not expedited, timeframe is 8 to 11 weeks.

Jun.15 printed then mailed out passport renewal application via USPS Priority to the Irving,TX address. Routine delivery, expanded 52-pager requested.
Jun.18 tracking number showed delivered.
Jun.27 email received from State Dept that application was received Jun.21 and in process. Locator number starts with 69. They cashed my check Jun.22.
Jul.30 email received from State Dept that application is approved as of Jul.30 and I should receive passport on or around Aug.6.
I'll update this post when I receive my new passport. A lot shorter than the 8-11 week estimate.

Whoa, they're actually sending emails again?

Received passport today Aug.3, it was the older style passport. Waiting for my old passport in the mail.

Quick question here. I have a trip in ~3 weeks and need to renew. Has anyone had experience booking a refundable flight to get an earlier urgent renewal appointment and then canceling the flight before the appointment and presenting the actual flight then? The later flight would still be within 2 weeks of the appointment date but since the destination mentioned on the phone and on the itinerary when you show up are different I worry this could cause issues. Do they care?

Adult renewal with expedited processing and 1-2 day delivery.

July 11 - Mailed to Philadelphia
July 13 - In process
August 3 - Approved email
August 4 - Delivered.

I received a 52 page old style passport.

I know that the use of refundable tickets to land appointment spots has been done for decades.

I also know that a change of dates or travel plans that remain within the two week window hasn’t generally led to systematic refusals to continue to process applications.

AFAIK, there still is no general checking to make sure a phone-call-mentioned destination is and remains the same as that which ultimately ends up being the destination for which the urgent application is submitted and its resulting passport is used. Travel destinations and dates can change for a variety of reasons between making the appointment and showing up for the appointments.

Daughter got an email yesterday that they received her application on June 21. No other update on site. ..LOL

Adult Renewal Mailed From Canada. Expedited Service.

Application sent via Canada Post on July 25th.
Arrived in Philadelphia on July 30th per tracking.
August 1st status showed as in process.
August 11 AM showed as approved.
August 11 PM now shows as mailed with an estimated arrival date of August 21.

Thanks for the data point, and welcome to FT!

Daughter got email that the state department has APPROVED the new passport

Daughter turned 18 and renewal status
Daughter has had 4 passports so far and she turned 18 in June and latest passport expires Jan 2023. So we applied for renewal and this would be her first adult passport.

June 15 - Applied at local library. Gave her birth certificate and current passport. They said they need BC again.. not sure why but maybe cos it's first adult.

June 21 - Checks cashed and got online tracking

July 30 - Still IN PROCESS. Since its not expedited, timeframe is 8 to 11 weeks.

Aug 10 - Daughter got email that they received her renewal application on June 21

Aug 12 - Daughter got email state department has approved her application

Apr 13 - Daughter got email her new passport is shipped from Tuszon AZ office. Delivery scheduled for Monday 8/15

Apr 15 - Daughter received the new Passport (NGP). She went ahead and updated her Global Entry successfully with new passport details.