Brits planning their next holiday are urged to carry out essential passport checks to avoid costly mistakes that could ruin their trip.
Travel experts have warned that booking a holiday without checking key passport details could result in problems, particularly if a new passport is required. This is because a replacement comes with a new passport number, which may affect pre-booked flights.
Check Passport Start Date
One of the most crucial steps is verifying the start date of the passport. Reports suggest that as many as 32 million people still hold the old burgundy passports, which may display an expiry date that does not align with the start date.
Under new rules, passports are now valid for only 10 years from the start date, meaning some passports may appear to have up to nine extra months of validity. Travelers should carefully review this to ensure their passport remains valid.
Six-Month Rule
Many countries require travelers to have additional months of validity beyond their travel dates. For example, European countries typically need at least three months of validity, while destinations like Egypt and Thailand demand six months.
Check for Available Pages
Brits are also advised to review the number of blank pages in their passports, as entry and exit stamps from European countries can quickly fill available space.
Some nations, including the Bahamas, Cuba, and Indonesia, require a minimum of two free pages to grant entry. Meanwhile, travelers heading to Zambia and Madagascar will need three blank pages, and those visiting Brunei must have six impressive free pages available.
Upgrading to a jumbo passport may be a worthwhile investment for frequent travellers. Costing £12 extra, this option provides 54 pages instead of the standard 34.
Beware of Passport Damage
Travelers should also inspect their passports for damage, even if it seems minor. Issues such as small tears, water damage, or pen marks can invalidate a passport and result in travelers being stopped at the border.
Countries like Bali and Vietnam are particularly strict about damaged passports. In one case last year, a British woman was left £1,000 out of pocket after being refused boarding her flight to Bali due to minor damage to her passport.
Travel experts emphasize that conducting these passport checks before booking a holiday can prevent costly disruptions and ensure smooth travel.