When you’ve planned and paid for a holiday down to every last little detail, the thought of not being able to go anymore is a real nightmare.
But holidaymakers have the responsibiliy to make sure their passport, the most important travel document, is suitable for any upcoming trips – as you could be rejected from your flight if it isn’t.
These situations can often be avoided if you do all the right passport checks before going away, like making sure you have at least six months on your expiry date. But holidaymakers are also being warned of another very common travel habit that could see your passport become invalidated, leaving you unable to fly.
You should be very wary of adding holiday mementoes such as novelty stamps or stickers to your passport, since although these are a great way to remember your trip, they could cause significant problems when you’re trying to fly anywhere.
Many tourist destinations and famous landmarks sell unofficial or novelty passport stamps. However, if you place these on or inside your passport, it could lead to it being rejected as they’re not officially recognised and may be considered alteration or defacement.
“A passport is your gateway to the world, and even a little damage can result in complications at airport check-in desks,” warns Gavin Lapidus, Director of eShores, a team of leading travel consultants that plan bespoke holidays.
“Most passports last ten years, during which they can expect some wear and tear. When travelling, your passport is checked for damage, tampering, and validity, with damaged documents facing rejection, putting an end to your holiday.”
If authorities are concerned about the validity of your passport, you may even be held at the airport for further questioning, even if you’ve already landed at your destination. While minor scuffs and bent pages are generally acceptable, Lapidus recommends replacing your passport if there is any significant damage.