Don’t Let This Travel Mistake Cost You Your Trip

Your bags are packed, flights are confirmed and you are so ready for a vacation. But when you arrive at the airport, the gate agent delivers devastating news: You can’t board your flight. The reason? Your passport doesn’t meet the six-month passport validity rule many countries require.

Most people don’t realize it, but if your passport is scheduled to expire within six months or fewer of your return date from an overseas destination, you might be barred from flying to or from certain countries or traveling on a cruise line.

Among those with the restrictions are:

• European countries in the Schengen Area.
• Royal Caribbean Cruises.
• Many Asian and African countries.
• You can check specific country requirements here.

Simplify Your Travel Documents

Get exclusive AAA rates on expedited travel visa and passport services with RushMyPassport.

Get Started

It’s a travel mistake that many people make, and it can be an incredibly costly one. If your passport expires in fewer than six months, you won’t be allowed to board your plane, check in for your cruise or even enter another country. Airlines and cruise lines are required to enforce the six-month rule. If you somehow manage to board a plane and arrive at your destination, you could be denied entry to the other country when you try to pass through customs. Which leaves you with no other option except to turn around and go home.

To make matters worse: Travel insurance doesn’t cover this mistake. That means your long-anticipated vacation could be over before it even starts — and all the money you spent on flights, hotels and excursions gone.

RushMyPassport to the Rescue

If you are one to wait until the last minute when prepping for a vacation, make sure renewing your passport jumps to the top of the to-do list.

To ensure all your documents are ready in plenty of time, consider using RushMyPassport, a service that expedites new passport applications and renewals. AAA Northeast members also receive a 10% discount on passport and Visa services.

After you get your passport photos taken at a AAA Northeast branch, log into RushMyPassport, indicate what kind of passport you need and decide how quickly you need it. Turnaround times vary from one day to six weeks, for varying fees. The site provides step-by-step directions, including checklists, help with document preparation and application reviews and employs a wizard to help you add in your documents. (Customers still must pay the standard government processing fees.)

Customer service is available via phone, email and chat to ensure you complete all the steps accurately to avoid any delays.

Don’t let an outdated passport ruin your dream trip. Check your expiration date and renew it with RushMyPassport.

Learn more and get started.