check your passport!

It’s happened to more than one of our clients in the past year — after nearly two years of having their wings clipped (so to speak), travelers were finally ready to get out there to explore the world, only to find that their passports had expired. Fortunately, we were able to work with our supplier partners to make sure they didn’t lose the value of the trip they couldn’t take, but — that might not always be the case! Don’t let that happen to you!

Sufficient Validity?

Maybe your passport isn’t expired, but it’s expiring soon. Keep in mind that certain countries require up to six months validity on your passport, from the date of your anticipated return — so even if your passport hasn’t yet expired, you may need to renew, now, if you want to travel this summer. And while we’re on the subject — make sure you have enough blank pages for any visas you might need.

Long Processing Times.

Last summer was pretty good as far as turnaround from the Passport Office. But right now, we’re hearing that passport processing can take as long as 18 weeks for routine requests and 12 weeks for expedited service. That’s a lot! Be sure to give yourself plenty of time to get a valid passport before you travel internationally.

Passport Books. Get the Book.

We had a client from the Detroit area who was so used to crossing into Canada using a Passport Card that she forgot that she needed a passport book in order to take a flight to another country. Don’t make that mistake! We don’t think it’s a bad idea to have a book and a card, but it’s the book that you’ll need for most international travel.

Is your passport good to go? If so, we’d love to help you plan your next trip!