HELP! Passport drama

[CAROLINE4]

Hi all, just got the passports out ready to do online check in and two of the passports are going to run out early next year! One in March and one in May!! We fly out for two weeks on sat! Spoken to VA who have assured me this is fine their end and have read on the us website that UK is part of the 6 month club which is exempt from having to have 6 months on the passport.

Does anyone have any experience of this? Wish if have checked earlier!!!

 

[Elise79]

We have just done Twlight check in and DDs passport expires early February.

Don't panic you will be fine!

 

[wilma-bride]

As Tracy says, you will be fine. Some carriers insist on you having 6 months left on your passport but VA are OK about it and, as you say, the US authorities don't care as long as your passport will remain valid for the time of your stay.

 

[CAROLINE4]

We have just done Twlight check in and DDs passport expires early February. Don't panic you will be fine!

Aww thank god!! Was having a major meltdown! X have taken a screen shot of the info I found in case I need to plead our case!

 

[A Small World]

I travelled to California last December with less than 6 mths on my passport and had no problem at all

 

[wayneg]

As Tracy says, you will be fine. Some carriers insist on you having 6 months left on your passport but VA are OK about it and, as you say, the US authorities don't care as long as your passport will remain valid for the time of your stay.

I don't think any insist on 6 months now Joh, as far as I know they are all upto speed with the correct rules.
Saying that some still give out the blanket 6 month info instead of checking for the correct info for the type of passport and country visiting, its just easier to cover themselves that way.

Not only do they cover you for the dates you are travelling they extend the validity 6 months after expiration. List of countries in the 6 month club http://www.state.gov/documents/organization/104770.pdf

 

[CAROLINE4]

Thank you! You've all reassured me.

Eeeek 1 more sleep!

 

[penlanspice]

You will be OK dont worry, the rules are governed by US laws and they will accept length of stay.
We had huge problems last year at the airport. We took DH's brother who is autistic and booked a week before we went and he only had 3 months left on his passport, we were reassured by Thomson that he was ok to fly as the government website states length of stay.
We arrived at the airport to do day before check in and they told us he couldn't fly, we even took a print out of the website, we were there for around 2 hours and were then told to come back in the morning when TSA were there but they were saying NO, even though they had told us yes on the phone. We went to the virgin to ask them their opinion and they said yes that it is fine to travel on less than 6 months.

We then spent the rest of the evening on the phone to Thomson who were trying to get an answer from the US embassy, needless to say we had a sleepless night and one very anxious and boy.
We got to the airport early and they called the TSA and everything was fine! We had a horrendous night all down to the airport staff who are so ill informed.

 

[Elise79]

We made it and DD travelled and has been let in to the US with no issues