Today, after months of planning and saving for our honeymoon in Italy, my wife and I were turned away at the airport because my passport only has a month until it expires, even though it's only a five-day trip. FML
Collection
Fall
Dead leaves, the first cold of the season and an umbrella flipped inside out: fall, the season of grace.
Today, I went to the airport to start the amazing 3 week vacation in Costa Rica that I've been saving for and planning for more than a year. They wouldn't let me on the plane because my passport expires in less than 6 months. FML
Today, after cancelling work, arguing with my family, scrambling to pack my bags, speeding to the airport and filling in immigration forms to fly out to have a much needed holiday, I wasn't allowed to check in. My passport has less than 6 months away from expiration on it. Yes, that's a thing, apparently. FML
Today, the day before my wife and I leave for our 1 year anniversary trip, I realized my passport expires in 2014, not 2015. Instead of a week's stay at an all-inclusive resort in the Dominican Republic, we'll be spending three days in Louisville. Three angry days in Louisville. FML
Today, my husband told me that he can't find his passport. We're supposed to be leaving for Prague in two days. He's known about the trip for months. It was the anniversary vacation that was going to help our frayed relationship. Now my money is going to a hotel in Prague, but I'm not. FML
Today, I finally received my passport. Too bad my flight to Italy left last week. FML
Today, I found out that my passport expired two days ago, two days before my first vacation abroad. I only found out when the airline employee scanned it at check-in, looked at me with sympathy, and said, "I don't think you're going anywhere today." My friends are currently posting beach photos while I'm filling out passport renewal forms. FML
Today, I went with my girlfriend to the airport for some much needed vacation time. We arrived on time but were stopped at the gate when they told me I didn't have the right passport. The plane left without me. My girlfriend did too. FML
Today, after spending 2 years saving for my flights, I was denied boarding due to issues with my passport. I heading straight to the embassy only to be told a replacement will take 8 days. The airline will only hold my place for 7. FML
Today, after we got married five months ago, my wife and I planned a trip to France and Spain as a honeymoon. We’re supposed to be leaving on Saturday. She just told me last night, “I am so not looking forward to the trip.” FML
Today, I went to the airport for my two week trip to explore Europe. My ticket was denied and the workers turned me away. When I asked why, they told me to check the date. My ticket was for June 22nd, not July. FML
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Top comments
sherri_baby88 36
Well I for one had no idea it was like that. I don't think OP deserved it at all. That's awful because their dream honeymoon was ruined.
lukcy_basartd 11
Despite all the rules, regulations and basic shit that you should have an understanding of, NOBODY deserves this shit. Dumbass procedures and policies revolving around an unexpired passport...what a ******* joke. Sorry OP, hope you newly weds still find a time n place to have a honeymoon. Furthermore, I really hope you got a decent amount of coin back from what you paid into.
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Comments (113)
kshark350 12
Comment moderated for rule-breaking.
I tried to click YDI. Honestly, everybody knows they don't normally let you travel within 6 months of your expiry date. YDI
Dave_Davington 34
It makes you wonder why even bother with an expiry date if that's not the actual date on which your passport expires.
im_teekay 7
Apparently it's in case something (ie an act of terrorism) happens that prevents your timely departure from the country you're visiting. Personally, I think that if something like that happens a valid passport is the least of your worries
xxDeeStar 27
Everyone does not "know". Don't speak for everyone else please. How do they deserve it? Isn't it silly to say that when these guys spent months planning a trip? Maybe they don't travel much, maybe the country has a specific rule.
MariaGiovanni 25
I didnt know.
Emmereen 29
I didn't know this, either. Fortunately, all of my overseas trips have come after I've had my passport issued or renewed. This reminds me to be more careful on future trips.
fleur_de_fevrier_fml 23
#2 It depends on your citizenship and your destination. I have an EU passport and I can use it to travel in Europe till its expiration date.
chill99 15
Comment moderated for rule-breaking.
I know people who don't travel a lot will downvote me, but traveling within the EU with a EU passport is really irrelevant to this situation. The borders between EU countries with an EU passport are fairly open and trusting because they are all under the same EU agreement, so it's almost like traveling between states in the US. However traveling between one country and another (EU and non-EU) means the usual rules apply. If your passport is close to expiring, you should always do your research and with the abundance of information available on the internet, there are no excuses. Sorry, but YDI.
tibtak_fml 10
I also thought the 6 months rules was a common knowledge thing. That's part of all the information my parents released to me when I became an adult like you need insurance to drive a car and how to change a flat tire. I guess I was wrong thinking everyone knew that. Thank you FML for opening up my mind!
scyth3s 13
It's common knowledge to people who travel internationally a lot. Assuming it's common knowledge to the rest of us is you being stuck in your bubble. Not everyone has the same experiences, knowledge, and upbringing.
Mpii 11
I have to say, it does actually make sense, but that's far from common knowledge. I had no clue myself.
SZamir 7
If they went through a travel agent, he should have told them.
SZamir 7
I hardly ever travel internationally - can't even remember the last time I did - but even I know that. A 6 month passport validity is part of the visa requirements for most countries, and that's something you need to check before you actually go anywhere.
rldostie 19
I've traveled to 16 countries, studied aboard three times, and have lived in five other countries (other than my own). I NEVER knew they wouldn't let you travel if your passport will expire in six months. I've never heard of such a thing in all my travels. I'm not sure this is common knowledge.
Villy23 12
I didn't know that, but I've never had a passport.
jvanevery 19
never heard of that rule how long is it been that way
Namenlos_fml 20
It's not common knowledge, and it does depend on the country, but the buffer period before a passport's expiration date is definitely something they tell you when you're doing the paperwork for the passport. This might be why there are people denying it's common knowledge. They possibly don't have a passport, didn't read the paperwork well enough when they got their passport, or they're in a country whose passports don't have buffer periods for exiting the country. OP's situation is exactly why they either tell you or put in writing for you to sign that you'll likely get barred from leaving the country If you're too close to the expiration date.
bibobobonnor 8
In all fairness, the 6 month rule doesn't make much sense at all. I mean, shouldn't the expiration date on the actual passport determine when you can travel until. Then there's the fact that not everybody is made aware of this rule in an effective manner.
WatchDoge28 4
So really it actually expires six month before they say it expires.
yellowzinnias 20
Comment moderated for rule-breaking.
Yeah...Most people know you can't travel within 6 months of the expiration. Even if you didn't, I guarantee it was all over your paperwork. Sorry, but YDI.
clair_brodie 35
It actually depends on your destination. And I did not know this. Pretty sure that is not a common knowledge thing.
MDoremis 38
My husband travels to some pretty far off destinations for work all the time and neither one of us knew this.
Mauskau 36
Every time I've booked a holiday, it has said to make sure there is at least 6 months left on my passport.. When you renew your passport it adds however much time you had left on your previous one onto your new one, so you still have those 6 months.
mezochan 29
Wasn't all over my paperwork when I got a passport and travelled to different countries. This is the first time I've even heard of it.
missamberrose 17
I'm pretty sure this is nowhere near common knowledge. I wasn't aware of this rule, it's the first time I've ever heard of it. I've also travelled to other countries with only a couple months away from the expiry date. So clearly I was very lucky.
yellowzinnias 20
Yeah, exactly. I pointed out that it would have been all over his paperwork. I know this, because I travel a lot. But, I'm glad a bunch of idiot children who have never traveled out of the country were here to tell me that I'm wrong. *Eye roll* It's SO sad this country is so full of trash who can't read.
crudeandrudeguy 29
72- It's funny that you mention trash, you're the only person in this thread of comments who fits the description. I hope one day I can be as "all knowing" as you because everyone knows how attractive arrogance is...
squinch 16
Oh, yes, how dare the uneducated plebeians tell you you're wrong. Let us all bow before you, Omnipotent One. Deign us with your wisdom and teach us your ways. ******* get over yourself; you were proved wrong that this information was indeed not common knowledge and now you're having a pissy fit and calling people trash. If you don't want your opinion contradicted, don't put it on the Internet.
rldostie 19
#72--Bitch, I've traveled to 16 countries, studied abroad 3 times, and lived in 5 countries. NEVER heard of this rule, never saw it on my paperwork, never had it be an issue. Don't assume you're the only one who travels internationally or that everyone else responding are just "kids" who haven't left the states. Some people clearly just never had it come up or be a problem. It's certainly good to know, and I'm glad I know now for my next trip, but this isn't common knowledge, even for extensive international travelers, such as myself.
Camry_Girl420 18
Uh i had no idea about this stupid rule. they shouldn't bother to have an expiration date then if you can't travel 6 months before it even expires.
Shade1982 21
@82: It's not really the expiration date that's the problem. It has to do with your visum. Most of them are valid for 60 to 90 days, so their reasoning is your identification should be valid just as long on the date of your departure. Technically, you could decide to cancel your trip back and stay longer and they don't want you to stay without a valid identification paper. The rule also doesn't apply everywhere, it doesn't if you live in the EU and travel to a different EU country...
abylaunch 10
Yes it is sad that there is so many trashy people in this country. Like the kind of trashy people who think that anyone who hasn't had the same experiences as them is beneath them.
sherri_baby88 36
Well I for one had no idea it was like that. I don't think OP deserved it at all. That's awful because their dream honeymoon was ruined.
soulebelius 17
I would've been in the same boat. This is one of those terms and conditions I and most other people would've skipped over.
kashers 11
And that's why they skip over allowing you onto the plane ;)
lukcy_basartd 11
Despite all the rules, regulations and basic shit that you should have an understanding of, NOBODY deserves this shit. Dumbass procedures and policies revolving around an unexpired passport...what a ******* joke. Sorry OP, hope you newly weds still find a time n place to have a honeymoon. Furthermore, I really hope you got a decent amount of coin back from what you paid into.
xxDeeStar 27
That honestly sucks so much! It takes a lot of time to plan for that stuff, this was probably the least of your worries at the time. Don't listen to anyone who says YDI, I doubt many people know about that stuff! I mean if my passport is still valid for another month, I wouldn't even think that it is considered "expired" -.- Just makes no sense. There was no way you'd see that coming. Hope you were able to get your money back & can go on your honeymoon soon!
vb68_fml 28
When Procedures and rules wins over humanity and common sens......very sad for you OP
naive_girl_fml 6
Both turned away? She should have gone (so you only have to pay for one flight again) while you go to passport office for an emergency passport and join her out there the next day.
HeartYou101 31
It says they saved for months to go on this trip. The cost of a new flight AND emergency passport would hoover up their savings and they would probably need more money...
saffy66 34
That sucks, but most countries want you to have at least six months left on your passport. I'm assuming you didn't book through a travel agent because if you did, they should have picked this up. So if you actually did, speak to them about a refund - they clearly weren't doing their job.
spify231 8
Comment moderated for rule-breaking.
It's common knowledge that a passport requires 6 months validity when traveling outside of the country or union. The only exception to this is when you have permanent residencya country that is not your birth country. Which means you can travel to your home country on a passport that has less than 6 months on it and in some cases even expired, however you do have to renew your passport when home and may not be able to travel back until it is renewed.
askullnamedbilly 33
Look at the comments. It's very obviously NOT 'common knowledge'. I'm pretty sure the vast majority of people would assume that a passport expires on its actual date of expiration, not 6 months before.
askullnamedbilly 33
Gee, someone's a special super intelligent snowflake. Here I thought it was because most people don't fly all that often and thus don't spend their time studying the terms and conditions of air travel. But I'm sure you're right, it's because we're all stupid and didn't pay attention during that month long mandatory 'passports and their expiration dates' lecture we all had in school.
Catdragon 40
It's not common knowledge. What the **** is the point of having an expiration date if you can't use it up until the expiration date? That'd be like having your drivers license unusable 6 months before it expires.