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)
ALightningWish 2
Even if it's not common knowledge, how do you spend months planning and not think to check that your passport fulfills regulations? YDI for not being responsible enough to check policies. That said, I'm a 22-year-old whose parents have never left the country, and my only travel was a nine-day supervised trip with an orchestra, but I still knew that a passport that expires in a month won't work for leaving the country... The month you had left was for getting back if something went wrong, not for leaving.
ALightningWish 2
But OP knew where they were going, and even if it were a "to be on the safe side, you'll want a passport that's valid for 6 months" wouldn't you think they could have renewed their passport? It just seems like if you're spending months saving and planning for something, you don't say "meh close enough" to the one factor that's necessary to make it legally possible.
acmariner99 25
This is why it is important to check entry requirements of the places you visit. Sorry your honeymoon was ruined, but it could've been avoided with a little more planning.
LyricaSilvan 30
That's kind of ridiculous.
zipJohn 16
That seems like a ridiculous policy because you CAN renew your passport in another country at an embassy.
littlefoott69 14
i never heard of this OP ..but i don't have a passport either
Flame27 18
a passport needs to be atleast a half a year till expiring will they let you through. I don't know from what country you travel but if it's from the USA to Italy, they are really strict on that
saidoh_fml 26
As a frequent traveler, my first instinct was to vote ydi, but it wasn't an option; it was either yls or tchtm (which it most certainly couldnt have bc I personally know better). Those saying 6 months validity should be common knowledge must remember that's only so for people who travel with any amt of frequency, and most people don't travel much, if at all, and a surprising (for me) number of people don't even have or need a passport. Still, I struggle to understand how this could happen. You ALWAYS check the entry/exit requirements, recommended shots, food precautions, etc. for your destination before you go, and even if you didn't already know that wasn't there any info in your flight confirmation to that effect? Im still sorry that this happened to the op and hope things turned out ok in the end.
jimeple 12
What's the point of having an expiration date if it's invalid six months prior to the date.
Twakkie731 4
so that you don't get stuck on the other side with an invalid travel document. You also need at least two open pages in your passport so that they have a place to apply the stamp.
Twakkie731 4
Everyone travelling with a passport should be aware that one cannot travel with it if it expires in the next 6 months. It is an international standard. If you read the visa requirements and instructions properly you would have known this. Your travel agent and the Italian embassy should have told you. No sympathy from me YDI.
gabby4576 7
Cleary there wasn't that much planning becuase if you had you would know you can't travel 6 months before your passport expires.