Traveling With a Damaged Passport — TPG Reader Mistake Story
One of the things I love most about being The Points Guy is getting to hear stories from readers about all the positive ways award travel has affected their lives. That being said, while I love hearing about your successes, I think there's also a lot we can learn by sharing our mistakes, and I'm calling on readers to send in your most egregious and woeful travel failures.
From time to time I'll pick one that catches my eye and post it for everybody to enjoy (and commiserate with). If you're interested, email your story to info@thepointsguy.com, and put "Reader Mistake Story" in the subject line. Include details of exactly how your trip went wrong, and (where applicable) how you made it right. Please offer any wisdom you gained from the experience, and explain what precautions the rest of us can take to avoid the same pitfalls. If we publish your story, I'll send you a gift to help jump-start your next adventure (or make up for any blunders from the last one).
Recently, I posted a story from Kimberly, who missed out on a sign-up bonus after applying for the wrong credit card. Today, I want to share a story from TPG reader Jeff, who learned a hard lesson about passports at the start of a family vacation. Here's what he had to say:
My passport (the centerpiece of this story) had taken me to Korea multiple times, to China and Japan twice, and saw me back from spending two years in Argentina. But on a family trip from Salt Lake City to Cancun, neither my passport nor my fluent Spanish could save me from being immediately returned to the US upon arrival.
The best way to describe my passport condition is that the page that gets scanned had a slight tear, but really it was as if a piece of tape was slowly removed from the paper, making it thin and slightly see-through. I had sometimes had difficulties with this during my other travels when the scanner wouldn't read my passport number electronically. In each case, however, an agent would manually type in the number and the problem was solved. No such luck in Mexico.
I watched the agent swipe my passport through the machine a couple times unsuccessfully, and I mentioned to him that he may have to type my number manually. This response spurred him to stare me down and immediately pick up his phone. He called his supervisor and they led me to a separate room, talking privately outside before entering. There they told me my passport was invalid, indicating the fine print on one of the pages that says the passport may be void if it's altered or damaged in any way.
They told me I'd have to return to Salt Lake City immediately. I pleaded my case, showing them all my visas and entry stamps to different countries, and explaining that the passport had been in the same condition for years due to high use. But they just continued referencing the same page and saying my passport was void. I noticed bodies congregating outside the room, and then security guards came in to escort me back onto my plane, which was full of passengers returning to SLC who had now been delayed over 30 minutes because of me!
I pleaded that they at least let me get my luggage and tell my family what was happening. I couldn't get my bags, but they gave me 5 minutes to relay the story to my parents and siblings, whose jaws hit the floor as I was led away. The trip home was the longest five hours of flying in my life, and anger started to set in. I had traveled to communist countries, countries that have in-depth visa requirements, and have even visited Mexico previously (on foot from California), and there I was getting sent home from one of the most tourist-heavy locations in the country.
My word of advice is make sure your passport is always in TIP-TOP shape, and understand that each country has the right to refuse anyone for any reason. Be respectful and don't assume you're immune to potential difficulties just because you're an experienced traveler!
It's easy to take your passport for granted until it doesn't work as needed, and then it can be a painful, frustrating headache. I can understand why Jeff was taken by surprise, as I've seen some pretty shabby-looking passports work with no problem. However, US passport books specify that they aren't to be altered or mutilated in any way. What counts as mutilation is open to interpretation, but if scanners sometimes have trouble reading your passport, then it's time to get a replacement.
If you're prone to misplacing or mistreating your belongings, consider getting a passport wallet. Apart from keeping your passport in good condition, a good wallet can shield you from anyone trying to extract personal information from your RFID chip — even if concerns about skimming are overblown, a little extra protection won't hurt.
I appreciate this story, and I hope it can help other readers avoid making the same mistake. To thank Jeff for sharing his experience (and for allowing me to post it online), I'm sending him a $200 Visa gift card to enjoy on his travels.
I'd like to do the same for you! If you've ever arrived at the airport without ID, booked a hotel room in the wrong city, missed out on a credit card sign-up bonus or made another memorable travel or rewards mistake, I want to hear about it. Please indulge me and the whole TPG team by sending us your own stories (see instructions above). I look forward to hearing from you, and until then, I wish you a safe and mistake-free journey!
TPG featured card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 5X | New! Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Pros
- Valuable dining and food-related credits
- Flexible rewards with airline and hotel transfer partners
- Multiple travel and purchase protections
- No foreign transaction fees
- Access to Amex Offers for additional savings (enrollment required)
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- New! Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- Pay It® lets you tap in the American Express® App to quickly pay for small purchase amounts throughout the month and still earn rewards the way you usually do. Plan It® gives you the option to split up big purchases into equal monthly payments with a fixed fee. You’ll know upfront exactly how much you’ll pay.
- Updated! $120 Dining Credit: Earn up to a total of $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the Gold Card at Grubhub (including Seamless), Buffalo Wild Wings, Five Guys, The Cheesecake Factory, and Wonder. This can be an annual savings of up to $120. Enrollment required.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year at over 10,000 qualifying U.S. Resy restaurants after you pay for eligible purchases with the American Express® Gold Card. That’s up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: Earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin’ locations. Enrollment required.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Enjoy up to $120 in Uber Cash annually with your Gold Card. Just add your Card to your Uber account and you'll get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an Amex Card for your transaction.
- New! As an American Express® Gold Card Member, you can enjoy complimentary Hertz Five Star® Status. Enjoy benefits like skipping the counter at select locations, adding an additional driver at no additional cost*, and vehicle upgrades**. Benefit enrollment and Hertz Gold+ registration are required. *Additional drivers must meet standard rental qualifications and must be a spouse or domestic partner to qualify as complimentary. Other additional drivers subject to fees. **Benefits are subject to availability and vary by location. Additional Hertz program Terms and Conditions including age restrictions apply.
- Take advantage of a $100 credit towards eligible charges* at over 1,300 upscale hotels worldwide when you book The Hotel Collection through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App **. *Eligible charges vary by property. **The Hotel Collection requires a two-night minimum stay.
- Book your travel through the Amex Travel App with added peace of mind – backed by American Express® service and support. Only for American Express® Card Members.
- Whenever you need us, we're here. Our Member Services team will ensure you are taken care of. From lost Card replacement to statement questions, we are available to help 24/7.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.