DAMAGED
PASSPORTS
Over the past few months we’ve
had many emails and letters with all manner of problems with passports.
There was the passport with the first name and surname the wrong
way round – Gerry missed his holiday. Then there was the passport
that was still valid but the Passport Office couldn’t get
it out of their system in time! Stephen’s Mum missed her holiday.
On Your Behalf heard from a young woman who had a valid passport
for her flight to Alicante, but as they say in N Ireland, she got
a ‘quare gunk’ at the check in desk. Because by carrying
her passport regularly, it had become damaged and cost Margaret
dearly – she missed out on her holiday - another missed holiday
- £700 down the drain.
A My Travel spokesperson told On Your Behalf
“If a passport is damaged and looks like it could have been
tampered with, the ticket agent has the right to refuse check in.
As such, we would urge travellers to ensure their passports are
valid and in good condition prior to travel, as for security reasons,
no exceptions can be made.
How many young people are using their passport for ID on a regular
basis, and perhaps damaging them, if not losing them!"
The message is clear – take care of your passport. It is a
valuable item, expensive to replace, especially if it costs you
a holiday.
But we all know how often
we’re required to show ID – but if you don’t have
a driving licence or a student card – or for older people,
a Translink card, what can you use?
One option is a UK Citizen Card - Home Office approved, accepted
by most retailers, airlines and banks and free for under 18’s.
Citizen Card spokesman Andrew Chevis says it’s meeting the
growing need for proof of identity.
UK Citizen Card:
0870 240 1221
Next week On Your Behalf we’re looking at who can, and cannot
endorse your passport photograph – We’d love to hear
your passport experiences. Email
the programme
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