So much for my hol to Thailand

[tamborine]

Took all of 4hrs! My passport expires in May 2010 and they wouldn't let me travel as am supposed to have at least 6months validity on passport.

[Cathyhuns]

You can renew your passport up to 9 months early and the uinused time is added to the new passport. Therefore your old passport does run up to its expiry date.

It is however your responsibility to realise and renew it early.

[naomi24]

Did you manage to sort it out today Tamborine?

[tamborine]

no I didn't naomi24, as earliest date p'port office will see me is in 10days (last day of booked holiday) so am stuck here. The Thai Embassy emailed to confirm their 6m policy adding that my agent should have told me. Have forwarded email to agents but no response from them.

Have since learned most asian & middle east countries demand same terms.

[tamborine]

Holiday been passed to another; all is not lost ;)

[Dee Sa]

I am sorry that you missed/lost your holiday but I thought that everyone knew that you have to have 6 months clear on your passport, it is a subject often brought up on A/B.
You are lucky that you can still take the holiday as some package hols with fixed dates dont allow this.
Visas for certain countries is also a problem when people dont realise they need one, especially for India/Goa seen people turned away at check in, you feel so sorry for them but there isnt much you can do.

[tamborine]

Man lost job in Dubai cause he overlooked the 6m policy & refused boarding.

Simple for travel agents to give warnings when booking and avoid disappointment & possible refunds claims.

[fourteen85]

I beleive the 6 month rule is so that say you fly to somewhere with 2 months left on your passport and stay for the maximium time you can (IE 6 months in the states) then your passport will have expired before you return

[tamborine]

disaster all round...friend who used my ticket has lost her job for not taking 'time off'.............and, daft d'ter has missed the return flight & stuck out there.

She has new CC that wont work; little cash (shopped till dropped - my cigs I hope) and airline desk wont give her vacant seat without full return payment, £1k+.

kids, who'd have 'em? Can I ask PM to intervene, he he he?