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Interesting new passport option
Posted: Wed Feb 25, 2009 12:09 pm
by flip-flop
I am in the process of pulling it together to get my littlest ones passport done and my older ones passport renewed. In doing so, I noticed a new option - the Passport Card.
I am still going with the actual passport book because we are planning on foreign travel in the next couple of years but if you are a Caribbean, Mexico, Canada only traveler it is a cheaper option.
From the State Department site: Valid when entering the United States from Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean and Bermuda at land border crossings or sea ports-of-entry.
Not valid for international travel by air.
http://travel.state.gov/pdf/ppt_pptCard.pdf
Posted: Wed Feb 25, 2009 12:23 pm
by Robbin
Do you do the same as the other when you go to post office to apply?
Posted: Wed Feb 25, 2009 3:01 pm
by Steve S
I don't get it. How much Caribbean traffic comes in through sea ports? Is this a bone for the cruise industry?
Posted: Wed Feb 25, 2009 3:12 pm
by Marcia (Mrs. Pete)
I just went through this with two of our kids and us, for renewals. Go with the regular passports. They are more expensive but, if you have any inclination to go outside of the Continent and/or Caribbean, you'll need the regular passport.
Our kids are a bit older (teens) so for us, thinking ahead, college abroad, etc...was a factor.
FYI, we did our renewals and it took less than 3 weeks to get them. VERY FAST!
Posted: Wed Feb 25, 2009 3:51 pm
by tjwgrr
Marcia (Mrs. Pete) wrote:FYI, we did our renewals and it took less than 3 weeks to get them. VERY FAST!
I submitted my new passport application at our local PO on Saturday Feb-7, and had it in hand on Monday Feb-16. 9 days including weekends- lightning fast!
Posted: Wed Feb 25, 2009 5:46 pm
by Exit Zero
A lot of us who travel to the BVi very often - 3-5 times a week- get the passport card as an addendum because our passport get stamped and FULL in a short time - I suggest a real passport for almost all other reasons.
Posted: Thu Feb 26, 2009 7:46 am
by loria
Steve S wrote:I don't get it. How much Caribbean traffic comes in through sea ports? Is this a bone for the cruise industry?
a lot of persons make the us/canada or US/mexico border crossings daily--for them this is a good option
Posted: Thu Feb 26, 2009 9:56 am
by Steve S
loria wrote:Steve S wrote:I don't get it. How much Caribbean traffic comes in through sea ports? Is this a bone for the cruise industry?
a lot of persons make the us/canada or US/mexico border crossings daily--for them this is a good option
I realize the land crossings get used extensively. My point was why include the caribbean if you limit it to water port entry only?