Passport Rip off

Voyager2002

jamescredmond wrote:

but wait............ a thought's just occurred. is a passport absolutely necessary if you're travelling to another eu country?
perhaps I'm dreaming after completing a heavy night shift, but I could've sworn I read something a few years ago that p/ports weren't strictly required, only a form of photo ID.
does anyone know if I'm right???

You are right, but it has to be OFFICIAL photo ID, such as a national identity card. Citizens of most European countries will have such a document, but not us in the UK.

Voyager2002

jamescredmond wrote:

finally, a word of warning for anyone planning a trip to the US: after the recent arrests of people suspected of blowing up US-bound aircraft, the Fed. gov'ment are re-examining the possibility of withdrawing from the visa waiver programme. should they go ahead this will mean a visit (in person) to the US embassy in grosvenor sq for all wishing to visit the US.
so, after queueing for hours ( and if you're travelling as a group the WHOLE group will be rquired to attend ) you will be charged a visa fee (which stood at £75 per person per visit the last time I looked, which would make the uk passprt fee look like a bargain.)
fingers crossed none of this happens.

Personally, I would b delighted if this happened. Then the people who go to the USA would discover the delights of Europe instead, and the environmental damage caused by aircraft would be significantly reduced. As a bonus, the money they spend on their holidays would stay within Europe and help our economies.

lemontart

adult passports currently £55 which works out at £5.50 per year so not really that bad for what is probally one of the most important documents you will ever have.

Beth
xxx

CM86_2

Voyager2002 wrote:

Personally, I would b delighted if this happened. Then the people who go to the USA would discover the delights of Europe instead, and the environmental damage caused by aircraft would be significantly reduced. As a bonus, the money they spend on their holidays would stay within Europe and help our economies.

Couldn't agree more! People should look on their doorstep first! And it's much less hassle! The food's the same! The language is the same! It's an Englishman's paradise because, well, it's England! There's more than enough to see and do here though! Here's a :money: tip: Travelodges are great if you don't mind sharing a room... We've been away a few times this year, 3 adults and a dog in a room for £46, can't grumble at that! And it's cheaper if you book in advance.

Contains_Mild_Peril

calleyw wrote:

It sounds a lot but it is for 10 years so it does equate to approx 2p a day.

It actually sounds even more of a rip-off to me when you put it that way! It's not as though I would use it every day.

4_Pete's_Sake

Only 10 days left to get your new passport applications in.

See http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=262120

mr_flibble

My wife is a US citizen and when she got her passport 4 years ago it was at no cost to her, BUT it took about a month to get it. No fast track, nothing.

Me, new passport in 6 days, which included having all the paperwork returned to me as there was a problem with my application and it being sent back (despite having it all checked at the post office). Still all done in 6 days!!

In this case we do get what we pay for.

Just a thought

I guess some of the increases are for the new biometric passports that will be appearing at some point in the near future.

Kel.