Over 3 million last-minute passport applications have cost an extra £130 million - MSE News

Former_MSE_Megan_F

More than three million applications for pricier fast-track passport renewals have been made in the past five years, costing travellers an extra £130 million, MoneySavingExpert.com can reveal...

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'Over 3 million last-minute passport applications have cost an extra £130 million'

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glider3560

There really isn't any excuse for not checking your passport when booking travel. Or even putting the expiry date into your phone's calendar.

mgdavid

glider3560 wrote: »

There really isn't any excuse for not checking your passport when booking travel. Or even putting the expiry date into your phone's calendar.

I don't think there's any evidence that the Fast track renewals are all due to people not realising the passport expiry was imminent.
Fast track is just a 'de luxe' speedy service which many people will choose to use for a wide variety of reasons. Frequent travellers may have a short window of opportunity to renew, for instance.
The MSE article states
'the high number of premium applications suggest many consumers are ending up paying extra because they have left applications to the last minute.'
Almost like the Daily Mail - they're just making it up!
A shorter summary might be 'so what'?

chattychappy

Many reasons why people can need a passport in a hurry.

I used to spend long periods in Asia, making short trips back to the UK. I used the fast track service. It was still cheaper than trying to get a passport renewed whilst overseas.

Sometimes at short notice somebody has to travel on business - perhaps because a colleague is ill or was refused a visa. I attended a conference where a last minute venue change meant that you needed 6 months left on your passport which wasn't the case with the previous venue.

Some people flying business class or first class are spending £2K or even £10K on a ticket. The extra cost of fast track is immaterial compared with their flight ticket.

All sorts of reasons why you might need or choose to use a fast track passport service.

FlowerAnne

Used the standard service on line, sent Monday, email notifications:
Had been received please send old passport - Tuesday, sent signed for 1st class.
Passport received - Wednesday
Approved - Thursday morning
Being Printed - Thursday afternoon
Being despatched - Friday lunchtime
Being delivered notification - Monday morning
Arrived Tuesday!
One week service for standard price! Win!

roddydogs

It hasnt cost 130million, only £100 to each person, who had a choice.