Passport Water Damage

Financefairy

Hi All, 
I'm finding it difficult to get a straight answer from anyone, so thought I'd try to see if anyone has had a similar experience. 
My passport got damp in the rain and now it's dried the pages are wavy. All the information is still legible, the laminate has not peeled and all the stamps are still in one piece.  The chip also still works.  From the front and back cover it looks fine, its just the pages (similar to when you drop a book in the bath!)
I've been told by a friend that budget airlines are quite picky when it comes to passport conditions and it might not be accepted. 
I'm finding it difficult to get information on what is classed as 'minor' water damage. 
Can anyone help, I don't really want to get a new one as this one's just over a year old. 

eskbanker

HMPO define damage at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/damaged-and-faulty-passports/damaged-british-passports-accessible#Definitions_of_damage_1 but of course there's no guarantee that every airline employee would interpret guidance in exactly the same way....

heatherw_01

Have you contacted HMPO directly to ask?
https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/hm-passport-office

Also the link from the poster above states about damage.

Please note that different countries may see the damage more severely than another. You would also have to investigate any countries you plan to travel to as well as the UK passport office.

Financefairy

Thank you, yes I did call them and all they could say was they wouldn't see it as damaged but as expected wear and as long as it wasn't torn or had water stains it would be okay. However, she then went on to say that it's down to the boarder control. My friend did say she wouldn't have realised anything was wrong if I hadn't have told her, so I think I'm being over cautious. 

marcia_

 I would be over cautious and replace the passport. I only recently read an article of a man who was denied boarding due to water damage which was not significant 

diveunderthebonnet

I know it is only just over 1 year old BUT how much is a new passport versus a cancelled holiday/trip if it fails inspection ,its up to you .

mr_stripey

+1 for getting a new one. It only takes one akward member of staff at an airport to refuse to accept it and it's going to cause a lot of hassle and cost.

Financefairy

Thanks everyone, I get so nervous when I travel that I think I'll just suck the cost and get a new one, one less thing to worry about at the airport and if I procrastinate about it much longer I'll run out of time!
I end up looking dodgy enough with my nerves without adding in a wrinkled passport!

TELLIT01

It's not the airlines/checkin staff being picky.  Some countries are extremely strict on passports effectively being in mint condition.  If the airline allowed somebody to travel, who was then denied entry at their destination, the airline would potentially be fined and would certainly have to cost of flying the passenger back home.