Travel expert warns of little-known passport rule that could have you turned away at the airport

Unpredictable traffic, bag limits, cramming all your liquids into those tiny plastic bags - it's clear that travelling can be a proper faff at the best of times and downright chaos at the worst.

And, naturally, the last thing you want to be fretting about when it comes to jet-setting is a whole load of passport drama - just ask Vicky Pattison.

So, to help ease the inevitable pandemonium of the airport process, one travel expert has issued an urgent warning of the little-known passport rule that could have you turned away at the airport altogether.

Holidaymakers have been warned over the strict passport rules. (Images By Tang Ming Tung / Getty Images)

The experts at SkyParkSecure have partnered up with a former flight attendant, Suzanne Bucknam, to share just how important is it to not have a damaged or expired passport.

Suzanne shared: "If you’re traveling with a damaged or expired passport, you may very well be turned away by TSA."

The former flight attendant went on to reveal that she has been part of 'many international experiences' where someone had a ripped picture or incomplete information on their passports and they were forced to leave to 'procure one that wasn’t damaged'.

"The same goes for expired passports," she carried on.

"Always check the expiry date on your passport before flying because you will get turned away by security."

Suzanne added: "These dates and protocols exist for a reason, so don’t be the one holding up the line because you’re having issues with your passport."

A hard cover may be worth getting to protect your passport from any damage. (Alvaro Medina Jurado / Getty Images)

Well, that was unfortunately the case for Geordie Shore's Vicky Pattison who branded easyJet the 'destroyer of dreams' after they turned her away from her flight due to her damaged passport.

"I've been travelling with my passport all year and no one's said anything, but it's definitely well travelled to be fair Company policy is company policy and I get it, I'm just beyond gutted you know??" she wrote on Instagram.

According to the Gov.uk website, if your passport is damaged you must replace it as you 'may not be able to travel' with a damaged one.

HM Passport Office will consider your passport damaged if; you cannot read any of your details, any of the pages are ripped, cut or missing, there are holes, cuts or rips in the cover, the cover is coming away and if there are stains on the pages (for example, ink or water damage).

So, if that sounds like you, then be sure to act swiftly and replace your passport.

You can either do it online, which will set you back £88.50, or you can sort it old-school using a paper form which is a tad more spenny at £100.

Topics: Travel, Advice, Real Life, Life, UK News, News

Rhiannon Ingle

Rhiannon Ingle is a Journalist at LADbible Group. She graduated from the University of Manchester in 2021 in English Literature. Alongside her studies, she was the Lifestyle Editor of The Mancunian, the largest student newspaper in the United Kingdom. Her favourite topics to write about include sex and relationships, bizarre lifestyle trends and all things travel.