Contact Information: CONTACT: Carol Thorp or Jeffrey Spring 714-885-2333
Auto Club Encourages Travelers to Get Passports Now During Lull in Applications
| Source: Automobile Club of Southern California
LOS ANGELES, CA--(Marketwire - November 7, 2007) - Additional passport rules for U.S. citizens
are scheduled to take effect next summer and will require American
travelers to carry passports on every international trip -- even car trips
to Mexico or Canada. According to the Automobile Club of Southern
California, citizens who need to get or renew a passport should do so now
instead of waiting until next spring, when a late passport could interfere
with travel plans.
Earlier this year, the first phase of new passport requirements caused
months-long application backlogs at the U.S. State Department and created
headaches for many international travelers.
"The fall season is typically one of the lowest demand times of the year
for passport processing," said Diana Meinhold, the Auto Club's vice
president for travel products and services. "Even travelers who aren't sure
whether they'll be taking an international trip next summer should consider
getting their passports now, when they're likely to finish the process
relatively quickly."
Beginning in January 2008, the State Department is once again likely to be
processing unusually high numbers of passport applications because of the
new passport requirements.
As of this year, all U.S. citizens traveling by air are now required to
carry a U.S. passport to popular vacation spots that had not previously
required them, including Canada, Mexico, Caribbean nations and countries in
Central and South America. Beginning next summer (no official date has yet
been announced), cruise and vehicle passengers to any country outside the
U.S. will also be required to carry passports on their trips.
"The new passport requirements for 2008 are likely to take some travelers
by surprise and could create another backlog of passport applications,"
Meinhold said. "Our travel agents are advising their clients to get their
passports processed or renewed now, while the typical processing period is
between four and six weeks."
Passport applications are available at any Auto Club office or a U.S. Post
Office, and can also be downloaded at the State Department's Web site,
www.travel.state.gov. Citizens who wish to either renew or apply for a new
passport must submit passport photos with their application, and those can
be taken at any Auto Club office for a fee of $8 for members and $15 for
non-members, plus tax.
First-time passports cost $82 for citizens less than 16 years of age, and
$97 for those 16 years old and older. Passport renewal costs $67. For an
additional fee, there are services to expedite passport applications and
reduce the processing time to three weeks or less. Passport expediting
services are available through the Auto Club, the State Department and
other private passport services.
First-time applicants for a passport, or those with expired or lost
passports, must submit their application in person to a passport processing
location such as a post office during the hours that service is available.
U.S. passports are valid for 10 years. Non-expired passports can be
renewed by mail by sending a renewal application, the most recent passport
and two identical passport photographs to the State Department.
In addition to passport photos and applications, travelers can obtain a
wide range of needed services at the Auto Club, including international
driving permits, Mexico auto insurance, and travel insurance. AAA Travel
professionals are available to help both members and non-members plan
domestic and international tours and cruises at no additional charge, as
well as other services such as car rentals and hotel bookings. Members
receive special discounts or benefits on selected travel packages, and
complimentary AAA maps and TourBooks®.
For more information on international travel, consumers can review passport
information at AAA.com, contact a AAA Travel professional or visit the
State Department Web site, www.travel.state.gov.