U.S. Passport Guide : Travel Advice and Passport Information

Want to travel to Cuba? Now is the time! At the end of the month, JetBlue will make history with the first non-charter direct commercial flights from the US to Cuba in almost 50 years. But before you go, here are 5 things you need to know about Cuba's passport requirements, Cuban travel visas and how to travel to Cuba legally as an American citizen. Passport Requirements For Americans Traveling to Cuba In a nutshell, you'll need: A valid passport 2 blank pages in the back According to the Department of State, Cuba does not have a six-month rule. Your passport just needs to be valid for the duration of your trip.  That said, if you travel often, make sure you have at least two blank pages in the back so that you can have your passport stamped if needed. Also, tour provide

Read More >>

One of the worst things about applying for a passport is the paperwork. Not sure which passport forms you need to fill out? Use our helpful guide to slice through the confusion!  Read on to determine which forms you need and where to find them: New Passports Passport Renewals Child Passports Lost or Stolen Passports Damaged Passports Passport Name Changes Passport Cards (more…)

Read More >>

Do you consider yourself a world traveler? Feel a bit lost when it comes to understanding and speaking other languages? Ever wish you could go a step deeper, and have a greater handle on the language of your next destination? Avid travelers, the solution may be easier than you think. If you love traveling, and want to take your cultural experience to the next level, discover “How to Learn and Memorize the Vocabulary of Any Language” with Udemy’s online course. Seem impossible? The key is a new memory technique for language learning. In 16 hours, you’ll discover: Tricks to improve your memory How to break away from rote learning forever The Magnetic Memory Method Blueprint How to read foreign language newspapers and engage in conversations Grammar memorization s

Read More >>

Want to travel the world, but can't imagine leaving your best friend behind? You need a pet passport! Traveling with pets is possible, but it does require extra planning research to pull off an international trip with Fido or Fluffy in tow.  Just like humans, pets need their own passports to become world travelers. They may need additional documents, too. Here's what you need to know to get your pet travel-ready. Why Does Your Pet Need a Passport? A "pet passport" demonstrates that your pet is healthy and up-to-date on all required vaccinations and treatments. Without a passport, your pet won't be able to travel to your destination country or could be subject to lengthy, lonely quarantines. Or, if you're famous, you could be forced to film an embarassingly bad public service annou

Read More >>

Ever feel stuck in rut? Like you need a change of scenery right this minute? Well, what are you waiting for? It’s true, planning a last-minute trip can be intimidating. But with the right resources, you can have an amazing time and even save money leaving on the spur of the moment. To help you get started, here is the ultimate last-minute travel guide: 31 last-minute travel sites and apps to help you find deals, stay organized and more! Last Minute Travel Deal Aggregators Don’t want to go through the hassle of using a bunch of different websites to arrange your trip? These last-minute travel deal aggregators offer one-stop shopping for flights, lodging and car rentals: LastMinuteTravel.com:  Save money on everything you need for a last-minute trip, including hotels, fligh

Read More >>

Every day, military families make sacrifices, large and small. Are you in the military? Is your spouse? The last thing you need is more hassles and headaches. So, here are 5 important things you need to know about military passport requirements in 2016. Military Passports vs Tourist Passports Are you being stationed overseas? You will actually need two types of passports. The same goes for your dependents, if they're going with you. The first type of passport is called a "no fee" passport. This type of passport is issued to military and other government personnel who are traveling abroad on government orders. As you may have guessed, the government provides it free of charge. To get your no-fee passport, contact your Installation Travel Office. But don't stop there. You and yo

Read More >>

You need a passport, but you never seem to be able to make it to the post office to apply. Sound familiar?  This spring, check out one of the many upcoming passport fairs around the country, and you will no longer be constrained by traditional office hours.  Is there a passport fair near you? Whatever you do, don't wait to apply for a passport if you'll need one this year. Summer is peak passport season! During the summer months, longer wait times are the norm for passport applications.  It's not unusual for it take to up to 10 weeks to receive your passport in the mail. That's in a good year. This year is not a good year. The State Department is expecting a flood of applications, which could create additional delays. That means more waiting. Nobody likes waiting, especially

Read More >>

No Spring Break plans? Don't spend it on the couch watching TV as life passes you by! These 9 destinations guarantee an amazing Spring Break, even at the last minute.  You can either go join the party at one of 2016's most popular destinations, or you can go off the beaten path for a more laid-back atmosphere. The choice is yours. Read on to discover 5 of the most popular Spring Break destinations plus 4 "hidden gems." The Top Destinations for Spring Break 2016 Looking for a traditional Spring Break experience? Does partying with thousands of your new closest friends sound like your cup of tea? Here are the top five Spring Break destinations for US travelers: South Padre Island, Texas Every year, tens of thousands of college students flock to this sandy Texas island in the G

Read More >>

Have you renewed your passport recently? Check it over closely to be sure the information on the personal data page is correct. Mistakes are rare, but they do happen, and must be corrected before traveling. As you admire your new passport, check for the following passport renewal mistakes: Passport Renewal Mistakes: Your Name is Wrong Is your name spelled correctly? Even if you have an easy one like "John Smith," check and make sure. Typos and spelling mistakes are not unheard of and could wreck your trip if not corrected in time. For example, this unfortunate gentleman on FlyerTalk may have missed out on a major business trip:  "I got the Passport back today and my last name was misspelled. I double checked the application and I spelled it correctly there (it was also spelled co

Read More >>

Do you need a passport to register to vote? In some states, you just might. Voters in Kansas, Alabama and Georgia are required to prove citizenship when they register to vote, using either a birth certificate or a passport. Kansas Secretary of State Kris Kobach has been fighting for years to require citizens to submit proof of citizenship when they register. In 2011, the state passed the Secure and Fair Elections Act. One of its requirements, which became effective in 2013, was that Kansas residents must submit proof of citizenship to register to vote. Sounds fair, right? Opponents of the law note that voter fraud is not a significant problem in the US at this time. Research indicates it's almost nonexistent. In fact, Kobach's own research examined 84 million votes from 22 states

Read More >>