Holidaymakers warned of little-known passport rule that could see you rejected at the gate

The common mistake could see you turned away at the gate

It's finally summer holiday season once again, and if you've got a trip coming up, you'll know that it often takes a lot of planning - and money - to pull off.

Because of this, the last thing you want is to face any avoidable hurdles on the way - especially when it comes to your passport, as certain issues could prevent you from boarding the plane.

More often than not, these can be avoided simply by making a couple of passport checks before you go away, such as making sure you've got at least six months left on your expiry date. Holidaymakers are also being warned of another very common travel habit that could see your passport become invalidated, leaving you unable to fly.

You should be very wary of adding holiday mementoes such as novelty stamps or stickers to your passport, since although these are a great way to remember your trip, they could cause significant problems when you're trying to fly anywhere.

Many tourist destinations and famous landmarks sell unofficial or novelty passport stamps. However, if you place these on or inside your passport, it could lead to it being rejected as they’re not officially recognised and may be considered alteration or defacement.

“A passport is your gateway to the world, and even a little damage can result in complications at airport check-in desks,” warns Gavin Lapidus, Director of eShores, a team of leading travel consultants that plan bespoke holidays.

“Most passports last ten years, during which they can expect some wear and tear. When travelling, your passport is checked for damage, tampering, and validity, with damaged documents facing rejection, putting an end to your holiday.”

If authorities are concerned about the validity of your passport, you may even be held at the airport for further questioning, even if you’ve already landed at your destination. While minor scuffs and bent pages are generally acceptable, Lapidus recommends replacing your passport if there is any significant damage.

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