I need to renew my Passport. I have filled out the DS 82, checked the box requesting a 52 page book vs. a standard 28 page book, but was wondering does the 52 pager cost more? I see nothing about an additional charge at tavel.state.gov but was wondering if any of you knew?? Thank you.
Although, as noted, they cost the same -- there is the hidden, or possibly not so well hidden cost of carrying the thick 52 pages passport comfortably in your money belt. It just doesn't bend like the regular one.
I found that my old Eagle Creek silk moneybelt will fit the 52 page passport vertically so that it will bend -- because the spine is pretty damn rigid. Then I can arrange the money belt sort of sideways so that I can carry the passport comfortably against my hip
Instead of wearing a money belt that goes around your waist, you could wear the type I use--the Hidden Pocket.
If you wear a belt, the hidden pocket has loops your belt goes through and then the pocket itself is worn under your pants between the pant leg and your leg.
I've been using this type for over 20 year. It's so comfortable and easy, I will never go back to the others--and I've tried them all.
This is the one I've used and have finally just replaced the original:
I agree the hidden pocket is the best kind of money belt for me, I also use the Eagle Creek one. I've tried waist belts and neck pouches, but they are just needlessly uncomfortable.
Also note that all current US passports have a rigid cover, unlike the old flexible cover ones that were issued up until about 2007 I think.
The new ones won't bend readily no matter how many pages they have. But of course getting the one with extra pages adds to the thickness.
If you're like me and travel to countries with visas, I get the extra pages just to avoid paying the fee to add pages (which was recently added, it used to be free).
I also used the hidden pocket by Eagle Creek when travelling internationally. I used it for 27 days straight for my European tour when I was out and about. I did not want anything hanging from my neck so I passed on that neck pouches. I also had the money belt with me during the time. I believe I used it only half the time (mostly when I was Italian & Spaniard cities plus Paris). The old flexible US passport was comfortable. Also had extra $US & Euros in it. There were times I forgot I had it on. My mom had to renew her passport so now she has the newer version. I tested it out and it was alright. It was a quick test so not sure how comfortable it would be wearing it for hours.
Two tips I have used about using the Eagle Creek Hidden Pocket.
(1) The Hidden Pocket comes with two loops for your belt, one brown and one black. I'm sure the intention is you pick the one that matches your belt. Since I'm paranoid about nylon ripping, I always use both and I recommend you do the same. (I wear it on the right, under my normal pocket on top of my thigh).
(2) Keep your passport in a ziploc plastic bag. If you are walking around the area under your pants tends to get sweaty, and you don't want your passport water-damaged. I use ultrathick bags, that are double the thickness of "freezer" bags. You can find them here:
I got my new 52 page Passport but won't get to "battle test it" till early next year.
Meanwhile, I was intrigued by the plastic bags Bob posted. The reason: Two recent problems with my 3-1-1 bag. First, this summer I had my Tom Bihn 3-D Clear Organizer Cube challenged at London's Heathrow. I had to take all my liquid items out and put them in a quart size bag they had on hand to prove they fit. Second, I then turned to a ziplock quart size bag as my 3-1-1 carrier, but then had that challenged at a different airport because it had the name "ziplock" written on the outside and thus was not 100% see through (yeah, stupid I know)!!
So, are those bags Bob listed 3-1-1 compliant? Or if not, does anyone know where you can find perfectly clear, plain quart size bags??
Well the bags I posted above are the exact right size to hold a passport (4 inches by 6 inches, just slightly larger than a passport). I carry some on me for that purpose.
Apparently quart-size bags (3-1-1) are 7 inches by 8 inches.
These are the closes of the heavy duty 4 mil bags I could find to that, they are 6 inches by 8 inches, so just under a quart:
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I'm interested in knowing since I have to renew my passport very soon.
I found that my old Eagle Creek silk moneybelt will fit the 52 page passport vertically so that it will bend -- because the spine is pretty damn rigid. Then I can arrange the money belt sort of sideways so that I can carry the passport comfortably against my hip
Instead of wearing a money belt that goes around your waist, you could wear the type I use--the Hidden Pocket.
If you wear a belt, the hidden pocket has loops your belt goes through and then the pocket itself is worn under your pants between the pant leg and your leg.
I've been using this type for over 20 year. It's so comfortable and easy, I will never go back to the others--and I've tried them all.
This is the one I've used and have finally just replaced the original:
http://shop.eaglecreek.com/undercover-hidden-pocket/d/1130
Also note that all current US passports have a rigid cover, unlike the old flexible cover ones that were issued up until about 2007 I think.
The new ones won't bend readily no matter how many pages they have. But of course getting the one with extra pages adds to the thickness.
If you're like me and travel to countries with visas, I get the extra pages just to avoid paying the fee to add pages (which was recently added, it used to be free).
(1) The Hidden Pocket comes with two loops for your belt, one brown and one black. I'm sure the intention is you pick the one that matches your belt. Since I'm paranoid about nylon ripping, I always use both and I recommend you do the same. (I wear it on the right, under my normal pocket on top of my thigh).
(2) Keep your passport in a ziploc plastic bag. If you are walking around the area under your pants tends to get sweaty, and you don't want your passport water-damaged. I use ultrathick bags, that are double the thickness of "freezer" bags. You can find them here:
4" by 6" 4 mil ziploc bags — $2.69 shipped
http://www.ebay.com/itm/12-6-x4-small-reclosable-ziplock-bags-4mil-HEAVYDUTY-/130765031895?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item1e723409d7
Meanwhile, I was intrigued by the plastic bags Bob posted. The reason: Two recent problems with my 3-1-1 bag. First, this summer I had my Tom Bihn 3-D Clear Organizer Cube challenged at London's Heathrow. I had to take all my liquid items out and put them in a quart size bag they had on hand to prove they fit. Second, I then turned to a ziplock quart size bag as my 3-1-1 carrier, but then had that challenged at a different airport because it had the name "ziplock" written on the outside and thus was not 100% see through (yeah, stupid I know)!!
So, are those bags Bob listed 3-1-1 compliant? Or if not, does anyone know where you can find perfectly clear, plain quart size bags??
Apparently quart-size bags (3-1-1) are 7 inches by 8 inches.
These are the closes of the heavy duty 4 mil bags I could find to that, they are 6 inches by 8 inches, so just under a quart:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/12-6-x8-small-reclosable-ziplock-bags-4mil-HEAVYDUTY-/130631328495?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item1e6a3be2ef