Travel Tips
Information for a Smoother Vacation
At Passport & Co., our goal is to help you feel prepared, confident, and excited before you travel. While no trip is completely free from unexpected hiccups, taking a few extra steps before departure can make a big difference in helping your vacation go as smoothly as possible. Please review the information below carefully before you leave home.
Important Responsibility Notice
Passport & Co. is not responsible for travel cancellations, interruptions, denied boarding, denied entry, missed flights, passport issues, visa issues, airline schedule changes, or other circumstances outside of our control. It is each traveler’s responsibility to confirm they have the proper documentation required to travel, including passports, visas, vaccination documentation, REAL ID or other acceptable domestic identification, and any destination-specific entry or exit requirements. Passport & Co. strongly recommends the purchase of travel protection. Coverage varies by plan, but travel protection is one of the best ways to help protect your travel investment from the unexpected.
Passport & Documentation
Check Your Passport Expiration Date
Many countries require your passport to be valid for at least six months beyond your travel dates. Some airlines may deny boarding if your passport does not meet the destination’s validity requirements.
Please check your passport expiration date as soon as possible and renew early if needed.
For passport, visa, destination entry requirements, and international travel information, visit the U.S. Department of State at travel.state.gov.
Passport Book vs. Passport Card
A passport book is required for international air travel. A passport card cannot be used for international flights. A passport card may only be used for certain land and sea entries into the United States from Canada, Mexico, Bermuda, and the Caribbean. Even when a closed-loop cruise does not require a passport book, Passport & Co. strongly recommends every traveler carry a valid passport book in case of an emergency that requires flying home from outside the United States.
Travel Must Be Booked in Your Full Legal Name
Your reservation must match your legal travel documentation exactly. No nicknames, misspellings, alternate surnames, or shortened names should be used.
REAL ID for Domestic Travel
Adult travelers 18 and older need a REAL ID-compliant driver’s license or another TSA-accepted form of identification to board domestic flights within the United States. REAL ID enforcement began May 7, 2025. Beginning February 1, 2026, travelers without acceptable ID may be able to use TSA ConfirmID for a $45 fee, but identity verification is not guaranteed. A valid U.S. passport is also an acceptable form of identification for domestic air travel.
International Travel & STEP Enrollment
For international travel, Passport & Co. recommends enrolling in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program, also known as STEP.
STEP is a free service from the U.S. Department of State that allows U.S. citizens and nationals traveling abroad to receive destination safety updates and helps the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate contact you in an emergency.
You can enroll at step.state.gov.
Minors Traveling Without Both Parents
If a minor is traveling with only one parent, with relatives, with another family, or without either parent present, additional documentation may be required. Passport & Co. recommends carrying a notarized minor travel consent form and confirming requirements with the airline, cruise line, destination, and any applicable border authority before travel. Minor Consent Form Example PDF
Vaccines & Health Requirements
Some countries may require specific vaccinations or health documentation for entry. Because Passport & Co. does not know every traveler’s full medical or vaccination history, it is the traveler’s responsibility to review current CDC and destination-specific requirements before departure. Passport & Co. is not responsible if a traveler is denied boarding or denied entry due to missing or incomplete health documentation.
TSA Liquids Rule
TSA currently allows each passenger to bring one quart-size bag of liquids, aerosols, gels, creams, and pastes in carry-on luggage. Each item must be 3.4 ounces, or 100 milliliters, or less.
Flights & Airport Arrival
For most flights, plan to arrive at the airport: Domestic flights: at least 2 hours before departure
International flights: at least 3 hours before departure Always confirm your flight schedule directly with the airline 24 hours before departure, as flight times can change. If your flight is delayed or canceled while traveling, work directly with the airline at the airport and contact the 24/7 travel assistance number listed in your travel documents, if applicable.
Hotel Check-In & Check-Out
Most hotels have check-in around 3:00 or 4:00 PM. If you arrive early, your room may not be ready yet.
Pack swimsuits, sunscreen, medications, and any immediate essentials in your carry-on so you can start enjoying the resort even if your room or luggage is delayed.
Late check-out may be available upon request, but it is not guaranteed and may involve an additional fee.
Special Requests
Passport & Co. is happy to note special requests on your reservation when applicable, including bedding preferences, room location, connecting rooms, celebrations, and accessibility needs. Please note that requests are not guaranteed and are based on hotel, resort, cruise line, or supplier availability at the time of check-in.
Credit Cards & Travel Money
Passport & Co. recommends traveling with a traditional credit card, preferably Visa or Mastercard. Many hotels, cruise lines, and car rental companies require a credit card and may not accept debit cards for deposits or incidentals.
Before traveling internationally, check whether your credit card charges foreign transaction fees. You may also want to notify your credit card company of your travel dates and destination.
Bring small bills for tipping drivers, bell staff, housekeeping, concierge staff, and other service providers.
Packing Tips
Keep valuables, passports, identification, medication, jewelry, credit cards, and travel documents in your carry-on or personal item. Do not pack these items in checked luggage. Passport & Co. also recommends:
- Packing one change of clothes in your carry-on
- Packing swimsuits or essentials for beach/resort arrivals
- Splitting clothing between suitcases when traveling as a couple or family
- Keeping a copy of your passport and travel documents in your luggage
- Leaving another copy with someone trusted at home
- Adding luggage tags to every checked and carry-on bag
Food, Water & Medications
When traveling internationally, bottled water is often recommended for drinking and brushing teeth, depending on the destination. Pack basic stomach medication, motion sickness medication, and any prescription medications you may need. Bring extra prescription medication in case of delays. Keep medications in your carry-on, not your checked luggage.
Travel Protection
Passport & Co. strongly recommends travel protection for every trip. Unexpected events such as illness, injury, flight delays, baggage loss, weather, family emergencies, or supplier disruptions can impact your plans. Travel protection may help protect your vacation investment, depending on the coverage selected. Passport & Co. advisors are not licensed insurance agents and can only provide general information about available travel protection options. We cannot interpret policy language, evaluate coverage, or determine whether a plan is adequate for your specific needs. Coverage, benefits, and availability vary by plan and state.
Timeshare & Vacation Club Presentations
In many resort destinations, travelers may be approached about timeshare or vacation club presentations. These offers may include free gifts, spa credits, excursions, or discounts. Please use caution before agreeing to attend. These presentations can take several hours and may involve high-pressure sales tactics.
Why Book With Passport & Co.
Travel advisors are a valuable resource before, during, and after your vacation. At Passport & Co., we help you navigate the planning process, compare options, understand the fine print, and feel prepared before you go. We work with trusted travel partners, provide organized travel documents, and help guide you through the details so you can spend less time stressing and more time looking forward to the trip. Thank you for trusting Passport & Co. with your travels. We are so grateful for every client, referral, and kind recommendation. Your memories matter to us, and we are honored to be part of them. The information provided on this page is intended as general travel guidance to help you feel prepared and confident before your trip. Travel requirements, entry regulations, and policies can change at any time and may vary based on your destination, citizenship, and individual circumstances. It is the traveler’s responsibility to verify all current requirements directly with official sources, including airlines, government agencies, and destination authorities prior to departure. Passport & Co. is not responsible for any errors, omissions, or changes in travel requirements, or for any disruptions to travel resulting from incomplete or incorrect documentation. We are always here to help guide you, so if you have questions at any point, don’t hesitate to reach out.