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Starting in January of 2016, the US State Department eliminated the option of adding pages to your passport. For those of us that travel a considerable amount, this was a big deal. Currently you have the option of ordering two different passport sizes, the regular 28 page and the jumbo 52 page version. Can you get a 2nd passport? The simple answer is yes, but not because you filled up those pages early. Let’s check out when you are allowed to get a 2nd passport, and what you need to do if you’ve filled up your current passport
1) Filled up your pages? You can renew early.
If you’re filling up your passport prior to expiration, you will need to apply to renew your passport. In fact, you’re at risk of denied entry if you arrive and there is no space in your passport. Immigration officers need to be able to clearly identify stamps from their own country. You need to fill out at DS-82 form, and when you do so, there will be an option for the larger 52 page version. Check it, you’re a mega traveler, and this will keep your passport valid for a longer period of time.
2) Traveling when you need to mail in your passport for a different visa. Get a 2nd passport
Let’s say you need to apply for a Russian Visa. This requires you mail in your current passport. But, what happens if you’re traveling to Japan during that same time period? Well…there is a work around.
You can apply for a 2nd passport. It will be valid for 2 years, and can be held concurrently.
In this situation you’ll fill out the DS-82 mentioned above and also attach the following:
- Second passport letter of request that explains the specific reason you need a 2nd passport. It must be addressed to the US State Department and signed by the applicant.
- You need to attach your itinerary that proves your request
3) If you’re traveling to a country that doesn’t permit people who have traveled to other countries. Get a 2nd Passport.
Israel is the classic example in this scenario. There are countries that have a reputation for rejecting travelers with an Israeli passport stamp. In a similar situation, you can apply in the same manner as #2 and in the letter of explanation give the reason as such.
Hope this helps!
Opinions, reviews, analyses & recommendations are the author’s alone, and have not been reviewed, endorsed or approved by any of these entities.
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
Welcome Offer
60k Points after $4k spend in 3 months
Annual Fee
$95
Points Earned
Transferrable Chase Ultimate Rewards
- 60k points after $4k spend in 3 months
- Worth $750 in Chase Travel℠ and way more if you maximize transfer partners
- 5x on all travel purchased through Chase Travel℠
- 3x on dining, including eligible delivery services for takeout & dining out
- 3x on select streaming services
- 3x on online grocery purchases
- (excluding Target, Walmart and wholesale clubs)
- $50 Annual Chase Travel Hotel Credit via Chase Travel℠
- The begins immediately for new cardmembers and after your account anniversary for existing cardmembers
- 2x on all other travel
- 10% Anniversary Bonus
- Every year you keep the card, your total spend will yield a 10% points bonus. If you spend $10k in a year, you’ll get 1k bonus points
- Chase Sapphire Preferred continues to redeem at 1.25c in the Chase Travel℠ and the slew of other benefits remain in tact including Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver ( primary ), purchase protections, etc.
- Points are transferrable to 14 Ultimate Rewards partners
- Redeem in Chase Travel℠ for 1.25 cents per point
- No foreign transaction fees
- Suite of Travel and Purchase Coverage
- Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver is my favorite
- Get complimentary access to DashPass which unlocks $0 delivery fees and lower service fees for a minimum of one year when you activate by December 31, 2024
- $95 Annual Fee
We keep an up to date spreadsheet that lists the best ever offers: You can find that spreadsheet here.
Historically 80k is a very, very good offer and hit in both 2022 and 2023. In 2021, we saw the offer hit an all time high of 100k. Who knows if that will ever come back.
Main Cast:
Cards that earn flexible points and should be used on the bulk of your purchases.
Supporting Cast:
Cards that earn fixed points in the currency of the airline/hotel and can not be transferred at attractive rates. These cards yield benefits that make it worth keeping, but not necessarily worth putting a lot of your everyday spend on.
The Chase Sapphire Preferred® is exceptional starter card and offers transferrable Ultimate Rewards, and pairs well with other Chase cards.
If you carry this card alongside Chase’s cashback cards like the Chase Freedom Flex℠and Chase Freedom Unlimited® or the business versions: Ink Business Cash® , Ink Business Unlimited® you can combine the points into Preferred account and transfer into hotel and airline partners
Annual fee is quite low at $95 a year + you get a 10% anniversary bonus on points + $50 hotel credit in Chase travel.
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