Travel expert reveals eight passport mistakes that can get you turned away at the airport

If you’re planning on jetting off this summer and think you’ve prepared for every scenario, you’re wrong.

There’s a little-known hiccup (or eight), which could turn your dream holiday into a nightmare.

That’s why experts have come out to let you know exactly what could go wrong when you enter the check-in reception at the airport.

You’ve probably never been turned away from the departures lounge before, but that could change in an instant if your passport isn’t in tip-top shape.

Experts at Travelbag have gone on to urge the public to check their passports in advance to ensure they’re in the best condition.

Even if you spot a minor defect, it could mean the end of your vacation.

For instance, if your passport is damaged, they could decide it’s enough to reject it – in fact, one woman was banned from a flight this month at London Gatwick airport because her passport wasn’t up to scratch.

A spokesperson from Travelbag told Chronicle Live: “If your passport has been damaged by any of the above issues you need to replace your passport immediately before travelling.

“You may think the damage is minor, but due to the way passports are made securely for security and safety there may be more damage than you think which can lead to being refused travel.

“For peace of mind, it’s recommended to keep your passport well hidden and out of sight so it can stay as pristine as possible so you don’t run into any of these issues when travelling.”

Check your passport and your children’s. Getty Stock Image/Thomas Barwick

So, what are the eight issues you need to check for?

· Discolouration or damage to any part of the passport

· Any tearing to the passport numbers

· If your security details are hard to read

· Any missing pages or loose pages

· If anything is unreadable

· If the personal details page laminate is peeling off

· Any cracking of the personal details page

· If the chip antenna is visible through the endpaper or the personal details page

As well as these things, you should also be mindful of your expiry date as other countries have their own rules on this.

To be thorough, make sure there’s at least six months left on it and double-check the country you’re flying to doesn’t require more.

Also, the issue date could be a problem since the UK left the EU.

This is because a lot of countries won’t accept passports that have been issued more than 10 years ago – so make sure to get a new one if you’re over the threshold.

Don’t forget about your children’s passports too. Check those for everything above to ensure they will travel soundly.

Finally, if you’re a frequent flyer, make sure you have enough pages and room for stamps in your passport, otherwise they could refuse you due to being unable to provide a clean stamp.

Nobody wants their holiday ruined by a simple oversight, so make sure you’re on top of it.