{"id":97174410,"date":"2016-11-04T10:30:41","date_gmt":"2016-11-04T10:30:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.cheapoair.com\/miles-away\/?p=97174410"},"modified":"2018-08-03T07:46:16","modified_gmt":"2018-08-03T07:46:16","slug":"heres-why-you-should-renew-your-passport-right-now","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.cheapoair.com\/miles-away\/heres-why-you-should-renew-your-passport-right-now\/","title":{"rendered":"Here\u2019s Why You Should Renew Your Passport RIGHT Now"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>If renewing your passport is something you&#8217;ve been putting off, you should totally get it done before 2016 is\u00a0over. Why? Because a massive amount of Americans will be applying to renew their passports in the next few years and it&#8217;s expected to create serious delays in the process and add even more weeks to the wait time.<\/p>\n<p>It all goes back to 2007, when the\u00a0government instituted the <a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Western_Hemisphere_Travel_Initiative\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative<\/a>, which required Americans traveling to Canada or Mexico to have passport or passport card (before you just needed a driver&#8217;s license to legally cross the US borders), and sparked what the state department described as an &#8220;unprecedented surge in passport applications.&#8221; And since passports expire after 10 years, a corresponding wave of renewal applications is expected. On top of THAT, many believe that another government mandate, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.dhs.gov\/real-id-public-faqs\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">the Real ID Act<\/a>, will be the catalyst for a ton of first-time passport applicants.<\/p>\n<p>Thanks to all this craziness, the State Department is <a href=\"http:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2016\/01\/31\/travel\/passport-renewal.html?_r=1\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">expecting millions of Americans<\/a> to apply for passports than previous years \u2014 meaning it\u2019s going to take them a little longer than usual to process all of them. So if you want your passport to be up-to-date for 2017, you\u2019ll do well to plan ahead. Send in that passport now to get ahead of the crowd!<\/p>\n<p>And why is having a valid passport so important?<\/p>\n<h3><strong>It&#8217;s an Investment that Lasts a Long Time<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cheapoair.com\/miles-away\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Investment.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-97174412\" src=\"https:\/\/www.cheapoair.com\/miles-away\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Investment.jpg\" alt=\"Kudla \/ Shutterstock\" width=\"1000\" height=\"617\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.cheapoair.com\/miles-away\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Investment.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/www.cheapoair.com\/miles-away\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Investment-300x185.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/travel.state.gov\/content\/passports\/en\/passports\/information\/fees.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">An adult passport costs $135<\/a>\u00a0\u2014 a number that makes a lot of applicants think twice about taking the plunge. But once it\u2019s renewed, your passport will be valid for a whole decade. That works out to approximately $13 per year. That\u2019s a pretty reasonable price for the 10 years of traveling you could take advantage of! Whether you want to see the whole world, visit a far-flung friend or family member, or just hit the beach for a week every year\u2014you\u2019ll need a passport to do it.<\/p>\n<h3><strong>It\u2019s a Secure Form of Identification<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cheapoair.com\/miles-away\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/ID.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-97174413\" src=\"https:\/\/www.cheapoair.com\/miles-away\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/ID.jpg\" alt=\"michaeljung \/ Shutterstock\" width=\"1000\" height=\"667\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.cheapoair.com\/miles-away\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/ID.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/www.cheapoair.com\/miles-away\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/ID-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.cheapoair.com\/miles-away\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/ID-360x240.jpg 360w, https:\/\/www.cheapoair.com\/miles-away\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/ID-600x400.jpg 600w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>When it comes to IDs, a passport is the gold standard. Whether you\u2019re applying for a new apartment or trying to provide six points of ID to get that driver\u2019s license renewed, having a passport will come in super handy. Even better, it\u2019s extremely difficult to manipulate or steal information from a passport, making it a valuable form of ID that\u2019s really worth investing in. Don\u2019t forget \u2014 thanks to the Real ID act, you might even need a passport to prove your identity when traveling within the United States.<\/p>\n<p>[perfectpullquote align=&#8221;full&#8221; cite=&#8221;&#8221; link=&#8221;&#8221; color=&#8221;&#8221; class=&#8221;&#8221; size=&#8221;&#8221;]Do you know what to do if you lose your passport or how to prepare for such a potential travel setback? Read <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cheapoair.com\/miles-away\/help-i-lost-my-passport-a-short-guide-on-what-to-do\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">\u2018HELP! I Lost My Passport!\u2019 A Short Guide on What to Do<\/a>[\/perfectpullquote]<\/p>\n<h3><strong>You Never Know When You&#8217;ll Need It<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cheapoair.com\/miles-away\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Travelers.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-97174414\" src=\"https:\/\/www.cheapoair.com\/miles-away\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Travelers.jpg\" alt=\"zeljkodan \/ Shutterstock\" width=\"1000\" height=\"667\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.cheapoair.com\/miles-away\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Travelers.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/www.cheapoair.com\/miles-away\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Travelers-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.cheapoair.com\/miles-away\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Travelers-360x240.jpg 360w, https:\/\/www.cheapoair.com\/miles-away\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Travelers-600x400.jpg 600w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Even if international travel isn\u2019t high on your priority list, you never know when you might need to hop on a plane! Business trip to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cheapoair.com\/flights\/cheap-flights-to-canada-ca\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Canada<\/a>? You\u2019ll need a passport. Your best friend\u2019s destination wedding in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cheapoair.com\/flights\/cheap-flights-to-greece-gr\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Greece<\/a>? You\u2019ll need a passport for that too! Found a super cheap flight to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cheapoair.com\/flights\/cheap-flights-to-mexico-mx\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Mexico<\/a>, and want to jump on the opportunity for a week in the sun? Yep. You\u2019ll need that passport. Save yourself the stress of last-minute passport renewal and get it now, <em>before <\/em>you really need it. Then, when the time comes, you\u2019ll be ready to go. Phew!<\/p>\n<h3><strong>A World of Adventure Will Open Up for You<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cheapoair.com\/miles-away\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Travel-Inspo.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-97174415\" src=\"https:\/\/www.cheapoair.com\/miles-away\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Travel-Inspo.jpg\" alt=\"Daxiao Productions \/ Shutterstock\" width=\"1000\" height=\"665\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.cheapoair.com\/miles-away\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Travel-Inspo.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/www.cheapoair.com\/miles-away\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Travel-Inspo-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.cheapoair.com\/miles-away\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Travel-Inspo-360x240.jpg 360w, https:\/\/www.cheapoair.com\/miles-away\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Travel-Inspo-600x400.jpg 600w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.theexpeditioner.com\/2010\/02\/17\/how-many-americans-have-a-passport-2\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Less than half of Americans hold a current passport<\/a>, and <a href=\"http:\/\/www.nydailynews.com\/news\/national\/americans-travel-survey-article-1.2431648\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">we\u2019re notorious for taking part in international travel far less than citizens of other countries<\/a>. Break away from the mold! Be the kind of American who goes out and sees the world. You\u2019ll be the unique, adventurous one in your social circle\u2014you\u2019ll be the minority, after all\u2014and you\u2019ll have a ton of cool stories to show for it.<\/p>\n<p>[perfectpullquote align=&#8221;full&#8221; cite=&#8221;&#8221; link=&#8221;&#8221; color=&#8221;&#8221; class=&#8221;&#8221; size=&#8221;&#8221;]Taking an international trip on a budget? Read\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.cheapoair.com\/miles-away\/6-ways-to-save-on-food-abroad\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">6 Penny-Pinching Tips You Can Use to Save Money on Food Abroad<\/a> to keep your stomach AND wallet full!\u00a0[\/perfectpullquote]<\/p>\n<h3><strong>Why Not?<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cheapoair.com\/miles-away\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Passport.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-97174416\" src=\"https:\/\/www.cheapoair.com\/miles-away\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Passport.jpg\" alt=\"Aleksandr Ryzhov \/ Shutterstock\" width=\"1000\" height=\"667\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.cheapoair.com\/miles-away\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Passport.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/www.cheapoair.com\/miles-away\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Passport-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.cheapoair.com\/miles-away\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Passport-360x240.jpg 360w, https:\/\/www.cheapoair.com\/miles-away\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Passport-600x400.jpg 600w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>There are so many fascinating places to see and things to do in this world\u2014why wouldn\u2019t you take the opportunity to gain access to them all? If money\u2019s a concern, never fear. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cheapoair.com\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">The experts on cheap flights and budget travel are here to help.<\/a> You never know when you\u2019ll catch a case of wanderlust!<\/p>\n<p>[perfectpullquote align=&#8221;full&#8221; cite=&#8221;&#8221; link=&#8221;&#8221; color=&#8221;&#8221; class=&#8221;&#8221; size=&#8221;&#8221;]How many of you need to renew your passport this year? Will you be sending it in early? Let us know in the comments![\/perfectpullquote]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>If renewing your passport is something you&#8217;ve been putting off, you should totally get it done before 2016 is\u00a0over. Why? Because a massive amount of Americans will be applying to renew their passports in the next few years and it&#8217;s expected to create serious delays in the process and add even more weeks to the [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":21,"featured_media":97174416,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[52,56],"tags":[1192,1438,1439],"class_list":["post-97174410","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-air-travel","category-travel-tips","tag-2016-travel-inspiration","tag-passport","tag-passport-renewal"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.cheapoair.com\/miles-away\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/97174410","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.cheapoair.com\/miles-away\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.cheapoair.com\/miles-away\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.cheapoair.com\/miles-away\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/21"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.cheapoair.com\/miles-away\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=97174410"}],"version-history":[{"count":9,"href":"https:\/\/www.cheapoair.com\/miles-away\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/97174410\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":97199079,"href":"https:\/\/www.cheapoair.com\/miles-away\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/97174410\/revisions\/97199079"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.cheapoair.com\/miles-away\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/97174416"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.cheapoair.com\/miles-away\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=97174410"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.cheapoair.com\/miles-away\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=97174410"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.cheapoair.com\/miles-away\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=97174410"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}