Paris is waiting, but is my passport still valid? Is a 10am hotel checkout too early? Am I too old to rent a car in America? The Holiday Guru addresses travelers’ questions
The Holiday Guru is there to answer traveller’s questions.
This week he tackles questions about post-Brexit passport rules, age limits for car rentals in America, hotel kick-outs at 10 a.m., family travel insurance and more…
Q. My passport expires in October. However, it was released exactly ten years ago this month, so I’m afraid I won’t be able to use it to go to EU countries. Is this so? I hoped to visit Paris soon.
Emma Hayward, Basingstoke
A. According to EU rules, on the date of your departure you must have issued a passport within the last ten years, which means you cannot go. This is a problem that has become increasingly common after Brexit, because although the official validity of your passport can be more than ten years, the EU does not recognize these extra months. In addition, your passport must be valid for at least three months beyond the date on which you intend to leave the EU’s Schengen free movement area. For more information, search for ‘documents you need’ home affairs.ec.europa.eu.
Tourist trap: you won’t see the Eiffel Tower if your passport doesn’t meet strict EU rules
Q. I was told that at age 82 it will be impossible to rent a car in America. Is that correct?
Victor Wotton, via email
A. You should be fine if you look around. Autoslash, the cheap rental car website, says U.S. rental companies “don’t usually impose a maximum age limit” as long as you have a driver’s license (autoslash. com). Rental company Sixt states: ‘We have no maximum age limits [but] we look at any restrictions on a renter’s driver’s license and verify that it is valid.’
Q. We are traveling in July as a family of four so will be purchasing family insurance but my daughter will be arriving alone. Would she still be covered, or should I insure her extra?
Annette Hilson, via email
A. This should be fine, but call your insurer to check if company policies vary.
Q. Is it safe to visit Sharm El Sheikh in Egypt in June and are there any deals?
Many hotels now have a checkout at 10am which seems too early. Check the fine print before booking – it should be 12pm or 11am at the earliest
Mrs. O. Mitchell, via email
The destination is not on the Foreign and Commonwealth Office’s do-not-go list (see ‘Egypt’ at gov.uk).
Tui (tui.co.uk), Thomas Cook (thomascook. com) and easyJet Holidays (easyjet.com) have some tempting offers. When we checked, Tui had seven nights at the Royal Albatros Moderna from £672 pp all inclusive, departing from Birmingham Airport later this month.
Q. Are vaccinations required for Vietnam and Thailand? We are going on a cruise in March.
Roger Fear, via email
A. No proof of Covid vaccination is required. You should be aware of the routine vaccinations offered in the UK, such as for diphtheria, tetanus and polio, but both countries have a low risk of malaria. See ‘entry requirements’ gov.uk.
Q. I’ve noticed that some hotels in Europe, and some in the UK, now want to check out at 10am. This isn’t fair, is it?
Tony Miller, Norwich
A. Yes, many hotels now have a 10am checkout which seems too early. Check the fine print before booking – it should be 12pm or 11am at the earliest.
Many hotels now have checkouts at 10am, the Holiday Guru reveals (file image)
Q. I booked a Jetcruise trip for April 25, but the return trip from New York to Southampton was canceled before I left and the entire trip was subsequently called off. Jetcruise told me to claim travel insurance, but my insurers won’t pay. Can you help?
Patricia Watt, via email
A. According to the Package Travel Regulations, tour operators must refund cancellations within 14 days. We have spoken to the company and a refund should be on its way.
WE ARE HERE TO HELP
If you need advice, the Holiday Guru is there to answer your questions. Email us at holidayplanner@dailymail.co.uk.