State Department Urges Travelers to Renew Passports Early

The U.S. Department of State urges travelers who hold passports expiring in 2016 to renew early. The department is expecting a flood of renewals of 10-year passports issued in 2006 and 2007, when the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative went into effect. The initiative required passports for Americans returning by air from Mexico, Canada, the Caribbean and Bermuda for the first time and resulted in a surge of new passports, which are now beginning to expire.

Recent media reports on the implementation of REAL ID identification requirements may prompt additional demand for first-time passport applications this year. The Transportation Security Administration recently announced it will continue to accept driver’s licenses issued by all states until January 2018 for boarding a domestic commercial air flight. Effective January 22, 2018, air travelers with a driver’s license or identification card issued by a state that does not meet the requirements of the REAL ID Act (unless that state has been granted an extension to comply with the Act) must present an alternative form of identification, such as a passport, to board a domestic flight.

Passport renewals typically take six weeks, but these events may result in a backlog and additional time needed in order to secure necessary travel documents.

• AAA recommends travelers renew their passports as far in advance of an international trip as possible to avoid delays.
• AAA members can visit their local AAA office to obtain passport photos.
• To further expedite travel, AAA recommends frequent travelers enroll in trusted traveler programs such as TSA PreCheck and Global Entry.
• Consult a travel advisor to ensure you have all necessary travel documents before your trip.

Mexico Travel Advisory

The State Department has updated its travel advisory to Mexico to include additional states due to some recent attacks on American travelers. Mexico has 31 states and the updated advisory recommends Americans defer non-essential travel to at least seven areas due to increased violence. These states are primarily controlled by drug cartels and include: Coahuila, Guerrero, Michoacan, Nayarit, Sinaloa, Tamaulipas and Colima. Mexico City and other popular tourist destinations are not included in the advisory. However, the advisory does recommend tourists use caution in the northern state of Baja, especially at night. A state-by-state travel assessment and map is included in the advisory.

According to the State Department, there was a slight increase in the number of U.S. citizens killed in Mexico in 2015: 103 deaths compared to 100 in 2014. It is important to note that these deaths may not all be related to tourist activity.

The advisory cautions Americans to maintain low profiles when traveling and to avoid displays of personal property such as expensive watches, jewelry and cameras. Of particular safety concern are casinos and popular adult entertainment establishments. Carjacking and highway robberies remain a serious problem in border regions. The State Department urges any citizens traveling by car to limit vehicle travel to daylight hours, avoid isolated areas and use toll roads wherever possible.

• When traveling abroad, AAA recommends reviewing the State Department traveler’s checklist for any country-specific travel advisory or warning. The State Department also provides helpful tips on appropriate documentation, packing and general travel advice.
• Before departing, AAA recommends making copies of all relevant travel documents and leaving one copy with a family member or friend. A photocopy will be helpful in case of emergency or if your documents are lost or stolen.
• Enroll in the State Department’s Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP). By enrolling, U.S. citizens make it easier for the Embassy or nearest Consulate to contact them in the case of an emergency.
• Planning a trip can be fun but also overwhelming. AAA travel counselors can help plan an itinerary that fits your travel style.

Cuba Travel Restrictions Further Eased

The U.S. Departments of Commerce and Treasury have announced new amendments to further ease restrictions on travel and trade with Cuba. Effective today, U.S. airlines will be authorized to engage with Cuban airlines by allowing blocked space, code-sharing and leasing arrangements. Additionally, certain types of travel will be added to the 12 existing authorized travel categories.

General tourism to Cuba remains prohibited. However, professional media or artistic productions will now be allowed to travel to Cuba to film or produce a movie, television show, music video or other informational material, and certain personnel operating or servicing a vessel or aircraft will be allowed to stay in Cuba to continue their work.

AAA staff will continue to monitor these issues and provide updates accordingly. If you have any questions, please contact AAA Travel at 1-888-577-9222.