✈ How to Get a Passport Quickly, Alaska Airlines Award Chart Changes & More Daily News From TPG ✈

Also: The best credit cards for holiday purchases November 16, 2023 [THE POINTS GUY]( [View in browser]( [TPG Daily Newsletter]( TOGETHER WITH [Partner Logo]( [THE POINTS GUY]( TOGETHER WITH [Partner Logo]( Check your passport's expiration date by Caroline Tanner, News Reporter [TPG | Hero Image] As we head into the busiest travel days of the year, you’ve likely got a checklist of to-do items. Remember that the holidays aren’t just busy at home, but also at the airports. If traveling abroad is on your holiday to-do list this year, I hope you’ve verified that your passport has not expired. Most countries require visitors’ passports to be [valid for three to six months]( at the time of travel. Be sure to check the requirements of your specific country since some require validity from the date of entry while others consider the six-month period to begin on the date of your intended departure from the country. If you are reading this and thinking, “Oh no! My passport is about to expire," or will expire within six months of an upcoming jaunt abroad, the U.S. Department of State will not be able to help except in very limited emergency travel circumstances outlined [here](. With turnaround times of five to seven weeks and eight to 11 weeks for expedited and routine services, respectively, travelers needing a U.S. passport sooner should consider a third-party service, such as [CIBTvisas](. A private company contracted to work with the government, CIBTvisas handles the logistical legwork of renewing or applying for a U.S. passport by submitting materials on customers' behalf directly to the agency. Of course, such a service, which can process expedited passport requests in one to three days, comes at a premium compared to the $130 charged by the government for standard service, plus an additional $60 for expedited service. Either way, we hope you get your passport in time. - [If you need a passport quickly, this service may be for you]( - [Here's how and when to renew your passport according to the US State Dept.]( - [Learn from my experience: How to avoid a 7-week passport renewal saga]( - [Passport expiring soon? Visit these countries within your 3-month renewal deadline]( Posts in this newsletter contains references to products from one or more of our advertisers. We may receive compensation when you click on links to those products. For an explanation of our Advertising Policy, [visit this page](. Photo Credit: DOUGLAS SACHA/GETTY IMAGES. TOGETHER WITH [Partner Logo]( Elevated travel perks With the new Venture X Business card, you’ll receive valuable annual bonus miles and travel perks like lounge access, no preset spending limit, and free employee cards. This card takes the guesswork out of earning and redeeming miles for business owners. [Learn more]( Today’s top stories [Alaska Airlines announces major Mileage Plan award chart changes in 2024]( Alaska leaders are touting this as a major enhancement, but our preliminary research shows that it's a mixed bag. [Read more]( [The best credit cards for shopping]( Consider using one of the cards on this list to enjoy benefits like purchase protection and more. [Read more]( [Marriott Bonvoy update: How you'll earn points and elite nights at 2 new brands]( Updates to Marriott Bonvoy's terms and conditions show that two new Marriott brands are now integrated into the loyalty program. [Read more]( [7 hotel suites with great views of the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade]( Head to New York City and watch Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade from the comfort of a hotel suite overlooking the parade route. Here are some choices. [Read more]( [You don't need to wait until Thanksgiving for these early Black Friday cruise offers]( Here are some of the best deals we've seen so far. 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