Family Holidays & Multiple Passports, Spread The Cost With Pay Monthly

Between the months of January and February many holiday companies, tour operators and travel agents see their bookings almost double and there are plenty of reasons why this happens. With low deposits and book now pay later options as well as huge discounts to booking early or winter sales in full force customers can't wait to get their holidays booked.

There are lots of enticing options for customers to make sure they get the best deals available but one thing that can stop people taking advantage of these great deals is not being able to afford to renew their passports. If you have a typical family of 4 and you all need to renew your passports this can be an enormous financial burden, but you needn't worry about those cost as you can now pay monthly for your passports and we will provide you with all the information you need to take advantage of the January's top deals.

Why is January a peak booking time?

As we said this time of year holiday bookings practically double compared to late in the year, the reason there is such an influx of bookings comes down to few reasons.

Winter sales - These post-Christmas sales can offer anywhere between 10-60% off travel, with savings like that it's easy to see why people want to book.
Early booking - There are many last-minute booking sites but more and more booking site and agents are offering great savings on booking made at least 3 months in advance.
Free child spaces - Most places offer a standard free child space for under 1's but they are now offering free spaces for children up to 12 years old, this could save you hundreds if not thousands on your booking.

Extras included - Some sites and operators also offer extra incentives to book now or give you extra addons on your booking including upgrading rooms, better meal plans, activities as well as entertainment passes.

These are just some of the things that are offered to customers in order to get people booking there summer holidays.

Is The Passport Office busy in January?

Yes.

With thousands of extra people booking their holidays and travel plan The Passport Office get very busy. The average waiting time is 2-3 weeks but in January this is more like 4-6 weeks and if customers are unaware of these extended waiting times it could result in them not receiving their passport in time for travel.

More customers are now choosing online services but please be aware that the waiting times also apply to these, the Passport Office can experience some back logging with passport applications throughout January so applying early is advised.

What can I do if I'm travelling in the next 4 weeks?

If you have booked a family holiday or any travel plans within the next 4 weeks we would always recommend using the urgent services. Hundreds of people every year do not receive their passport in time for travel, not only do they miss our on their travels it also costs them extra money in flight changes, booking changes and sometimes the complete loss of their holiday.

Urgent services

1-Week Fast-Track Service

You can use this service if you want to apply for one of the following:

• Renew a standard adult 34-page passport
• Renew an adult 48-page passport
• Name change in a standard adult 34-page or 50-page passport - with marriage or civil partnership certificate
• Change a standard adult 34-page or 50-page passport
• Replace a lost, stolen or damaged adult passport
• First child passport
• Renew or change a child passport
• Replace a lost, stolen or damaged child passport
• Renewal for a British national born on or before 2 September 1929

You cannot use this service if you want to apply for:

• First time adult passport


1-Day Premium Service

You can use this service if you want to apply for one of the following:

• Renew a standard adult 34-page passport
• Renew an adult 50-page passport
• Name change in a standard adult 34-page or 50-page passport - with marriage or civil partnership certificate
• Renewal for a British national born on or before 2 September 1929

You cannot use this service if you want to apply for:

• First time adult passport
• First child passport
• Change a standard adult 34-page or 50-page passport
• Replace a lost, stolen or damaged adult passport
• Renew or change a child passport
• Replace a lost, stolen or damaged child passport

Book Appointment (1-7 days)

How can I make a passport appointment?

We always advise our customers not to book any travel plans until you have your passport but if you find that you need an urgent passport appointment, you can book a fast track passport online. It's quick and easy, you simply choose which urgent service you require, fill in your details and select which passport office you would like to attend, if you are unsure of your nearest office you can search by using your postcode. You can then pick a date and time that suits you. Once you have completed these details you will then be offered payments option which includes a one-off payment and pay monthly options.

I can't afford to pay for a passport, what can I do?

Up until now you could only ever pay for your passport applications in one lump sum whether you paid by cash, credit or debit card, cheque or postal order the whole amount need to be paid in advance along with your complete and correct application form.

This has for many years meant that you were unable to apply for a UK passport unless you had all of the money in full up front, leaving many people with larger families or people on low incomes feeling they were unable to afford holidays and trips abroad.

With the introduction of a pay monthly feature thousands more people are now comfortably able to afford to apply or renew their passport and enjoy trips abroad.

Please see below your payment options:

• The Post Office - Cash, Credit/Debit Card, Cheque or Postal Order
• Online - Credit or Debit Card
• Online - Pay Monthly


Can I really pay monthly for my passport?

Yes, our pay monthly option is available for many different types of people on varying incomes, including if you are a student you're retired, employed, self-employed or even unemployed.

Payl8r provides finance for the pay monthly option and helps customers that traditionally fail credit checks or have thin credit files. They review customers' affordability and "credit future", not just their credit history, provided that you are a UK citizen and have a UK bank account with a credit or debit card and online banking.

Many customers are now happy to hear that you can actually pay for your passport application monthly, this method of payment is quick and easy to use and does not require any hard credit search or an excellent credit rating.

We are currently the only company to offer this unique pay monthly option and have seen a large amount of customers opting to use this new feature and spread the cost of their family's passports.

Apply Online (2-4 weeks)

Who are Payl8r?

Payl8r is a finance company that provides credit to its customers to purchase goods and services online and pay back through monthly installments. They provide finance options for hundreds of shops, online stores and service providers and can now help you afford to apply or renew your passport.

For most customers the decision is automated and takes 30 seconds after you confirm your application. For a small majority of customers, your application may require additional information and therefor it can take longer. You will be notified by email.


Can I pay in installments for my passport?

You can choose flexible interest-free payments and spread the cost of your passport application over 2, 4, 6 or 9 months. This will dramatically reduce the initial pay out for your passport application.


Who will the pay monthly option help?

Paying monthly also significantly helps those who are applying for multiple passports such as families or groups travelling together, as a family all applying for first time child passports or renewing their existing passports could incur costs of £300-£500 in addition to holiday and/or travel costs often at the last minute. Research has found that many consumers prefer to pay monthly when having to spend a larger amount.
It will also help people and families on lower incomes perhaps if you are a student, are retired or even on benefits.


If you need to book a passport appointment or you would like to start your passport application you can renew online for more information.