Travel expert reveals the countries where you could be kicked off flight due to little-known passport rule

A travel expert has urged holidaymakers to double-check their passports before booking a flight - as she highlights three common mistakes that could cost passengers their entire trip. 

Seasoned travellers Lisa and Matt, from the US, often share travel advice, packing hacks, accessory must-haves and insurance tips with their 46,000 followers on Instagram. 

In a post uploaded to their page, @readyjetroam, in July, the pair encouraged passengers to check 'three things right now' on their passports to ensure they are eligible to fly - or risk being turned away at the airport. 

Recounting an experience she had whilst heading to South Africa, Lisa explained she handed her passport to an agent, who informed her she 'might not have enough blank pages' for a stamp to enter and leave the country. 

Luckily, she was able to locate a few spare pages that hadn't been marked, but was warned by the agent that some countries, such as South Africa, require each passport-holder to have three untouched pages. 

Taking to Instagram, she shared three strict passport rules travellers should be aware of before jetting off on their next international trip. 

Her first, and most crucial, piece of advice is to check the expiration dates on passports.  

Many countries, especially in regions such as Asia, Africa and South America, require your passport to be valid for six months from the date of arrival. 

Most European destinations expect at least three months beyond your departure date, which means even if your passport is technically still valid, airlines or border officials can refuse to let you travel if it's close to expiring.

Lisa's second tip is to check visa requirements. Policies change frequently, and the expert warns that travellers should not assume previous rules still apply. 

Some countries require visas in advance, while others, such as the United States, may require one just for a layover. 

The European Union is also set to roll out a new travel authorisation system - called ETIAS - by the end of 2025, which will require most non-EU visitors to apply online before entering the bloc.  

Lisa's third tip is to check how many blank pages are left in passports - one detail she says many travellers overlook before booking an international trip.

While some countries only require one blank page, others require two or even three. South Africa, for example, needs each passenger to have two consecutive blank visa pages, while Botswana and Zambia require three. 

Without enough space for visa stamps, you could be denied boarding or entry - regardless of your passport's expiration date.

As a bonus tip, the expert shared a hack to help avoid potential issues: placing sticky notes that say "DO NOT STAMP" on the last few pages of her passport. 

She explained that border agents don't always stamp pages in order, and a single stamp on a visa page could prevent travel to countries with stricter requirements.

Meanwhile, an air travel expert has warned Brits to prepare for flight cancellations and diversion risks.

With EU border rules set to kick in next month, the new entry/exit system (EES) is expected to cause issues in some airports.

The digital system begins on October 12 for arrivals into the European Union and will require non-EU passport holders and those crossing Schengen borders to provide biometric data and fingerprints.

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