Do you carry your passport when out and about when on holidays?

[knagelli]

I was once denied entry to few of the casinos on the Strip as I have my local Id ( which they did not recognize) and the passport was left at the hotel.

One more experience of not carrying the passport while taking domestic trips within US was to have special screening and scrutiny at each of the airports ( we were silly enough assuming VIC DL will act as a valid Id proof for domestic travel).

 

[DC3]

I was once denied entry to few of the casinos on the Strip as I have my local Id ( which they did not recognize) and the passport was left at the hotel.

Was that recent or a long time ago? I only ask as I have stayed at some of the hotels on the strip and had to walk through their casinos to go to/from the room, but no-one ever bothered to check ID.

 

[harvyk]

These days I simply leave it in the safe in my room. If something was to happen to it I'd be rather screwed.
When I have been carded (which is rare), everywhere seems happy enough to accept my Aussie drivers license. Part of it is I'm not about to be mistaken for an under 18 / 21.

In China, I took a photocopy of my passport everywhere.

 

[Lynda2475]

Was that recent or a long time ago? I only ask as I have stayed at some of the hotels on the strip and had to walk through their casinos to go to/from the room, but no-one ever bothered to check ID.

Walking through is one thing, but buying or cashing in chips or ordering alcoholic drinks is another, they usually ask for passport then

 

[Princess Fiona]

I was recently in Auckland and the Rental Car company would not accept Service NSW App for Drivers license. They would accept Drivers License or a photocopy.

Yes that’s my experience too with Avis. Had to have my card.

 

[UP4014]

Unlike others here, I nearly always carry my passport with me in my pocket. It's easy and I know where it is at all times.

 

[knagelli]

Was that recent or a long time ago? I only ask as I have stayed at some of the hotels on the strip and had to walk through their casinos to go to/from the room, but no-one ever bothered to check ID.

It was circa 2009 , so not sure if it can be considered as recent.

 

[DC3]

Yes that’s my experience too with Avis. Had to have my card.

Was that in NZ? I thought that they may be more advanced in dealing with technology. Even QLD is getting onboard with a DL app.

 

[Princess Fiona]

Was that in NZ? I thought that they may be more advanced in dealing with technology. Even QLD is getting onboard with a DL app.

UK and USA

 

[DC3]

UK and USA

Has the UK done away with paper licences yet?

 

[bladeau1981]

agree with bam71, I’d rarely carry my passport. In some places like China it was - in theory - compulsory for ‘aliens’, I carried a photocopy if i was concerned about being questioned (like around big event days or whatever).

I only took my passport when I was visiting places that required them. Some of the tourist spots needed them, and I think getting on the bullet trains as well (or maybe it was just buying the tickets).

 

[bladeau1981]

I don’t as it’s on my Service NSW App.
Often I just have car key and my phone.

Back on topic, I only carry my passport if it will be needed for a specific purpose that day. Otherwise it’s left in the hotel.

I got caught out trying to pick up a hire car in QLD, they wouldn't accept my mySAGOV app digital license because they couldn't take a copy of it. I ended up having to take a photo of the app, then emailing it to them to keep on file.

 

[Telemachus]

Has the UK done away with paper licences yet?

Yes and no. Still have my UK paper licence which is valid until age 70, but photocard licences were introduced for new licences and renewals in 1998. UK does not have a national ID card but the photocard driving licence is widely seen as equivalent. Have seen media coverage about minor alterations to the design since Brexit – prior to that the UK photocard licence was also an EU licence but has now been appropriately ‘enhanced’.

Edit: Re OP question about carrying a passport while out and about overseas, it depends. Unless on an errand where production of the passport is expected to be required, and/or in a country where foreigners are expected to carry passports to prove ID, then no. But if there is no robust in-room safe, nor a hotel front desk option for custody of valuables, then yes I take the passport out with me. Carrying on my person is a last resort, though, because of risk of robbery/theft/loss.

 

[noellaross]

So I've been in Switzerland and Spain in the last few days. While I was carrying a backpack with my passport, water, etc, I see other (mainly younger) holidaymakers from nearby countries virtually carrying nothing around and I so wanted to be like them so I don't sweat my a*** off with my backpack, but I'm worried about getting challenged for not carrying appropriate ID.

What are your thoughts?

A few years ago whilst passengers in a friend's car travelling in southern Arizona, we were stopped at a checkpoint about 40 miles north of the Mexican border. We did not bring our Australian passports with us on this day outing and were severely reprimanded. We felt lucky to turn around and go back without further consequences!

 

[galaxy1303]

So I've been in Switzerland and Spain in the last few days. While I was carrying a backpack with my passport, water, etc, I see other (mainly younger) holidaymakers from nearby countries virtually carrying nothing around and I so wanted to be like them so I don't sweat my a*** off with my backpack, but I'm worried about getting challenged for not carrying appropriate ID.

What are your thoughts?

I don't normally carry my passport and leave it locked away in the room for safety. I was not able to hire an audio guide at the Doges Palace in Venice because I didn't have my passport, nothing else was acceptable. Usually I have a small (drivers licence size) laminated copy of my passport with me but I didn't on this occasion. Not sure if they just wanted to sight the passport or keep it as security.

 

[DC3]

Carrying on my person is a last resort, though, because of risk of robbery/theft/loss.

Good thinking

 

[justinbrett]

I was once denied entry to few of the casinos on the Strip as I have my local Id ( which they did not recognize) and the passport was left at the hotel.

One more experience of not carrying the passport while taking domestic trips within US was to have special screening and scrutiny at each of the airports ( we were silly enough assuming VIC DL will act as a valid Id proof for domestic travel).

Odd because as far as I'm aware you don't need to be 18/21 to enter the casino. You need to literally walk through the gaming floor to access the hotel which allows children.

ID is checked when you sit down at a table or order a drink (if you don't look of age), or enter a club.

Must have been some dodgy casinos you were going to, certainly was none of the main ones.

 

[knagelli]

Must have been some dodgy casinos you were going to, certainly was none of the main ones.

I remember vaguely , it was Bellagio or palazzo ; well it was not at the restaurant for sure but one of those tables.

 

[justinbrett]

Walking through is one thing, but buying or cashing in chips or ordering alcoholic drinks is another, they usually ask for passport then

I've never had to show a passport when buying chips or cashing them in - if you get asked for ID they've always accepted my NSW licence.

I've been pretty much an annual visitor to Vegas for the last 15-20 years. Maybe I've just been lucky.

I remember vaguely , it was Bellagio or palazzo ; well it was not at the restaurant for sure but one of those tables.

I stayed in Bellagio earlier this year and I can assure you there were kids everywhere.

You might want to edit your original post as "denied entry" is not what happened if you were carded when you sat down to gamble.

 

[DC3]

I remember vaguely , it was Bellagio or palazzo ; well it was not at the restaurant for sure but one of those tables.

When I stayed at The Bellagio, I walked straight through the gaming area to the lifts to get to the room. Maybe the tables have ID checks, although didn’t appear so. However, no checks when I lost some money on the machines. So, you may be thinking of another casino.