Montrose travelers can start planning their 2013 vacation with free passport photos at the Montrose branch of the Automobile Club of Southern California.
From Nov. 19 through Nov. 30, auto club members who visit the branch at 2112 Montrose Ave. will receive free passport photos, said Jacqueline Garcia, the Auto Club’s Montrose branch manager, in a prepared statement.
The passport photos normally cost $8 for members, she said.
Non-members can continue to obtain passport photos at the Montrose branch for $15.
“Travelers may not realize that even a three-day cruise to Ensenada or an Alaska cruise with a stop in Vancouver will require them to have a passport because of requirements that have taken effect in recent years,” Garcia said.
The local auto club has passport applications and renewal forms available, in addition to passport photos.
“They also may not be aware that even if their passport has not yet expired, many countries require a traveler’s passport to be valid up to six months after the passport holder’s planned return date from the country visited,” Garcia said.
Most passports can be renewed by mail, new or replacement passports must be obtained at an authorized passport processing facility, she said. To find the nearest passport processing facility, visit iafdb.travel.state.gov.
“Europe is a favorite destination of American travelers and now is the time to purchase airline tickets, to ensure the best price,” said Garcia. “Decreases in seat capacity are expected to continue into 2013, making it more difficult and potentially more costly to obtain the most desirable flight schedules. A stronger U.S. dollar and pent-up demand for international travel is also expected to drive up demand.”
The Montrose Auto Club branch is located at 2112 Montrose Avenue and is open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The branch will be closed on Thursday, Nov. 22 and Friday, Nov. 23 for the Thanksgiving holiday.
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