Are you overpaying? Aussies expose shocking truth behind world's second priciest passport!
- Replies 23
Travelling is a cherished activity for many Australians, especially for those in their golden years who have the time and often the resources to explore the world.
However, a recent uproar has emerged among Aussie globetrotters, who now hold what has become the world's second-most expensive passport only to find it has a frustrating flaw.
The new R series Australian passport, which now costs $398 after a 15 per cent price increase in July, is causing quite a stir.
Not for its advanced security features or its proudly Australian manufacturing but for its tendency to curl at the covers.
This seemingly trivial issue has sparked a wave of discontent among travellers who expect more from such a costly travel document.
The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) has been boasting about the new passport's innovative design and rigorous security standards.
The department said, 'Did you know Australia has an innovative new passport known as the R Series?'
'The next-generation passport has advanced security features to protect Australians' identities.
Your passport is designed, printed, and assembled in Australia to rigorous security standards.'
Despite these assurances, the passport's physical quality has been questioned.
Social media and online forums like Reddit have become hotbeds for venting frustrations.
One Reddit thread titled 'Is the Australian passport possessed?' featured a photo of the passport standing vertically with its covers curling dramatically.
The thread attracted a flurry of responses from fellow Aussies sharing their experiences and remedies.
'Mine was like this when I got it. You gotta squish the bunyips out under some heavy books. Eventually, it settles down,' one user suggested, offering a DIY solution to the curling problem.
Another user, less amused by the situation, commented, 'Mine does the same, most expensive passport in the world, such a s*******.'
Some users even claimed insider knowledge, suggesting that the manufacturers were aware of the issue but found it challenging to rectify due to the construction of the passport's pages.
'My recommendation to anyone getting one of the new passports (anything from 2023ish till now) is as soon as you get it to put it under a few heavy books for a week or so to prevent this,' one user advised.
Canadian passport holders have reported similar problems with their new passports.
In response to the complaints, DFAT has addressed the curling issue on its website, stating, 'You may notice a slight curling on the cover of your R Series passport. This occasionally occurs due to changes in humidity.’
‘It's not a manufacturing defect and doesn't affect the validity of your passport. Keeping your passport tightly secured will help prevent this curling.'
While the department suggested using an envelope or passport holder to store and protect the passport, many Australians feel that such measures should be optional for a document that costs nearly $400.
Have you encountered the same curling issue? Do you believe the security features justify the cost? Or do you feel short-changed by the hefty price tag? Let us know in the comments below.
However, a recent uproar has emerged among Aussie globetrotters, who now hold what has become the world's second-most expensive passport only to find it has a frustrating flaw.
The new R series Australian passport, which now costs $398 after a 15 per cent price increase in July, is causing quite a stir.
Not for its advanced security features or its proudly Australian manufacturing but for its tendency to curl at the covers.
Problems with the new R series passports, including curling covers, have been reported by frustrated Australian travellers. Credit: Unsplash
This seemingly trivial issue has sparked a wave of discontent among travellers who expect more from such a costly travel document.
The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) has been boasting about the new passport's innovative design and rigorous security standards.
The department said, 'Did you know Australia has an innovative new passport known as the R Series?'
'The next-generation passport has advanced security features to protect Australians' identities.
Your passport is designed, printed, and assembled in Australia to rigorous security standards.'
Despite these assurances, the passport's physical quality has been questioned.
Social media and online forums like Reddit have become hotbeds for venting frustrations.
One Reddit thread titled 'Is the Australian passport possessed?' featured a photo of the passport standing vertically with its covers curling dramatically.
The thread attracted a flurry of responses from fellow Aussies sharing their experiences and remedies.
'Mine was like this when I got it. You gotta squish the bunyips out under some heavy books. Eventually, it settles down,' one user suggested, offering a DIY solution to the curling problem.
Another user, less amused by the situation, commented, 'Mine does the same, most expensive passport in the world, such a s*******.'
Some users even claimed insider knowledge, suggesting that the manufacturers were aware of the issue but found it challenging to rectify due to the construction of the passport's pages.
'My recommendation to anyone getting one of the new passports (anything from 2023ish till now) is as soon as you get it to put it under a few heavy books for a week or so to prevent this,' one user advised.
Canadian passport holders have reported similar problems with their new passports.
In response to the complaints, DFAT has addressed the curling issue on its website, stating, 'You may notice a slight curling on the cover of your R Series passport. This occasionally occurs due to changes in humidity.’
‘It's not a manufacturing defect and doesn't affect the validity of your passport. Keeping your passport tightly secured will help prevent this curling.'
While the department suggested using an envelope or passport holder to store and protect the passport, many Australians feel that such measures should be optional for a document that costs nearly $400.
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