An AUSSIE couple on a trip of a lifetime were forced to fork out thousands after a “microscopic coffee stain” left them stranded.
Gold Coast-based DJ Sean Ferres, was headed to Bali with his partner Brooke when Virgin Australia staff spotted the “microscopic coffee stain” and denied her entry onto the plane.
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Brooke was stopped by travel officials who claimed the speck made her passport “unreadable” and didn’t let her board the flight.
Sean told his 9,000 Facebook followers that Virgin “promised to reschedule us onto another flight at no (extra) cost”.
But the DJ, who refused to ditch his girlfriend on the journey, claims they were marked as no shows on their flight and told to cough up for a new one instead, according to News.au.
Sean said that “all flights the next day were either sold out or stupidly expensive” and explained they had to spend £2,270 (3000 AUD) to travel with Jetstar.
He claims the two checked into the Jetstar flight, which was delayed by two hours, and allowed onto their gate without any issues and “without interacting with a single human”.
The successful DJ, who boasts over 24,000 Instagram followers said that Brooke had used the same coffee-stained passport to fly to over 20 destinations in the past – including Bali.
Sean added: “Funnily enough, Jetstar didn’t have an issue with the passport, just like the 100+ other flights we’ve taken with it.
“(We) landed in Bali, straight through all e-gates with no hassles.
“It absolutely blows my mind that 25 years after the invention of the internet – in an age where even a $500 phone has advanced facial recognition – we still rely on a flimsy a** piece of paper to leave the country.”
Virgin Australia told The Sun: “When a guest presents for check-in for an international flight, our team members must ensure they have necessary travel documentation in a suitable condition.
“We assess travel documentation in line with guidance provided by the Australian Government and various immigration departments.
“To assist our guests with preparation for travel we provide general guidance on damaged passports on our website and in pre-flight communication.”
The spokesperson added: “Indonesia is known to enforce strict rules on the acceptance of damaged passports, and we are aware of instances when minor damage has resulted in passengers being denied entry.
“The guest had an evident water stain across the photo page – the primary page of concern for immigration.
“This water damage covered the passport number and place of birth on the photo page.
“In addition to this, the water damage has caused the top right corner of the photo page to tear at the seam, which can be determined as damage to the seam/structure of the passport.”
Virgin Australia explained that Indonesian authorities can issue airlines fines of £2,480 (4,830 AUD) if they accept a passenger with a damaged passport – and are liable for all costs associated with removing them.
They added: “Each airline will complete its own assessment when guests present for check-in and follow its own policies on the acceptance of damaged passports.
“In this case, as the guest did not travel with Virgin Australia, the value of their fare has been transferred to a credit.”
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UK rules on damaged passports
JETTING away is very exciting but many Brits are turned away by officials each year for not turning up with a suitable passport.
A “damaged passport” fits the following criteria, according to travel website UK Abroad:
- Personal details are difficult or impossible to read
- The laminate portion on the name page has lifted so that it has the potential for a substitute photo to be inserted
- There are signs of fading or discolouration on the passport’s name page
- The passport is stained on any of its pages (e.g. it has ink, makeup or chemical spills)
- There are missing, torn, defaced or detached pages
- The chip on the passport can be seen on the back cover
- The passport chip shows signs of damage
- Any other damage that may prevent the passport from being a legible form of identification