I believe that sbarry is being unfairly admonished - there was a previous thread several weeks ago about all the actions that they were taking to try to get their passports in time.

bennie-Looking at their other posts, you're right they did take steps to get their passport. Sounds like lots of phone calls, etc. If it had been me, though, I would not have relied on phone calls. Some did suggest they go in person to the Congressman's office. You could also have gone to the nearest passport office. Now I realize that they probably don't live that close to a passport office but if I was going to lose thousands of dollars on my honeymoon trip, I would have found some way to get there. That being said, I know they were getting ready for a wedding which is a huge job in itself.

Let's just hope this passport issue gets better soon. Our high school group from my church just sent 18 people to Africa. I heard the day before they were leaving that one of the young men didn't get his passport in time. Not sure if he tried to go to the LA passport office or not.

I agree. Lighten up.

It's not like they waited until the last minute to get their passports. Four months? The last I heard, the US Gov. is saying that there CAN be delays as long as 12 weeks. Seems to me the poster allowed 5 weeks more than they were being told would be maximum.

And I don't see the poster blaming others for the problem with the car so much as offering a "heads up" to others who might end up in the same situation.

Yes, I actually learned something from this post and that was that sometimes car rentals have a cancellation fee. I don't use Budget but from now on I will check TOS for other companies.

I didn't write this message to cause dispute, I just wanted to let others know what obsticals we faced during an important time in our lives.

To answer a few questions:
The message on the passports phone system says not to call until 2 weeks before the date of your departure. We followed thier rules and waited, we called everyday afterwards sometimes twice to check the status and to have e-mails sent to the passport office. We also called our Congressman to look into the situation. We were unable to get an appointment at a travel angency until 2 days before our trip, and the closest angecy was 8 hours away. So I guess we could have skipped our wedding and drove to Chiocago to possibly leave with a passport. They told us there were no guarentees. I think we made the right decision and had a beautiful wedding that made our family very happy.

And as far a Budget rental goes, yes we should have read all the stipulations but considering we planned that trip at 1:00 am after we spent a few hours canceling our Ireland trip on 56K dial up service at my wifes parents house LOL, we were a bit tired and upset to read the samll print the size of a side effects warning posted on the backside of a medication box.

But anyhow, we had a great wedding and it has been an experience. Just wanted everyone to know what one American couple went through trying ot plan a trip.

Hope all is well
Kent
&
Sarah

Sbarry - when I mentioned the TOS, I wasn't suggesting that you were at fault in this instance. There was no way you could meet their cancellation requirement in that case - and that should give you leverage to get a full refund.

My comment was more for folks reading this thread to be aware of such items. I recently found that the "credit card hold" for one location of Budget was more than twice that of Thrifty's at the same location. Luckily, I saw that in time to change my reservations (at the same rate also). But, it made me aware that you have to read the small print AFTER you make the reservation to be sure of what you're being charged.

Sbarry-- Sorry things didn't go well. Someday you'll be able to laugh about it. And don't let some of the terser comments above bother you. Some people are true all-stars when it comes to Monday morning quarterbacking.

I don't understand the car rental issue.

I just rented from Thrifty and had a previous reservation with a different company that I cancelled.

I never gave had to enter my credit card number prior to picking up the car.

How can they charge you a cancellation fee?

Myer... see here:
http://www.budget.com/budgetWeb/html...tion%20policy?

Kent and Sarah - Congratulations on your marriage!! I am so sorry you had so much trouble on your honeymoon.

Myer - at some locations, Budget requires a credit card deposit to reserve the car. In those instances, they may also require that you give them at least a 48 hour notice of cancellation.

Many rental car companies have different policies depending on where you are picking up (or dropping off) the car.

Wow,
I've never given a credit card for car rental.

In fact, I've never made a hotel reservation (prepared to pay more in some places) where the cancelation policy resulted in a payment with more than 24 or 48 hours advance notice.

I have never had to make a credit card deposit for a rental car. I suppose I have never rented at a location or date when this was required.

I HAVE taken it in the shorts before when a flight was cancelled at the last minute (always US Airlines), and I was charged the first night's hotel stay when I was back home a thousand miles away.

Congratulations on your wedding.

May the years to come bring you much travel bliss, you both deserve it!

:)

Kent and Sarah

You two will be talking about this non-honeymoon on each anniversary for the rest of your marriage. Hopefully, you will celebrate each anniversary at a wonderful spot and sit back and laugh about this.

I'm not trying to make light of this as it truly saddens me that our State Dept cannot seem to get passports out the door UNLESS you pay a small fortune to expedite it.

God bless and a good life filled with love, patience, and good humor to both of you.

Continue to work with Budget. You are more than likely to have success.

Recently, I had a problem with a rental from them in Amsterdam. The 'foreign' branch refused to extend the $50 credit I asked for because of deficiencies in service (too long to go into). At that point, I explained (truthfully) to Budget that this was a first time Budget rental for me; that it was leaving a bad taste in my mouth for the reasons I had stipulated and they had confirmed with Amsterdam; and that I thought Budget h'quarters could afford a $50 credit. Magic!

Kent & Sarah, I'm was wondering what happened to your honeymoon. I'm so sorry it was such a disaster. But I'm shocked you still haven't received your passport, after the congressman's office called the passport agency and asked them to fedex it. Chances were slim that they would be able to get it out on the same day. But a week later and you still don't have it? Absolutely ridiculous.

Congratulations on your wedding and all the best to both of you.

Well, I'm going to file this in my "what else could go wrong?" file. I'm sorry that things didn't work out better with respect to your honeymoon, but the marriage sounds like it is on strong ground. In the long run, this will carry you far. Congratulations on your marriage! And my condolences on your honeymoon.

There are some situations where I think a qualified travel agent can be a significant help, this is one of those scenarios. Planning/having a wedding is a big deal, sometimes it's better to get a little help. I have no doubt this situation would not have happened in the hands of a good ta. And I stress again a good, qualified travel agent. My travel agent saved me from a near - miss over an airline ticketing mistake, I have no doubt had she not been there with me calling the airline a few times a day we would not have made a trip to Ireland with my inlaws.

Actually the number 7 is no luckier than any other number, or unluckier for that matter. But, everyone has their thing, I guess. Did you check to see what weather was going to be like this past week before you booked? It's pretty much tornado season from the south to the north from may until september. I've heard of people having their honeymoons months after the wedding, so why not try again some other time. I feel horrible for you both, but maybe just taking in a swanky hotel and spa around where you live would be great, too. I mean, the marriage isn't about the honeymoon or the wedding, it's about who you're spending the rest of your life with. So just find somewhere local and swing from the chandeliers naked with the phone off the hook! Have a great life!