Can I purchase airline tickets before my passport is renewed?

by Jim
(Long Beach, CA, USA)

Question: My passport has expired and I am in the process of renewing it. I plan to fly to Switzerland in May and would like to know if I will be able to purchase my airline tickets before my passport is renewed.

If I am required to enter my passport number at the time I purchase my tickets, would entering my expired passport number be acceptable or would that create problems for me once my I receive my renewed passport and new passport number?

Answer: The name and passport number on your airline ticket must match exactly the name and number on your passport. Entering the information from your expired passport can cause problems since your renewed passport will have a different number.

Passport renewal applications normally take only 4 to 6 weeks to process so you have plenty of time as long as you apply early.