Things I have learned...

...in the past 3 days:

• that passport CARDS are valid for entry into Mexico, but only by travel by land or sea (we had airfare)
• that you can never trust anyone to give you all the facts, you should see them for YOURSELF, in writing, right in front of you.
• that I have amazing kids ~ despite being devastated about not only not getting to go to Mexico for a well-deserved vacation, but also not getting to ride on an airplane for the first time, they handled the disappointment with grace and dignity.
• that we'll never, ever, under ANY circumstance do business with Priceline. Some savings just are NOT worth the risk
• that even though we're both adults, my big sis *still* has my back.
• despite having lost $2500 on a vacation that we didn't get to take, we're still lucky to all be together, happy, healthy and safe.
• that all things happen for a reason.
• God has always provided beautifully and perfectly for our family, I shouldn't start to question that now.

Ok, here's the deal. We went to the local post office in January to obtain passports for our upcoming trip to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. The agent presented us with two options: the traditional passport book, and the brand new passport card. The cost difference was significant, so I inquired about the less-expensive card. We were told it would get us into countries that, pre-9-11, didn't require a passport for entry/exit like: Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean. Made sense. Since we were purchasing 5 passports, the new passport card stood to save us hundreds of dollars. After repeatedly confirming that the passport card would meet our need to get into Puerto Vallarta, Mexico by plane, we decided to go with it. WhoOoOo HoOooO! Over $300 saved! Mistake #1.

Once our brand new passports were safely in hand (we didn't want to do anything risky, like purchasing airline tickets before we had proper documentation to leave the country) we bought our airline tickets. Through Priceline. Mistake #2. We saved about $50 per ticket by using Priceline. Again, since we were purchasing 5 tickets, the savings quickly added up. Turns out that savings is what has cost us our vacation. :o(

So, all the work is done, now we have weeks to plan and anticipate our first family vacation since '04, and our kids' first trip, anywhere, by air. They were ecstatic! Even O-man kept walking around talking about riding on a big plane. I was uncharacteristically organized for this trip. I didn't want ANYTHING to detract from the excitement of my children, least of all me stressing because I'm so unorganized and behind schedule. We were packed and ready to go WELL in advance ~ totally organized for a week in a different country with three kids, of varying ages. Each child had a "plane" bag of things to do on the plane, complete with snacks, including skittles and gummi bears, to assist in ear popping, of course.

The morning of our departure arrives. Our flight leaves at 6:30am, and again...we're right on schedule (if you know us, you know what a huge feat this is!). We arrive at the airport at 4:45am, all three kids and luggage for a week in tow. As we check in, everyone behind the United counter was admiring our new passport cards. NO one had seen them. They thought they were super cool.

Then, they won't scan.

They call managers over. They'd never heard of them either. Can't get them to scan.

They call corporate.

Lots of time on the phone.

Finally it is determined that our brand new passport cards are valid for entry into Mexico, but only by land or by sea...NOT by AIR.

By 5AM we know we are not going to Mexico. The girls shed a few silent, heartbroken tears, but we had purchased trip insurance, so we told them NOT to worry. We wouldn't be going to Mexico today, but we would go just as soon as we got the right passports.

We're home by 6am.

I crawl back into bed...sad, but exhausted.

By 7, G crawls in to let me know that we're screwed. In all sense of the word. S.C.R.E.W.E.D.

Priceline has a NO refund, NO exchange policy...which we did know about, and that's why we purchased the travel insurance. Of course, improper documentation to leave the country is not COVERED under our trip insurance policy.

I know, beyond a shadow of a doubt that we specifically ASKED the agent at the post office about air travel to Mexico. Our conversations swirled around flying for a while. M mentioned that it was their first flight, and mentioned how excited they were. Agent asked us if we had gotten our tickets. We said no. You know...being safe. Since the problem stemmed from us being misinformed by our very own post office, I was standing at the window of our post office by 7:45 am...waiting for the window to open at 8.

And about big sis. Boy...you mess with me, you mess with my family! She spent all afternoon here, on her day off, making phone calls and talking until she's blue in the face. She's been fighting for this right along side of me the whole time. She wants her nieces to go on that vacation! I talk to Priceline EVERY day, and will for the rest of my time. When I spoke with Alex, from Priceline, AGAIN today, I ended our conversation with this, "Ok, thank you. This is not ok, and I will NOT go away. You will hear from me EVERY day until this is resolved. Talk to you tomorrow!" :o)

Long story short. Or...long story long...the post office, after going up a few rungs in the ladder, has admitted fault. Unfortunately, Priceline doesn't care, which brings us back to NEVER doing business with Priceline again.

Learn from our lesson...passport cards are not good if you live land-locked in the middle of the USA. If you live near a border and will be driving across the border regularly, but will never need to fly across the border, the passport card will work for you. Also learn from our lesson in never, ever doing business with Priceline. We didn't save THAT much money, and they've robbed my children of the vacation they were anticipating, and deserved.

~mj~