Couple tells 7 On Your Side about their passport predicament

LOS GATOS, Calif. (KGO) -- A growing number of travelers are being stopped in their tracks at the airport because the airlines won't let them fly overseas. 7 On Your Side looks into what is going on.

It happened to a Bay Area couple whose dream vacation was shattered, all because of a little-known rule of international travel. They didn't do anything wrong, but they want me to warn you, it could grind your vacation to a halt just like it did theirs.

Vickie and Bob Francone of Los Gatos planned to take their daughter and son-in-law to France. It was supposed to be the trip of a lifetime.

"In Loire Valley, and to see these wonderful areas we love so much, the gardens, the castles, the architecture," Vickie said.

Vicki spent months arranging hotels, sightseeing, train rides and tours. Bags were packed, excitement was high, they got to the airport and everything ground to a halt.

"He said, 'I'm sorry Mr. and Mrs. Francone, you are not going to be able to go on this trip,'" Vickie said.

Bob and Vickie were shocked when United Airlines would not let them get on that plane. It wasn't a problem with their tickets, but with their passports.

"The clerk came from behind the counter and said, 'Oh your passport's expired' and I said, 'No it hasn't,'" Bob said.

Bob pointed out the passports expire on Aug. 31, but this was in July. Their passports were good for nearly two more months.

"They said, 'Well, you have to have three months,'" Bob said.

"We would have to go renew our passports," Vickie said.

Bob and Vickie were stunned to find out travelers can't fly overseas if their passports are close to expiring.

"We strongly recommend any U.S. citizen who is traveling internationally make certain that their passport has at least six months validity," Brenda Sprague of the U.S. State Department said.

Sprague said every country requires visitors to have passports that remain valid well beyond the time of stay. European countries require at least three months. Asian countries require at least six.

"I think most countries welcome visitors, but they want them to leave at the end of their stay," Sprague said.

They want to make sure you have valid documents so you don't get stuck within their borders. And with heightened security these days, customs officials are checking documents more closely, enforcing rules more strictly and catching Americans by surprise.

"We seem to have an uptick in the people showing up at our counters rather frantic about being denied boarding," Sprague said.

That brings us back to Bob and Vickie, who were stopped in their tracks at the airport. Their daughter went ahead without them.

"She said, 'Mom I'd better go.' She went, the airplane was leaving,'" Vickie said.

"I had Vickie crying, I had my daughter crying," Bob said.

"This dream vacation came crashing in on me," Vickie said.

Bob and Vickie rushed to a passport office and paid $500 to get the renewals done quickly, but it was too late. They missed most of the time with their daughter.

"That's why I'm here today to tell you our story," Vickie said.

The State Department tells 7 On Your Side airlines enforce the passport rules in order to get landing rights abroad. If you are deported, they have to fly you back home.

Bob and Vickie say airlines should warn passengers about these restrictions before they book their flights, not after.