Railpass validation mistake

[gschroeder]

I just received my railpasses in the mail. In my excitment, I filled in the passport#'s on the first page. I flipped to the next page and it says not to fill in anything until it is being validated. I didn't fill in the dates but everywhere I read it says, "DO NOT WRITE ANYTHING ON YOUR PASS". Of course it didn't say anything on that first page of the pass.

Am I in trouble or will they just verify my passports match the number I wrote down? Every where I read it says ,"DO NOT WRITE ANYTHING ON YOUR PASS", except on that first page.

[bltleo]

it is always interesting to hear stories about american passports.
Is that so unusualy in the USA to have a passport?. I have got an impresion that many American are so excited when they got their passport or if they get them, don´t know what to do:). Just curious. Well we Germans are master in travelling, maybe we see things from another point view.

[Etienne_72772]

it is always interesting to hear stories about american passports.
Is that so unusualy in the USA to have a passport?. I have got an impresion that many American are so excited when they got their passport or if they get them, don´t know what to do:). Just curious. Well we Germans are master in travelling, maybe we see things from another point view.

You have to remember how very very large the US is in comparison to Germany, or almost any other country. In reality, a very small percentage of Americans travel internationally--you could spend a lifetime exploring everything that the US has to offer. And, of course, you don't need a passport to do that. Until recently, you didn't even need a passport to go to Canada, or to the Carribean islands.

With the European union--you don't need a passport to travel from country to country, do you?

[bigtoga]

bltleo - no offense meant but I think you have inadvertently threadjacked this guy's thread in which he was asking a question.

[gschroeder]

NO problem but let me clarify. It wasn't the passport I was exited about. I was excitedabout my trip. To actually have something (aside from plane tickets) that actually represents Germany. I'm just hoping I didn't void the railpass

[nowherenova]

I just received my railpasses in the mail. In my excitment, I filled in the passport#'s on the first page. I flipped to the next page and it says not to fill in anything until it is being validated. I didn't fill in the dates but everywhere I read it says, "DO NOT WRITE ANYTHING ON YOUR PASS". Of course it didn't say anything on that first page of the pass.

Am I in trouble or will they just verify my passports match the number I wrote down? Every where I read it says ,"DO NOT WRITE ANYTHING ON YOUR PASS", except on that first page.

I did the same thing, but I think we'll be ok as long as none of the travel date boxes are messed with. But I'm not sure. I think they are more concerned with the tampering of dates, but if you get a stickler...

[The Magpie]

...but if you get a stickler...

Find another Deutsche Bahn customer service represenative, make puppydog eyes, tell them you're a stupid American, and there probably won't be any problem :D

FWIW, I'm excited too, and June 10th (my departure date) can't get here soon enough!

The Magpie

BTW: Thanks to bltleo for all the good advice over the past few months

[bltleo]

bltleo - no offense meant but I think you have inadvertently threadjacked this guy's thread in which he was asking a question.

oh, yes i think you are right...i absolutely misunderstood the guy:)
So thanks for reminding me on this.:). I´m such an arrogant german lady:).

[bltleo]

You have to remember how very very large the US is in comparison to Germany, or almost any other country. In reality, a very small percentage of Americans travel internationally--you could spend a lifetime exploring everything that the US has to offer. And, of course, you don't need a passport to do that. Until recently, you didn't even need a passport to go to Canada, or to the Carribean islands.

With the European union--you don't need a passport to travel from country to country, do you?

no within European union we don´t need passport. It is easy to travel through Europe. Plus we have one currency. So it makes things even easier.

[AGF Aarhus]

I just received my railpasses in the mail. In my excitment, I filled in the passport#'s on the first page. I flipped to the next page and it says not to fill in anything until it is being validated. I didn't fill in the dates but everywhere I read it says, "DO NOT WRITE ANYTHING ON YOUR PASS". Of course it didn't say anything on that first page of the pass.

Am I in trouble or will they just verify my passports match the number I wrote down? Every where I read it says ,"DO NOT WRITE ANYTHING ON YOUR PASS", except on that first page.
You'll be fine. When you go to have your pass validated, the first thing they'll ask you to do is fill in yuor passport number. They'll just think that you're one step ahead of the game and be impressed by your cleverness.

[nowherenova]

You'll be fine. When you go to have your pass validated, the first thing they'll ask you to do is fill in yuor passport number. They'll just think that you're one step ahead of the game and be impressed by your cleverness.

Ahhhh. The old accidental brilliance again.;)

[Bill Schmidt]

NO problem but let me clarify. It wasn't the passport I was exited about. I was excitedabout my trip. To actually have something (aside from plane tickets) that actually represents Germany. I'm just hoping I didn't void the railpass

You'll be fine with that- it was the front page before the message. But for future markings- only railway people can mark it. If they mess up, like mark an extra day- u r screwed. It is treated pretty seriously. If there is anything weird about it, you should not use it in the former bloc countries.

[Enge]

You'll be fine. When you go to have your pass validated, the first thing they'll ask you to do is fill in yuor passport number. They'll just think that you're one step ahead of the game and be impressed by your cleverness.

I think this is probably right. The dates are the really critical thing. You don't want to use them up while you are here. I guess if you are really paranoid, check with the pass provider and tell them what you did. If it's a problem trade in the spoiled pass for a new one.

[Beantowner]

No worries. Just don't do it again! With utter sarcasm, I say "Let the always smiling Deutschebahn mann or frau enter the dates". ;-) You'll likely get an out for being an inexperienced or foolish American overseas traveller or at least blame it on that very believable excuse. LOL

[gschroeder]

I only know how to say "Stupid American" in a french accent. I guess I have a few weeks to perfect it in German.

Thanks for all the info, you've slightly eased my mind. Just in case maybe I should ask about the hitchhiking laws. :)

[bltleo]

I only know how to say "Stupid American" in a french accent. I guess I have a few weeks to perfect it in German.

Thanks for all the info, you've slightly eased my mind. Just in case maybe I should ask about the hitchhiking laws. :)

if you need help, I help you to be perfect in German:)

it is better not to paly "stupid american", but selfconfident American!
why to play stupid american? I would never play stupid German in the USA, only self-confident German:)

[gschroeder]

Actually the lastimpression I want to give is that I'm an ignorant American. Although there is a 100% likelyhood that I won't be able to carry on a conversation in German, I at least plan to greet and start out each conversation in Geman. After that...

[Hosscat]

Which rail pass should I get if I will only be taking the trail from Frankurt to Cologne, Cologne to Gelsenkirchen (just the game), Cologne to Heidelberg, Heidelberg to K-town (just the game), Heidelberg to Nurenberg? Is it even worth getting a rail pass?

[gschroeder]

Which rail pass should I get if I will only be taking the trail from Frankurt to Cologne, Cologne to Gelsenkirchen (just the game), Cologne to Heidelberg, Heidelberg to K-town (just the game), Heidelberg to Nurenberg? Is it even worth getting a rail pass?

I think I added it up and it is a better deal, at least for my trip. Throw on a trip to Amsterdam and it was a no braininer. If you are traveling with someone else, you can also get a pass saver.

[Hosscat]

Which one did you get? My problem is that I don't know if I'm going to travel outside of Germany or not... It depends on if the US makes it past the group stage.