If there’s one thing every Carnival chaser knows, it’s that your passport is your most valuable possession. Whether you’re hopping from Trinidad to St. Lucia or squeezing in a jump in Tobago Carnival after Miami, your travel document needs to be ready for action. So imagine my panic when I realized that while my passport wouldn’t expire until July next year, I was about to run out of blank pages by the end of this year. That’s a problem—many countries require at least two blank pages for entry, and with my 2025 Carnival schedule already shaping up, I couldn’t afford delays. I decided to look for Expedited passport renewal..
That’s when I turned to ItsEasy, a passport renewal service recommended by The Points Guy. I had considered other options like RushMyPassport (offered through FedEx), but after reading too many horror stories, I decided to go with a trusted source. And let me tell you—it was one of the best decisions I made this Carnival season.
What Is ItsEasy and What Services Do They Offer?
tsEasy is a U.S.-based passport and visa expediting service that has been in operation for over 40 years. The company specializes in simplifying the application and renewal process for U.S. passports and international travel visas. ItsEasy offers a user-friendly mobile app and online platform that allows travelers to complete essential passport services from home or on the go.
Passport Renewal: Renew your existing passport easily by completing forms online and sending your documents with a prepaid FedEx label. The service includes document review and real-time application tracking.
New Passports: Apply for a new passport with guidance on required documents, photo submission, and mailing instructions.
Expedited Passport Services: Choose faster turnaround times depending on your travel needs—ranging from 24 hours to several weeks.
Lost, Stolen, or Damaged Passports: If your passport is lost or damaged, ItsEasy provides step-by-step support to replace it quickly.
Child Passports: Services for new or renewal passports for minors under 16, with detailed parental consent guidelines.
Travel Visas: Assistance with visa applications for destinations requiring one, including forms, embassy submissions, and processing updates.
ItsEasy’s platform is designed to take the guesswork out of government paperwork—perfect for busy travelers, last-minute planners, and Carnival chasers who need their documents handled correctly the first time.
Using the ItsEasy App to Start the Passport Renewal Process
Step one was downloading the ItsEasy Passport Renew & Photo App. The app’s interface was smooth, intuitive, and Carnival-chaser friendly—I could do everything on the go while planning my next flights and accommodations.
I chose the expedited passport renewal option, which promised a turnaround time of 2-3 weeks. But here’s what you need to know: The countdown doesn’t start when you send your passport—it starts when the U.S. Department of State receives it. This wasn’t made totally clear upfront, so initially, I thought I’d have my passport in my hands much sooner.
I placed the order on March 11th. ItsEasy immediately sent me a confirmation email that included links to download and print all the necessary forms. The email included my personalized passport renewal application, a packing list, and a prepaid FedEx shipping label. Everything was clearly outlined, which made the next steps easy to follow.
I went through each document thoroughly, made sure everything was filled out correctly, and signed every required section. I didn’t want to risk any delays for missing something small. Once I was confident my application was complete, I packed everything according to the checklist and headed to FedEx to send it off using next-day shipping.
It felt great to know that I had done my part, and now the ball was in their court.
Taking my Passport Photo With the ItsEasy App
One feature I absolutely loved? Taking my passport photo directly in the app. But I have to admit—I tried to be a little lazy. I uploaded a passport photo I already had saved at home, hoping to cut a corner.
The app wasn’t having it. It flagged the photo right away, citing issues with background contrast and quality. Busted!
So I did what any determined traveler would do: I asked a coworker to help me out. We found a white door at work, and they snapped a quick photo using my phone. I uploaded it through the app, and within thirty minutes, I received an approval notification.
The ItsEasy app walks you through the photo requirements and ensures compliance before submission, making it almost impossible to get it wrong. No stress, no running around—just a quick workaround and I was back on track. Once approved, ItsEasy printed my passport photo and waited to receive my application via FedEx.
How ItsEasy and the Department of State Tracked My Passport Renewal
I Sent my completed passport renewal application and documents via FedEx on March 11. The very next day, March 12, I received a confirmation email and text from ItsEasy letting me know they had received my application.
From that point forward, I continued to get text and email updates from ItsEasy, tracking each step of the process—right up until the moment they shipped my documents to the U.S. Department of State. The communication was solid.
Then, on March 19, I received an email from the Department of State confirming that my application was being processed. And that’s when it hit me: the 2–3 week expedited timeline starts from when the Department receives it, not when you ship it or when ItsEasy gets it.
Suddenly, my dream of squeezing in a last-minute international trip seemed a bit out of reach. Oh well, lesson learned.
Lost to Follow Up
At this point, I noticed a drop-off in communication from ItsEasy. I didn’t receive further updates about the status of my passport until after it had shipped. But to their credit, once my passport was in the mail, ItsEasy resumed sending text and email notifications, confirming that my passport was on its way.
Luckily, the U.S. Department of State picked up the baton. On March 24, they sent an update letting me know my passport renewal application was approved. That was just four business days after they started processing it—way faster than I expected.
On March 25, I received another email from the Department letting me know that my passport had been shipped. I had paid for overnight return shipping, and sure enough, my passport landed in my hands on March 26.
Despite the communication gap toward the end, the speed of processing and delivery really impressed me.
Passport Renewal Success—Just in Time for My Impromptu Trip
From the moment ItsEasy received my passport, it took 15 calendar days to get my brand-new passport back in my hands. I received it on March 26th, just in time for an impromptu international trip I decided to take while I had four days off in a row. Talk about perfect timing!
As a Carnival traveler, this was huge. No delays, no stress—just a fresh passport with enough pages to take me through Trinidad, Jamaica, Bermuda, and wherever else 2025 takes me!
When you’re planning multiple trips across borders for Caribbean Carnival, a reliable passport renewal process is absolutely essential.
Pros & Cons of Using ItsEasy for Passport Renewal
As with most product, there is a list of pros and cons.
Pros of ItsEasy Passport Renewal
Carnival-chaser friendly – The entire passport renewal process can be done online. No post office, no stress.
Frequent updates – Never had to guess where my passport was (at least until the final steps).
Reliable turnaround time – The estimated 2-3 weeks was MUCH FASTER based on government processing. I got my new passport back within 15 calendar days.
User-friendly experience – The ItsEasy app is intuitive and guides you through the renewal process smoothly.
Photo convenience – You can take your passport photo using your phone and submit it directly through the app.
Cons of ItsEasy Passport Renewal
Dual fees involved – ItsEasy charges a $39.95 processing fee, which is separate from the government fees. The U.S. Department of State charges $130 for the passport book, $60 for expedited processing, and $21.36 for 1–2 day return shipping. In total, I spent approximately $251.31.
Government fees still apply – Using ItsEasy does not reduce or include the U.S. Department of State’s fees; those are paid separately.
Communication drop-off – No updates from ItsEasy after documents were handed to the government.
Processing time clarification – The 2-3 weeks starts when the government receives your application, not when you submit it to ItsEasy.
Travel Tips After Renewing Your Passport
Renewing your passport is a major task checked off your travel prep list—but your work isn’t quite done yet. Once you receive your new passport, there are several updates and adjustments you should make to avoid any last-minute surprises during check-in, customs, or visa applications.
Loyalty Programs, TSA PreCheck and Global Entry
1. Update Your Airline and Travel Loyalty Profiles
Make sure to log into all your frequent flyer programs (such as American Airlines AAdvantage, Delta SkyMiles, United MileagePlus, etc.) and update your passport number, expiration date, and issue date. If you use travel booking platforms like Expedia, Booking.com, or TripIt, update your traveler profile there too.
2. Update TSA PreCheck and Global Entry
If you’re a member of Global Entry or TSA PreCheck, log into your Trusted Traveler Program (TTP) account and update your new passport details. Failing to do this may result in denied entry or inability to use the expedited lanes during your next trip. Global Entry and TSA PreCheck rely on matching passport data with your reservation, so this step is essential.
3. Check If CLEAR Needs an Update
CLEAR typically relies on biometric data (fingerprints and eye scans), but it’s still a good idea to log into your CLEAR account and confirm that your identification documents are current. If your passport was your primary ID when enrolling, you may need to upload the new one.
Visas and Other Tips
4. Review Visa Requirements and Reapply if Needed
Many countries that issue electronic visas (eVisas) tie them to your passport number. It may no longer be valid if you received an eVisa with your old passport. You’ll sometimes need to reapply for your visa using your new passport number.
Examples include:
United Kingdom (UK) ETA
Australia ETA
India eVisa
Kenya eVisa
Turkey eVisa
Check each country’s policy before you book new travel.
5. Photocopy and Digitally Back Up Your New Passport
Scan or photograph your new passport and store the file securely online (Google Drive, Dropbox, etc.). Also, keep a printed copy in your luggage. This can save you in the event of loss or theft.
6. Inform Your Travel Insurance Provider
If you have an annual travel insurance policy, it may be tied to your passport information. Log in and confirm or update your document details so your coverage isn’t interrupted.
By taking care of these small tasks now, you can avoid major headaches later, especially if planning a Carnival tour across several islands. Travel wise, stay ready, and let your new passport open doors without delay.
Final Thoughts: Is ItsEasy Worth It for Passport Renewal?
Would I use ItsEasy again? 100% yes. For those of us who live for Carnival season, a reliable passport renewal service is essential. Between the easy-to-use app, real-time updates, and fast turnaround, ItsEasy delivers exactly what a Carnival traveler needs.If you’re gearing up for your next trip to Carnival, don’t wait until the last minute. Check your passport now, and if you need a renewal, ItsEasy might just be the perfect travel hack you never knew you needed.Because when it comes to getting on that plane to wine in the streets, the last thing you want is a passport problem holding you back. And now, thanks to ItsEasy, I know my passport renewal process won’t be one of them.
Be so to check out ItsEasy.com for your passport needs.
Alternatively, you can download the app. For apple users, click here. For google users, click here.
