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AIBU?

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Original poster

Stuck at Barcelona airport

43 replies

brokenbarca · 22/11/2019 23:43

NC for this as this is outing and don't want linked to previous posts, also posting here for traffic.
Been in Barcelona for a short break, reach the airport this evening to fly home. Went for food and my passport accidentally got thrown out with the rubbish by the time we realised it had long gone.
Now I'm stuck at the airport, I was airside but due to strikes I managed to just walk out.
No hotel will take me without any photo I.D.
Have phoned the consulate and they say I have to apply for emergency travel docs which take 2 working days.
How on earth am I meant to stay at the airport until Tuesday until I can get a flight, any suggestions please

OP posts:
MyKingdomForBrie · 22/11/2019 23:48

Ask the consulate to help you get a hotel room? They can't leave you on the street. What has happened to your travel companion? Can they not get a room and you just sneak in? Not ideal I know but desperate times!

MyKingdomForBrie · 22/11/2019 23:49

Or book a last minute airbnb? Do they need passport?

0DimSumMum0 · 22/11/2019 23:51

What an awful situation. Will they accept your driving license as a form of photo ID?

123rd · 22/11/2019 23:55

Can you not withdraw cash from your bank account and pay for ( at least ) one nights hotel? Not trying to be goady... I'm sure a hotel will accept a walk up booking with cash and I know Barcelona isn't cheap but could you get the cash together ?

FrenchSchnoodle · 22/11/2019 23:57

Nightmare.

Just bumping in case there are any MN in Barcelona who can help you out in terms of suggesting where to stay.

Original poster
brokenbarca · 22/11/2019 23:58

Ok to list all the problems I currently have, no driving licence don't drive.
No physical debit card due to leaving it behind (using Apple Pay)Travel companion went home there's no point two of us staying here spending more money.
Currently charging phone and will be then phoning consulate to see what my options are.

OP posts:
Yambabe · 23/11/2019 00:01

Could you not call or message the hotel you were staying at? They might still have a copy of your passport or at least the details from it on file.

Original poster
brokenbarca · 23/11/2019 00:02

@Yambabe that's what I plan on doing tomorrow, hotel reception isn't staffed overnight

OP posts:
Original poster
brokenbarca · 23/11/2019 00:02

But I don't know if that will be good enough as it's only a photocopy

OP posts:
johnlennonsglasses · 23/11/2019 00:05

Bank worker here

We've had customers stranded in similar circumstances.
We have been able to send money directly to the hotel's account from the customer's account.
Or western union transfer

Are you with anyone?

Who do you bank with?

user1471457757 · 23/11/2019 00:06

Could you book an air bnb online? You can filter them by ones that have a key left in box outside the door so wouldn't need anyone to meet you.

pinkstar01 · 23/11/2019 00:06

You can book an Airbnb, they won't check for ID if you already have an account?

looondonn · 23/11/2019 00:08

Gosh I feel for you :(
Hope you get sorted

Can anyone in airport check the trash for your passport ?

Original poster
brokenbarca · 23/11/2019 00:10

Thanks for the replies guys, air B and B might be an option, this is truly the cherry on top of an epically shit year.

OP posts:
Lockheart · 23/11/2019 00:15

Have you called your travel insurers? They had have provision for lost or stolen passports and would be able to direct you on what to do next.

Lockheart · 23/11/2019 00:15

*should have

melj1213 · 23/11/2019 00:24

You need to report your passport as lost with the police (iirc there is a comiseria in the airport in Terminal 1) and they will give you a "Denuncia" (police report). Most hotels will accept a denuncia stating your passport has been lost as enough ID to book a room.

melj1213 · 23/11/2019 00:31

Also, you will need the denuncia in order to get an emergency passport. You need to take the denuncia to the consulate as it is needed as part of the emergency passport application process.

Original poster
brokenbarca · 23/11/2019 00:36

@melj1213 thank you for that info, I'm at T1 now so will have a look round for the police.

OP posts:
Original poster
brokenbarca · 23/11/2019 00:37

@melj1213 I did report it lost to them at the time but other than taking me back to where it was lost they didn't seem that interested.

OP posts:
JeezyPeeps · 23/11/2019 00:44

Worst case scenario, this gives advice www.sleepinginairports.net/guides/barcelona-el-prat-airport-guide.htm

melj1213 · 23/11/2019 00:57

No problem, I lived in Spain for a long time and thought my passport had been stolen once at BCN airport*. The police arent always the most helpful in the first instance, but if you go and tell them directly that you want to file a denuncia for a lost passport then they will take you through the process. I will warn you that it might take a while as they are never in a rush, especially in the early hours of the weekend, but once you have that denuncia then that is half the battle won as that is an official police report, and if you go to a hotel and explain that your passport is lost but hand over the denuncia then that is usually accepted as proof of ID as the police will obviously confirm your details as part of the process.

*it turned out I had left it at the check in desk as the agent put it on the top of the counter but there was some issue with the tag on my suitcase getting caught on the conveyor so I totally forgot to pick it up in the confusion and nobody noticed till I was long gone. They assumed I would come back (as I wouldnt get through security) when instead I went straight to the police to report it and then went back to the desk afterwards to find out how to "uncheck in" for my flight, as I couldn't fly without my passport, and they still had it. I then had a frantic 20 minutes of "unreporting" the passport as lost so that I could use it - as any passport reported as lost/stolen is flagged and I wouldnt have been able to fly using it - and then legging it to my gate to try and get to there before boarding closed. I made it by the skin of my teeth bt from then I always double check my passport when I check in/go through security

BritWifeinUSA · 23/11/2019 00:59

I’d call the travel insurance company and ask for assistance.

PaperFlowers4 · 23/11/2019 01:00

Do you have insurance?

I used to work for a travel insurance helpline. People lost their passports all the time and we would put them up in a hotel if necessary and help them procure an emergency passport

T1meT0F0rget · 23/11/2019 08:37

My friends passport was stolen this year abroad

  1. You must get a Spanish police report, that generates a crime number

  2. You need the crime number to complete the UK Embassy/consulate form on line for lost passport

  3. UK Consulate send you an appointment to attend in person in Spain. They issue a temporary passport that costs £100. The temporary passport lasts 1 week

  4. When you return to UK you will need to apply for a new passport. You may need to attend the passport office in person

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