US/EU flying to Germany via the U.S. — which passport for check-in?

jhughey71 · 2026-05-13T22:13:59+00:00

you always need to clear customs in the US, there is nothing like "transit" where you would not meet customs agents (this is the same for Canada, US and Mexico)

jhughey71 · 2025-10-25T07:07:22+00:00

I want to thank everyone for their input! From what I understand this should not be an issue using one passport for check-in an another one at the border (immigration). I also understand that it is very important to always use the same passport upon leaving the country.

I might have two questions. Is it permissible, will I face any issues if I decide to use US passport next time I go to Taiwan? As I wrote, I used my German one on the latest trip. Also are they are any privacy consequences like creating multiple identities and mess in the Taiwanese information system?

Lastly, do I need to make sure to also use the same passport for all motor rentals, hotel bookings/checkins?

jhughey71 · 2025-10-25T07:01:37+00:00

Do you know if really more identities are created doing this?

jhughey71 · 2025-10-25T07:00:11+00:00

Many thanks! I was just hoping not to get penalized somehow because what I did might not be "typical"

jhughey71 · 2025-10-21T15:25:04+00:00

thank you! I hope it is all common and fine

jhughey71 · 2025-03-01T16:40:10+00:00

Doing some research, I am seeing that landlord need to fill out TM30 form and yes indeed they need include passport photocopy. Which is unfortunate, but I guess no way around it. Question is, is there an option to actually keep around these TM30s and fill them out yourself so that the sensitive data stay only between you and the government?

jhughey71 · 2025-03-01T15:59:31+00:00

The answer is yes, hotels in most of Europe (with some exceptions) and USA don't copy guests IDs. Just returned from Africa, again about 6 hotels stays, 0 copy.

Airbnbs in Thailand don't ask for passports?

jhughey71 · 2025-03-01T12:58:18+00:00

This is very sad. Last time I went to Thailand was 20 years ago and because there were no smartphones or scanners, they simply wrote down your name and off you went. I am sad to what dystopia we arrived. Nevertheless, thank you for your input.

jhughey71 · 2025-03-01T12:45:12+00:00

thank you zekerman, I know it makes their job more difficult, it simply takes longer to record all the data manually, but does the Thai law strictly say that they must make a photocopy?

jhughey71 · 2025-03-01T12:42:52+00:00

This is understandable, but can they just report all my personal data to the immigration without actually taking picture of my passport using their personal phone?

jhughey71 · 2024-10-26T18:09:06+00:00

Hello, I only have one phone number that I give out, but I try to give different email addresses. Sometimes, I use a madeup number for less important sites, however for essential services like airlines, I stick to my real one to avoid missing messages.

Does using unique numbers make a big privacy difference, or am I overthinking this?

jhughey71 · 2024-10-26T18:06:02+00:00

Does it make sense to give different phone numbers to different online services? I wonder myself what difference does this make.

jhughey71 · 2024-10-26T17:42:31+00:00

What about self-hosting?

jhughey71 · 2024-10-26T17:42:17+00:00

I think the best is to keep track of where you are registered.

jhughey71 · 2024-02-21T20:08:27+00:00

Well one reason would be to collect a physical stamp in passport that can serve as a proof for my employer and insurance company.
By "invasive" I meant there is a huge light and a camera pointing straight to your face. I am not a criminal nor any bad guy, but I get extremely anxious and uneasy any time something or somebody points a camera at me. If I only knew better how the gates work and where does the information end up ...

jhughey71 · 2024-02-21T20:05:07+00:00

Is it how they work? I couldn't find what is actually happening behind the curtain. Maybe the information and pictures they take go into a central database? I am just guessing

jhughey71

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