Passport deadline shifts again

PASSPORT rules for traveling to the Caribbean, Canada and Mexico changed once again on Sept. 29 by action of Congress.

Under the new rules, attached to a funding bill that President Bush signed Wednesday, all travelers entering the U.S. by air from these areas will have to present a passport starting Jan. 8.

The new deadline for those entering by land or sea from these areas is June 1, 2009. Such travelers, unlike fliers, will be able to present either a passport or a new document called a PASS card that has yet to be issued, said Steve Royster, spokesman for the Bureau of Consular Affairs at the State Department.

The bottom line: “If you want to fly, now is the time to apply for a passport,” Royster said, adding that it can take four to six weeks to receive one. (For details, call [877] 487-2778, or visit www.travel.state.gov.)

Cruise and car travelers can wait longer to apply for a passport, if they wish, although some experts said they should get one soon.

“It’s so much easier to have a passport,” rather than carry several ID documents, said Cheryl Hudak, president of the American Society of Travel Agents. You’ll also be covered for the unexpected, such as having to fly home in an emergency, she added.

Deadlines for the new border rules have shifted several times. Until Sept. 29, they had been Jan. 8 for both air and sea passengers and Jan. 1, 2008, for land travelers.

After protests from the travel industry, which said stricter rules would discourage travel, Congress voted to extend the deadlines for sea and land crossings.

The new PASS card, which stands for People Access Security Services, is expected to cost less than $50, compared with $97 for an adult passport.

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Historic hotel in San Diego is refurbished

THE US Grant, a landmark hotel in downtown San Diego that was built by the son of the American president and Civil War general, is scheduled to reopen Oct. 17 after nearly two years of renovations.

The 270-room inn will join Starwood Hotels & Resorts’ Luxury Collection of upscale properties, with most published room rates from $475 to $3,500 per night, although there’s a special opening rate, subject to availability, that starts at $329.

Ulysses Grant Jr. opened the hotel in 1910. In 2003, the Sycuan Band of the Kumeyaay Nation, which also owns the Sycuan Resort & Casino in El Cajon, bought the US Grant and put $52 million into remodeling it.

Native American art is displayed throughout, and lavish touches include a $250,000 hand-loomed silk rug in the lobby. Rooms have been updated with 32-inch flat-screen TVs, data ports and more. (800) 325-3589, www.luxurycollection.com/usgrant.

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Briefly

New Orleans opening: Harrah’s New Orleans Hotel, which was under construction before Hurricane Katrina hit in August 2005, has opened at 228 Poydras St., across from Harrah’s Casino in the city’s Warehouse District. It has 26 stories and 450 rooms. (504) 533-6000, www.harrahs.com.

Hong Kong renovation: The Mandarin Oriental Hong Kong has reopened after a nine-month, $140-million renovation. It offers more than 500 rooms, nine restaurants and bars, a spa, a pool and more. Rates begin at about $437 per night. 011-852-2522-0111, www.mandarinoriental.com.

Mexico route: JetBlue Airways on Nov. 30 will start daily nonstop service between New York’s JFK airport and Cancun, Mexico. It’s the first Mexican destination for the carrier. Fares start at $129 one-way. www.jetblue.com.

Airport improvements:

Singapore’s Changi International Airport has given Terminal 2 a $150-million upgrade. Changes to the terminal include more restaurants and shops, a big-screen TV lounge and an Internet and game zone.

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jane.engle@latimes.com