Hi all,
I have just been on the phone to the Customer Service Management Team.
Apparently due to the big backlog in passports and it starting to hit the news (a few news articles today) they have realsed a new upgrade path for applications today!
If you can prove you are traveling within two weeks you are able to pay to upgrade. We got told to email a specific new upgrade team email adress stating various things and get contacted to pay and get fast tracked.
Personally we do not travel in two weeks time but I thought I would share with this fourm. Also you seem to get told 101 different things, so would be useful to know if anyone else also got told this!
The person on the phone said no doubt there will be teething problems and is not free.
If you are traveling within two weeks or about to, I would call up and ask about this serivce.
If you have any sucess please do let me know!
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New Passport Upgrade Service!
Travelingsoon12 · 6 Apr 2022, 15:40
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I was originally told London had my upgrade request but after speaking with processing team turnt out Peterborough had it , going there to collect tomorrow
Congrats! We’re heading to Peterborough on sat morning to see if they can process my sons, it’s with Liverpool Upgrade team so I’m hoping they can deal with it!
I’d like to know the same, documents are at Liverpool but our closest is Peterborough
@pcjc
Both mine and my daughters (processed separately)
Were approved, printed the day after and sent out for delivery the day after that. So I wouldn't worry now, its quite a quick process once approved.
Oh amazing! Just to check, they were approved then printed without the upgrade service?
Thank you!
Got through to progress team in 30 minutes. They were very helpful and directed me to the correct office (Peterborough, I had emailed London since it’s closer to me). Told me they weren’t gonna take anymore calls until they’ve emailed the office informing me of my case and I’ve emailed them too. so fingers crossed!
What number was that on please?
I need my passport by Monday. Its currently awaiting to be seen by an examiner.
I've emailed upgrade and escalated service. Only received an reply to acknowledge the date I need my passport.
Called yesterday to see what was going on with my application but told that upgrade is not a guarantee.
What should I do next?
Worried I won't get my passport by this weekend.
Are they fed up of me calling and emailing? Maybe they've blacklisted me :(
@pcjc
Yes both approved, printed and sent out at no extra cost.
My renewal was done with no problems, I did make some calls and send a few emails ,to chase my daughters first passport as I was panicking. However I never received any calls or email acknowledgements
k
@Annak can you not travel to passport office to sort out? Think this maybe ur only option.
My plan is to go to Peterborough on Friday or Saturday but I may have my 6 year old with me- so it will be hell for her.
We may be doing the same on sat, will have the kids too! 😬
Has anybody had any luck receiving updates by actually going to your local office without an appointment?
I am desperate now, I just need answers which are not being answered by the number I am ringing.
I fly next Friday and I have applied for a child's first passport.
Is anyone getting any calls answered this morning I have been trying since 7am and not spoken to 1 person. Any help on different numbers to call would be greatly appreciated!
We are supposed to be travelling on Sunday. Stressed out is an understatement right now. I just need to speak to someone 😢
What no are you calling?
I actually had a meltdown after being on hold for over an hour this morning for them to say I cannot hear you and terminated my call.
Got through again but progress team were unavailable....
Keep trying, you will get through, its just a waiting game.
T 0300 330 0000. Just got answer after 2 hours and 20mins on hold. And got through to progress thank god!
Did you actually get through to the progress team? That's fab... did they tell you any more info than the advisors?
Yes, progress answered thankfully!
Only to tell me what I already knew and it’s just a waiting game for upgrade to contact me!
I weirdly got an acknowledgment email again from Liverpool Upgrade Team today, I’m hoping this is a good sign!
I’ve been following this post and I’ve been contacted today by Durham upgrade after weeks of waiting! Fly on Saturday emailed the team multiple times as was unsure they were getting my emails.. rang daily even though it was useless. Every agent had a different response but it all came down to waiting and luckily they did call and didn’t charge me I’m currently on route to collect my passport from the nearest printing office! Won’t believe it until it’s in hand!
Thats great news. I am hopeful now.
I guess its just waiting but its the stress that comes with it.
I had lost all hope had been in tears all week this morning 8.40 they called and went to approved by 10 and now I’m collecting so once they are working on your application it can be fast! Just make sure you’ve emailed the correct upgrade team and email again nearer the time so your at the top of the emails! I think they are just prioritising travel date but I’m glad I got the call today and not Friday!
How is people getting through to the progress team, I’m waiting for a call back, do these call backs actually happen?
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