Please explain like I am 5 - how to use two passports when traveling - with a twist

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The name on your ticket needs to match the name on your passport. You also need to use the same passport for (re)entering/exiting a country. So for the U.S./France round-trip, you’re using one nationality or the other. You can’t mix and match to take advantage of the shorter lines for nationals on both ends.

My husband and I do this all the time.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Coming back to US always use your US passport. EU entrance you look to see the shortest line (summer use EU, off times US) and go with that. Before I would get a question about stamps. Now a lot has moved to face readers on entrance so it doesn't matter.

For example I will use my US passport to board British Air flight to Heathrow at Dulles. It will be a face reader to board.

When I get to Heathrow I use my EU passport at face reader because the EU line is shorter/faster.

When I board again in Heathrow to come to US I use my US passport against then use Global Entry/moblie app (must at Dulles) to come back in to US.

As a UK passport holder who travels frequently through Heathrow, this makes me wonder how recently you have traveled. EU, UK and US (and some other passports) are all in the same line at Heathrow. For the e-gates and for the non- electronic passports.

Anyway OP, as the holder of 3 passports I echo what most have said. Use US to book your tickets otherwise you will be asked if you have a visa/ESTA etc to return to the US when you try to check in online. Use your EU passport if you are entering the country of the passport. You don’t have to use it if entering other EU countries but it usually makes sense too because frequently there are shorter lines, and because you have time limit/visa free travel there. When leaving Europe you may need to show both passports.

[Anonymous]

4. When flying back home from the EU, which passport do I show?
You show the EU passport at the border control when you leave the EU country, assuming that you used the EU passport when entering the EU country.
And you show your US passport at the ticket counter before boarding the flight to the US because the airline requires that for security check and to make sure you are allowed to enter the US.
5. After landing back in the U.S., show the U.S. passport when going through customs.
Correct.