Travelers unable to determine if passport damage will cause travel delays or rejection

International travelers face uncertainty about whether minor passport damage (worn pages, small tears, fading) will be rejected at borders or during check-in, forcing them to make expensive last-minute decisions about passport replacement. Current solutions like government websites lack specific guidance on edge cases, and travelers must contact embassies or airlines individually, causing anxiety and potential trip cancellations. The ambiguity creates a painful gap between 'technically damaged' and 'actually rejected' that costs travelers time, money, and peace of mind.