Business consultant Mark Blake wondered why the airline computer in California wouldn't let him check in for his flight home to Hawai'i without a passport on Sunday, even if it was April Fool's Day.

He was using the self-service check-in service for United Air Lines: "It said scan your passport. I thought there was just something wrong with the computer. Then it dawned on me."

Blake, who lives in the Diamond Head area, said he bought the airline tickets online through cheaptickets.com. He flew a direct flight to San Francisco on Tuesday to go to a convention then opted for a stopover on the return trip to get a cheaper fare.

The return called for him to fly to Vancouver, B.C., for four hours and then catch a connecting flight back to Hawai'i on Air Canada.

Blake was vaguely aware of recent changes in passport requirements required for Canada and Mexico but didn't think they applied to him in this case. "Who thought to bring their passport just for a layover?" he said.

Since Jan. 23, all travelers — including U.S. citizens — traveling by air between the United States and Canada, Mexico, Central and South America, the Caribbean and Bermuda have been required to present a valid passport, Air NEXUS card, or U.S. Coast Guard Merchant Mariner Document, or an Alien Registration Card.

The change in State Department documents comes as a move to increase border security, officials said.

For Blake, not being aware of the change cost him two extra days in California and about $500 for additional hotel and cab fare.

But it could have been worse. He said United first told him he could pay $900 more for a flight home, then told him it would cost him a $100 fee to change his flight, but no flights were immediately available because of the high number of people flying during the busy spring break travel weekend.

He said the ticket agent told him that 137 were wait-listed for the flight he wanted to board so he suspects he wasn't the only one and he hopes to forewarn others.

Blake eventually got re-routed through Denver and is expected to fly home — at no additional airline charge — to Hawai'i today.

United spokesman Jeff Kovick said the company issues reminders to travelers on their Web site about the change in regulations and has not seen an "uptick" in complaints about stranded travelers.

Kovick said the company encourages all customers to get the documents they need before they head for the airport. "We're pleased that we're going to help him within the State Department regulations to get him back to Hawai'i," Kovick said.

The folks who answer the phone at cheaptickets.com said the company sends out the passport requirements as part of the terms and conditions of buying from them.

They apologized for the confusion and suggest that people read through the terms and conditions before they press that "accept" button.

Honolulu travel agent Rachel Shimamoto of Travel Ways said she reminds customers out loud and in writing about the new passport regulations.

"We put a note on their travel vouchers, and verbally tell them, too, because sometimes people don't read what you give them," Shimamoto said.

Hearing about Blake may help remind others to check all travel requirements, even when they order online, even for layover cities, even where they don't plan to leave the airport terminal.

"It will be a wake-up call for a lot of people, Shimamoto said.

Meanwhile back at the State Department, business is still booming in the offices that issue passports. Spokesman Kurtis Cooper said the federal agency has been issuing record numbers of passports: 412,000 last week alone, which beat the previous week's record of 379,000 issued.

Cooper said the agency has employees at 17 regional offices working overtime and on weekends to try to keep up with demand.

And Cooper has some advice for all those traveling out of the country within the next few months. "If they plan to travel abroad, get a passport: early, early, early," he advised.

And Blake? He has a passport at home.

Reach Robbie Dingeman at rdingeman@honoluluadvertiser.com.