Keeping a passport in condition...

I've never had any problems with my passport getting bent, damaged, etc., while in my money belt, and I always keep it in my money.

Hi Joseph. When you say "the TSA will give me problems," do you mean they give you problems from time to time or are you afraid that they'll give you problems? My old passport (I got it renewed 2 years ago) did get a little bent, but it was able to be scanned without difficulty and no one ever questioned me about it.

Have you tried wearing in across your back rather than your front? Less bendy parts on that side of the body...

I always place my passport in a plastic baggie, and then I wear the moneybelt such that it doesn't sit on my belly, it's located in the small of my back under the waist of my pants...never had a problem with it geting damp, wrinkled, crumpled, etc,etc...

What everyone else said, wear it around the back. I found it to be more comfortable when worn higher up, around my waist, on my back. I'm not really a fan of the muffin top it gives me when I wear it any lower.

First, TSA is only internal US security and who knows or begins to understand what makes them happy. In all of my years of travels with some very beaten up passports, US immigrations have never said a word other than a couple of comments along the line - That has been well used. Show you driver's license to TSA. They should never ask for a passport. I do put my passport and money in a plastic bag to keep it dry. And, I believe, that a properly worn money belt is worn high and in the middle of your back. Many people will wear them at the waist line but that is more for convenient access which, of course, you should not do.

The thing is I wear a money belt so comfortable I quite often will just lay back on my bed and fall asleep with it on while reading and it does get bent up, plus the sweat from the day doesn't help. I don't have a problem getting a new one at all but I get attitudes when coming home sometimes. Usually they laugh and say something, with a big smile, like "What the hell did you do to this thing?" Sometimes they ream me out something fierce. Oh it's never bad, jusr people being jerks but if I can avoid the negative responses I'd like it. Thanks for the responses and I'm going to keep what everybody said in mind.