esta

[dc1964]

i registered before our last christmas trip, i did not take a record of our numbers or print it out. i understand they are good for 2 years, so if i travel again i am assuming i dont need to do anything as i should flag up already as been accepted, i cannot edit the esta application showing a new hotel as i dont have the acceptance number, my understanding is that ESTA do not require updates of accomodation only passport and biometric data.

 

[wayneg]

I would re-apply and print off. Virgin should not be asking for a copy as its not needed but makes life easier if they are insisting.

 

[Princess_Melanie]

On the site it says its not needed to print but there are lost of stories of Virgin insisting you show a copy of the form. I have printed and will take them with me.

We flew the day after Esta came into force - Virgin may have demanded to see our "forms" but we didn't have them (it's not even a form!!) and it DOESN'T matter - when you get to immigration in Orlando - your Esta details flash up on their screen as soon as they swipe your passport - EASY!!

 

[Princess_Melanie]

i registered before our last christmas trip, i did not take a record of our numbers or print it out. i understand they are good for 2 years, so if i travel again i am assuming i dont need to do anything as i should flag up already as been accepted, i cannot edit the esta application showing a new hotel as i dont have the acceptance number. What do up think?

This is almost exactly like us - flew in Jan 09, going again in Sept 09 - as far as we can see, we don't need to re-apply as our passports have not changed - the hotel and flights etc is optional and you don't need to change the optional information.

 

[wayneg]

We flew the day after Esta came into force - Virgin may have demanded to see our "forms" but we didn't have them (it's not even a form!!) and it DOESN'T matter - when you get to immigration in Orlando - your Esta details flash up on their screen as soon as they swipe your passport - EASY!!

I know its not something that should be done but there have been threads on another forum about Virgin insisting on seeing a copy of your Esta form. I hate printing things off and wasting paper but I have, just saves any hassle at checkin.
Personally I would re-apply and print for sake of 10 mins but I would rather do that than a confrontation with security staff.

 

[Princess_Melanie]

I know its not something that should be done but there have been threads on another forum about Virgin insisting on seeing a copy of your Esta form. I hate printing things off and wasting paper but I have, just saves any hassle at checkin.
Personally I would re-apply and print for sake of 10 mins but I would rather do that than a confrontation with security staff.

We showed security our Esta numbers and the Virgin security lady wanted the forms we'd signed they had no idea what the Esta scheme was....we've had no problems since and see no reason to take anything with us - it's all tied into the computer systems and we'll take the risk in a few months. Orlando immigration were lovely in January and said once you've had acceptance you don't NEED to do or have anything else.

 

[Princess_Melanie]

Ok - I just emailed ESTA people and go this auto response while I wait for a full reply on something I asked them, I think it should help with a lot of what we have all been mulling over!!

We do NOT provide application numbers to people who have lost them. If you want to update something, such as your travel information, you will need to re-apply, (although you are not required to update your travel information. The ESTA approval is good for two years unless something about your passport or your biometric information - such as your name - changes.)

If you lost your application number, you cannot update your information in the system. That number is required to locate your file. However, you may re-apply. The old number will automatically be cancelled, and a new number generated for you. If that does not work, please come back to this FAQ and click on the "Ask a Question" tab above, and send us the exact error message. If you do not have an email address for us to respond to you, use the following in the email field, but be sure to give us a phone number where we can contact you to resolve the problem. esta@cbp.dhs.gov

Remember, it is not required for you to update your travel information in ESTA, providing that information to us is optional. So if you have lost your application number and cannot update that information the next time you travel to the U.S. Don't worry about it.

You do NOT need your application number to board your flight. That number is transmitted electronically to the airlines.

If you are waiting for your approval status to be confirmed, and you did not keep a copy of your application number to log in to see the status, you will have to re-apply. We do not notify applicants of their status (approved or denied) by email.

 

[dc1964]

i suspect virgin have got it wrong, maybe because it was anew policy, surely they are still not asking for proof when the ESTA policy is so clear.

 

[wayneg]

i suspect virgin have got it wrong, maybe because it was anew policy, surely they are still not asking for proof when the ESTA policy is so clear.

I agree I think it will have been teething problems but as I say it took me 10 mins max on Sunday to do all 3 of us and I had never seen the site before, I would re-apply and print but thats my choice I am sure you will be fine without if thats what you decide.

 

[Princess_Melanie]

We had no problems in Jan not having a print out other than a shirty up-herself Virgin security checker - check in staff were much better and fine when they scanned our passports and didn't want to see our numbers we had to hand.

The email I had back today from a nice ESTA person in the States confirmed to me that I don't need to amend any travel info (hotel or flight numbers) and that the airline will have our ESTA approval if we have been granted it (which we have).

We fly out in 5 months, still enough time for the airlines to smooth out any wrinkles. Virgin don't state anywhere on their site to bring proof of ESTA so they are doing their usual shirty attitude to their long-suffering loyal customers lol!!

 

[starrysky]

We are flying with BA in aug and have already filled in this information. It was really simple to do and I got both myslef and DH done in about 10 mins. You go into the my booking section. Don't recall doing it with Flyglobespan?

As for the ESTA again very simple to do and have taken a note of my numbers but I am not looking forward to those green forms the crew on my previous trip were not helpful at all and simply said read the form I had never done this before as I had previously gone as a child with my parents. Spent the whole time in line at the airport worrying that they were not going to let me in if my form was wrong (thankfully not) but they did send people to the back of a very long que if they had

 

[rotothread]

Just finished completing my ESTA forms for travel in August 09. I've printed copies out just in case.
I'm not entirely sure that my six year old fully understood when I asked him if he had been involved in any espionage between 1933 and 1945 but rules is rules right?

 

[starrysky]

Just finished completing my ESTA forms for travel in August 09. I've printed copies out just in case.
I'm not entirely sure that my six year old fully understood when I asked him if he had been involved in any espionage between 1933 and 1945 but rules is rules right?

lol just make sure you fill in you api for your flights

 

[rotothread]

lol just make sure you fill in you api for your flights

How do I do that? I'm flying with US Airways.

 

[wayneg]

How do I do that? I'm flying with US Airways.

Its usually when you log into your account, it is with Virgin & American Airlines, done both of these recently.
Can you get access thru this? could be there.
http://www.usairways.com/awa/manageReservation/findReservation.aspx

 

[starrysky]

Most airlines have a UK phone number to call and they can talk you through it. Most of the details should be in the section that shows you your booking details. The info they want is the same as you fill in on the esta form.

 

[fairytale]

Sorry guys if I'm being dim, I've just posted a similar question on the board.

Am I now right in thinking that this is the new procedure:

Fill out API form on line with your Airline provider ie Virgin in my Case

Fill out ESTA application, make a note of the application number and print off confirmations, just in case !!!!!

Fill out Green form in the airport @ Immigration

Done

No need anymore for those White forms in the airport, just the green?

Thank you in advance.

 

[wayneg]

You will need to still do the customs delaration form (1 per family)
http://www.cbp.gov/linkhandler/cgov...ons/sample_cbp_decla.ctt/sample_cbp_decla.pdf

 

[Claire L]

Sorry guys if I'm being dim, I've just posted a similar question on the board.

Am I now right in thinking that this is the new procedure:

Fill out API form on line with your Airline provider ie Virgin in my Case

Fill out ESTA application, make a note of the application number and print off confirmations, just in case !!!!!

Fill out Green form in the airport @ Immigration

Done

No need anymore for those White forms in the airport, just the green?

Thank you in advance.

N still need the white form regardless as that is the customs form re importation of certain items.

Claire

 

[wicket2005]

The ESTA form is supposed to replace the green visa waiver form but I think through this transition period both systems are in operation. Eventually it will just be the ESTA and no green forms. I hate filling those green forms in.