Originally Posted by televisor

This is only partly related... But do UA store my Visa data (swiped/recorded by checkin agent)?

I had my first flight Europe->USA with a Visa recently (previously using ESTA, and on European airlines), tried checking in online and in the app - both asked for my Visa details, and then both failed to give me a BP / told me airport checkin was needed (the checkin agent then entered exactly the same data that I'd entered myself, I'm not sure they actually swiped the Visa then). Will this happen the next time I fly, using the same Visa, or do they keep the Visa data?

(I think in future it's probably easier just to claim I'm using Esta when checking in, and then use the Visa on arrival in the USA - although I'm not sure if that's likely to cause issues on arrival?)