Can't online check-in - API/ESTA?
Mar 31, 2018, 10:31 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: UK
Programs: Bonvoy Gold, AA Plat, Volare Premier, VS Silver, National Emerald Elite, Hertz President Circle
Posts: 2,526
Can't online check-in - API/ESTA?
We're having difficulties check-in in our daughter on a TATL flight. Called BA - they tried too but can't figure out what's wrong. I've checked her ESTA and she has her middlename in the registration. On her ticket she has no middle name but the middle name is in her API. Still the online check-in page asks to eter the API bringing a screen with all the info and re-entering them makes no difference. Any suggestions - other than going to LHR a little earlier and hoping for the best? I am thinking of doing another ESTA with first name only (assuming one can have two ESTAs under the same passport number?).
Mar 31, 2018, 10:44 am
#2
Join Date: Jan 2018
Location: Glasgow, UK
Programs: BA Gold
Posts: 645
We're having difficulties check-in in our daughter on a TATL flight. Called BA - they tried too but can't figure out what's wrong. I've checked her ESTA and she has her middlename in the registration. On her ticket she has no middle name but the middle name is in her API. Still the online check-in page asks to eter the API bringing a screen with all the info and re-entering them makes no difference. Any suggestions - other than going to LHR a little earlier and hoping for the best? I am thinking of doing another ESTA with first name only (assuming one can have two ESTAs under the same passport number?).
Also check whether API has the hotel name + street address or address only. There are some other reports here of hotel names causing problems with API so just enter address only.
I dont know for sure, but I wouldnt recommend attempting another ESTA. Feels like the type of thing that could raise a few eyebrows upon arrival in the US that would be best avoided (assuming the ESTA site even allows you to apply using a passport that already has a valid ESTA...Ive never tried).
Mar 31, 2018, 10:46 am
#3
Ambassador, British Airways; FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Leeds, UK
Programs: BA GGL/CCR, GfL, HH Diamond
Posts: 43,122
One potential explanation could be SSSS - a secondary security screening conducted at the gate. There are reports here of others being prevented from online check-in for this reason. Best advice would be to head to the airport a little early. If the paper boarding pass says SSSS, your daughter can expect another bag inspection at the gate and potentially some questions.
Mar 31, 2018, 10:49 am
#4
Join Date: Jan 2018
Location: Glasgow, UK
Programs: BA Gold
Posts: 645
Mar 31, 2018, 10:51 am
#5
Suspended
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: DCA
Programs: UA US CO AA DL FL
Posts: 50,262
When you spoke with BA, did BA confirm that the e-ticket and reservation (both) are in order? If so, this is simply an issue for resolution at the airport. Allow additional time.
If there is an issue, then now would be the time to resolve it. I would not engage in ESTA-shopping.
If there is an issue, then now would be the time to resolve it. I would not engage in ESTA-shopping.
Mar 31, 2018, 10:51 am
#6
Ambassador, British Airways; FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Leeds, UK
Programs: BA GGL/CCR, GfL, HH Diamond
Posts: 43,122
Mar 31, 2018, 11:30 am
#7
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Brighton. UK
Programs: BA Gold / VS /IHG Diamond & Ambassador
Posts: 14,216
It's likely something in the BA APIS data that is causing the issue and will take all of 30 seconds for a check-in agent to resolve
Mar 31, 2018, 11:44 am
#8
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: UK
Programs: Bonvoy Gold, AA Plat, Volare Premier, VS Silver, National Emerald Elite, Hertz President Circle
Posts: 2,526
Thanks to all the suggestions. The same esta didn't have a problem last year and it's not causing problems to the other pax even if the hotel/stay information is now out of date. The BA agent tried himself a few times before giving up; he said that the esta is in order (but can they actually see it?), said the booking is all fine, but to go to the airport earlier. One thing I noticed before trying to check-in was that the pax in question did not have her BA account linked to booking; so I proceeded to update her profile including the passport number before trying to check-in. Maybe updating the profile with an upcoming flight causes this? Who knows.
Mar 31, 2018, 11:47 am
#9
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Brighton. UK
Programs: BA Gold / VS /IHG Diamond & Ambassador
Posts: 14,216
BA do not see an individuals ESTA but they receive a marker from the CBP that the passenger has one. AS BA can see that marker then the issue is not with the ESTA.
They recommend that people update their ESTA with flight and hotel details but that is not mandatory. The important dataset is APIS
They recommend that people update their ESTA with flight and hotel details but that is not mandatory. The important dataset is APIS
Last edited by UKtravelbear; Mar 31, 2018 at 11:53 am
Mar 31, 2018, 12:20 pm
#10
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: UK
Programs: Bonvoy Gold, AA Plat, Volare Premier, VS Silver, National Emerald Elite, Hertz President Circle
Posts: 2,526
BA do not see an individuals ESTA but they receive a marker from the CBP that the passenger has one. AS BA can see that marker then the issue is not with the ESTA.
They recommend that people update their ESTA with flight and hotel details but that is not mandatory. The important dataset is APIS
They recommend that people update their ESTA with flight and hotel details but that is not mandatory. The important dataset is APIS
Mar 31, 2018, 12:39 pm
#11
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Brighton. UK
Programs: BA Gold / VS /IHG Diamond & Ambassador
Posts: 14,216
ESTA is separate from API.
ESTA is based on passport number and name. BA sends the names and passport numbers electronically to the CPB who cross check their data base and then sends BA a marker to say that they have found a valid ESTA.
As BA have confirmed they can see the marker there is no reason to be applying for a new ESTA.
ESTA is based on passport number and name. BA sends the names and passport numbers electronically to the CPB who cross check their data base and then sends BA a marker to say that they have found a valid ESTA.
As BA have confirmed they can see the marker there is no reason to be applying for a new ESTA.
Mar 31, 2018, 1:35 pm
#12
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: AMS
Programs: BAEC Silver, Flying Blue Gold, TK M&S Nobody
Posts: 2,518
Also have 2 pax unable to OLCI. ex-ARN tomorrow with a leg to the States the day after. One UK citizen and one US, so shouldn't be ESTA related - do wonder if it's the delayed second leg on a different carrier?
Mar 31, 2018, 2:19 pm
#13
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: UK
Programs: Bonvoy Gold, AA Plat, Volare Premier, VS Silver, National Emerald Elite, Hertz President Circle
Posts: 2,526
ESTA is based on passport number and name. BA sends the names and passport numbers electronically to the CPB who cross check their data base and then sends BA a marker to say that they have found a valid ESTA.
As BA have confirmed they can see the marker there is no reason to be applying for a new ESTA.
As BA have confirmed they can see the marker there is no reason to be applying for a new ESTA.
Mar 31, 2018, 4:17 pm
#14
Join Date: Sep 2015
Programs: LH SEN; BA Gold
Posts: 8,410
We're having difficulties check-in in our daughter on a TATL flight. Called BA - they tried too but can't figure out what's wrong. I've checked her ESTA and she has her middlename in the registration. On her ticket she has no middle name but the middle name is in her API. ....