ESTA Panic
Dec 17, 2018, 3:54 pm
#16
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Around somewhere
Programs: Gold, Some red card and some hotel cards.
Posts: 709
I was checking passengers at a gate on a flight to New York and a couple of the passengers had to apply whilst af the gate. They were still applying when the gate should have closed but we held off for a few minutes just to see if they got approved which luckily for them they did.
Dec 17, 2018, 5:06 pm
#17
Join Date: Nov 2015
Location: BNE
Programs: NZ*G, QF Bronze, VA Red
Posts: 563
It's quite hard to find an official answer on this but it looks like as long as you currently have an ESTA and have visited the US on an ESTA some time before (since 2008) you can use the APC terminals. I had assumed that you needed to have visited on *this* ESTA but that seems not to have been the case. No mention has been made of passport renewal voiding this ability although it does void your ESTA.
Dec 17, 2018, 7:39 pm
#18
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: PEK and BOS
Programs: BA - Blue
Posts: 4,530
It's quite hard to find an official answer on this but it looks like as long as you currently have an ESTA and have visited the US on an ESTA some time before (since 2008) you can use the APC terminals. I had assumed that you needed to have visited on *this* ESTA but that seems not to have been the case. No mention has been made of passport renewal voiding this ability although it does void your ESTA.
tb
Dec 18, 2018, 12:53 am
#19
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Glasgow, Scotland
Programs: BA Gold
Posts: 316
I was shepherded into a room in EWR once to buy an ESTA, after the CBP officer noted that my current one was no longer current, having expired the day previously. Computer and printer were provided free and I was delayed about 20 minutes.
Dec 18, 2018, 1:20 am
#20
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Oslo, Norway
Posts: 557
It's quite hard to find an official answer on this but it looks like as long as you currently have an ESTA and have visited the US on an ESTA some time before (since 2008) you can use the APC terminals. I had assumed that you needed to have visited on *this* ESTA but that seems not to have been the case. No mention has been made of passport renewal voiding this ability although it does void your ESTA.
Dec 18, 2018, 1:44 am
#21
Ambassador: Emirates Airlines
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Manchester, UK
Posts: 18,613
It's quite hard to find an official answer on this but it looks like as long as you currently have an ESTA and have visited the US on an ESTA some time before (since 2008) you can use the APC terminals. I had assumed that you needed to have visited on *this* ESTA but that seems not to have been the case. No mention has been made of passport renewal voiding this ability although it does void your ESTA.
Well this is one of these incredibly helpful nuggets one picks up from time to time.
I have existing passport, a new ESTA but have been to the US several times on the previous ESTA and had struggled to find anything definitive on this. I shall report back later in the week.
I have existing passport, a new ESTA but have been to the US several times on the previous ESTA and had struggled to find anything definitive on this. I shall report back later in the week.
Note that APC at ORD is useless, as you just filter to the back of the regular queue. I may or may not have whinged about this 10 times on here already
Dec 18, 2018, 2:17 am
#22
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Lausanne Switzerland
Programs: BA Gold; Swiss Blue
Posts: 1,244
ORD in Oct all pax with ESTA were sent to to APC kiosks and then sorted into X and non X
Dec 18, 2018, 8:07 am
#23
Join Date: Aug 2018
Location: Wiltshire
Programs: BAEC Blue
Posts: 108
From reading the official website it is my understanding that when using a NEW passport for the first time you must see a CBP officer at point of entry for your passport to be verified and that trying to use the APC machines will result in an automatic X on the slip of paper. Subsequent entries on that passport should then be fine using APC as long as you have a current and valid ESTA regardless of whether it is a new ESTA or not.
Dec 18, 2018, 1:58 pm
#24
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2018
Location: Jersey
Programs: BA Bronze Executive Club Member
Posts: 50
Good news, the wife got through (although had the advanced security checks at LHR). Pleasantly surprised by no queue at JFK, arrived an half hour early and already at the hotel!! Now where’s by double whiskey?!
thanks all for your comments, it did set my mind at ease, and hopefully can help others also.
thanks all for your comments, it did set my mind at ease, and hopefully can help others also.
Dec 18, 2018, 2:40 pm
#25
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: UK - Hampshire & London
Programs: Mucci de Guardian des Celliers des Grands Crus 1e Classé, plus BAEC.
Posts: 2,734
It's quite hard to find an official answer on this but it looks like as long as you currently have an ESTA and have visited the US on an ESTA some time before (since 2008) you can use the APC terminals. I had assumed that you needed to have visited on *this* ESTA but that seems not to have been the case. No mention has been made of passport renewal voiding this ability although it does void your ESTA.
Dec 19, 2018, 2:09 pm
#26
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Switzerland
Posts: 1,591
https://www.independent.co.uk/travel...-a8689966.html
“Real-time approvals will no longer be available and arriving at the airport without a previously approved ESTA will likely result in being denied boarding."
"While the US authorities have always advised that applications are made at least three days in advance, many travellers have had their ESTA granted almost instantly – including passengers who turn up at the airport without the permit. But a news <sic> reminder on the front page of the official site warns: “Apply for ESTA no later than 72 hours before departing for the United States." "
“Real-time approvals will no longer be available and arriving at the airport without a previously approved ESTA will likely result in being denied boarding."
"While the US authorities have always advised that applications are made at least three days in advance, many travellers have had their ESTA granted almost instantly – including passengers who turn up at the airport without the permit. But a news <sic> reminder on the front page of the official site warns: “Apply for ESTA no later than 72 hours before departing for the United States." "
Dec 19, 2018, 8:59 pm
#27
Join Date: Sep 2017
Location: Central Scotland, UK
Programs: BAEC Gold
Posts: 286
Well this is one of these incredibly helpful nuggets one picks up from time to time.
I have existing passport, a new ESTA but have been to the US several times on the previous ESTA and had struggled to find anything definitive on this. I shall report back later in the week.
We landed well ahead of schedule, Very good experience of US Border Control and we were in our transfer and snarled up on the freeway by the time we were meant to be landing.
Mar 2, 2019, 4:43 am
#28
Join Date: Feb 2016
Location: LHR
Programs: BAEC Gold, SkyTeam Elite Plus, Sixt Gold
Posts: 418
Resuming this just to share my experience.
Flying tomorrow morning 8.40am to ORD from LHR. Try to do OLCI. No luck. I thought this was the usual SSSS thing but no. IT WAS ME. I incredibly forgot to renew ESTA.
Thus, at -24 hrs I rush on the ESTA website, very much in the mood of the OP. Fill in everything. No instant approval given.
Luckily, after 4 hrs I was approved and I managed to complete OLCI. A risky near miss indeed!
Flying tomorrow morning 8.40am to ORD from LHR. Try to do OLCI. No luck. I thought this was the usual SSSS thing but no. IT WAS ME. I incredibly forgot to renew ESTA.
Thus, at -24 hrs I rush on the ESTA website, very much in the mood of the OP. Fill in everything. No instant approval given.
Luckily, after 4 hrs I was approved and I managed to complete OLCI. A risky near miss indeed!
Mar 2, 2019, 4:46 am
#29
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2018
Location: Jersey
Programs: BA Bronze Executive Club Member
Posts: 50
It’s a horrible feeling but great sense of relief when you finally get it accepted / physically step into US.
Well done on checking anyway!! Imagine turning up at Heathrow without it 🙈
Well done on checking anyway!! Imagine turning up at Heathrow without it 🙈
Mar 2, 2019, 5:21 am
#30
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Derbyshire,UK
Programs: BAEC Gold, IHG Gold
Posts: 115
GaxxyFlyer completed Aus e-Visitor at airport. We’ve applied twice and on both occasions Mrs Killaypirate approved in 10 mins while mine took 3 days.CBP at JFK made a hash of her entry one time mixed up our passports, she got taken off and had to wait while they processed arrivals without passports or visas. Every time since she has had the X on her ESTA slip. Recently renewed for our April trip so hopefully everything OK but always fret I’ve made a stupid mistake on the application.