Warning: ESTA ripoffs
May 16, 2009 | 11:54 am
#1
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Warning: ESTA ripoffs
I just helped my UIG (Used Italian Girlfriend) complete her ESTA application.
I did a Yahoo search to find the site and there were a number of hits that looked like official ones (but the URLs ended in .us instead of .gov).
The first one I clicked on wanted $45 for instructions on how to fill out the application.
If you live in a Visa Waiver country and are planning on visiting the U.S., or know someone who is, go only to this official government site.
The application is simple, free, and any instructions that you might need are on it -- and available in 21 different languages.
I did a Yahoo search to find the site and there were a number of hits that looked like official ones (but the URLs ended in .us instead of .gov).
The first one I clicked on wanted $45 for instructions on how to fill out the application.
If you live in a Visa Waiver country and are planning on visiting the U.S., or know someone who is, go only to this official government site.
The application is simple, free, and any instructions that you might need are on it -- and available in 21 different languages.
May 16, 2009 | 12:35 pm
#2
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Join Date: Aug 2000
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Why is your Italian GF "used"...?
Why is your Italian GF "used"...?
May 16, 2009 | 12:36 pm
#3
Moderator, Argentina and FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: MIA / EZE
Programs: Lord of Malbec & all Wines Argentine. AA EXP / Marriott Lifetime Gold / Hyatt Explorist / Hertz PC
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Wirelessly posted (Palm TX: Mozilla/4.0 (compatible; MSIE 6.0; Windows 98; PalmSource/Palm-D050; Blazer/4.3) 16;320x448)
BTW... what is ESTA.....?
BTW... what is ESTA.....?
May 16, 2009 | 12:53 pm
#4
Original Poster
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend, In Memoriam
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Yiron, Israel
Programs: Bates Motel Plat
Posts: 69,201
I would like to take this occasion to point out, as I have several times in the past, that I call her "used" because she, like me, is divorced and thus can not be considered "new".
I could, of course, call her "previously owned" but that sounds a bit possessive and, as she has been married twice, "second hand" would be inaccurate.
However, the key word in the phrase is not "used" but "Italian" -- and a used Lamborghini is still worth a lot more than a new Ford.
I could, of course, call her "previously owned" but that sounds a bit possessive and, as she has been married twice, "second hand" would be inaccurate.
However, the key word in the phrase is not "used" but "Italian" -- and a used Lamborghini is still worth a lot more than a new Ford.
It stands for "Electronic System for Travel Authorization". Those eligible for the Visa Waiver Program (this depends on their nationality and whether they have magnetic passports) have to get authorization to enter the U.S. through this program. It went into effect in January.