Jun 4, 2019, 6:52 am
Last edit by: stut
ePassport gates, new countries, passport requirements, experience and wait times. Any volunteers?
ePassport Gates Master Thread [was: Opening up the e-Gates to new countries]
Oct 29, 2018, 10:44 am
#1
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ePassport Gates Master Thread [was: Opening up the e-Gates to new countries]
Oddly, it was announced in the Budget. USA,Canada, Australia, New Zealand and Japan passports to be allowed through e-Gates.
Let's hope they start opening more than a handful of them up!
Let's hope they start opening more than a handful of them up!
Oct 29, 2018, 11:00 am
#3
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Oct 29, 2018, 11:06 am
#4
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Oct 29, 2018, 11:13 am
#5
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Did Spreadsheet Phil have anything to say about what he thought was going to happen to the Registered Traveller revenues once all the Americans and Canadians, in particular (being by far the most numerous travellers to the UK among the nationalities listed), stop paying?
(better talk about BA a bit
)
BA could make a point of this in their US marketing, it's a big benefit for an airline that gains a lot of revenue from traffic from the USA to UK.
(better talk about BA a bit
)BA could make a point of this in their US marketing, it's a big benefit for an airline that gains a lot of revenue from traffic from the USA to UK.
Last edited by flatlander; Oct 29, 2018 at 11:20 am
Oct 29, 2018, 11:19 am
#6
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Did Spreadsheet Phil have anything to say about what he thought was going to happen to the Registered Traveller revenues once all the Americans and Canadians, in particular (being by far the most numerous travellers to the UK among the nationalities listed), stop paying?
Nice gesture politics, and like Heathrow's boss said earlier this summer- "Why should we treat Americans different from Lithuanians? If we can't trust the Americans we can't trust anyone."
Although I think this has to do with easing budget pressures on the UKBA more than anything else. Innovative and welcome. I do hope Brits will be treated as favourably in the very near future when entering the USA.
Oct 30, 2018, 1:30 am
#8
Join Date: Dec 2004
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It's a good move. At least Australia, New Zealand and the US allow British passports to use their egates/ekiosks, so its nice for these citizens to see some reciprocal rights.
I do hope they expand the number of kiosks open though!
I do hope they expand the number of kiosks open though!
Oct 30, 2018, 4:13 am
#9
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I wouldn't hold your breath. But Phil's announcement is good news - I always resented my US and Australian relatives being subjected to huge queues when the fast lanes weren't available for them.
Oct 30, 2018, 5:12 am
#10
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Does anyone know WHEN this momentous event is expected to take place? We have a relative whose registered traveller renews on 23rd Nov. He wants to know if he should renew it or not.
Oct 30, 2018, 5:21 am
#11
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Oct 30, 2018, 9:07 am
#12
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Around or some months after the time of a possible hard BREXIT. So 2019, not 2018; and probably aimed for on or before the peak summer travel of 2019. It shouldn’t take much to just flip on the switch for a handful of countries whose passports are also aligned with the US-demanded US VWP “security” and readability standards.
Nov 1, 2018, 4:00 pm
#13
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What's the definition of "eligible travellers"? Hopefully this is implemented before my renewal date!
From summer 2019, eligible travellers from Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand and the United States will be able to use the ePassport gates at 14 ports, both in the UK and at Eurostar terminals at Brussels and Paris.
Nov 2, 2018, 4:36 am
#14
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Probably "passengers with a passport that can use e-gates". Not every passport can use the e-gates (e.g. older non-biometric ones). I'm sure that they'll release additional information before implementing the changes.
Nov 5, 2018, 5:43 am
#15
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Great news. It has always been irritating that Commonwealth visitors had to go through the long lines while EU residents slipped in with ease. I also believe Canada should extend the same e-gate privileges to other Commonwealth countries in return.