Hello
Guest

Sponsored Links


Topic: Need previous ESTA number for booking to US?  (Read 4626 times)

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

  • *
  • Posts: 2868

  • Liked: 1
  • Joined: May 2007
  • Location: Surrey
Need previous ESTA number for booking to US?
« on: January 05, 2010, 09:59:00 AM »
We are hopefully booking our tickets back to the US tonight and DH is saying that he needs the number he was given last time when he registered for the ESTA system, and of course we cant find it.  I'm not convinced... Does anyone know if he need this at the time of booking?

ETA: I know he will need it at least 72 hours before travel at the latest... if we still cant find it, does he just apply again?
« Last Edit: January 05, 2010, 10:02:12 AM by mirrajay »


  • *
  • *
  • *
  • Posts: 26890

  • Liked: 3601
  • Joined: Jan 2007
Re: Need previous ESTA number for booking to US?
« Reply #1 on: January 05, 2010, 10:13:08 AM »
They have an FAQ on the ESTA website:

Question 20:

I Can't Find (or didn't print out) My ESTA Application Number
 
Question:
Can I update my application, get my status, or board a plane if I don't have my authorization number?

Answer:
Due to security/privacy concerns, we are unable to provide application numbers to people who have lost or misplaced them.  If you lost, misplaced, or forgot your application number you will have to re-apply for in order to get another one.  Your old application number will be automatically cancelled and a new one will be generated for you.

If you lost your application number, you will not be able to update your contact or travel information in the system. That number is required to locate your file.  But remember, it is not required for you to update your travel information in ESTA.  Providing that information to us is optional.  So if you have lost your application number and cannot update that information the next time you travel to the U.S., don't worry about it.

You are not required to present a printout of your application number to board your flight.  That number is transmitted electronically to the airlines.

If you are waiting for your approval status to be confirmed, and you did not keep a copy of your application number to log in to see the status, you will have to re-apply. We do not notify applicants of their status (approved or denied) by email.

If you are unable to re-apply, please come back to this FAQ and click on the "Ask a Question" tab at the top of this page, and send us the exact error message. If you do not have an email address for us to respond to you, please use esta@cbp.dhs.gov.  Be sure to give us a phone number where we can contact you to resolve the problem


  • *
  • Posts: 2868

  • Liked: 1
  • Joined: May 2007
  • Location: Surrey
Re: Need previous ESTA number for booking to US?
« Reply #2 on: January 05, 2010, 10:17:42 AM »
So for those of you who UKC who have booked flights to the US recently, do they not ask for this number at the time of booking?


  • *
  • *
  • *
  • Posts: 26890

  • Liked: 3601
  • Joined: Jan 2007
Re: Need previous ESTA number for booking to US?
« Reply #3 on: January 05, 2010, 10:31:38 AM »
So for those of you who UKC who have booked flights to the US recently, do they not ask for this number at the time of booking?

I booked a flight to the US about 3 weeks ago, but unfortunately I'm not eligible for the VWP/ESTA, so I've had to apply for a visitor visa instead. I don't remember being asked for an ESTA number at time of booking though... I would imagine that the majority of people won't get an ESTA number until a few days before flying though, so they wouldn't have a number to enter at time of booking anyway.

I've booked with Continental (Bristol to Newark) and with American Airlines (traveling in continental US and South America) - the Continental website just says that passengers must obtain an ESTA number before travelling and on my American Airlines reservation details it says:

Eligible international passengers traveling to the United States under the Visa Waiver Program must apply for authorization prior to departure through the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. For more information, please visit ESTA. If approved, you are not required to provide American Airlines with proof of this authorization.




  • *
  • Posts: 2868

  • Liked: 1
  • Joined: May 2007
  • Location: Surrey
Re: Need previous ESTA number for booking to US?
« Reply #4 on: January 05, 2010, 10:34:06 AM »
Thank you Ksand.  Looks like I win this husband/wife debate :)


Re: Need previous ESTA number for booking to US?
« Reply #5 on: January 05, 2010, 10:47:39 AM »
When DH & I travelled in November, we had booked in March 09 for the journey & was not asked for the ESTA number. But at the United Check in counter we were asked for the printed confirmation that he had enrolled in ESTA and was cleared for travel on VWP.


  • *
  • *
  • Posts: 6255

  • Liked: 0
  • Joined: Jul 2005
Re: Need previous ESTA number for booking to US?
« Reply #6 on: January 05, 2010, 10:50:20 AM »
So for those of you who UKC who have booked flights to the US recently, do they not ask for this number at the time of booking?

Nope. At least, that wasn't our experience when we booked DH's ticket in November.

And no one said a peep about ESTA either when we checked in for our flight- I suppose the check in agent at the airport could see on her computer whether he had been cleared or not, but she never even mentioned it.
« Last Edit: January 05, 2010, 10:54:05 AM by springhaze »
Now a triple citizen!

Student visa 9/06-->Int'l Grad Scheme 1/08-->FLR(M) 7/08-->ILR 6/10-->British citizenship 12/12


  • *
  • Posts: 2868

  • Liked: 1
  • Joined: May 2007
  • Location: Surrey
Re: Need previous ESTA number for booking to US?
« Reply #7 on: January 05, 2010, 11:39:51 AM »

I suppose the check in agent at the airport could see on her computer whether he had been cleared or not, but she never even mentioned it.

I think this is the case - upon further research, it looks like when your passport is scanned, it will show that the traveller has enrolled.   Thanks everyone.


Sponsored Links





 

coloured_drab