Airline tickets - posted or can be picked up at airport?

busenbust

I am thinking of booking a direct flight from London HR to San Francisco using expedia (see link). The trouble is I am living in temp. accommodation at the moment. I have my passport with me, so that's ok, but is is necessary that the airline tickets have to be posted to my actual residence (I can't pick up the post) or can I possibly pick up the tickets at the airport? Thanks all for your help:)

http://www.expedia.co.uk/pub/agent.dll?qryt=1&tovr=-1294597293&ps3u=

ferf1223

I haven't had a paper ticket posted to me in many, many years...most are e-tickets when purchased online - you print it out and take it to the airport.

malkie76

Few airlines issue paper tickets. Your best option would be an e-ticket which is paperless. Do you need a paper ticket for some reason ?

busenbust

Fantastic! Thanks both, even better! No, I don't need a paper ticket, I just thought (mistakenly) one needed one. As for documents, is all I need my passport?? I don't need a Visa etc? Thanks.

malkie76

You'll get issued with a visa waiver when you enter the US (assuming you are going on holiday that's all you'll need).

So, yes, all you need is a passport with at least 6 months left and you'll get into the US. You'll need to complete an ESTA (google it), and also give your airline advance passenger information (ie passport number etc)

Basically turning up at the airport with your passport is all the airline will need to pull out your booking reference and check you in - however you may wish to check-in online to (a) get the best seats on your flight if you haven't selected already, and (b) avoid check in queues at the airport and use the bag drop facility.

ferf1223

for ESTA - it's free...some results on Google (the sponsored links) will charge you...be sure not to use them.

The official site is - https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov

Edited to add you're supposed to apply for ESTA at least 72 hours before your flight - but it's good for 2 years, so it can be done in advance.

Agree about online check-in - no reason not to do it if it's an option. Most airlines allow you to print your boarding pass after checking in online too.

busenbust

Thanks both! You have been both fantastic! For personal reasons, I have never been able to go abroad much, so pardon my naivety. My current passport is 'clean': never been marked; would that be considered a problem or unusual??

And thanks for the esta link; I had no idea of such a thing. More than likely, I would have been turned back otherwise without completing!

ferf1223

I doubt you will have a problem with a 'clean' passport...even people who travel loads have to have them replaced every 10 years and start fresh with an unstamped passport after all...and plenty of people aren't able/don't travel...so I wouldn't worry about that at all.

You'll most likely have to fill out a green form on the plane which will include info on your hotel in the US - so be sure to have the address handy on the plane so you can fill it out correctly - they will send you to the back of the queue if you haven't. They'll also have you fill out a form on the plane regarding what goods you may be bringing into the US to leave there, etc.

Just be sure you've checked things like baggage allowance, check in times and what you can and cannot carry on board in your hand luggage - the limitation on liquids can catch people out if they don't travel much, so worth looking at. Your airline's website will have plenty of info about this sort of thing.

busenbust

^Thanks for that info too ferf, really kind of you. I am actually travelling alone, so if I don't have a specific hotel pre-booked will that be a problem?? Thanks.

I had no idea there would be such a large amount of paperwork!

Bella_Wilfer

If you are buying dollars here and are in london/edinburgh, you can usually negotiate a (very!) good rate with the small foreign exchange kiosks (lots near victoria, oxford st, paddington, etc.). They will generally discount the rate to save themselves the cost of changing the dollars to pounds. Ask them what their best rate is and try to look as if you are prepared to go elsewhere. It works!

Caz3121

If you are looking at Expedia for flights it may be worth looking at flight+hotel there are some great deals and when we did New York we saved loads compared to booking them seperately