MSE News: Esta site struggling ahead of new US tourist tax

luci

Anyone who hasn't heard about the ESTA and the impending charge before today must have been living under a rock.

The ESTA has been a requirement since January 2009 and it has been mooted since the beginning of the year that they would start charging for it.

As soon as the charge was announced on 6 August it was posted on this site as a news item, was on the BBC news all weekend and Martin mentioned it on several of his many TV appearances.

http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/news/travel/2010/08/esta-applications-to-cost-from-september

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-10899968

Just because someone only hears about it today doesn't mean that it hasn't been mentioned previously.

leew

Done thank you very much :T

dandydog

Its only taken me 4 hours for two applications, but i have finally done it!

jm0221

Took me about 10mins to do 3, it timed out a few times but just refresh the page. Job done.

VISIT_2

Help! Completed Esta application with no problems and then went on to pay, not accepted due to "INVALID POSTCODE". Have checked postcode, ensured that UK was selected and tried twice more (switched browsers in between) and still the same invalid postcode. Card is valid through 10/10 and funds available. What to do? Thanks

rosgrech

It's hardly surprising but . . . . . . . been struggling for several days to get my application through (should never have left this late, I know, I know) and being constantly told the website was down for maintenance (webspeak for "struggling under pressure" I suspect) . . . . . . GUESS WHAT? . . . . . this morning I can get straight onto the site!! :mad:

Bu**er!

Well done all those that did it weeks ago as well as those who snuck in at the last moment.

Lesson to learn - if Martin says do it - do it NOW!

thommy

eslick wrote: »

at the end of the application or or clicking on the print button it says that you dont need to print a copy and you wont be asked for it.

that is specific to the usa and has actually not been the case. esta is still a mess and there is not a common, working policy across the usa. though there should be.
if you read all of what i've written- we were asked for proof of it for a flight from s america back to miami. we would not have been able to check in without it. the south american airline was adamant that they needed to see proof. you never know where you might get asked for it.....

heronfolder

VISIT wrote: »

Help! Completed Esta application with no problems and then went on to pay, not accepted due to "INVALID POSTCODE". Have checked postcode, ensured that UK was selected and tried twice more (switched browsers in between) and still the same invalid postcode. Card is valid through 10/10 and funds available. What to do? Thanks

When did you try and pay? After 5am today you'd have been asked to pay $14.

Any amount higher than that and you weren't on the official site.

flic2702

I'm planning to travel in California next May-July but have no idea which airline i'll be flying with or where i'll be staying. how can I apply now? Can I even?

luci

Airline details are not required to apply for the ESTA. Only the questions with a red * are mandatory.