New Guide Discussion: Everyone needs ESTA for US travel

FL

I am travelling to the USA shortly and have ESTAs approved from a previous visit. I have just noticed that they state an old trip I did so the airline and destination are wrong. Do I need to amend these before I go

richardw

Yes, log in and update them.

FL

Has this changed recently as I looked earlier in the thread and it seemed to advise that you didn;t have to

richardw

Log in and see if it allows you to, or just advises no update necessary.

dannny_2

FL wrote: »

the airline and destination are wrong. Do I need to amend these before I go

No.


(seemingly that message is too short, but to the point)

jackieblack

FL wrote: »

I am travelling to the USA shortly and have ESTAs approved from a previous visit. I have just noticed that they state an old trip I did so the airline and destination are wrong. Do I need to amend these before I go

You don't need to, but they advise that you do.
We do, because it only takes a few minutes, it's no hassle and just in case it avoids any potential problems with some 'jobsworth' official.

dannny_2

jackieblack wrote: »

You don't need to, but they advise that you do.

Where?

Advice on CBP website, and it is just advice is

https://help.cbp.gov/app/answers/detail/a_id/1219/~/esta--how-do-i-update-my-travel-information-on-my-esta-application%3F

Is it mandatory or necessary to update my ESTA with my travel/destination information if the information changes or if I use my ESTA for multiple trips?

It is not mandatory to change or update your travel dates, flight information or destination information on the ESTA application. The travel information is optional, and you can leave it blank. If you put in a date and time, and then your plans change, we ask you to correct the information, but you are not required to. Changing your travel plans will not affect your authorization to travel.
If you would like to update your contact or travel information, visit the ESTA webpage and click "Update or Check Status". You will need to have your application number in order to do this. If you have lost it, you may click "Retrieve Your Application Number". Once you retrieve your ESTA you will be able to update the following information:

E-mail address
Telephone number
Carrier Information
City where you are boarding
Address while in the United States

You cannot use the update function to make a change on your passport or biometric information. Biometric information consists of your name, passport number, country of citizenship, and your date of birth.

I cannot see where they advise you to actually update it.

luci

No, you don't "need" to to answer the question asked. Those details are not mandatory. It's personal choice whether you change them or not.

I change ours for a few trips, but now I don't bother and it hasn't been a problem.

ferf1223

my husband has never updated flight/hotel info on his ESTA and has never had any issues...but if anyone is at all concerned you may as well update for any additional peace of mind it might give.

jackieblack

dannny wrote: »

Where?

Advice on CBP

I cannot see where they advise you to actually update it.

Fair enough, maybe the advice has changed since we got our first ESTAs in 2008, when it was voluntary.
I'm sure the advice then was to amend for each trip so we always have. It doesn't cost anything and takes very little time. (I'm one of those people who likes to have all the 'I's dotted and the 'T's crossed, 'just in case')