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$49.50 for a guide!!!!

cookiecutter
cookiecutter Posts: 2 Newbie
in Overseas holidays & travel planning
I applied for the ESTA's for our family, but only manged to get 2 out of 3 done before the site crashed, however, I got the application number and "authorization pending" status for 2 of us. Now I can't get past the page on their website to update my application, where I have to buy the application guide for $49.50. am I doing something wrong? or looking in the wrong place, has anyone else had problems after the 7th September ESTA rush?

Comments

  • cubegame
    cubegame Posts: 2,042 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper
    cookiecutter wrote: »
    I applied for the ESTA's for our family, but only manged to get 2 out of 3 done before the site crashed, however, I got the application number and "authorization pending" status for 2 of us. Now I can't get past the page on their website to update my application, where I have to buy the application guide for $49.50. am I doing something wrong? or looking in the wrong place, has anyone else had problems after the 7th September ESTA rush?


    You're on the wrong site.

    http://www.computeractive.co.uk/computeractive/news/2267926/embassy-urges-uk-travellers

    https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov/ is the correct site. I would imagine you have entered your details on a spoof site and do not have an ESTA, but I hope I'm wrong. Being set on Authorization pending is unusual. They are instant in 99.99% of applications.

    The spoofers are very clever. I have seen one site which was even faking being busy on the 7th!!
  • photome
    photome Posts: 16,685 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Bake Off Boss!
    Agree with Cube you are on the wrong site ESTA is free!!, not sure about that percentage being approved instantly though, its a bit high
  • izzitme
    izzitme Posts: 413 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 100 Posts Name Dropper
    photome wrote: »
    Agree with Cube you are on the wrong site ESTA is free!!, not sure about that percentage being approved instantly though, its a bit high

    Not free since 7th September. Now $14 each person. This money is used to help promote tourism :doh:
    Going down the Oteley Road to see the Shrewsbury aces! :T
  • photome
    photome Posts: 16,685 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Bake Off Boss!
    izzitme wrote: »
    Not free since 7th September. Now $14 each person. This money is used to help promote tourism :doh:


    Oh yes I forgot about the fee....sorry. No need to buy a guide though
  • cookiecutter
    cookiecutter Posts: 2 Newbie
    thankyou,
    fortunately, my details were originally put into the real website, as my status is now "authorised" according to the site you linked me to.
    I was worried that my details were sent to a fake site. but all seems ok now.
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