Travelling to USA without a smartphone

mike004

I am planning to travel to Las Vegas in the USA in January. I am thinking about how I can successfully fill in my Passenger Locator Form (PLF), within 48 hours of my return flight.

Do I need a smartphone to complete this task?

I was hoping to create a PLF before I travelled, and then add the day 2 test reference 48hrs before return. (Though why I can't enter this before I travel is a mystery). But I understand that the PLF website log-in requires a verification code, sent to a phone number.

- I have an old mobile phone, on Tesco mobile. This may not work in the USA.

- I also have a old tablet, with no phone capability.

- Internet cafes are not easy to find in the tourist areas of Las Vegas.

- My vaccination certificate is hard copy. No way I can scan it in easily.

Sandtree

Where are you staying? Surely they will have some form of wifi you can use with your tablet. If not plenty of shops, bars etc do.

[Deleted User]

Of course they will, wifi in Las Vegas is as normal as anywhere else in the world 🤨

CKhalvashi

You should at worst case be able to connect to WiFi to fill in your form. It's not difficult to do, I normally fill mine in while sitting in a coffee shop with a coffee, but just make sure you've written your flight number and test booking reference down, plus have your passport in front of you, as it'll make life easier.

mike004

Yes, the tablet could be used with wi-fi. But doesn't the PLF web site require a phone number, where a verification code is sent by text for 2-factor authentication?

I was planning on filling in 90% of the form before I travel. But I may not be able to subsequently log into the PLF web site without a phone to receive texts.

Sandtree

1) there are apps for that if you really want
2) you have an old mobile phone that can accept the code... it would need to be really ancient not to work in the USA 

emmajones1976

3) maybe its time to accept that the fast pace of modern life is leaving you behind, so bite the bullet and get a new phone?

CKhalvashi

mike004 said:

Yes, the tablet could be used with wi-fi. But doesn't the PLF web site require a phone number, where a verification code is sent for 2-factor authentication?

You should be able to set up an account while still in the UK, which will require e-mail and password login.

TimSynths

Why risk any hassle and anxiety- just get a new (to you) phone. I get mine second hand from Music Magpie.

iphone 7 from approx £100.

Buy cheap refurbished iPhone 7 - Second hand - musicMagpie

Tigsteroonie

emmajones1976 said:

3) maybe its time to accept that the fast pace of modern life is leaving you behind, so bite the bullet and get a new phone?

So people can only travel to the US if they have a smartphone with a data bundle? Hmmmm.

emmajones1976

Tigsteroonie said:

emmajones1976 said:

3) maybe its time to accept that the fast pace of modern life is leaving you behind, so bite the bullet and get a new phone?

So people can only travel to the US if they have a smartphone with a data bundle? Hmmmm.

It clearly helps, otherwise we wouldnt get threads like this.