Valid ESTA for US, but not allowed to check-in Online
I have an ESTA for the US, valid until Mar 20, 2020. I have confirmed the ESTA is still valid on the U.S. Customs and Border Protection site. However, the airline I have a flight booked with will not allow me to check in online due to not having a valid ESTA/VISA/etc.
Does this mean I'm not going to be allowed on the flight or is it simply a problem with the online check-in? And if I'm allowed on the flight, should I expect issues on arrival in the US?
Best Answer
I couldn't check in online a couple weeks ago because I was selected for extra screening (Secondary Security Screening Selection ). I think that's what's probably also happening to you. You can simply check in at the airport.
From what I can tell, a few people on each flight to the US are selected this way. I asked the gate agent and the selection is supposedly random, which might not be completely true from what I read online e.g. your name matches with someone on a no-fly list, you have a one-way ticket or similar things can supposedly trigger it. The screening itself is actually pretty benign. They swiped my carry on and shoes for explosives. It was probably about 3 mins overall. (I flew out of FRA).
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Can I check online if my ESTA is still valid?
Checking if your ESTA is still valid is relatively straightforward. You can use the ESTA online checking service, inputting your passport number and date of birth to retrieve your details.How do you check if my US ESTA is still valid?
To check your ESTA status, go to the ESTA homepage and click "Check Existing Application" and then "Check Individual Status". On the next screen, enter the passport number, date of birth, and application number.Does ESTA count as US visa?
No. An approved ESTA is not a visa. It does not meet the legal or regulatory requirements to serve in lieu of a U.S. visa when a visa is required under U.S. law. Individuals who possess a valid visa will still be able to travel to the United States on that visa for the purpose for which it was issued.Is my ESTA still valid Covid?
After it has been granted, your ESTA will be valid for two years, unless your passport expires earlier. Within this period, you may travel to the USA an unlimited number of times. Each stay in the US may not exceed 90 days. You can apply for your ESTA even before you have booked your trip.How can you check if your ESTA is still valid?
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Answer 2
I had the same problem last year. When we got to the check in desk they first assumed we didn't have our ESTA. After we convinced them our ESTA was in order we spent over 30 minutes waiting while the attendant made calls. In the end everything worked out but I would recommend reserving a bit more to check in.
Answer 3
It's totally, 100%, normal that airline web systems say "You cannot check in online".
Quite simply, you just check in "at the desk" at the airport, like in the old days.
There is absolutely nothing to worry about.
It literally means:
the check-in agents need to eyeball your documents before they can stamp you DOCS-OK.
That's all it means, nothing else.
Answer 4
I don't think I ever have been able to check-in online when going to USA. To be able to check-in I needed to provide an address for where I was staying the first night, I think that is a US requirement before check-in, and the online check-in didn't have support for that. The check-in automates at the airport have support for adding address, and the check-in at the counter have support for that to.
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