How long for ESTA approval?

Yes PP said I am sure taxes are automatically refunded if you don't fly.

I have cancelled points only flights before and the full taxes have been refunded back to me. I 'think' you might have to apply for some airlines.

I'll cross my fingers for you OP. There's still hope. 💐

You hear off the odd slip up but last I heard the US fine on the airline was I think over $3000 for each passenger who arrived with incorrect documentation and the hassle of an immediate repatriation..which could really screw things if the aircraft’s return flight was already full.

Hence the airlines being somewhat careful with the checks

I'm surprised it's taking thus long to come through - as others have said, my experience is the ESTA coming through within a couple of hours.

We did an Alaska cruise out of Vancouver in 2019 and, of course, some people had got the Canadian version but not realised they needed the US ESTA - US officials at immigration before we boarded the ship took these people off to an office and got them to apply there and then.

@DaisyAndDonaldDuck yeah alright Captain Obvious. Any other tips? Pre book a flight? Pack clothes?

They don’t need to see anything because they can access the information. When I had an actual visa for the US and therefore didn’t have an ESTA they always had a mild panic at check in because there must ave been a “No ESTA” flag on their system. Even if you got on the plane US immigration would know you didn’t have the right to enter the US and would send you back.

I'm really hoping it comes through OP, if you'd have to book the flights again anyway if it doesn't, is there any nearby country you could fly to today and then get a short haul flight to your location in the USA when the esta comes?

@notimagain I wasn't thinking of anywhere, I wrongly assumed the data would be siloed having heard stories of people getting to the US without ESTAs, it makes sense that it is linked on reflection!

I suppose OP could try remote check in and maybe see if the authorisation is showing their end just perhaps not hers?

I believe that you don’t have to pay taxes if you don’t fly.

I have been told many incorrect things by BA call-handlers in the past. I would call again and try speaking to somebody else.

Exactly! The whole point is its electronic and linked to passport hence when people have new passports they need a new one and there are a lot of posts saying 'f**k had to do an ESTA as I didn't realise it was linked to my old one'

The misinformation on this thread is awful (not you OP and my fingers are crossed) and for any first timers so confusing.
Ideally buy ESTA before flight, just in case of any random issues. But if not apply ASAP. There are plenty of 'I've never had an issue before, I waited so I could get the most of my £14, but now I can't fly as its been declined' posts too.

Please anyone looking at going yo the US please look at their government site and read the info, DO NOT go third party and generally take travel agents advice with a pinch of salt as I've seen awful from them too.

Good luck op. Log out completely, clear cookies etc and log in using passport numbers directly and see if it changes. I'd also go to the airport as they might still arrive. 🤞

I’m not sure whose system you are thinking off but I know where I worked there was a link to the US system.

We used to operate literally dozens of UK> US flights a day and the fines to the airline for non compliance plus the consequences (repatriating pax) if there had been widespread non-compliance was such that that an ESTA compliance was always verified pre-boarding.

I would do a second set of applications. Individually this time.

Hopefully all will come through but If even some of them then come through then you have the option of some family members being able to travel and the additional cost of new flights to get you all there reduces.

Fingers crossed for you.

Oh, fingers crossed for you OP, that’s awful. I hope it comes through in time.

^

This..

No, you don’t get asked to produce magic “ ESTA paperwork” at check in but when the airline staff do the passport check (and one will be done, either at check in desk, bag drop and/or at the jetty head) the possession of an ESTA, or not, is flagged up because the airline has a link to the relevant parts of the US system.

Fingers crossed for you. I would travel to the airport but would warn the kids that there’s a possibility that you might not be able to fly today. I’d also be tempted to reapply individually if you haven’t had them shortly before the time you need to leave. It’s such bad luck for them to be taking this long as you keep hearing stories of them coming through within a few hours.

I’m not preaching. Really it’s a helpful comment for others, not you, because this is exactly why it’s important to sort your ESTAs before you even book your holiday.

Go to the airport and try and check in.

Most check ins can be done remotely digitally now

Mine came through in 90 minutes. I know as I kept both emails and just went back to look at the date/times.

This was last year.

Fingers crossed as it could come through at any moment.

We had to show proof of Estas at airport recently. But there is time! First world problem but thinking of you.

Best of luck to you and your family OP!
All fingers crossed here that they come through juuuuuust in time!✈

An airline won't know if you have had approval (unless it flags in your passport on our systems but I'm pretty sure it doesn't, it's American data), although I can understand them advising not checking in until you have one, it would reflect badly on them knowingly flying you without one. But I think you technically have right up to the moment you land and go to the immigration officer, when they scan your passport is when they will know if you have an ESTA or not.

You don’t have to physically show anything but it’s linked to your passport and you can’t check in without it. You don’t need the full 2 hours though. Bag drop/check in closes usually 45 minutes before then you can sprint through security. So fingers crossed!

Praying it comes through for you! What a nightmare. I imagine you must be beating yourself up over this, but you're only human - you won't be the first and definitely won't be the last to have done this.