Doublecheck then triplecheck your Esta's and API

[Orlando 2004]

Just a reminder to everyone to have another look at their Esta's and API info for any simple mistakes. We completed our Esta's in June and then did the inlaws when we went round one evening. Now I've read on numerous occasions about how you should do them in a quiet room to make sure no mistakes are made. Thought we were safe as between me and dfil we did them together and I thought doublechecked them! All approved and printed ready to go.

Yesterday I saw a post and realised I hadn't done our API yet. Out of luck I asked dmil to send me pics of their passports which I then looked at with the Esta's and that's when I realised our mistake. Somehow we'd managed to put dmil's passport expiry date in for the incorrect day. 😲 Obviously I didn't want to take any risks of the Esta and API information not matching so I then had to redo dmil's Esta. All done now and have checked all the others and think they're right but just a warning to everyone to check again as we may not have realised till we were at the airport.

[Grace87]

What is API? I did an ESTA IN 2013 but never heard of API

[PPM]

API Advace Passenger Information.

You give details of Name Address PP no etc and Address at Destination
This is done either online some time before your flight ( this will depend on Airline you fly with, their website will tell you) . Example VA only let you do it at online check in the day before you fly.
If not online it’s done at the checkin desk on day of flight

[7SeasSailor]

Advance Passenger Information. It can be done at the airport.

[ChrisS]

Originally Posted by Grace87

What is API? I did an ESTA IN 2013 but never heard of API

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Advance passenger information you supply your airline, either in advance, upon online check-in or at check in (VA takes API at OLCI). API requires confirmation of info you may have supplied, such as passport numbers, date of birth, emergency contact. As US immigration take necessary details from supplied API it isn't necessary to flight/accommodation update an ESTA if you travel again within two years. Pre B2 visa we only completed compulsory info on our ESTA's, never flight/accommodation, once approved/used we left well alone

[ChrisS]

Originally Posted by PPM

API Advace Passenger Information.

You give details of Name Address PP no etc and Address at Destination
This is done either online some time before your flight ( this will depend on Airline you fly with, their website will tell you) . Example VA only let you do it at online check in the day before you fly.
If not online it’s done at the checkin desk on day of flight

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Shoot Mannie - you know I'm not fully fit, sneeked in there and got me

[PPM]

Originally Posted by ChrisS

Shoot Mannie - you know I'm not fully fit, sneeked in there and got me

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Bang Bang !

[mattyped]

Anything that doesn't correspond to a active esta they will use from the api anyway as the airline would have allowed you boarding with those correct details.

[Fancealot]

so is the API the same as the old forms you had to fill in on the flight to hand to the immigration desk?

[ChrisS]

Originally Posted by Fancealot

so is the API the same as the old forms you had to fill in on the flight to hand to the immigration desk?

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No Fance, API has always been the airlines info capture, which, airline dependant, they send to the US 72 hours pre-flight or afore the flight departs on the day - whilst they know we're on the way before we do, those are the occasions when one who, for whatever reason, made the 'no fly' list are advised 'you ain't flying'!

The form you mention is the 6059b Customs Declaration which was a tad more geared towards monetary/food imports, closeness to animals (no jokes bout the wife now!) - protection of their environment to ensure unwanted bugs aren't brought in via foodstuffs. That info is now gathered by the IO at his desk which has cut down on a lot of paperwork.