2 things about ESTAs

1. They're free - for now - but they might not be for much longer. There's daft talk afoot in the US Senate of charging for ESTAs to increase tourism marketing. And quite soon. Basically a new tourism tax at a time of recession. Just crazy. This is a succinct explanation of the politics of the new tax from Travel Weekly earlier this month:

US hopes for travel funding boost

(09 November 2009)
The US could receive its first boost in tourism funding for years if the Travel Promotion Act (TPA) is passed by the Senate as expected.

The much vaunted act has been beset by delays since it was first raised in 2008, but US Travel Association president Roger Dow is confident it will be passed by the end of the year. It passed through the House of Representatives last week with more than 300 votes in favour.

The TPA will see a $10 levy charged on the new ESTA electronic visa waiver system, to be matched by private sector partners. It is expected to raise $200 million for tourism promotion in key and emerging markets, although it remains an unpopular move with the UK trade.

If the bill is passed by the Senate as expected, a board of 12 industry partners will be selected by the US Secretary of Commerce, to be drawn from the accommodation, airline, theme park and attraction sectors.

"It will be a public-private partnership, so the eventual board will have to decide how the money is spent," said Dow.

Funding will be available from 2011 at the earliest, he added, to be split proportionally among its largest visitor markets.

ESTA - the electronic system for travel authorisation - was due to come into force this year but was delayed to allow airlines and consumers more time to comply with the online registration. It will eventually replace the I-94 green card, but both systems are likely to remain in use until the end of 2010.

http://www.travelweekly.co.uk/Articles/2009/11/09/32332/wtm-us-hopes-for-travel-funding-boost.html


2. Also its easy to miss the real ESTA website. Was struck by this interesting article in the Daily Mirror

GET YOURSELF A FREE ESTA

Heading to New York for Christmas shopping? Remember to use the web to get your ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization). And don't forget that it's free.

Tourists who use the US's Visa Waiver Program must now go online to obtain an ESTA as well as completing the usual green I-94W form on the plane or ship to present at immigration.

But some agents that issue visas are charging up to £27 for the online application.

One Daily Mirror reader, who paid £20, said: "I put 'ESTA' into Google and went into the website at the top of the list.

"It's an official-looking site so I was surprised when I was prompted to type in my credit card details because I'd heard the ESTA was free.

"The application was successful but I have lost £20 and I've put my card details, address, passport number and the dates I am going to be out of the country on a site."

ESTAs became compulsory in January. They are valid for two years or until the traveller's passport expires, whichever comes first, and should be applied for at least 72 hours before travel.

http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/top-stories/2009/11/14/get-yourself-afree-estamate-115875-21821960/

In conclusion don't pay yet and get an ESTA if you're off to the States any time over the next 2 years

More details on how to apply FOC here

http://www.rtwflights.com/travel-visas.aspx#esta