Travelling - Confusing!

CliffyBiro · 21 Dec 2011 at 11:46

Hey guys. Travelling to the US in January and with it being the first time I've left the country, I have little clue as to how the airline process works.

First thing's first. ESTA visa waiver has been completed online and I've got myself a shiny new Irish passport.

Flight has been booked using e-tickets which apparently mean I just need my passport and debit card I used to pay when I check in?

How about things I'm allowed to bring? The first bag is free apparently. Do carry-on bags have to be paid for? I was planning on taking a messenger bag containing my laptop, kindle and a small deodorant of some kind, which I know might be an issue.

Anything else I need to know?

Ta.

Glaucus · 21 Dec 2011 at 11:49

Carry on bag is free, but check size limit, deodorant will be no go.
But again full list of banned items can be found on the airports website.

And carry on bag size will be in T&Cs for your purchase or in FAQ on the flights website.

CliffyBiro · 21 Dec 2011 at 11:59

Do the restrictions differ between airports?

I've got to get a connecting flight in New Jersey on to Texas.

The flights are all with Continental Airlines.

Glaucus · 21 Dec 2011 at 12:00

skippi90 said:
Do the restrictions differ between airports?

I've got to get a connecting flight in New Jersey on to Texas.

The flights are all with Continental Airlines.

I expect they are all similar, but that'll be an internal flight, so may be different. But worth checking on the website.

Is it Newark?
If so here's the list
http://www.panynj.gov/airports/ewr-travel-information.html

CliffyBiro · 21 Dec 2011 at 12:01

Glaucus said:
I expect they are all similar, but that'll be an internal flight, so may be different. But worth checking on the website.

Awesome, thank you.

As far as being allowed into the country is concerned, I'm good with just the waiver process, right?

Glaucus · 21 Dec 2011 at 12:04

Yep, well that's all I done.

[TW]Fox · 21 Dec 2011 at 12:05

You don't even need the debit card to check in with an e-ticket. Just your passport.

Glaucus · 21 Dec 2011 at 12:06

[TW]Fox;20846190 said:
You don't even need the debit card to check in with an e-ticket. Just your passport.

What I don't get, is on the booking forms, it says you must provide card you use to book at checkin. But that never happened.
So why say it.

HummuH1 · 21 Dec 2011 at 12:07

skippi90 said:
Awesome, thank you.

As far as being allowed into the country is concerned, I'm good with just the waiver process, right?

You need to check if you can enter the USA using the Visa waiver programme. Check the US embassy website.

If you can't (any form of criminal record for example, even minor offences) you'll need to visit the embassy and get a Visa.

[TW]Fox · 21 Dec 2011 at 12:10

Glaucus said:
What I don't get, is on the booking forms, it says you must provide card you use to book at checkin. But that never happened.
So why say it.

How would they even know which card was used if you purchased through a third party booking agent anyway, its just bizarre they tell you that.

Glaucus · 21 Dec 2011 at 12:12

[TW]Fox;20846249 said:
How would they even know which card was used if you purchased through a third party booking agent anyway, its just bizarre they tell you that.

Good point, but that's what my Aus tickets said, which was a pain as I changed banks and then they didn't even check.

CliffyBiro · 21 Dec 2011 at 12:18

Nice one guys.

CliffyBiro · 21 Dec 2011 at 12:22

One comment on the whole experience so far...

UK Passport applied for in October. Numerous additional documents requested and lost. Cancelled request early December.

Irish Passport applied for in early December using same documents as initial UK application. Passport received in 9 days.

Thank God for being able to claim both nationalities in Northern Ireland...

AGD · 21 Dec 2011 at 12:24

Remember, don't talk to strangers.

cm1179 · 21 Dec 2011 at 12:32

and don't **** with texas!

Scuzi · 21 Dec 2011 at 12:33

[TW]Fox;20846190 said:
You don't even need the debit card to check in with an e-ticket. Just your passport.

Some US airlines require this randomly as a security check. I was almost refused travel once as I could not produce the payment card at check-in. I had to cause a lot of fuss before I had a boarding pass issued. UA/CO can and sometimes do ask you to produce the payment card at check-in. If you booked direct with UA/CO it will usually say in bold red text at the bottom of your reservation email if they require the card to be produced.

Mr.Fantastic · 21 Dec 2011 at 12:34

Also don't eat yellow snow.

Scuzi · 21 Dec 2011 at 12:37

skippi90 said:
Do the restrictions differ between airports?

I've got to get a connecting flight in New Jersey on to Texas.

The flights are all with Continental Airlines.

"3-1-1" is the US rule. 3oz liquid or gel containers in a 1 quart clear ziploc bag and 1 bag per passenger. Also, you will have to clear airport security in EWR after clearing immigration so if you buy something from duty free before travelling or on the aircraft, which doesn't fall into these regulations, you'll lose it unless you can get it into your checked bag before re-checking it after immigration.

CliffyBiro · 27 Dec 2011 at 05:10

Thought of something else.

Do you need to go through the whole check-in process again for connecting flights?

KaHn · 27 Dec 2011 at 05:58

Depends on the airport, some will allow you to just transfer with out going through check in again if they have secure joint terminals, others wont.

KaHn