<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by steph_goodrum
They can presumably ask for the number though? As (I think it is still the same) the airlines are fined for each person who is refused entry it is in their interests to ensure compliance wherever possible and I would assume that somewhere in the depths of the the Ests application it may say that you have to provide the number to the travel company if asked or something along those lines.
The travel agents have been running the system for Australie for years where they apply for the ETA (costs around £10) so once they are up to speed with the system I'm sure it will seem a lot easier.

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According to the ESTA website...

<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quoterior to boarding, a carrier will electronically verify with the United States Customs and Border Protection that you have an approved travel authorization on file.
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so it seems there will be some way of the airlines checking with ESTA at check-in time that you have valid authorisation. However I'm willing to bet any amount of money that not all airlines have this connectivity (I know that for sure for some of them) so I still think many airlines will push responsibility onto the passenger - check for small print on your tickets soon