ESTA Question and KLM Airlines

Posted by Ceidleh (Boston, MA, United States) on 11/10/17 01:43 AM

I booked a ticket with KLM from Boston to Schiphol and had filled out the API in advance as requested online, but it continues to prompt me to also fill out an ESTA at least several days in advance of flying. If I'm a U.S. citizen with a valid U.S. Passport, I don't know why KLM keeps seeking the ESTA information as I thought that was only for foreigners who are traveling into the U.S. under the Visa Waiver Program. So if I've already filled in their API which shows I have a U.S. Passport and reside in the U.S., why would I keep getting this message about the ESTA from KLM?

Anyone else fly recently with KLM and have this occur?

Posted by Jazz+Travels

Chicago

11/10/17 02:00 AM

8126 posts

Call them; sounds like a glitch.
https://www.klm.com/travel/nl_en/customer_support/customer_support/all_about_customer_support/index.htm

Posted by Tim

Stevenson Ranch, CA, USA

11/10/17 02:04 AM

235 posts

It shows up for me too. I'm going there next week on KLM . . .I just blew it off, which may not be phi beta kappa. I'll shoot an email to customer service just to make sure that all is good.

Posted by Chris F

Basel, Switzerland

11/10/17 11:32 AM

8889 posts

It doesn't matter that you are a US citizen, they don't know that until you have filled out the form.
You have to do it twice, once for each flight.
Boston (USA) to Amsterdam it is the the Netherlands government which wants the info.
Returning to Boston (USA) it is the US government.
The two forms may request slightly different information. Possibly you have filled out the form for the first flight (not ESTA, it is EU law), but not for the second.

Posted by Travel Boss

Myrtle Beach, USA

11/13/17 02:46 PM

12313 posts

I think the websites, especially of non US carriers, are programmed to keep reminding people about ESTA requirements.

If you're a US citizen, you don't need to worry about it.

My last three flights have been Wow, Wow and IcelandAir. All three sent me periodice emails to remind me about ESTA. Both websites say, at the start of their ESTA page, that it's not required for US citizens returning home.

ESTA is a big requirement for visitors coming into the US. We require airlines to return passengers, at the airline's expense, to their point of origin if they arrive in the US without having completed ESTA requirements (48 or 72 hours before their flight?). The airlines have a financial stake so they don't want to fly anyone home for free. If you aren't allowed entry, but completed ESTA and other requirements, you get sent home on the first plane - but it's at your own expense.