Kid got a new passport two weeks ago - can’t check in because no ESTA?

[Anonymous]

We are flying out of IAD tomorrow. Bought the ticket a year ago on my kid’s old passport. Well, we had to renew his passport because it’s expiring soon.

I just went to check in to my flight and it’s says:

CHILDS NAME
“Sorry, it is not possible to check in because we cannot find an ESTA or visa associated with this passport number. Please check the passport number and try again. If you used an old passport to apply for your ESTA, please request a new ESTA. If you used an old passport to apply for your visa, please go to the airport check-in desk and make sure to bring both your current passport and your old passport. [014.001]”

Will there be any issues getting on our flight?

[Anonymous]

Doesn’t look like your kid will be joining you on this trip

[Anonymous]

Wait, what’s an ESTA? Are you foreign nationals?

[Anonymous]

Have you received your old passport back yet?

[Anonymous]

Where are you going specifically and did you apply for the visa?

[Anonymous]

Did you get your visa?
Where are you going?

[Anonymous]

US citizens don’t need ESTAs at least yet, so something doesn’t compute

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Wait, what’s an ESTA? Are you foreign nationals?

Nope we are US citizens. This is a foreign airline (KLM).

I will call the airline.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Where are you going specifically and did you apply for the visa?

American citizens flying IAD-AMS-ZRH
None of us had to get visas.

The only thing I can think of is that I gave my minor child’s old passport details when we bought the ticket last year. And then I uploaded photos of all our new passports into the KLM app yesterday (per their instructions).

Like I said, his new passport is only two weeks old. We have his old passport in our possession.

[Anonymous]

Just bring evening to airport.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Where are you going specifically and did you apply for the visa?

American citizens flying IAD-AMS-ZRH
None of us had to get visas.

The only thing I can think of is that I gave my minor child’s old passport details when we bought the ticket last year. And then I uploaded photos of all our new passports into the KLM app yesterday (per their instructions).

Like I said, his new passport is only two weeks old. We have his old passport in our possession.

Did you change the passport info in the reservation? Do that before checking in.

Worst comes to worst you will have to check in with an agent at the airport.

This doesn't make sense because ESTA is a program for foreigners coming into the US. Has nothing to do with someone going to the EU.

The similar program for entering the EU, ETIAS, isn't in effect yet until the 4th quarter

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Where are you going specifically and did you apply for the visa?

American citizens flying IAD-AMS-ZRH
None of us had to get visas.

The only thing I can think of is that I gave my minor child’s old passport details when we bought the ticket last year. And then I uploaded photos of all our new passports into the KLM app yesterday (per their instructions).

Like I said, his new passport is only two weeks old. We have his old passport in our possession.

Did you change the passport info in the reservation? Do that before checking in.

Worst comes to worst you will have to check in with an agent at the airport.

This doesn't make sense because ESTA is a program for foreigners coming into the US. Has nothing to do with someone going to the EU.

The similar program for entering the EU, ETIAS, isn't in effect yet until the 4th quarter

I waited on hold for 20 minutes and got through the customer service. They tried to check me in over the phone and it said their systems would not allow them to do so. They then said that they’d want to do an enhanced document review at the time of check-in at the airport. No clue why it gave me that weird message about ESTA, seems to be some sort of weird glitch on KLM’s side.

The only reason I posted was because I was worried about ESTA and did not think it would apply. Crisis averted? I hope.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Where are you going specifically and did you apply for the visa?

American citizens flying IAD-AMS-ZRH
None of us had to get visas.

The only thing I can think of is that I gave my minor child’s old passport details when we bought the ticket last year. And then I uploaded photos of all our new passports into the KLM app yesterday (per their instructions).

Like I said, his new passport is only two weeks old. We have his old passport in our possession.

Did you change the passport info in the reservation? Do that before checking in.

Worst comes to worst you will have to check in with an agent at the airport.

This doesn't make sense because ESTA is a program for foreigners coming into the US. Has nothing to do with someone going to the EU.

The similar program for entering the EU, ETIAS, isn't in effect yet until the 4th quarter

I waited on hold for 20 minutes and got through the customer service. They tried to check me in over the phone and it said their systems would not allow them to do so. They then said that they’d want to do an enhanced document review at the time of check-in at the airport. No clue why it gave me that weird message about ESTA, seems to be some sort of weird glitch on KLM’s side.

The only reason I posted was because I was worried about ESTA and did not think it would apply. Crisis averted? I hope.

I'll bet it's just a technical issue because the passport you checked in with doesn't match the one saved in the reservation.

I am sure an agent at the airport can take care of it.

[Anonymous]

Good luck

[Anonymous]

Get there in plenty of time.