VS been a bit naughty with ESTA applications

[mitchja]

Just noticed on the Latest News section of the VS website; the bit that mentions ESTA changes (which is now mandatory), the text has now changed slightly.

At the bottom of the text it goes on to say:

quote:Virgin Atlantic has partnered with CIBT, the global visa and passport professionals where you can determine your eligibility and to apply for an ESTA or a formal US visa.

Alternatively, you can obtain your ESTA by visiting the U.S. Government website.

Visit CIBT now

The thing is, if you click the link to the CIBT website, they offer to complete ESTA for you for 20+VAT.

We all know it's free to apply for ESTA (which the first link VS provide takes you to the official ESTA website) but something to be careful of, so avoid that second link.

Shame of you VS for potentially mis-leading your pax into believing they have to pay for ESTA [n]

The cynic is me wonders is VS are getting a commission for every pax they send to the CIBT website?

Regards

quote:Originally posted by mitchja
Just noticed on the Latest News section of the VS website; the bit that mentions ESTA changes (which is now mandatory), the text has now changed slightly.

At the bottom of the text it goes on to say:

quote:Virgin Atlantic has partnered with CIBT, the global visa and passport professionals where you can determine your eligibility and to apply for an ESTA or a formal US visa.

Alternatively, you can obtain your ESTA by visiting the U.S. Government website.

Visit CIBT now

The thing is, if you click the link to the CIBT website, they offer to complete ESTA for you for 20+VAT.

We all know it's free to apply for ESTA (which the first link VS provide takes you to the official ESTA website) but something to be careful of, so avoid that second link.

Shame of you VS for potentially mis-leading your pax into believing they have to pay for ESTA [n]

The cynic is me wonders is VS are getting a commission for every pax they send to the CIBT website?

Regards



[V]

That's terrible! OK, the free link is there, but why not 'say' that you do not need to pay via this link.

Of course VS are getting a commission. I just clicked on the link and it says

'Welcome Virgin Atlantic Traveller'

so obviously they know who had used the link.

It's one thing to offer pax this 'service' but it is disgusting and in my mind totally unecceptable that VS do not mention the charges on the VS site !

Even on CIBT the 20 charge is not mentioned until you click on the 'start an esta' box.

[n][n][n] and [V][V][V] to VS !

I agree, that is terrible. We should all complain and also add comments on all their facebook updates about this practice.

Did BBC Watchdog not do an item some months ago about these rip-off ESTA application sites?

That would not do VS any good getting that sort of publicity!

[mitchja]

It's not like your going to gain anything by applying via the CIBT website either.

You still have to provide exactly the same information (not forgetting your credit card number as well)

Regards

another big problem I've found on check-in with these sites where you have to pay is that they do not clear you for travel instantly where as the proper website does.
people are STILL (!) turning up to check-in not having a clue what this whole ESTA thing's about and are having to complete them at the airport, going on the wrong site, coming at the very last bit of check-in and it's not cleared them.
we have been overriding them, however I'm sure this is because the green forms are still being used and as soon as they're gone that won't be done.
not to mention the dirty look you get when you tell pax it's actually free and they went onto the wrong website!

If I remember correctly the media complaint was that the rip-off site simply transferred the entries automatically to the ESTA site - collected 20 for doing absolutely nothing!

[buns]

To add insult to injury, the Sunday Times today reported that the US Government have moved a step closer to charging $10 for each ESTA application[:0]

There is even a possibility that it will be in by the end of 2009[:(!]

We all know that confusion will get worse - even if the EU retaliate by introducing a visa for US citizens to come here

buns

quote:Originally posted by buns
To add insult to injury, the Sunday Times today reported that the US Government have moved a step closer to charging $10 for each ESTA application[:0]

There is even a possibility that it will be in by the end of 2009[:(!]

We all know that confusion will get worse - even if the EU retaliate by introducing a visa for US citizens to come here

buns



The US were always going to charge - it was just free in the interim changes.

Just done a search - it may have been on BBC radio rather than TV according to ESTA Scam sites! Have you been Scammed?

Not good that VS are 'partnering' themselves with what many regard as a scam!

What the bean-counters will do just for a few extra !

I am shocked that VS appear to be profiting by deliberately offering misleading information that results in a 20 charge for a service that they know can be received just as easily for free. They need to resolve this immediately.

[Scrooge]

quote:Originally posted by locutus
I agree, that is terrible. We should all complain and also add comments on all their facebook updates about this practice.


Done

quote:Originally posted by buns
To add insult to injury, the Sunday Times today reported that the US Government have moved a step closer to charging $10 for each ESTA application[:0]

There is even a possibility that it will be in by the end of 2009[:(!]

We all know that confusion will get worse - even if the EU retaliate by introducing a visa for US citizens to come here

buns


Doen't affect me, but honestly Buns, the bigger prayer is that the US does not start matching the EU on fees.

quote:Originally posted by Scrooge
Doen't affect me, but honestly Buns, the bigger prayer is that the US does not start matching the EU on fees.




Doesnt effect me either and I agree eith you about other fees maybe coming our way [:?]

Interesting to see the US Embassy comment about the safety of such sites in the Sky News report about other ESTA application websites

[Nottingham Nick]

That is just poor - yet another indication that the beancounters have well and truly taken over the asylum.

Nick

quote:Originally posted by locutus
I agree, that is terrible. We should all complain and also add comments on all their facebook updates about this practice.


Just became a 'fan' of VS on facebook and, like James, have posted a comment.

[Scrooge]

What did the US embasy say ?

[Darren Wheeler]

I've put the Embassy comments on the page.

[Scrooge]

Just saw it, I predict that there will be no responce from VS to it, there is nothing they can really say and they never admit they were wrong on there.

quote:Originally posted by Scrooge
Just saw it, I predict that there will be no responce from VS to it, there is nothing they can really say and they never admit they were wrong on there.


No, but they can quietly remove it from their web page or update the wording. Or just delete the facebook comments.

How many people complaining on here about this shameful practice have actually complained on the Virgin 'feedback' site ? They couldn't ignore a few dozen complaints from us could they ?

[mitchja]

The standard VS boiler plate response from VS now posted on FaceBook!!

Regards

[Scrooge]

Yeah, they proved me wrong, but that reply is really just asking for a not so nice reply from someone [:I]

EDIT: Damn you people are quick [^]

[Nottingham Nick]

Wording has now been changed, but the original idea to make money leaves a bitter taste IMHO.

Nick