Esta problems for World Cup fans show ‘advantage’ of booking with agents

A Scottish travel agent says problems faced by some fans travelling to the US for the World Cup demonstrate the value of booking with an agency rather than independently.

 

Joanne Martin, owner of five-branch Lanarkshire agency Love to Travel, was able to help one client whose Esta has been revoked recently, shortly before a family holiday to Florida – by moving the departure date to September.

 

However, some Scottish fans travelling to the US for the World Cup – which kicked off in Mexico yesterday (June 11) – also saw their Estas turned down, with very little time to salvage the situation.

 

The issue was raised in the Scottish parliament on Tuesday, when SNP backbencher Fulton MacGregor (Coatbridge and Chryston) said many fans recently reported their Estas had been “suddenly” revoked by the US government, “forcing them to jump through new hoops or even travel for emergency appointments at the US embassy in London”.

 

Scotland’s First Minister, John Swinney, has asked officials to help fans who have been denied clearance to enter the US to watch the men’s national team compete in the World Cup - being shared between the US, Mexico and Canada - for the first time in almost 30 years.

 

He said some affected fans may be able to apply for a visa through the Fifa priority appointment scheduling system.

 

“I have asked officials to convey our hope that the US can resolve the matter so that Scotland’s fans do not miss out,” he said.

 

“We will do all that we can to help out to resolve these issues.”

 

Scottish secretary Douglas Alexander said on Thursday he was "making representations" on behalf of supporters who had problems with their Esta, according to a BBC report.

 

Alexander said he had spoken to the British ambassador to the United States who is in touch with US authorities.

 

He said: "Thousands of members of the Tartan Army have gone through the US visa system successfully, but we will continue to work with the US authorities to help resolve this issue as quickly as possible."

 

Martin said her client had been due to travel to Florida at the end of next week and had seen his Esta approved in April – but it was revoked last week, with no explanation.

 

With very little time to visit Belfast or London for an in-person interview, the agency was able to work with the tour operator to move the family holiday to September instead.

 

Martin believes one problem for those whose Estas were turned down may have been the photograph that they uploaded.

 

Those using a passport picture instead of taking a new photograph of themselves may have encountered problems – but Love to Travel advises its clients to have their photograph taken in front of a white wall or white background.

 

“Also, because of the football, they [the US authorities] are looking at things such as social media in case there is anything negative,” she added.

 

“Lots of those who are in the Tartan Army will go independently, sorting their flight and accommodation-only.

 

“That’s where the hassle can come – and shows the advantage of booking with us. The ones I have heard of [having problems] are very much independent bookings.

 

“The key message is agents can help.”

 

She said Love to Travel, a member of Advantage Travel Partnership, has made about a dozen bookings for fans heading to the World Cup – but said the tournament has also boosted mainstream holiday sales for the US.

 

“We’ve had a lot going out to Orlando, with the husband getting internal flights to games and mum and the kids staying in Florida,” she said.

 

“It has stimulated the US market; people have wanted to go to the US more.

 

“We have seen a resurgence for New York – from where they can go onto Boston – and Florida.

 

“A lot of fans left this morning from Edinburgh Airport – with bagpipe players and highland dancers waving off the Tartan Army.

 

“It was a phenomenal atmosphere; it was good to see.

 

“We had customers flying out and there were no problems.”

 

Edinburgh Airport expects about 2,000 fans to depart for the US and Canada today, with many flying direct and others via alternative hubs.

 

“It has been busy all week but yesterday and today have been the busiest days,” said a spokesperson.

 

The first Scotland match is on Sunday (June 14) against Haiti in Boston. 

 

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