If you’re traveling to the UK this year, there’s a new fee
by Andrew Kunesh, Senior Reporter, Cards & Loyalty
Earlier this month, the United Kingdom started requiring all incoming passengers, including Americans, to apply for a new electronic travel authorization to visit the country.
The ETA is still priced at 10 pounds (about $12) per person, but the government proposed a price increase in response to removing the requirement for transiting passengers. If approved, the ETA would increase in cost from 10 to 16 pounds ($20).
This requirement applies to all visitors, except for transiting passengers, regardless of age, who can travel to the U.K. without a visa.
ETAs are valid for two years but are tied to the passport you hold when you apply, so renewing your passport means you would need to apply for a new ETA. If you are planning on traveling to the U.K. in the next few months, we recommend applying for your ETA at least two weeks in advance. Per the government, it will take up to three business days to process applications.
Be prepared to upload a headshot with your application, though travelers age 9 and under are exempt from this requirement.
Additionally, all passengers departing from the U.K. must pay an Air Passenger Duty, which varies in price based on flight distance and fare type. If you’ve ever wondered why taxes and fees are so much higher on award tickets from the U.K., this is why.
Posts in this newsletter contains references to products from one or more of our advertisers. We may receive compensation when you click on links to those products, and this may impact how or where they appear. For an explanation of our Advertising Policy, visit this page.
With the Flying Blue Promo Rewards promotion, you can book a one-way flight from the U.S. to Europe for only 18,750 miles. Here's what you should know.
As a new status year kicks off at Delta Air Lines, there are lots of changes to keep track of, but new perks and benefits have also hit Delta SkyMiles accounts.
You are receiving this email because you opted in atthepointsguy.com.
Where to find us:
The Points Guy 100 5th Ave., 16th Floor New York, NY 10011 USA USA
If this newsletter was forwarded to you, you can subscribe here.
Advertiser Disclosure:
The cards we feature here are from partners who compensate us when you are approved through our site, and this may impact how or where these products appear. We don’t cover all available credit cards, but our analysis, reviews, and opinions are entirely from our editorial team. Please view our advertising policy and product review methodology for more information.
Editorial Note: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airlines or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.
