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.
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