Flying PR (Philippine Airlines) to Guam

[Scarlett]

Figured I should record this somewhere here on AFF for posterity: PR refused to check us in for SYD-MNL-GUM in J this morning as we didn't have US ESTAs. They just flat out refused as 'computer says no'.

After about 30mins tapping on phones we had the necessary ESTAs approved and could be checked in, probably as check-in was closing and not before significant concern that we were going to miss the outbound leg of our holiday.

BUT, I'd researched this fact and it's written clearly in black and white on multiple websites: US Embassy in Australia; US Customs and Border protection and on DHS. All of these websites talk about how the Guam and CNMI Visa Waiver Program (of which Australia is one of 12 eligible countries) is DIFFERENT to the generic USA VWP and DOES NOT require an ESTA.

There is also anecdotal evidence from other sites on the web noting that AUS travellers didn't need an ESTA flying UA and a different airline which I can't recall ATT (may have been China Airlines).


Therefore, anyone flying PR to Guam (and Saipan as well I'd guess) from Australia would be advised to get an unnecessary ESTA to ensure they can be checked in. I've copied and pasted the relevant sections into an email and will be firing it off to as many PR management email addresses as I can find to see if they'll change their system, but noting other commentary here and elsewhere on the web about dealing with PR, I suspect I'll be ignored.

On a brighter note, the A340 out of SYD was fine in J: attentive crew, decent food options and although an older style seat, more than comfortable enough for the 7 hours SYD-MNL sector. The in-seat entertainment system didn't work so ipad minis were handed out to all pax in J to allow connection to the myPAL inflight wifi streaming of entertainment. The Mabuhay lounge here in MNL terminal 2 is nothing to write home about, but much better than out in the terminal. Now for the A321 in J overnight...

 

[MEL_Traveller]

PR has a dedicated web page for entry to GUM: https://www.philippineairlines.com/...ly/SpecialHandling/Guam-CNMIVISAWaiverProgram

That page mirrors the entry requirements from TIMATIC which state (for an Australian passport holder):

Visa Exemptions:
Nationals of Australia traveling as tourists or on business under the Guam-Northern Mariana Isl. Visa Waiver program for a maximum stay of 45 days.

• Provided passenger:
  - is holding their own machine-readable passport;
  - is holding a signed Form I-94 (05/08) and Form I-736 (Guam Visa Waiver Information Form, available at US consulates or on board of carriers which have signed the agreement I-760;
  - is holding confirmed onward or return tickets to a country/island other than the USA or the neighboring islands of Guam (e.g. TYO-GUM-SPN not allowed but TYO-GUM-SPN-TYO qualifies), unless holding proof of residence in such country or island, in which case onward/return tickets to that country/island accepted.
  Ticket validity is considered 1 year regardless of fare type:
  - is a non-immigrant;
  - waives any right to protest any action for deportation.

Nationals of Australia with a biometric passport and an Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA). They must travel as a tourist, on business or in transit for a maximum stay of 90 days.
Passengers arriving directly from the US mainland, Alaska, Hawaii, Northern Mariana Isl., Puerto Rico, Samoa (American), Swain Isl. or the Virgin Isl. (US).

Warning:
Visitors must hold a return/onward ticket to qualify for a visa exemption.

So it appears PR ignored their own advice, and the stated entry requirements listed in TIMATIC.