Any Assistance on Getting a Refund for Flights and Accommodation to Hawaii Due to Not Getting Approved for a ESTA Permit?

Hi,

Long story short, I applied for ESTA for my trip to Hawaii early July. And so I was denied a permit to travel to the U.S under ESTA because I travelled to Iraq back in 2013 (During the application process, it asked if I travelled to a list of countries after 2011. One being Iraq).

Now that my ESTA has been denied, I was told that I had to apply for a VISA through the normal process. Next problem on the list, the timeframe for us to get a VISA isn't going to be before our trip which is in under 30 days.

So what I'm asking is whether there's a way to get a refund for our flights and accommodation due to not getting a permit or VISA on time?

Flights was purchased through Jetstar and accommodation was done through Airbnb.

If there's no possible way, then I'll just have to learn from my mistake lmao

Kind regards.

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Comments

  • +13

    I'm not sure why you're asking randoms instead of looking at the T&Cs for your bookings and contacting Jetstar & Airbnb to check the cancellation rules on your specific bookings.

    Maybe you have flight tickets that can be cancelled or can at least change dates or take a smaller than 100% cancellation fee hit. Maybe the AirBNB you booked has flexible cancellations 1 week or 2 weeks or 3 weeks before arrival. Maybe something to do with COVID. We don't know what you booked…

    If your question is asking if there's a direct get-out-jail-free card for refused visa or waiver, then, no. It's nothing to do with them and remains your responsibility to arrange.

  • If it's a starter fare you can't unless they change the flight by more than 3 hours. You can change the date of your trip for a cost. Airbnb you may have better luck there. Travel insurance is the best bet.

  • +2

    Jetstar probably say that visa is your prob not theirs but perhaps try and convert the flights to somewhere you can go? (Iraq?)

  • +1

    What did Jetstar and AirBNB say when you contacted them?

    • +9

      All our operators are busy at the moment, please lodge you request with ozbargain and we'll get back to you.

  • It is your responsibility to sort out your documents, not the airlines. Unless you've booked a flexi ticket that can be changed or pay a change fee where they allow it, you're pretty screwed.

  • +1

    So what I'm asking is whether there's a way to get a refund for our flights and accomadation due to not getting a permit or VISA on time make my problem someone else's problem?

    FTFY.

  • -1

    If only Jetstar and AirBNB had websites to answer these questions…

  • Head back to iraq for a visit

    • Bagdad is a lovely place. Good to drive through but not much else.

      • A lot of places closed for renovations.

  • +1

    https://www.cbp.gov/travel/international-visitors/visa-waive…

    “ESTA applications may be submitted at any time prior to travel, though it is recommended that travelers apply as soon as they begin preparing travel plans or prior to purchasing airline tickets.…”

    Maybe if not refundable you can sell the bargain(?) tickets covering the cost of name change.
    Just a thought.

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