US to charge visitors $US10 entry fee

[ShellFish]

Just received this note from the travel agent:

The US visitor numbers are down so they charge those that actually visit ??? Only in the US...

US to charge visitors $US10 entry fee September 11th, 2009

International visitors to the US – including Australians – will be charged $US10 upon entry as part of new legislation introduced in the US Senate. The Travel Promotion Act, was approved in the US Senate this week with lawmakers voting in favour of the scheme 79 to 19.
Visitors to the US under the visa waiver program will be charged $US10 when they complete the Electronic System for Travel Authorisation (ESTA). The levy is expected to be in place by September 30th.
The money raised will be ploughed into the Travel Promotion Fund, which is aimed at boosting visitors.
The move comes as the US tries to reverse a slide in international visitors. The US Travel Association said that since September 11th 2001, the country had seen a 17% decline in its share of international travellers, resulting in the loss of more than 200 000 jobs and nearly $US100 billion in lost visitor spending.
Australian Federation of Travel Agents CEO Jayson Westbury said “I'd hate to think that the Australian government would ever apply that rationale," he said. "If you think about it they're taxing the people who are already rewarding it by visiting."
The Act has also drawn stinging criticism from the European Commission. John Bruton, the EC’s ambassador to Washington said last week: “Only in ‘Alice in Wonderland’ could a penalty be seen as promoting the activity on which it is imposed”.
Source: Travel Today and the Daily Telegraph

[Vet]

Does one pay this tax when transiting thru the US International Transit Lounge to Canada? Does one avoid the tax, and avoid putting cash into United Delta et al, by flying Air Canada directly into Vancouvre?

[Hairfarmr aka FZ]

Kinda weak , but don't **** yer pants yet, nothin ever happens quickly in our system....it's not a done deal yet... it still has to pass the house, then if they pass it needs to go back to commitee to iron out any differences , then the prez has to sign it to make it law, so it's a ways off from it being implemented if it does pass. Hope it doesn't pass, but ya know we gotta pay fer our Jails somehow,.. I doubt it did any good but I let my rep know it's probably a pretty bad idea

[Hairfarmr aka FZ]

this fee is not the Law yet do not pay any travel company the $10.... your TA is not correct, Yet ( I just checked the progress of the proposed legislation , to make sure what I posted above was true) No Fee's Yet and i doubt if it will be Law by Sept 30 ( there are way more important things that are plugging up the works right now, like Healthcare), they may pass this piece of BS but it , and i repeat THIS IS NOT THE LAW , yet, so if your TA is trying to get you to pay now , that $10 isn't going to the US gov it's going into the pocket of your TA, as of now anyhow, so keep up with this piece of Legislation like I said above it has a ways to go before it's on the books...

The U.S. Senate today passed the “Travel Promotion Act,” (S. 1023), a new program said to drive millions of new travelers to the U.S., create jobs and strengthen the economy. The proposed legislation now moves to the House for a vote.

and if you have a Visa there is no extra fee

The “Travel Promotion Act,” will be funded with up to $100 million in private sector contributions and a $10 fee on foreign travelers who do not pay $131 for a visa to enter the United States..

Hope this info helps... as I become aware of more info on this Bills progress I will post it... Cheers

[ 11. September 2009, 02:59 PM: Message edited by: Hairfarmr aka FZ ]

[ShellFish]

Cool - thanks for the update.

[BrumbyJack]

What a **** off, I was going to drive down to skagway then Haines!!!

Will you have to pay it each time you cross the border or just a one off?

[roo]

its 10 dollars- if you can't afford it then you should stay in Aus and go to work. Lots of countries charge an airport tax and Im pretty sure we do too its just hidden in our airfares

[BrumbyJack]

They already charge that, this is just an extra charge.

IIRC they actually used to charge it previously.... I can remember being asked for some fee when leaving the USA when I was younger and saying I have no money (which was true) and they would have to keep me there if they wouldn't let me leave.

I'd had to extend my trip to attend a sporting event that got delayed by a week due to rain... the only time I'd ever seen it rain in LA (after spending 3 months there (1 month x 3 times)!!!).

[ 11. September 2009, 06:36 PM: Message edited by: BrumbyJack ]

[Hairfarmr aka FZ]

please don't stay away... I am sure we can all find some stupid fee that is hidden somewhere on everything related to foreign travel that would peess alot of folks off , but we still tarvel at least th eGov't here is being up front about it, shocker a gov't being upfront when they're about to screw someone...thats a first

[TB]

OMFG, My plans are in ruins. An extra $10.

Sure its a rort but guys Im sure I read that an extra hours sleep adds two to your life.

[Northern Boarder]

Either way, an extra fee or not, this 09/10 Colorado winter is going to heaps better value than Aus skiing....
The EPIC pass alone makes another $10 per head fee a matter of little consequence...

Cant wait.. Vail, beaver creek,A Basin Keystone and Breck,40+ potential ski days on a $599 US pass(Go you good AU$). It makes for a shabby comparison with Australian resorts...

THe US economy will still be getting my money...

[Snow Yeti]

Originally posted by Vet:
Does one pay this tax when transiting thru the US International Transit Lounge to Canada? Does one avoid the tax, and avoid putting cash into United Delta et al, by flying Air Canada directly into Vancouvre? Use your B1/B2 to avoid it smile.gif and yes flying to YVR will avoid it!

[BrumbyJack]

Sure $10 is not much when it's just you, but when it's a family, it does add up. Hence my question is it a one off charge for the 90 entry thing, or at each entry.

I'm not going to let $20 stop me from going to Skagway... but it might change my itinerary a bit.

[Hairfarmr aka FZ]

Still no fee yet and if you already have a Visa the new fee will not apply, and yes I do think it's kinda petty , however i still haven't seen one complaint about rising lift ticket prices.....why all the flackfor the US gov on the fee when there is no outrage when a ski area raises lift ticket prices ???? makes no sense at all..... and again i am opposed to the fee but I must say th ecomplaining is petty as well when some don't seem to worked up about the lift price increases as well (especially when our Econ is so crappy, that's what I'ld be upset about)

[Vet]

Hairfarmer the $10 isn't the issue.

I think the issue is: Trying to attract tourists by taxing tourists seems like something Sir Humphrey Appleby in a comedy show "Yes Minister" would devise.

[Hairfarmr aka FZ]

I know... just can't help myself some times gotta be an a$$....are you ready for a killer Homemade Spaghetti Dinner ??? as i said I'll keep ya'll posted about the progress of this stupid piece of Legislation: here is what I found out today

H.R.2935
Title: To establish a non-profit corporation to communicate United States entry policies and otherwise promote tourist, business, and scholarly travel to the United States.
Sponsor: Rep Delahunt, Bill [MA-10] (introduced 6/18/2009) Cosponsors (71)
Latest Major Action: 7/23/2009 Referred to House subcommittee. Status: Referred to the Subcommittee on Immigration, Citizenship, Refugees, Border Security, and International Law.

still hasen't been voted on in the house so 1 committee still has it, when their done it'll go to the committe above them, then be voted on ...as of now there is no vote scheduled ...

[ 13. September 2009, 09:03 AM: Message edited by: Hairfarmr aka FZ ]

[TB]

Personally I find that since last time I went I have to do this on line visa thingy far more of a PITA. Id happily pay $20 TO NOT BOTHER.

[Vet]

Originally posted by Hairfarmr aka FZ:
i still haven't seen one complaint about rising lift ticket prices..... some don't seem to worked up about the lift price increases as well (especially when our Econ is so crappy, that's what I'ld be upset about) Would you be delighted to pay US prices rather than:

- pay resort entry/parking $30 a day;
- pay a train or "Lost in Space's" Chariot mobile, or a taxi from the car park to a lodge/hotel $34 return;
- pay season pass $1100 for maybe 8-12 weeks;
- ski 2 ft of mostly man made snow
- get 1/2 the lifts open because of poor cover
- queue for what seems an eternity

[Hairfarmr aka FZ]

No action yet on this bill, and none expected anytime soon. here are links to track the bills progress in the House of Reps.. http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bill.xpd?bill=h111-2935 and ... http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/z?c111:H.R.2935.IH:
i will still provide relevant updates as I hear of them... Cheers

[Vet]

Hey Hairfarmr & Taxman, Beno says he's signed up to snowatch.

[Paul Oberin]

Originally posted by Vet:
Hey Hairfarmr & Taxman, Beno says he's signed up to snowatch. He has, I just approved his registration, so he can post now.

[Vet]

posted 19-02-2009 05:21 PM
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Awsome days skiing at Alpine Meadows where Vet was greeted by assistant GM Fern Elufson. Vet had the honour of naming the renamed Boomerang Run and presented Fern with a boomerang blessed by an elder to guarantee dumps. Well it worked. 5 ft feel in a week so, hopefully, the Americans will invite us back every year to do the sacred snow dance.

All day spent skiing off-piste steeps and now totally buggered.


Drive up to Alpine Meadows


Vet with Fern Elufson (Assistant GM Alpine Meadows)


Steep


Steeper


Steepest


Crew overlooking Lake Tahoe

[Vet]

Thanks Paul.

(pity stupid computer pics are smarter than me) ;)

[Hairfarmr aka FZ]

just checked on the Bills progress and there is nothin new ta report on ... it is still languishing in commitee, so I don't expect any action on this trash this year !! so book your trips and don't let em stick ya for the xtra 10 bucks yet.. As i hear anything new ii will post again cheers HF

[Vet]

The $10 is chicken feed when $416US buys 7 nights for a family of 4. That'd would get a single person one 'comfy' bunk for 7 nights at the Mt Buller Youth Hostel.

[Hairfarmr aka FZ]

Vet can't wait to shred when you arrive... got some new(for me) slightly used K2 Seth Viscious they're in great shape and actually haver edges !! something I haven't really had for 3 seasons !! 189cm 130-98-118 mounted w/ marker 12.0 Free bindings,,,... and today KW is supposed to get 2-5 feet of early sesaon snow (which dsoes n't mean they'lll open early but what a start !! the remnants of the monsoon that whacked Japan is dumping on us right now !! and it merged w / a weak alaska low so after all the summer fires I am heading out to watch the House Races in a feww hours .... My bet is that the house on the ridge makes it to the bottom of the ravine before the house that is halfway down the mtn... any takers ???

[skijacski]

Yeti is right, no charge if you have a visa B1B2, cause you already have paid.

[Vet]

Originally posted by Hairfarmr aka FZ:
Vet can't wait to shred when you arrive... got some new(for me) slightly used K2 Seth Viscious they're in great shape and actually haver edges !! something I haven't really had for 3 seasons !! 189cm 130-98-118 mounted w/ marker 12.0 Free bindings,,,... and today KW is supposed to get 2-5 feet of early sesaon snow (which dsoes n't mean they'lll open early but what a start !! the remnants of the monsoon that whacked Japan is dumping on us right now !! :confused: You need edges in powder? Or you've learned how to do turns?

[Vet]

Originally posted by Hairfarmr aka FZ:
Vet can't wait to shred when you arrive... got some new(for me) slightly used K2 Seth Viscious 189cm 130-98-118 mounted w/ marker 12.0 Free bindings,,,... 85 days to go til we start trip #1. Woohoo.

It'll be awesome.

Our airline is shifting times (with as much as adding 12 hours to the flying time) and days of departure. It makes it hard planning ahead. Worse case scenario is a Jeep from LA ($US40 p/d including insurance with nil excess). Besides, we'll be driving from Heavenly on 27th Jan to SF (need a lift?) and then down the coastal road to LA to hook up with people b4 we sail over to Catalina Island.

At Squaw, we're hooking up with an instructor from Buller, and possibly some of the regular patrollers who drink at the Whitt. We'll hook up with Scotty Flynn's ski around group (and I might get to race on their team). And with Noelle and her group.
http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/ii316/velkytatry/SquawSlide09051.jpg
I want to check out Heavenly's steeper bits too. The pics on the website mix nice steep stuff with views to the lake that are truly heavenly.

Must catch up with Kort from Snowatch, Beno & Kaela, and some Aussies staying very close to us at Heavenly.

[ 17. October 2009, 02:01 PM: Message edited by: Vet ]