he Department of Homeland Security announced Friday that it will begin collecting fees on travellers from Visa Waiver countries beginning Sept. 8, 2010. Travellers will be charged a $14 fee when applying for an Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA).
A portion of the fee will go toward funding the Corporation for Travel Promotion, created by the 2009 Travel Promotion Act.

more........

http://www.eturbonews.com/17737/entr...ists-september



PS
Europeans don't let the US treat you like a criminal at migration first and then pay for their travel promotion!

Collecting an entry fee is truly a non-promotional tool!

How is this any different from the exit fees charged by the UK? And some other countries as well? (Except those are "departure taxes" hidden in the price of the plane ticket.

All major airports now charge fees that are added to ticket prices... this isn't new, its just extra...

Doesn't the UK charge an exit fee?

Perhaps I could refuse to pay and learn to sew mail bags at Wormwood Scrubs, or do prisoners have pleasanter occupations these days?

I think they should charge double for people who complain.

We are going to Turkey in October and they have a $20, exact fare, entrance fee. Cleverly, I will have the money in hand.

The airport is on the European side.

This topic has been mentioned and discussed at least a couple of times. Not invented here.

By your own admission you don't visit the US so why do you bother to bring it up? Spreading a little more of your anti US vitriol?

It's not about dep fees or airport fees - it's as gary stated EXTRA!

Obx - I am terribly sorry, I didn't ask for your approval to post

ado - good for you as 97% of Turkish surface is on Asian territory ;-)
I remind you when you upload your constant rants

You must have had an awful weekend.......

Your reading comprehension is stunted. From gary:

>>All major airports now charge fees that are added to ticket prices... this isn't new, its just extra...

My weekend was fine. If you can afford an airfare from Europe and at least $200 a night in NYC, for can afford the 14 bucks.

there should be an automatic $1 fee to post... people would curtail their needless sniping...

In Mexico you have to pay a fee to exit. On the spot cash. I was ready to return to the US so I turned to my DH and said, "It's on me" as I had saved cash to make sure we had no problems exiting.

If however you like to rag on the US you 'd likely be able to find something more substantial. Keep looking - I have faith in you....

I do also, Suzie! LOL, I knew this thread would be a gripe as the OP does nothing but gripe about the US.