# I Pit United and New Zealand **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Tags:** vacation-travel\ **Created:** [May 8, 2025, 3:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-united-and-new-zealand/1018102 "2025-05-08T15:01:28Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![OldOlds](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/a3d4f5/32.png) [@OldOlds](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OldOlds)\ **Post date:** [May 8, 2025, 3:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-united-and-new-zealand/1018102/1 "2025-05-08T15:01:28Z")
I’ve traveled all over the world. And I’ve never been asked to apply for a transit visa just to pass through an airport. I’m due to fly to Australia tonight on United. I went to check in this morning, and I couldn’t Because I hadn’t applied for and received a $17 NZeTA “visa” (it isn’t technically a visa). I booked the flight. I knew I needed a Visa for Australia. The website even reminded me. At no time did United tell me I would need this for passing through NZ. So I’ve applied (phone app, same as AUS) . Doubtful it will come through in time. No idea what happens, and as of right now United can’t route me around NZ, as the flights that connect through Sydney are full. My instructions are to show up at the airport, hope its come through by then, and deal with it there if it hasn’t. I’m pissed. And this is a $10,000 business class ticket. (Work pays, obviously) ---
**Author:** ![susan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/susan/32/17537_2.png) [@susan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/susan)\ **Post date:** [May 8, 2025, 3:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-united-and-new-zealand/1018102/2 "2025-05-08T15:41:21Z")
I hope it works out. More countries are now requiring an ETA-style visa for transit. United shiould have told you. ---
**Author:** ![Just\_Asking\_Questions](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ba9def/32.png) [@Just\_Asking\_Questions](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Just_Asking_Questions)\ **Post date:** [May 8, 2025, 3:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-united-and-new-zealand/1018102/3 "2025-05-08T15:41:28Z")
I understand. I sympathize. Can’t they just make it easy? But be glad you aren’t going through the US as a non-citizen, rather than civilized NZ. ---
**Author:** ![OldOlds](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/a3d4f5/32.png) [@OldOlds](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OldOlds)\ **Post date:** [May 8, 2025, 3:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-united-and-new-zealand/1018102/4 "2025-05-08T15:52:01Z")
Agree- I’ve had the shakedown “airport visa” where you just have to pay a man at a kiosk. That’s fine. But to put me in this position is pretty shitty. Right now I have no idea what will happen. Interestingly, the Australian visa came through in less than an hour, despite being the middle of the night there when I applied. So I was hopeful for the same here. So far, still pending. ---
**Author:** ![Just\_Asking\_Questions](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ba9def/32.png) [@Just\_Asking\_Questions](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Just_Asking_Questions)\ **Post date:** [May 8, 2025, 4:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-united-and-new-zealand/1018102/5 "2025-05-08T16:23:00Z")
I guess this answers the questions “If you are only in an airport, are you “in” the country?” ---
**Author:** ![FinsToTheLeft](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/finstotheleft/32/2930_2.png) [@FinsToTheLeft](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FinsToTheLeft)\ **Post date:** [May 8, 2025, 5:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-united-and-new-zealand/1018102/6 "2025-05-08T17:51:29Z")
The UK rolled out their ETA this year for most countries. Initially they required an ETA for people transiting, but quickly backed down on that requirement. The days of fully visa free travelling (at least for those of us with a top tier passport) are quickly coming to an end. ---
**Author:** ![OldOlds](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/a3d4f5/32.png) [@OldOlds](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OldOlds)\ **Post date:** [May 8, 2025, 5:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-united-and-new-zealand/1018102/7 "2025-05-08T17:57:53Z")
I’m more upset with United, since: -They didn’t inform me of the requirement until I checked in -Why TF are you routing flights through a place that has this requirement? And you know, I could have booked one through Sydney (I’m ultimately going to Queensland), but as I mentioned, I’ve never thought twice about my connecting airport. My prediction is that I’ll end up getting put in an economy seat through Sydney tomorrow, which will suck. I’ve no desire to spend 15 hours in an economy seat, and am considering just ditching the whole trip. (This is why for work, at least, I always book refundable flights and hotels) ---
**Author:** ![Dorjan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dorjan/32/12440_2.png) [@Dorjan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dorjan)\ **Post date:** [May 8, 2025, 6:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-united-and-new-zealand/1018102/8 "2025-05-08T18:01:35Z")
IMO it’s the traveler’s responsibility to ensure all required immigration & travel documentation requirements are met, not the airline’s. ---
**Author:** ![FinsToTheLeft](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/finstotheleft/32/2930_2.png) [@FinsToTheLeft](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FinsToTheLeft)\ **Post date:** [May 8, 2025, 6:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-united-and-new-zealand/1018102/9 "2025-05-08T18:02:13Z")
It’s a pain in the ass for sure. Ultimately visa requirements are always your responsibility. ---
**Author:** ![LoneRhino](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lonerhino/32/1311_2.png) [@LoneRhino](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LoneRhino)\ **Post date:** [May 8, 2025, 6:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-united-and-new-zealand/1018102/10 "2025-05-08T18:33:35Z")
If the airline is going to have to refund a $10,000 ticket, they may want to make it their responsibility. ---
**Author:** ![Jasmine](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jasmine/32/2964_2.png) [@Jasmine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jasmine)\ **Post date:** [May 8, 2025, 6:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-united-and-new-zealand/1018102/11 "2025-05-08T18:37:25Z")
> [@OldOlds](#): > > I’ve traveled all over the world. And I’ve never been asked to apply for a transit visa just to pass through an airport. And this year’s winner in the category of, “Most Absurd Bureaucratic Nonsense”, is … NEW ZEALAND!! ---
**Author:** ![Jasmine](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jasmine/32/2964_2.png) [@Jasmine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jasmine)\ **Post date:** [May 8, 2025, 6:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-united-and-new-zealand/1018102/12 "2025-05-08T18:46:56Z")
I just remember now. New Zealand has a very dangerous volcano on Whakaari/White Island, known as Te Puia o Whakaari. This is a very active volcano and has been erupting since 2011, leading to a fatal eruption in 2019. Why fatal? Despite the fact that this is a very active and dangerous volcano, the New Zealand government allowed a tour company to conduct regular tours so that visitors could literally stand on the volcano’s edge and experience its awe and power. There were two tour groups on the island when it erupted in 2019. Many were killed, and many of the people who were fortunate enough to survive were so horribly scarred that they looked like Deadpool after he mutated. Perhaps New Zealand doesn’t have the brightest bulbs running their country. Oh, yes, on last thing. Despite the fact that such a tragedy was well within the realm of possibility and should have been foreseen and planned for, it literally took hours for emergency responders to reach them. One survivor remembers the horror of hearing a chorus of cries of pain begging for help, and he remembers hearing the cries dwindle until all was silent. ---
**Author:** ![Atamasama](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/atamasama/32/12961_2.png) [@Atamasama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atamasama)\ **Post date:** [May 8, 2025, 6:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-united-and-new-zealand/1018102/13 "2025-05-08T18:59:45Z")
I haven’t always made smart life choices, but I’ve never decided to engage in active volcano tourism. ---
**Author:** ![blondebear](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/blondebear/32/1022_2.png) [@blondebear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blondebear)\ **Post date:** [May 8, 2025, 7:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-united-and-new-zealand/1018102/14 "2025-05-08T19:03:48Z")
Don’t mean to diminish any inconvenience the OP suffered, but I just got back from a 3-week trip to the North Island and had a marvelous time. The bureaucracy may be onerous but the people are great. If you have a chance, go. (I flew Air New Zealand and had a good experience) ---
**Author:** ![Q.Q.Switcheroo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/q.q.switcheroo/32/5713_2.png) [@Q.Q.Switcheroo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Q.Q.Switcheroo)\ **Post date:** [May 8, 2025, 7:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-united-and-new-zealand/1018102/15 "2025-05-08T19:11:23Z")
> [@Jasmine](#): > > Perhaps New Zealand doesn’t have the brightest bulbs running their country. I believe that was exhaustively documented in Season 2 of “Flight of the Conchords.” ---
**Author:** ![OldOlds](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/a3d4f5/32.png) [@OldOlds](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OldOlds)\ **Post date:** [May 8, 2025, 7:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-united-and-new-zealand/1018102/16 "2025-05-08T19:16:49Z")
First of course I know I’m response for my documents. But when you have an odd requirement, it’s not too much to ask that the airline set a notice. I’ve certainly received such warnings when booking flights. I travel internationally 10-15 times a year, so it isn’t like I’m clueless. Literally the first time I’ve encountered this. Also the first time I’ve flown through NZ. And, as I sit in the airport, I can tell you the visa came through literally while I was in the security line. Yay. The airport visa is a common cash grab, but normally you just deal with it at the airport. That’s what makes this so unusual ---
**Author:** ![Great\_Antibob](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e47c2d/32.png) [@Great\_Antibob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Great_Antibob)\ **Post date:** [May 8, 2025, 7:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-united-and-new-zealand/1018102/17 "2025-05-08T19:20:06Z")
Eh, I knew about it 5 years ago when I went through (a little over a month after the eruption as it happens), and it wasn’t United that told me, either. But I’m a bit paranoid about checking entry/exit requirements about every country I go to, even if only passing through airports. While the $17 fee and approval might be a little unusual, other countries often do have requirements for passengers who are just passing through. It’s just that, as Americans, we rarely have to deal with them. Non-American travelers deal with them frequently, including traveling to or through the US. But it does appear such things will be more common even for us. That’s part of the price we will have to pay for our poor political choices. ---
**Author:** ![Jasmine](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jasmine/32/2964_2.png) [@Jasmine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jasmine)\ **Post date:** [May 8, 2025, 7:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-united-and-new-zealand/1018102/18 "2025-05-08T19:23:12Z")
> [@OldOlds](#): > > The airport visa is a common cash grab, but normally you just deal with it at the airport. That’s what makes this so unusual Greed I can understand, but this Transit VISA can be extremely traumatic and damaging if people are blindsided by it. What about, instead, something like a “Transit Tax” based on: “Hey, you are using our bathrooms, creating refuse, putting wear and tear on our floors, so we are charging you a tax.” ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [May 8, 2025, 8:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-united-and-new-zealand/1018102/19 "2025-05-08T20:04:42Z")
I’ll ask how long ago the OP’s flight was booked through NZ? My thinking being that _if_ the NZ ETA requirement is newer than the OP’s booking, United didn’t goof when they made your booking. They goofed when the NZ RTA came into effect later and they did not think to check every existing future booking through NZ and notify all those the passengers to go get an NZ ETA. Or, that was one of a flurry of emails the OP has received from United over the last few weeks since the trip was booked and it got spam-filed like all the rest. ---
**Author:** ![Great\_Antibob](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e47c2d/32.png) [@Great\_Antibob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Great_Antibob)\ **Post date:** [May 8, 2025, 8:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-united-and-new-zealand/1018102/20 "2025-05-08T20:09:20Z")
As I noted, it existed at least 5 years ago. ETA: Looking it up, apparently it went into effect October 2019 [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-united-and-new-zealand/1018102.md?page=2)