All Nippon Airways (ANA) has begun a limited launch of "Premium Pass 300," which allows up to 300 domestic flights for a year in ANA's "Premium Class," a class that proudly offers a high level of hospitality.

Business people who have to make frequent business trips back and forth across Japan will want to have the Premium Pass. Privileges for members include various services such as toll-free exclusive numbers for making reservations, priority handling for booking or wait-listing at the airport, special advance booking that allows reservations to be made 14 days before the ordinary booking period (which is two months prior to the flight) and priority reservations of seats at the front of the aircraft when premium class seats are not available.

In addition, check-in counters and security gates for the exclusive use of members will be available at some airports. Luggage that members check-in will carry priority tags so that they can collect their bags upon arrival with priority. While waiting for boarding, members can relax in the lounge.

The Premium Pass will go on sale from July 1, 2009 until September 30, 2009. Members can travel up to 300 times during the period between September 1, 2009 and August 31, 2010. Upon reaching 300 flights, the pass becomes invalid and cannot be used for travel on and after the following day, even within the boarding period. Only a limited number of 300 passes will be available on a first come, first served basis for the price of 3 million yen (only one individual per pass).

The Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) is a system that allows travelers or third parties acting on their behalf to submit personal and travel information to the authorities in the United States through the Internet prior to departure, allowing them to determine whether or not they are eligible to travel to the United States under the Visa Waiver Program. Applications can be made free of charge through the secure website of the U.S. CBP (Customs and Border Protection) and a response of "Authorization approved," "Authorization pending" or "Travel not authorized" will be provided. If authorization is not approved, it will necessary to obtain a visa from the U.S. embassy or the nearest consulate.

Although application for a travel authorization has been optional since the introduction of the system on August 1, 2008, it will become mandatory after January 12, 2009 and all travelers boarding a plane or ship leaving for the United States must present a travel authorization at the check-in counter, otherwise they will not be permitted to board. Even infants without boarding passes are required to carry a travel authorization unless holding a visa to travel to the United States.  

While it is recommended to obtain a travel authorization no later than 72 hours prior to departure, it is still possible to obtain one through ESTA immediately before boarding or in the case of emergency travel. So you don't need to worry even if you have an urgent business trip to the United States.

A travel authorization is valid for two years from the date of issue unless it is cancelled or until the expiry date of the passport, whichever comes first. Once obtained, multiple entries are possible while the authorization is valid, making it convenient for those who frequently travel to the United States.

People from countries eligible under the Visa Waiver Program can stay in the United States for up to 90 days without a visa for commercial or sightseeing purposes. Those who travel to the United States for the purpose of work or study, however, still need to obtain a visa and a travel authorization is not required in such cases. Needless to say, the same applies to people from countries that are not eligible under the Visa Waiver Program.

One thing that you should keep in mind is that the travel authorization certifies eligibility to travel to the United States under the Visa Waiver Program and does not certify eligibility to enter the United States. Thus, travelers carrying a travel authorization still need to be examined by CBP officers upon arrival in the United States in order to enter the country.

For details of the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA), refer to the following websites:

▼ The CBP Website
https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov/

▼ The United States Embassy Website
http://tokyo.usembassy.gov/

▼ The Bureau of Consular Affairs Website
http://www.travel.state.gov/