Travelling to the US with visa in expired passport

[75Black]

Afternoon all, bit of a random query. I'm heading over to the US for a week with my dad in November - 22nd to 29th, I have a British passport with an ESTA, my dad has a recently expired Polish passport which still has a B1/B2 valid tourist visa (obtained before Poland joined the ESTA scheme), and his new passport. I know the State department website says at the US border to make sure he has both passports and they'll mark it in his new passport that he has a visa in his old one. When it comes to checking in for the flights though, I'm guessing I won't be able to check in online with Delta/Virgin and it'll be best to check in at the desk on the day?

I know online they usually ask for passport/visa details and I can't exactly enter his old passport as that's expired, and his new passport doesn't have a visa/ESTA.

[Ezra]

Why not play it entirely safe and get an ESTA in the new passport?

[Super Slo Mo]

The visa number is a separate number to the passport so it should be fine.

[silentbrown]

I used to have one of those '80s "multiple/indefinite" US visas in my passport. I remember it being 'voided' by immigration when I presented it after the visa waiver program came in.

You should be OK, but I'd get the ESTA regardless.

[75Black]

Ezra said:

Why not play it entirely safe and get an ESTA in the new passport?

I was thinking about doing that, but thought well the visa has 3 more years validity on it so would feel like a bit of a waste of money. Think I'll get the ESTA though just in case.

[75Black]

Ended up going the ESTA route, applied 40 minutes ago and already approved!