Summarize this content to 2000 words in 6 paragraphs A woman has been backed online for refusing to reimburse her friend for a costly travel blunder.Posting to the popular subreddit r/AITAH, user Fiesty_Eagle_1225 revealed how her friend’s mistake led to her being denied entry to the U.K. on a trip from the U.S.The poster and two friends had planned a trip to Egypt and Switzerland, via London. But one of her friends, referred to as Jessa, failed to complete the necessary Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) before departure, leading to her being barred from entering the country upon arrival in the U.K.”I warned both of my friends to do the ETA before we left,” the Redditor wrote. “Neither one of them did, and it wasn’t until we boarded the plane last night and arrived this morning in London did I realize this.”
A picture of an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) board, left, and a stock image of a woman looking distressed at an airport, right.
A picture of an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) board, left, and a stock image of a woman looking distressed at an airport, right.
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While the other friend, Ellie, was approved for an ETA within minutes, Jessa faced delays and was eventually denied entry.The ETA is a digital travel document required for visitors from certain countries, including the U.S., who are traveling to or transiting through the U.K. The application process typically takes minutes to a few days, costs approximately $13, and is valid for multiple entries over two years. Nevertheless, even an ETA approval does not guarantee entry, as final admission is at the discretion of border officials.U.K. border officials told Jessa that she would have to return to the U.S. and reapply for a standard visa, meaning she could no longer continue the trip as planned. The Redditor and the other friend decided to continue their trip, leaving Jessa to fly home alone.”So at this point she’s telling us that we should go back with her and just replan the trip,” the Redditor said. “We tell her no and that we’re going to continue the trip with just us two.”When they refused to go home with Jessa, she demanded they pay her back for the parts of the trip she had paid for.”She wants us to come out of pocket and repay her, and I don’t think it’s fair,” the Redditor said.Reddit ReactsThe post quickly went viral, gaining thousands of upvotes and hundreds of comments, with the majority backing the woman’s decision to not pay her friend.”You warned her, so her mistake isn’t your financial responsibility. Nonrefundable costs should be hers, not yours,” commented user BannanaLoverr.Redditor Ok-Region-8207 said: “It’s not your fault she didn’t do what was needed and if you and your other friend had gone back with her would she have reimbursed the two of you for the trip because of her mistake? Unlikely, so tell her to suck it up and you and your other friend enjoy your holiday.””You shouldn’t have to pay for her irresponsibility,” agreed sleepyHedgehog99.Newsweek reached out to Fiesty_Eagle_1225 via Reddit for comment.
