Middle Names and Dates of Birth To Travel
Posted Mon, Dec 22nd 2008, 16:23Changes Needed in Way You Have Your Travel Agent Book Your Travel
In approximately the next 30 days, the Transportation Safety Administration (TSA) will enact the first level of the Secure Flight passenger screening program.
If you are not aware, this program, after years of debate, was put into place to try and eliminate the number of false matches against persons in the federal government’s watch lists.
Under this program, airlines and travel agents will be responsible for entering data into each reservation. That data will be sent to the TSA, who will approve or deny the person for travel. If approved, a boarding pass will issue. If denied, the customer will have to submit to additional screening and could be denied boarding.
What does this mean to your travel agent?
First of all, they must collect certain accurate information from you. This is the case whether they book airline tickets directly in their airline computer system software or through a preferred cruise or tour provider.
The information you must give them is:
o Last Name as it appears on the government issued photo ID
o First Name as it appears on the government issued photo ID
o Middle Name – Now required if it appears on the photo ID
o Date of Birth – Formats to enter this information is forthcoming
o Gender – Male or Female must be entered
Although the TSA is not requiring travel agents to enter this information, certain airlines and tour companies will require it to complete the booking; therefore, it still needs to be collected.
This is another great reason to use a travel agent. A travel agent has a profile created for you in their system. You will not need to give a different person your information each time you travel. You will not need to type in your information each time if you book with different online suppliers. Travel agents will also keep all of your frequent traveler numbers and mileage card numbers on file. He or she will apply those numbers to your reservation each time you travel so that you will receive the credit. 
For more information on Secure Flight, please visit: http://www.tsa.gov/assets/pdf/secureflight_final_rule.pdf
Lindsay Williams-Professional Travel Consultant Since 1991 Here Today Gone To Maui/A Franchise of Cruise Planners American Express (866) 472-2858 / (225) 590-7070 www.AllMyCruises.com - Cruise / www.HereTodayGoneToMaui.net - Land "We Create Vacation Memories"
