We wanted to bring to your attention, in case you missed the news, the US Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has instituted new rules and procedures that require airlines to present the TSA with certain specific identity information for all passengers.  The TSA has branded these new requirements TSA SECURE FLIGHT which went into effect on 15MAY.  The purpose of this program is for the US government to pre-screen airline passengers against its No-Fly list 72 hours prior to boarding.

Effective this month, airlines will be required to provide the full name of each passenger to the TSA.  Your name, as it appears on your reservation, must match the ID you will be presenting to check-in EXACTLY.  If your ID contains your middle initial or name, your reservation must also reflect such.  This only applies to reservations made on or after 15MAY.  As your Frequent Flyer Number must also match your reservation name to get flight credit, you may need to contact the airline and have your account name changed to match the ID you will be using. 

As your travel services provider, we are required to provide this data in a specified format to the airline and they, in turn, provide it to the TSA. 

Traveling internationally this year?  In case you are, we thought we should review some of the facts around passports and VISA requirements.  Often there are new regulations and changes, that each of us is responsible for knowing; we need to be up on the requirements for the countries we plan to visit.  VISA and Passport requirements are varied; here are some helpful reminders as you plan that next trip:

Ø      Travel documents all need to match in Name and Date-of-Birth

Ø      The passport must be valid for 6 months beyond your return date

Ø      VISAS are required for many countries and the process varies by country

Ø      VISA regulations and fees mirror those set by the US Government; how the US regulates other countries’ citizens coming to the US, the other countries reciprocate in regulations & fees

Ø      A passport must have two blank adjoining pages for any VISA and they can not be the last two pages

Ø      Apply for the correct type of VISA – Business vs. Visitor; if you have the incorrect type it can be very costly

Also, we recently learned that anyone visiting China beginning in September may find additional restrictions and VISA requirements.  October represents the 60^th anniversary of the current Chinese form of government.  They may impose additional restrictions and require a new VISA for some who wish to visit this fall.  If you currently hold a VISA to visit China and have plans to travel there later this year, as your travel date gets closer please check with the Chinese Consulate to determine the status of your VISA.

In our continuing effort to provide travel programs suited to the needs of your Ministry work we here at Ministry Travel have been working with various air carriers around the world to bring you more savings and better fares.

In addition to our current programs, we are now able to offer large savings on economy class travel to:

Ø      South America on TAM Brazilian Airlines to:

Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Uruguay, Paraguay

Ø      Central America

Ø      Eastern Africa provided by Ethiopian Airlines

Ø      The Middle East via Etihad Airways

These programs offer significant savings off of retail air fares.  One key feature on our program to South America is the offer to obtain economy or business class fares.

Please contact any of our Ministry Travel staff to learn more about the available options.