SECURE FLIGHT PROGRAM - UPDATE

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 STATE 048256

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ATRN AMGT APER KSEP
SUBJECT: SECURE FLIGHT PROGRAM - UPDATE

Re: State 031101


1. Summary: This is an update on the U.S. Department of
Homeland Security (DHS) Secure Flight Program. This
update includes revised implementation dates, guidance
on updating the online booking system and airline
contact information to update frequent flier
information. End Summary.

2. As noted in reftel,the U.S. Department of Homeland
Security (DHS) is shifting the responsibility from the
individual aircraft operators to the Transportation
Security Administration (TSA) for validating basic
traveler information against the pre-departure "Watch
List." This new TSA responsibility is known as the
"Secure Flight Program" and was developed for the
traveling public; government employees are not exempt.
An overview of the Secure Flight Program can be found on
the TSA Web site
(http://www.tsa.gov/what_we_do/layers/securef light/index
.shtm).

3. DHS has provided the following implementation dates
to the airlines:
-- By May 15, 2009, domestic airlines must be able to
transmit full name (as shown on the valid, government-
issued photo identification the traveler will present at
airport check-in such as a State Driver's License or
U.S. issued Passport) and domestic itinerary to the TSA.
-- By August 15, 2009, in addition to the information
collected by May 15, domestic airlines must collect and
transmit date of birth, and gender for travelers on
domestic flights.
-- By October 31, 2009, all other airlines with
flights to, from, and through U.S. airspace must collect
and transmit full name, itinerary, date of birth and
gender to the TSA.

4. Carlson Wagonlit Travel will implement, May 15,
2009, a custom created Secure Flight section to the
GetThere profile where Department of State travelers may
document their full name as it exists on their
Government issued ID or U.S. Passport, date of birth and
gender. Once entered, all new reservations will employ
the name provided in the Secure Flight name field.

5. Updates of Secure Flight information in the GetThere
profile are optional. However, travelers who do not
update their profile are at risk for having a mismatch
between their boarding pass and their government issued
ID resulting in possible delays at airport security
checkpoints.

6. To ensure effective mileage credits, travelers will
need to contact airlines with which they hold frequent
flyer accounts to change their account names to match
the full name in the Secure Flight field. The process
for making a change to frequent flyer accounts varies by
airline. Contact information for several major airlines
is provided below:
-- Air Canada (Aeroplan) - Send a copy of the passport
or official identification to Aeroplan as outlined on
their web site,
http://www.aeroplan.com/help/topic.do?id=1002 .

-- American Airlines (AAdvantage) - Contact AAdvantage
by email or fax, as outlined on their web site,
http://www.aa.com/aa/pubcontent/en_US/utility /nameChange
.jsp?anchorLocation=DirectURL&title=namechang e.

-- Continental Airlines (OnePass) - Name changes must
be submitted in writing to the OnePass Service Center.
See Continental's web site,
http://www.continental.com/web/en-
US/content/Contact/onepass/namechange.aspx, for
additional details.

-- Delta Air Lines (SkyMiles) - Name changes can be
completed online, or via phone, fax, or email as
outlined on the Delta web site,
http://www.delta.com/skymiles/about_skymiles/ membership_
guide_program/skymiles_rules/index.jsp#change s.

-- Northwest Airlines (WorldPerks) - To change the name
on your WorldPerks account, contact the WorldPerks
Service Center directly at 1-800-447-3757.

-- Southwest Airlines (Rapid Rewards) - Name change
requests cannot be made online. Name change requests
may be submitted in writing to Rapid Rewards, P.O. Box
36657, Dallas, Texas 75235. The written request must
contain your signature and account number. Additional

STATE 00048256 002 OF 002


information can be found on the Southwest web site,
http://southwest.com/rapid_rewards/rules_and_ regs.html.

-- United Airlines (Mileage Plus) - Depending on the
type of name change, requests can be submitted via email
or postal mail. Additional information can be found on
the United web site,
http://www.united.com/page/middlepage/0,8680, 1153,00.htm
l?navSource=Dropdown07&linkTitle=aboutmileage plus and
questions can be directed to the Mileage Plus Service
center at (800) 421-4655, or (605) 399-2411.

-- US Airways (Dividend Miles) - Members can change
their name by calling, emailing, faxing or mailing the
current name and address on the account, along with
information on recent or latest flight activity and new
name to be listed on the account to the Dividend Miles
Service Center,
http://usairways.com/awa/content/contact/dmil esacct.aspx
. In some cases, legal documentation may be required.
Additional information can be found on the US Airways
web site,
http://usairways.com/awa/content/dividendmile s/programde
tails/memberguide.aspx.

-- WestJet (AIR MILES) - Changes to last name can be
completed on the AIR MILES web site,
https://www.airmiles.ca/arrow/Home;ARROWSID=K C1Yh6nWM6yQ
zdw2qR2vJvwYx8N2JwP1tnbkynJfLGjv1Qqrd41Z!9230 43608?_requ
estid=1378596 or by calling (888) 247-6453. Changes to
first name may require additional documentation to be
faxed or mailed. Travelers can call the number above
for additional information.

For other airline frequent-flyer programs not listed
here, please refer to the airline web site or contact
the airline directly for additional information.


7. An overview of the Secure Flight program can be
found on the TSA web site as noted in para #2. This site
provides additional information regarding program
implementation and timelines.


8. If you have additional questions or need personal
assistance please contact transportationquery@state.gov.


9. Minimize considered.
CLINTON