TRAVEL NOTICES AND ADVISORIES MEXICO TRAVEL
CDC HAS REMOVED ITS RECOMMENDATION THAT U.S. TRAVELERS SHOULD AVOID TRAVEL TO MEXICO
5/15/09
The CDC's Travel Health Warning recommending against non-essential travel to Mexico, in effect since April 27, 2009, has now been downgraded to a Travel Health Precaution for Mexico.
STAY INFORMED
Check updates from these sources:
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
World Health Organization Influenza A (H1N1) website
AIRLINE PASSENGER TRAVEL DOCUMENTS MUST BE AN EXACT MATCH TO PASSENGER IDENTIFICATION DOCUMENTS
TSA SECURE FLIGHT PROGRAM
5/1/2009
Effective Friday, May 1, 2009, Pleasant Holidays will comply with the TSA Secure Flight Program. TSA now requires the collection of full passenger names when booking an airline reservation. Here are details on what to expect when this program goes into effect.
Q: What are the new TSA requirements?
A: The Passenger names collected by Pleasant Holidays in our call centers and online must be an exact match to the identification documents that the Passenger intends to use when traveling.
Q: What if the Passenger's full name does not appear on their identification?
A: We understand that in some cases a Passenger's full name might appear differently on the Passenger's various identity documents. In this case, the Passenger must ensure that the data provided when making the reservation exactly matches the document the Passenger will use for identification purposes at check-in.
Example: The Passenger's full name is John Robert Smith, yet his driver's license only contains his first and last name: John Smith. If the passenger plans to use his driver's license to verify his identity while traveling, he should make his reservation as John Smith. If the Passenger will be using his passport which reads John Robert Smith, then he should make his reservation as John Robert Smith.
Q: What is an acceptable form of ID?
A: An acceptable form of ID could include an unexpired passport issued by a foreign government; an unexpired document issued by a U.S. Federal or State government that includes the individual's full name, date of birth and photograph, such as a Drivers License or Military ID. All Passengers 18 years or older must provide a valid form of ID at time of check-in.
Q: Why is the TSA requiring this information?
A: They are establishing one consistent watch list system. This will enhance aviation security and help to potentially speed the check-in process for the Passenger.
Q: What if I am making a reservation for multiple people, and do not know how the other Passengers' names appear on their IDs?
A: You must collect this information prior to making your travel reservations. We must obtain the full name as it appears on their ID for all Passengers travelling in order to make a reservation. In most cases the airlines do not allow name changes. (Check the current policy for the airline / fare you are booking.) Passengers whose names do not match their ID could potentially be denied boarding.
Q: When did Pleasant Holidays begin enforcing these requirements?
A: The airlines require that we provide the full names as of May 1, 2009 so they can be prepared to report them to TSA by their deadline of May 15, 2009.
Q: When making a reservation, do I also have to provide dates of birth or gender information for all Passengers?
A: Beginning in August 2009, the TSA will require the collection of Gender and Date of Birth (DOB) for ALL Passengers. Changes to DOB will not be reported to the airline once the air is booked.
Q: Where can I get more information on the new requirements?
A: For additional information, Travel Agents can go to the TSA website, www.tsa.gov and search for keywords: Secure Flight.
AIRLINE FUEL SURCHARGES AND BAGGAGE CHARGES
AIRLINE FUEL SURCHARGES
Please be advised that due to the significant volatility of fuel costs, all reservations are subject to airline-imposed fuel surcharges and/or government tax increases without notice.
Pleasant Holidays Protection Plans do not cover increases in government taxes and fees or airline-imposed fuel surcharges, which are subject to change at any time. Also, please note that reservations ticketed to protect fares are subject to cancel or change fees and may be nonrefundable.
AIRLINE CHECKED BAGGAGE CHARGES
Some airlines may impose additional charges if you choose to check any baggage. Please contact your airline or refer to its website for detailed information regarding your airline's checked baggage policies.
MEXICO TRAVEL ADVISORY
9:53 a.m. 3/2/2009
This Travel Alert updates security information for U.S. citizens traveling and living in Mexico.
While millions of U.S. citizens safely visit Mexico each year (including thousands who cross the land border every day for study, tourism or business), violence in the country has increased recently, primarily in the cities along the Mexican/U.S. border. It is imperative that travelers understand the risks of travel to Mexico and how best to avoid dangerous situations. U.S. citizens traveling throughout Mexico should use common-sense precautions, such as visiting only legitimate business and tourist areas, to help ensure that travel to Mexico is safe and enjoyable.
For further information on Mexico travel safety, please refer to the information below:
For more detailed information on staying safe in Mexico, please see the Mexico Country Specific Information at: http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_970.html. Information on security and travel to popular tourist destinations is also provided in the publication: "Spring Break in Mexico- Know Before You Go!"at http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/spring_break_mexico/spring_break_mexico_2812.html. For the latest security information, U.S. citizens traveling abroad should regularly monitor the Department's internet web site at http://travel.state.gov where the current Worldwide Caution, Travel Warnings, and Travel Alerts can be found. Up-to-date information on security can also be obtained by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll free in the United States and Canada, or, for callers from Mexico, a regular toll line at 001-202-501-4444. These numbers are available from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays).American citizens traveling or residing overseas are encouraged to register with the appropriate U.S. Embassy or Consulate on the State Department's travel registration website at https://travelregistration.state.gov/. For any emergencies involving U.S. citizens in Mexico, please contact the closest U.S. Embassy or Consulate. The U.S. Embassy is located in Mexico City at Paseo de la Reforma 305, Colonia Cuauhtemoc, telephone from the United States: 011-52-55-5080-2000; telephone within Mexico City: 5080-2000; telephone long distance within Mexico 01-55-5080-2000. You may also contact the Embassy by e-mail at: ccs@usembassy.net.mx. The Embassy's internet address is http://www.usembassy-mexico.gov/.
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