Advance Passenger Information (API)

What is Advance Passenger Information?

Advance Passenger Information (API) (sometimes called APIS) is information required by specific governments prior to travel. It is information taken from your travel document, normally your passport, and the biographical data will be sent to the appropriate countries government agencies. There are a number of countries that require airlines to collect APIS data, you may also hear it called Secure Flight for the US and e-Borders for the UK.

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Why do I have to supply API?

All airlines are required to submit Advanced Passenger Information details in advance of travel to specific countries government Border Control and Security authorities. This allows the authorities to make routine identity checks on passengers before arrival.

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How can I supply API?

You will need to login to our unique website http://eapi.thomson.co.uk where you can supply API by completing the fields for each passenger on your booking.

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What do I need to supply?

You need to supply APIS information from the travel document (usually passport) that you intend to use for travel to your destination. Please ensure that the travel document is valid for your destination. The information required is:

• Full Name (as shown in your passport or travel document)
  

• Gender
  

• Date of Birth
  

• Travel Document Type (normally passport (P)
  

• Travel Document Number
  

• Travel Document Country of Issue
  

• Travel Document Expiry Date
  
• Nationality

Plus for all US destinations:

• Country of Residence
• Address whilst in the US
• Redress No (if applicable)

When do I need to supply API information?

We would like you to supply API data from between 6 months and 24 hours prior to departure for all destinations (Please note: You will be able to enter your API data from 24 hours after you've made your booking).

If you're travelling within 4 days of making your booking, you will need to provide your API information at check-in. You may be required to undergo additional screening, so please allow some extra time at the airport.

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What do Thomson Airways do with API data?

Once you have completed and confirmed the entry fields, we store it securely in our system until we are required to transmit the information to the appropriate authorities electronically via a secure network. This transmission takes place up to 72 hours prior to your flight departure and at other specified times including after your flight has departed.

We adhere to UK and EU data protection laws and your information will only be sent to authorised government agencies and used for the purposes of Border Control and Security. Your data will not be used for any marketing purposes. Once transmitted the information will be retained in line with the various government API requirements and then destroyed, and will not be used for any other purpose. The USA requires us to provide the following privacy notice:

The transportation Security Administration (TSA) requires you to provide your full name, date of birth, and gender for the purpose of watch list screening, under the authority of 49 U.S.C. section 114, the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004 and 49 C.F.R parts 1540 and 1560. You may also provide your Redress Number, if available. Failure to provide your full name, date of birth, and gender may result in denial of transport or denial of authority to enter the boarding area. TSA may share information you provide with law enforcement or intelligence agencies or others under its published system of records notice. For more on TSA privacy policies, or to review the system of records notice and the privacy impact assessment, please see the TSA Web site at www.tsa.gov

What happens if I do not supply API?

All airlines are required to collect and transmit API data for those countries governments that legally require the provision of API data. Failure to supply API information could result in you being denied boarding and not being able to travel.

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What is Electronic System for Travel Authority (ESTA)?

Find out more about Electronic System for Travel Authority (ESTA)

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I am travelling to the USA, do I still need to complete ESTA?

If you are a visa waiver passenger then you will still need to complete your own ESTA application. This is in addition to the provision of Secure Flight and API data that is used for other purposes. Note: It is important that the information keyed for ESTA matches the API data submitted. For example you might have changed your passport since registering or ESTA.

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Where can I find my booking reference?

Please enter the booking reference as shown in the important information section of your email booking confirmation, postal booking confirmation or as shown on your flight ticket contained in your printed ticket book.

If you booked through a Thomson or First Choice Travel Shop the booking reference is the reference number shown in the Travel Details section of your printed customer information receipt.

What is the lead passenger Surname?

The lead passenger surname is the primary name given at time of booking. This name is shown on your booking confirmation.

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I am travelling on a group passport, what data should be entered?

You need to select Group Passport (G) from the travel document type. Each passenger listed on the group passport should have their details entered under the same Travel Document Type and Passport Number.

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What is the First Night Address?

This is the address that you will be staying in on your first night in the US, this will be the hotel or apartment address, as shown on your booking confirmation.

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I need to amend details I previously submitted...

For your security, we require you to enter the passport number provided when the data was originally provided. Once verified, you will be able to amend your details.

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My booking is not recognised and I cannot enter my details?

Please check that your holiday is due to depart within the next 6 months, and that data entry for your flight has not closed. Please note you will be unable to submit data within 4 days before departure for all destinations.

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There are more than 6 months until my date of departure, can I provide API data?

Unfortunately we cannot allow access to submit data more than 6 months prior to departure.

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I have missed the deadline for providing my data, how can I provide the required information?

Your data can be provided at check in, you may be required to undergo additional screening, please allow some extra time at the Airport.

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I only booked my flight within 4 days of departure how can I provide my API information?

This will have to be provided at check-in, you may be required to undergo additional screening, please allow some extra time at the airport.

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I have a visa for travel to the UK, or another country, will I still be required to provide API data?

API data is required in addition to needing a Visa. When you provide your API data we will also collect the relevant data about your visa.

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I am travelling to the US and do not know where I will be staying?

We would like you to provide as much information as possible on where you will be staying:

• If you are taking a fly-drive holiday then you should provide the name and location of the car hire company, and the first intended stopping point.
• If your accommodation is to be allocated on arrival then please provide the name of our resort office.

• If you are joining a cruise ship, you should provide the cruise ship name, plus the US City of embarkation.

• If you are backpacking you should provide an indication of where you will spend your first night.
• If you are transferring to another flight, please give details of the departure flight number and destination.