Question 1

What is Secure Flight and how does it work?

Accepted Answer

According to the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), Secure Flight prescreens Passenger information against federal government watch lists for domestic and international flights. The TSA performs the prescreens.

For more information about the TSA Secure Flight Program, visit https://www.tsa.gov/travel/security-screening.

Question 2

What is the TSA Watch List?

Accepted Answer

According to the TSA, watch lists are a critical tool used to keep known terrorists off airplanes and are a key component of aviation security.

The Terrorist Screening Center, which is part of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, maintains the U.S. government's Consolidated Terrorist Watch List. The Terrorist Screening Center allows all government agencies, including the Department of Homeland Security and the Department of State, to run name checks against the same comprehensive list with the most accurate, up-to-date information about known and suspected terrorists.

Question 3

What is a TSA-issued redress number?

Accepted Answer

A redress number is a number provided by the TSA for those individuals who have repeatedly been identified for additional screening because their name is like the name of an individual on the watch list. Individuals requesting a redress number are invited to apply through the Department of Homeland Security Traveler Redress Inquiry Program (DHS TRIP). For more information on the redress process, visit www.dhs.gov/trip.

Question 4

Why do I need to provide additional personal information for Secure Flight?

Accepted Answer

The TSA asks for your date of birth and gender to help reduce the number of passengers misidentified as a match to the watch list. It is to the passenger's advantage to provide the required data elements, as doing so may prevent delays or additional passenger security screening at the airport, particularly for those individuals who have similar names to those on the watch list. We treat the information that you provide for Secure Flight in accordance with our Privacy Policy.

Question 5

What happens if I choose not to provide my Secure Flight Passenger Data?

Accepted Answer

Airlines are required to provide this data to the TSA before the carrier can issue a boarding pass (either in advance or at the airport). If you prefer, you can choose to provide the personal data directly to the airline at the airport each time you travel. However, please note that you will not be able to purchase a reservation online. You also will not receive a boarding pass or be able to travel until the appropriate data has been collected.

Question 6

When am I required to update my Secure Flight Passenger Data?

Accepted Answer

You must provide your information before a boarding pass can be issued.

If you are a Rapid Rewards® Member, the name on your reservation is validated against the name in your Rapid Rewards account. If the names do not match, we will not be able to process your reservation with the account number and you will not receive your Rapid Rewards points.

Question 7

If I have different names on different IDs, which information should I provide?

Accepted Answer

You should ensure the name you give to book a flight matches the government ID that you will use when traveling. Though there is a short grace period for minor discrepancies (e.g., use of a middle initial instead of full middle name), you should always check that the name on your government-issued ID and travel information are identical. The TSA recommends passengers ensure the name on their driver's license matches the name on their passport.

Question 8

If the name on my boarding pass is different than on my ID, will I still be able to fly?

Accepted Answer

Due to current character limitations, boarding passes may display an abbreviated version of the name you provided when you made your reservation. The TSA has stated that this should not impact your travel, including your ability to proceed through the security checkpoint.

Question 9

My name contains special characters. Is this a problem?

Accepted Answer

Special characters, such as apostrophes, cannot be added as part of your name in your Rapid Rewards account or to a reservation booked on Southwest.com®. If your government-issued ID contains special characters and your reservation does not, you will still follow the Secure Flight Program.

Question 10

Will providing my Secure Flight information impact my Rapid Rewards account?

Accepted Answer

To receive Rapid Rewards points for your travel, the name on your reservation must match the name in your Rapid Rewards account. Therefore, if the name you use to travel (the name on your government-issued ID) is not the same as the name in your Rapid Rewards account, you will need to update your account to receive your points. Find out how to change your name on your Rapid Rewards account. Additionally, making this change will make it easier to book reservations in the future when you are logged in, as the necessary data to meet the Secure Flight requirements will automatically populate in the booking form online.

Question 11

How do I request past flight credit if my name was incorrect on a previous flight?

Accepted Answer

We can help correct your name so you can receive your flight credit by calling us at 1-800-445-5764.