Important airline ticket information for travelers

A new government regulation will soon require that a name on an airline ticket identically match the traveler’s name as it appears on the government-issued identification he or she uses at the airport.

This includes the use of middle names and initials.

This fall, the government will start a “soft” roll out of the program — known as the Secure Flight Final Rule. Full enforcement should start this winter.

Once in effect, the rule allows the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) to withhold boarding privileges to those whose ticket names don’t match their identification.

UNMC officials suggest that those who travel internationally for business use their passports as their government-issued identification for all flights.

Those who don’t travel internationally should use their driver’s licenses.

UNMC officials also said employees with frequent flyer accounts should change their names on the accounts to match their identification.

Those who don’t make this change may not receive mileage credit or points.