Sorry folks if this is general knowledge but it was new to me.
There is now a requirement to give advance details of passport information to the flight company BEFORE turning up at the airport or you might not be allowed to fly. Some friends had to pay £30 each recently with BMI baby for not doing it.
So just check out your ticket details. On my Thomas Cook email confirmation it is called 'Reconfirm your flight'. When I followed the instructions I had to give full passport information and dates of birth for both persons.
Dennis
Hi Dennis we sent our API over the internet but had a bit of trouble as there are 2 numbers with Thomson as they use 2 numbers
1- Your booking reference, which is no good to send your API but to use for any payments you make or alterations to your holiday
2- Your booking reference number, found at the bottom of the confirmation Email which is the 1 you require to forward your API
Heres an example of the confirmation email with the place your booking reference number is
Important Information
This email confirm that you have agreed to our Terms and Conditions
**Important API Requirements - All passengers must comply**
Airlines are now required to provide passenger details to government authorities in advance of travel for the purpose of border control. This includes information contained within your passport. For passengers travelling to the US, you will be required to provide your first night address.
You must provide this data between 6 months and 24 hours prior to your departure by visiting http://eapi.thomson.co.uk quoting booking reference number [1234567]. Customers travelling within 4 days of booking will be unable to use the online facility, so will therefore be required to provide the necessary information upon check-in at the airport.
Failure to provide this information may result in you being unable to travel.
Get more information on API
Hope this makes sense
Tony
Supposed to be against terrorism. But once in the hands of civil servants, you pay £30 to get on. Oh yes. I've got a bomb round my waist but I won't pay £30. £40. £100. £1,000. But after you pay your £30 you're on. Bit like speed cameras...
Jen just used the term. "Horribly sick-making." I could hear our adorable Erja saying the same. You're no safer but a bit poorer....
To be honest Phil i have a gut feeling that's why Thomson use 2 different reference numbers where one would be sufficient and its in small print at the bottom of the Confirmation Email ,
an easy way to make £30 i bet if you booked by telephone they wouldn't mention it either
So folks the onus is on you save your self £30 each at the airport,make sure your API Advance Passenger Information is sorted before you fly
Tony
Phil I totally agree no one is any safer from this check but coffers get fuller,which is something this counrty is very good at doing behind the closed door.
Ang
your so right ang
but ive had to do it again on our 2nd flight booked through e/j...put all our passport details onto there site..hope its well secure...yammas
Quote from: justphil on April 05, 2010, 08:37:25 PM
Jen just used the term. "Horribly sick-making." I could hear our adorable Erja saying the same. You're no safer but a bit poorer....
You heard me correct Phil dearest! *shaking my head*
So if you do it in advance on the internet or over the phone you avoid these silly payments and they just have keep on siphoning our taxes with some pretext to cover "the fight against terrorism".
Ooh you've got me started Ang and Tony. Nothing much is being done to make our air travel any safer. It is all about those who are responsible, trying to cover their backs, saying they had no evidence, even when they did after hundreds have died.
Meanwhile they take money from the 99.9% of us who live where we do, struggling to survive. All that money to be spent on their salaries and bonuses. Those who pretend to be rich and just live life at the edge like Jen and me have to post on this forum.
Oh dear, just join me in the Nut to be bored witless. I am good at that! At least you have the choice then....
Phil
hi everyone,have just been reading this post and am now worried.we fly to arillas in five weeks and have never heard about this api.we have booked with thomson and no one told us we have to do this,do you recommend we forward this information? any advise would be very welcome.
i would Heather did you book online if so the info you need is in the Confirmation Email if not i suggest you ring Thomson,now there we have another way of extracting cash from you calls charged at 5p per minute
Tony
thank you so much have also informed my daughter who flys with them in three weeks and shes just had a fit.we will both be sorting this out asp.i think its disgusting that people are not informed about this.but as you say anything to get more out of us.again thank you to this forum for helping me out.
(http://bestsmileys.com/eek/7.gif)
Thanks for that, i'm off to thomsons in the morning.......
JUST BEEN ON THOMSONS AND SORTED MY API OUT,CANT THANK YOU ENOUGH FOR THIS NOTICE. HOPE WE CAN NOW RELAX AND LOOK FORWARD TO BEING IN ARILLAS AGAIN,MAYBE MEETING SOME OF YOU GREAT PEOPLE.
i knew you had to do this before travelling to spain, but not greece! does it apply to package holidays or just flights?
ger x
Oh forum. So cynical and so correct. Quoting Eggy, Goodonyer. Trust nobody....
Most of my true Greek friends are thinking "but not me!!!" And they are all right. Except one. Tina luvver, we know which one I mean and so does he...... See you in Marina in 2010?
Phil
oh dear have i been panicking over nothing?still i have done it.cant wait to get back to arillas for some peace and great food and good company.
Advance Passenger Information or API is required for all flights not just Europe.
I travel quite a lot and have had to give this information for about six months now.
But I think it is disgraceful that a a large holiday company like Thomson doesn't tell you about it. It is on the the Easy Jet info you receive when you book.
Quote from: Janina & Paul on April 06, 2010, 02:23:09 PM
But I think it is disgraceful that a a large holiday company like Thomson doesn't tell you about it. It is on the the Easy Jet info you receive when you book.
When I booked the flights with Thomson for Zakynthos, I did receive an email from them advising to log on to their site (with instructions) and add the required information.
Same with easyJet and no problems so far ever :)
I have been to thomsons and sorted this out today. Can't believe they haven't let us know. grrrrr...
Thanks for the tip off :)
Thank you so much for this info,didn't have a clue about this.All sorted now for our return to Arillas on 28th may( haven't been back for 7 years!) Can't wait,looking forward to seeing the place again,hope nothing has changed too drastically.
Sue
Hi Sue in Lincs - Yes a few changes but they are gently and carefully done so you should hardly notice. Arillas remains a great and restful holiday place.
Am just about to sort out my API - this thread was the first I knew about it so another thank you to the wonderful forum - a mine of good information
Regards
PatrickJohn in Lincs (Nettleham to be precise)
This was the first I had heard of an API needed to go on holiday on a package holiday and will be having a word with my travel agent in the morning to ask why no one has mentioned it before, and yes I am annoyed to say the least.
Anyhow I have found the page quite hidden in the Q/A part of Thomas Cook's site, here is the link,
http://thomascooknew.custhelp.com/cgi-bin/thomascooknew.cfg/php/enduser/std_adp.php?p_faqid=316&p_created=1181128406&p_sid=tlVz6LYj&p_accessibility=0&p_redirect=&p_lva=&p_sp=cF9zcmNoPTEmcF9zb3J0X2J5PSZwX2dyaWRzb3J0PSZwX3Jvd19jbnQ9MiwyJnBfcHJvZHM9MCZwX2NhdHM9JnBfcHY9JnBfY3Y9JnBfcGFnZT0xJnBfc2VhcmNoX3RleHQ9bWFub3M*&p_li=&p_topview=1
you need to scroll down to the sixth answer.
Ttfn and thanks for the info, Mick.
Hi Forum Folk
Have managed to sort out the API for my holiday in Kos in May with Thomas Cook. It was fairly straightforward although getting the date format just as they want it seemed a bit of a pain.
However my Thomson holiday in Arillas is posing a problem. The site will not accept any of the booking references I've got so will have to ring them up. Why do they insist on so many different reference numbers for one holiday?
Ah well will let you know how I get on tomorrow.
Best wishes
Patrick John (in Lincs)
Hi all,
this gets confusing, after reading the TC site info I have just been on Leeds/Bradford Airport site they say only Spain require API's so I have been on the Directgov site they say it is not required for Greece. Link below, I will still check in the morning, ttfn Mick.
http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/TravelAndTransport/Foreigntravel/AirTravel/DG_176737
When i was in thomsons yesterday, they said it was required for Greece...hmmm
Hi M&M for what it takes to send its worth doing only takes a couple of minutes better safe than sorry and a £30 charge each at the airport
Tony
I read on a web-site (link provided on the Agni boards which of course I now cannot find) that this applies to Greece after 1 April 2010.
Searching around the Internet I found such confusing information but eventually came up with this one:
http://www.thomascookairlines.co.uk/advanced_passenger_information.asp#3 (http://www.thomascookairlines.co.uk/advanced_passenger_information.asp#3).
It seems quite specific there that it is included in flights to Greece.
Some sites say Easyjet do this from information at time of booking but I found forum posts from their passengers who had say otherwise ! Some sites mention it will be done at the check-in but cause hold-ups....
In any case as Tony says ... do it in advance. Should you print off the proof and take it with you ? I did just to be sure. Forgot 1st time but I went back and re-entered the same details to produce the confirmation (that was on Thomas Cook).
Dennis
Hi Folk
Have just been on to Thomsons re my September Arillas trip. It turns out that the API site wanted my surname in lower case letters only and was rejecting my normally spelt version. When I input in lower case only there was no problem.
By the way they said API was not being collected online for skiing holidays, but was for all other holidays. Very odd!
Best wishes and good luck.
Pat
By the way the website to register API for Thomsons is
https://eapi.thomson.co.uk/eborders/login.jsp
Hope this helps
Pat
Thanks for the info, folks. I've just submitted our API to Thomsons.
If we hadn't been on this site, we would have arrived at the airport blissfully unaware of any such requirement. Nobody had told us before.
Thank you all for this thread! I submitted ours yesterday after reading the posts. I'd had the usual confirmation email from Thomsons after I paid in full last month but didn't bother reading the small print below... I've now clicked on the link and sorted it.
When we booked flights only through Easyjet for Sept/Oct we were asked for our passpost info at the time
Janis x
Hi all and thanks , like Janis we booked with easyjet for Corfu in may and Athens/Mykonos in august and were asked for the info straight away . I also booked flights to Kefalonia in July for 10 people and after reading this thread combed the e-mails and found no reference to the API so today i rang and guess what , they said there should have been a link on the confirmation but there was'nt . So he re-sent it and i now have to fill in the forms , but better that than turning up with 9 friends and just imagine the horror . So many thanks .
Yammas
Dave
Like our Erja, we couldn't complete the booking with EasyJet without filling in the "API." They may have upset me a lot, and many others, by pretending to cancel our flights, but they got it right on API.
We booked easyjet... and the API form came up after the booking confirmation ..
OOOOOOOOOOO I cant remember if I have done it - must check!!! Dont want to turn up at the airport and see Kes and Kath get on the flight and leave us behind lol x
Ohh..... Just remembered we are on same flight....
Must have a pre flight drink or two?
Hi All,
Everyone excited that the sun is out and it actually feels like spring is on the way? We do and only just over 11 weeks till Arillas :-)
I understand this API thing is important, so can anyone tell me why when you log onto the Thomas Cook site, go to the the section for API information input it says
"If you are having difficulties in entering your API details please do not be concerned as this information will be collected at check-in as part of the normal check-in procedure. If you require general information please see the help button above. Please note that API details are being collected for Thomas Cook Airlines and Monarch Airlines only - if you are travelling with any other carrier booked through Thomas Cook these details will be collected at check-in"
I as part of my job make half a dozen trips into Europe each year, 2 already this year and on no occasion have I been delayed, charged or even asked about this data. There seems to be an enormous grey area regarding this requirement.
Are some travel companies trying to catch people out with a stealth tax?
GazCaz
It isn't a tax as you are only required to give information. For Flights to Greece it has applied since 1 April 2010.
The instructions are confused and you can of course do it at check-in. However if you click on the 'Help' button on the Thomas Cook web-page you mention it takes you a full page of FAQs.
This is the answer to the relevant question from there:
"We strongly recommend you provide your Advanced Passenger Information at least 7 days before you are due to travel. If there is any irregularity or information missing, we may be able to notify you before it is too late to correct. To minimise inconvenience and delays at check-in, the priority of our airport staff will be to collect Advanced Passenger Information from customers who booked within 7 days of travel. If you booked more than 7 days before departure and have failed to provide your Advanced Passenger Information on our website, you can expect delays at check-in which could result in denied boarding of your flight. We will not be responsible for any refunds or costs you incur if you are denied boarding due to your failure to provide Advanced Passenger Information on our website or the information you provide is inaccurate."
I think that provides the reasons for doing it in advance. Maybe they are laying it on a bit thick but if every passenger leaves it until then the check-ins will take much longer causing possible flight delays. I hope they won't !
Dennis
That seems like a sound reason, Dennis, for providing the information in advance.
Better to be same than sorry I reckon!
Janis x
Janis luvver, I'm neither sane nor sorry.... lol
You got me there, Phil - I should have put "better to be SAFE than sorry" !!
Ooops!
Anyway, who'd want sane... much better to be slightly loopy (I am, certainly!)
Janis x
I knew what you meant Janis luvver, but sane and sorry just flicked a switch for me. I am probably both sometimes, but I have this reputation....
So glad to read your posts. Sane and never sorry. The right combination....
love
Phil
I called into the travel agents today and asked the simple question, tell me what you know about API.
A very helpful young man explained that the information needed to be completed before traveling to certain destinations.
When did you know about this information as I was not informed about it when I paid for my holiday last week.
We knew about 12 months ago that this was going to happen.
I was somewhat surprised by this and asked the question that most of us would have asked.
If you knew this then why did you not take the information when the original booking was made, perhaps that would have helped avoid any problems that may occur, such as delays, people not being aware that the information was needed?
You can go on line and fill in the information he told me.
All well and good but I tried that and were constantly blocked from doing so.
They are having problems with the site at the moment came the reply.
When will I be able to do it on line?
Try it about one month before you travel. We will provide you with the information about API when you collect your travel documents.
I have come to the conclusion that the tour operator is not too bothered about this.
Well lets face it they have had my money but they don't seem bothered about informing me about important information that needs to be reported before I travel.
DELAYS IRATE PASSENGERS MISSED FLIGHTS
Don't just book it Thomas Cock it up
Hear Hear John. Don't just book it, Thomas Crook it. Every little helps....
Ah luvvers, we will still be sat in Brouklis eating our favourite foods on 13 July. Unlucky for some. But not us....
Phil
We always have our first meal at Brouklis, and our last, and as many as possible in between whilst still enjoying the food and hospitality at other hostelries...
Sorry, Phil - we'll be there on the 17th May - wish you and Jen could make it there too - we would really love to meet you two!
Janis x
Just completed ours on the Thomas Crook website. Its almost as if they don't want you to know about it, very strange. Anyway speaking of Thomas Crook, Me and Carolyn still have not been given the refund on the £90 voucher from our problems in 2008. We were promised the money for Carolyns mams birthday trip to Crete last September and they have not replied to our last letter dated 21st December 2009.......so much for their responding in 28 days eh?
I have just phoned Palmair as my dad and I are travelling with them from Bournemouth airport on 5 May - their first flight of the season to Corfu. I asked about API and the woman had clearly never heard of it and insisted they were not asking their clients for any information in advance as all passports are scanned at Bournemouth and they will get the information then. I thought passports were scanned at ALL British airports these days.....So I just hope she is right and we don't encounter any problems when we get to the airport.
have just phoned thomas cook about our visit in june, and was told all the info and instructions are on our invoice, (better go and read it more thoroughly!) but the api should be done on line from 3weeks upto 7 days before departure
ger x
It makes you wonder, doesn't it Ger - what about the old folk that don't have a computer? These are the people that need holidays in the sun and struggle with paperwork in any case....
Janis x
I still don't understand why some airlines are requesting it and not others.
After reading this thread i did mine yesterday for my flight with Thompson on May 14th,i did not know anything about it till i read it here.I dont see how its for security reasons though,how many terrorist would say in advance oh yes heres my passport details and booking number and by the way i am a terrorist.None that i dont know .It just seems another load of unnessersary rubbish to me.There was a program on radio 4 last week and they were interviewing people as to why they have stopped flying,most said it was all the hassle at airports these daysThis just seems like another one.
It certainly does, Harold!
Look forward to meeting you again (we arrive on 17th). Pity Sally can't be there
Janis x
Harold, it sure does make you wonder.
Arrive at airport, looked at suspiciously by security.
Check-in, passports checked, so many questions and API now.
Head to departures, someone asks for your boarding card.
Reach security, STRIP!!!
X-Ray. No Liquids unless tiny and in a clear bag
Metal detector - remember the loose change you forgot and now body searched as a result.
Why do they ask you to take belts off but metal watches seem fine?
Asked to proove that your ipod isn't a thermo nuclear device
At Duty free (sorry tax free, sorry more expensive than Tesco's) they ask for you boarding card again. Like I could get this far without one!!
Qustion - Why do they have suitcase shops in departures? Surely its too late?
Go to gate, show boarding card again and passport.
Up up up the steps to the plane and show that boarding card again.
Simples!
I understand all the security stuff etc, but why oh why do I always get pulled? Frisked,(usually by the biggest/ugliest), shoes off, and now the sniffer dog has to have a good old look about! I must look suspicious or something.
Thanks a lot for this info
I have just gone through our booking with Olympic and there was nothing about it ! I also went in to their web site and followed the instructions ( totally impossible) the link doesn't work.
I have spoken to them and the lady on the end of the phone tried via their site and ended up doing it manually for me so they are aware of the problem and have informed their technical team
I would have lost the plot in the airport if i had to part with my cash LOL
Thanks again H
It just shows how invaluable this forum is, as well as the input from all its members, Helenw!
Janis x
I spoke to my sister about API as she is off to Turkey in September
She booked at the co-op and they took all her information at the time of booking.
BIG STAR FOR THE CO-OP
SHAME ON YOU BIG PLAYERS (tc, thompsons, olympic)
Hi everyone who's fed up with the constant checks.
API is not a security measure it is an immigration statistical collection by HM Gov.
Here is the address of the official website. (if you are remotely interested).
http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/travellingtotheuk/beforetravel/advanceinfopassengers/
They say that they monitor 150million people crossing the UK borders and can tell in advance whether you mean harm or you have the right to enter the country.
Just another Big Brother control being put into place.
Its nothing more than a cheap way of propping up their crumbling boarder control system by getting us to identify ourselves. As for stopping terrorists, they can just come by sea or come as normal on a fake passport. All this system does is keep a tighter control on decent folk.
Hi All!
Just picked up on this topic. I booked my flight with Thomson some time ago, and the first thing I noticed was a 'reminder' which was not very prominent on the 'confirmation of booking' and in small print on the printout. I tried to do the API details a.s.a.p but couldn't. On ringing Thomson I was told that I had to wait 48 hours, then go to a different site to input my details. I did as I was told, but after imputing the required details got no confirmation that the details had been accepted. Hence a further call to their 08---- number at further cost to me to be told by a very charming lady 'all was in order'.
I have since received a further email from Thomson. 'It is the passenger's duty to check that departure times have not changed since booking, as if these times are changed for any reason, Thomson will not reimburse the cost of a missed flight.'
Not long to go now, will check a week before I go. 'Semper non liiegitimum carborundem!'
(don't let the b******s grind you down).
Yammas,
Martin.
I am really surprised to read all of the above niggles with Thomson as I have just received a flight time reminder from Thomson online also in this reminder was all the advice and information about API and a direct link to enable me to do this.
Couldn't agree more TracyNPeter. When I booked with Easyjet, I got an email within 30 minutes of booking telling me to give this information and there was a web link which took me directly to my account ( after logging in) and it was straight forward. Why all companies cannot work on this basis i do not know. Regarding the comments about people who do not have email or not used to using computers surely the companies could either arrange for booking agents to get the information at the time of booking or send out old fashioned snail mail to them.
JohnJ
as i booked in person in a travel shop, i assumed it had all been done! so thought i would just phone and check after reading all this, glad i did, i would have been gutted if i'd got to the airport and been told i couldn't fly or had to hand over yet more dosh!!
ger x
I've just received my "Getting to the Airport" email from Thomson this morning (we leave in 12 days) and it re-iterates that we must give API.
As we've already done that, it's OK, but at least it serves as a reminder to us and anyone else.
Strangely enough it gives us two different booking references in the body of the email! One for the API and another to log on to "My Thomson" with all the usual "holiday extras" !!
Janis x
Hi Janis! I fly on this Friday(7th) but have received nothing from Thomson. I did the API some time ago, hope all goes to plan.
Martin.
So do I Martin, What with this volcanio dust again today, the strike on the 5th and all this fuss about API I hope none of you have to spend extra time or money at the airport. Viv
I had to travel using British Airways last week with work. No API given, no problems even though my company had asked me to supply the data. Also I had a laser Tachometer (measures RPM of motors and other revolving things using a laser beam) in my hand luggage (no hold baggage). British Airways have no issues with such devices, but Thomas Cook say they are banned on their website. Both BA and TC use the same airport security so............ API is easy to do, but i forgot for the business trip. My point is that it is all a bit of a mess, none of them seem to be singing from the same sheet and its us the customer that gets stressed and confused.
I was amazed when I first picked up this thread at lunchtime. I'd never heard of API. However, I e-mailed a friend who is currently in Cyprus and he said he'd had to do it but it was very easy and no trouble. Definitely no charge and seemingly not referred to again. I have also just paid Thomas Cook the balance of my flight for August and the guy there said I would get all the necessary details when the tickets arrived as I couldn't do it before I got them anyway. Again, he assured there would be no charge. Have any of you noticed how it seems that each year your balances have to be paid earlier and earlier? But just on a similar vein, I wonder if it will be like the immigration forms that you HAVE to fill in on-line nowadays for the USA and then when you get to check-in they hand you the old paper forms that you HAVE to fill in as well! Jobsworths and paperwork - I hate them.
Glad I read this thread yesterday as well. Went on the Olympic website and gave the info required, name, gender, date of birth, source document (in our case passports), passport number and expiry date.
A few minutes and job done.
Put a note in my calendar to do same in early January for the Thomson holiday we have booked for next May.
Thankyou iluvsangeorge you saved me some money, I knew nothing about this untill I saw your post. I booked with Skytours, they sent our tickets in a booklet and after reading your post found API under Passports, Visa & Baggage Details (page 6). I had trouble getting on to the web page but once on I used the ref. no. quoted on the page. Will now read rest of the booklet. Thanks again.
Anotherjohn - anothersatisfiedcustomer!
Janis x
Having read the advice re API I thought it would be 'a piece of cake'.
I have just booked my flight with First Choice/Thomsons from Doncaster,
went on to do the API with no success. I have entered both Booking Ref No. and Receipt No. to no avail.
Im loathed to ring them, as you can end up on hold for 10 minutes before you get
to speak to some.
Anyone any ideas please.
Thanks
We booked with Thomson/Skytours and there are actually TWO booking references! The one you need is a 7 digit number, probably beginning with a 3, not the one with 4 digits/six digits.
Hope this helps!
Janis x
Thank you Janis, i thought it was the seven digit number, so I have just tried
it again, still not happening.
Looks like Im going to have to make that phone call.
Sharon
I went into the thomson shop and they did it all for us....much easier and you know it has been sorted.
riggers.
I decided to give Thomsons a call, when I got through I was told, due to the increased volume of call regarding the API they advise I hang up and call again later.
Looks like it will be quicker to go to the Travel Agents.
Hi Sharon its easy enough to do online here's the link to the Thomson API
all you need is your booking confirmation email but as i said in the last post there are 2 numbers its the 1 at the bottom of the email in small print
https://eapi.thomson.co.uk/eborders/login.jsp (https://eapi.thomson.co.uk/eborders/login.jsp)
Tony
i was going to mine today, had all the documents ready found the link, and it says i cant enter details until 28days before travel!! so have made a note on calender to do it beginning of june.
ger x
Hi Tony
Ive cracked it. I followed through on your link, went straight on to the API
entered details and away I went.
Thank You.
Sharon
No probs Sharon just glad you got it sorted
Tony
Flying with Olympic on 24th,completed the API on web site no problem and no extra costs. phew!!
Can't wait for sun, only 9C here today,freezing
API all done and dusted
Just waiting to go, can't come soon enough.
ROLL ON JULY 5th
It won't be long at all, John and Dot - have a wonderful holiday! Look forward to hearing all about it on your return (you lucky, lucky people)
Janis x
Just had Dawson & Sanderson on the phone wanting all our API information. Explained that they should have all our information on their system as we had just returned from a holiday that we had also booked through them. They told me that after each holiday the information is deleted apparently for legal reasons.
Jill
I thought it must be per trip or annually Mick&Jill as we have had to supply it for the last 2 years at least its easy enough to do online
Tony
someone at work today said that you could only give this info 7 days before. Is this correct??
No, don't think so, Jo. Colin gave our info a couple of months before we flew.
lynn xx
Not correct Jo i gave mine 6 months ago and it was accepted there is a cut off point here's a link that explains it
https://eapi.thomson.co.uk/eborders/pages/faq;jsessionid=D9C527E918DB86C20138C3FE12874755.iscapeeBordersp55a?execution=e1s1 (https://eapi.thomson.co.uk/eborders/pages/faq;jsessionid=D9C527E918DB86C20138C3FE12874755.iscapeeBordersp55a?execution=e1s1)
We have just given our information for our September holiday
Jill
We booked through Easyjet in February for this September and they asked us to do it on their confirmation email
Not long to go now....!!!!
Janis x
Hi,
I have just eneterd my API for our holiday on 12th July without any problem, apart from my husband is being very stubbon and refuses to do his. He says he will have a valid passport at the airport and that should be enough. Needless to say we have argued over this all weekend and today is our wedding anniversary.
Does anyone know of anyone who has been refused to travel over this, is it a legal requirement. I can see that if he is allowed to travel that we will argue that there was no poiunt in doing it anyway.
I may be holidaying on my own yet
Hi Lew19 please read the following this is copied and pasted from the confirmation email that was sent to me by Thomson i also know of people having to pay £30 at the airport for not complying to the api request so like iv'e said before better safe than sorry
Important Information
This email confirm that you have agreed to our Terms and Conditions
**Important API Requirements - All passengers must comply**
Airlines are now required to provide passenger details to government authorities in advance of travel for the purpose of border control. This includes information contained within your passport. For passengers travelling to the US, you will be required to provide your first night address.
You must provide this data between 6 months and 24 hours prior to your departure by visiting http://eapi.thomson.co.uk quoting booking reference number [1234567]. Customers travelling within 4 days of booking will be unable to use the online facility, so will therefore be required to provide the necessary information upon check-in at the airport.
Failure to provide this information may result in you being unable to travel.
Well said Tony. Lynda, he's wrong. Can't you fill it in? It may be yet another bit of Gordo Brown's nanny state but you have to do it. Just hope it doesn't ruin your Arillas time
Phil
Lew 19, I cannot believe you get away with not doing the lot!
I have the (yearly)hassle of flight booking, Insurance booking, Euro organising, suntan cream/insect repellent-buying, whole new wardrobe for three boys buying, the 'odd' dress for harrassed stressed wonderful wife (:-)) and what does he do??? forgets his ENTIRE toiletries- the only thing he needs to pack) so we pay TREBLE the prices at airport!
grrrr. Good job I love him though ;-)
Sounds familiar Jo. But I'm on the other side of all that. Ask Jen....
Arilliacs are ordinary human beings!
take care luvver
Phil
I have finally got round to doing all my details for the flight today but had to keep checking and re-checking as I am paranoid that I have done something incorrectly and they will stop us flying! Yikes
jo
a good mum like you ,im sure you wont forget anything ...........yammas
Yes Jo, like you I have had to book the holiday, sort out insurance, repellent, change money, buy everything we need to take.
If I put my husbands details in for him he would not be happy and it is not worth arguing for the whole holiday not even for a place like Arillas.
I didnt know about this at all... is it new? I dont remember doing it last November when we went to Lanzagrotty
No its not new BG i had to submit it last year if you click the links iv'e put on it explains the need for it or not the need for it as the case maybe
Tony
lew19, just do it for him, he'll never know! I do all these things, and Gordon doesn't have a clue what goes on. If he had to book things, we'd never go anywhere!!!!
Lew just tell hubby not to blame you when you arrive at the airport if security is waiting for him wearing rubber surgical gloves :0)
Yes, just do it, surely he won't go on about it for all of the holiday.
This will be the first year that I've had to give this info, I went to Corfu in June last year with Thomson and didn't have to give any information then. It clearly states on my booking confirmation that it needs to be done this year though.
Good luck Lew, hope you manage to get him to see sense.
Becky
We didnt have to do it last June but was needed for September holiday.
Jill
Ha ha Maggie - spot on!
Janis x
We have been told by tomson that we dont need it to go to south africa,but me being a female want it double checked,still say the same,why do we need this for corfu and not s.africa.lol this is causing a lot trouble for me lol
Heather - my sister's going to Turkey (spit, spit!!) on Friday and she's not been made aware (other than by me) of API either. It seems it's all very changeable at the moment, but better to check in any case!
Janis x
Can I ask, anyone who has already been, have there been any questions asked about this when you are at the airport?
I dont think they will ask anyone Jo who has filled in the API as the airport already has the info on you
All i know is a couple of folk we know were stopped and hadn't filled it in and it cost them £30 each at the airport
Now that equates to roughly 36 bottles of mythos which is not to be sniffed at ;-)
Tony
Hi All,
Thanks everyone for all of your help and support over this, I really appreciate it, us good Arillians really stick togther.
I'll let you all know how we get on
hello to everyone , I am new to your site and this is my first post please help. I have just booked for the mathraki studios on the 27th August cant wait. When I asked Thomsons about pre-registering passport details they said it is not compulsary until next year, but after reading all your comments I am worried. Can anyone tell me what the legal requirements are. By the way great site.
Quote from: julied on July 22, 2010, 09:50:22 AM
When I asked Thomsons about pre-registering passport details they said it is not compulsary until next year, but after reading all your comments I am worried. Can anyone tell me what the legal requirements are.
Thomsons own web-site states:"All passengers are now required to provide API information in advance of travel. Please go here to find out more about API."
http://www.thomson.co.uk/editorial/faqs/important-information/api-requirements.html (http://www.thomson.co.uk/editorial/faqs/important-information/api-requirements.html)
Personally I would say just do it. It is no real hassle and presumably you don't have anything in writing from Thomsons ... just words which are no good when faced with a check-in operator with a different opinion.
Dennis
I went to Corfu in May from Bournemouth with Palmair and API was never mentioned. I had no problem at the airport....other than the strike!!
We booked online with Thomson and the email confirmation had loads in it about the API.
I spent ages trying to log in online but it wouldn't accept my booking number. In the end I gave up and rang them.
Apparently because we're flying on a Monarch flight (from Edinburgh) then we can't do the API stuff in advance and have to wait till we get to the airport. It only works online if it's a Thomson flight.
I did point out to them that they could maybe have mentionned this in the email confirmation and saved me a lot of time!
Tickets arrived yesterday and again it's telling me to log on and do even though I know I don't have to!
Some airlines don't ask you for it, whether its required or not. TC say it can be done at the airport, but slows things up. SO to be charged £30 each is basically theft plain and simple. Greedy airlines pulling another fast one.
Greedy airlines or not...better to do it beforehand......
Hi, I would just like to say a big thank you to everyone who has replied your a smashing lot. Yes I think the answer is to just get on and do it and then there shouldnt be any problems. To anyone thats there now (Phil included) and anyone thats there before me have the best holiday ever I know I will.
Julie
Has anyone had any problems entering details on Thomas Cook site? Got past the login page and tried to continue, without success.
Wasn`t sure if I was doing something wrong, so I clicked on`help`.
On the FAQ page, it said that if you are having problems, then no matter, as the info will be collected at check-in.
Might ring our local office to double check.
Paul
I think I had problems doing this when I was going to Kos in the spring and it was because I was using the wrong reference number.
Have just had my Thomson flight tickets for Arillas and there is a big section in red asking us to complete the passenger information online before flying. Have done this without a problem.
I think you should try again online as it will save time at the airport.
Best wishes
Pat
I managed it a few weeks back without any problems, when the tickets came. I think you have to do it within so many days of travelling. 4 sleeps to go and getting excited.
Certainly none of our party prior completed these details for our journey in April.
I have taken to opportunity to do so now having read this.
My gut feel is that this is probably a travel industry wide initiative to serve the increased security requirements of the USA.
Might be another nice stealth earner too in the future now we are paying for our luggage, food etc. Wonder when the toilets will be coin operated?
Some airlines make it compulsory before travel to Corfu, for example Easyjet. Charter flights seem less concerned, but if it speeds up check in and enhances security it's OK by me.
Just been into Thomas Cook cos I still couldn`t do API online.
As it turns out, it`s not a legal requirement til next year( or so we were told).
Some airlines do need it, but not T.C.
Couldn`t do it on their system either as it was down. Not to worry, she says. Won`t affect us travelling.
Paul