United Airlines is joining the throng of companies offering incentives to people who have received the COVID-19 vaccine.
The carrier has launched a sweepstakes for any eager traveler 18-and-up who has received at least one vaccine shot to win one of 30 free roundtrip flights for two—coach or First Class, it’s your choice—to anywhere in the world that United flies. Five grand prize winners will receive a free year’s worth of travel for themselves and a companion.
The contest will run from May 24 through June 22. The grand prize winner will be announced on July 1. Entry is not limited to current MileagePlus members and no purchase is necessary.
“Thanks to the vaccine, more and more destinations are opening up for travel—and we know our customers are eager to fly,” said United CEO Scott Kirby in a statement. “We’re excited to give people one more reason to get vaccinated so they can reunite with friends and family or take that long-awaited vacation.”
Beyond the contest, United also said it is allowing customers to upload their COVID-19 testing and vaccination records to its app and website, which it says could save time at the airport, especially if their destination requires proof of vaccination. The issue could be a hot-button, though, as many are still worried about the privacy issues that go with uploading healthcare records.
Some 71% of the people surveyed across America support a vaccine passport in the short-term, according to an Ipsos survey conducted for the World Economic Forum. Over half of those people, though, said they want Digital Health Passports to only be used a few months. The other 48% say they should be used at least until the end of the year.
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