Apr 21, 2021, 12:42 pm
Last edit by: WineCountryUA
United Customers Can Now Schedule COVID Tests and be Automatically Cleared for Travel Directly through the Travel-Ready Center
United's industry-leading digital platform gets even more useful with the ability to schedule tests and have results directly verified through United's Travel-Ready Center on web and mobile[
Testing sites located in United's hub cities of Chicago, Houston, New York/Newark, Los Angeles, and San Francisco with expansion to Denver, Washington D.C., and international cities in the coming weeks
Photos(1)
CHICAGO, April 21, 2021
-- Since the Travel-Ready Center launched in January, United customers have been able to easily access testing or vaccine requirements needed for travel destinations, upload completed testing results and vaccine records as well as have them verified, all within the United App. Today, the industry-leading digital platform gets even better as customers can now choose from more than 200 COVID-19 testing providers across the country, book appointments and receive confirmation whether their test results meet their destination's requirements. Once the test is validated, customers will see a status indicator informing them that they are "travel-ready" and receive their mobile boarding pass. United is the only airline that offers its customers these services as part of an integrated experience within its app and website and since launch, the airline has processed more than 275,000 COVID-19 tests through the Travel-Ready Center.
"We continue to look for innovative solutions that make travel easier and safer for our customers and employees," said United's Chief Customer Officer Toby Enqvist. "This new feature enables customers to travel with confidence knowing they can quickly locate a testing provider if they need one, schedule an appointment and get the results they need – all within the United Travel-Ready Center experience."
United customers will have access to more than 200 testing sites in the TrustAssure network, including testing sites within United's hubs of Chicago, Houston, New York/Newark, Los Angeles and San Francisco as well as those located at many drug store and pharmacy chains. In the weeks and months ahead, the airline plans to expand availability to more U.S. cities, and add access to international testing sites for customers flying to the U.S. This process was designed with privacy in mind so that limited personal data is involved.
This new and updated ability to schedule a COVID-19 test and upload results directly within the Travel-Ready Center is just one of the many industry-first solutions United has introduced to make travel easier and safer during the pandemic. United was the first airline to offer COVID-19 tests to customers traveling from San Francisco to Hawaii, and the first to launch a free transatlantic COVID-19 testing pilot program for customers traveling from Newark to London. United also was the first domestic airline to require customers to perform a self-health assessment prior to flying.
United's industry-leading digital platform gets even more useful with the ability to schedule tests and have results directly verified through United's Travel-Ready Center on web and mobile[
Testing sites located in United's hub cities of Chicago, Houston, New York/Newark, Los Angeles, and San Francisco with expansion to Denver, Washington D.C., and international cities in the coming weeks
Photos(1)
CHICAGO, April 21, 2021
-- Since the Travel-Ready Center launched in January, United customers have been able to easily access testing or vaccine requirements needed for travel destinations, upload completed testing results and vaccine records as well as have them verified, all within the United App. Today, the industry-leading digital platform gets even better as customers can now choose from more than 200 COVID-19 testing providers across the country, book appointments and receive confirmation whether their test results meet their destination's requirements. Once the test is validated, customers will see a status indicator informing them that they are "travel-ready" and receive their mobile boarding pass. United is the only airline that offers its customers these services as part of an integrated experience within its app and website and since launch, the airline has processed more than 275,000 COVID-19 tests through the Travel-Ready Center.
"We continue to look for innovative solutions that make travel easier and safer for our customers and employees," said United's Chief Customer Officer Toby Enqvist. "This new feature enables customers to travel with confidence knowing they can quickly locate a testing provider if they need one, schedule an appointment and get the results they need – all within the United Travel-Ready Center experience."
United customers will have access to more than 200 testing sites in the TrustAssure network, including testing sites within United's hubs of Chicago, Houston, New York/Newark, Los Angeles and San Francisco as well as those located at many drug store and pharmacy chains. In the weeks and months ahead, the airline plans to expand availability to more U.S. cities, and add access to international testing sites for customers flying to the U.S. This process was designed with privacy in mind so that limited personal data is involved.
This new and updated ability to schedule a COVID-19 test and upload results directly within the Travel-Ready Center is just one of the many industry-first solutions United has introduced to make travel easier and safer during the pandemic. United was the first airline to offer COVID-19 tests to customers traveling from San Francisco to Hawaii, and the first to launch a free transatlantic COVID-19 testing pilot program for customers traveling from Newark to London. United also was the first domestic airline to require customers to perform a self-health assessment prior to flying.
United Launches Industry-Exclusive Technology to Ease the Burden of COVID-19 Travel Restrictions
United's "Travel-Ready Center" will allow customers to upload and validate test results, review local entry requirements, find testing providers, and store vaccination records - all in the United app and United.com
CHICAGO, Jan. 25, 2021
United Airlines today launched the "Travel-Ready Center" - a new, digital solution where customers can review COVID-19 entry requirements, find local testing options and upload any required testing and vaccination records for domestic and international travel, all in one place. United is the first airline to integrate all these features into its mobile app and website.
"While pre-travel testing and documentation are key to safely reopening global travel, we know it can be confusing for customers when they're preparing for a flight," said Linda Jojo, Executive Vice President for Technology and Chief Digital Officer, United. "Starting today, our 'Travel-Ready Center' gives customers a personalized, step-by-step guide of what is needed for their trip, a simple way to upload required documents and quickly get their boarding pass, fully integrated within our app and website."
In the weeks and months ahead, United will add more innovative, industry-first features to the Travel-Ready Center platform to make navigating evolving entry requirements even easier. United customers will soon be able to:
United's "Travel-Ready Center" will allow customers to upload and validate test results, review local entry requirements, find testing providers, and store vaccination records - all in the United app and United.com
CHICAGO, Jan. 25, 2021
United Airlines today launched the "Travel-Ready Center" - a new, digital solution where customers can review COVID-19 entry requirements, find local testing options and upload any required testing and vaccination records for domestic and international travel, all in one place. United is the first airline to integrate all these features into its mobile app and website.
"While pre-travel testing and documentation are key to safely reopening global travel, we know it can be confusing for customers when they're preparing for a flight," said Linda Jojo, Executive Vice President for Technology and Chief Digital Officer, United. "Starting today, our 'Travel-Ready Center' gives customers a personalized, step-by-step guide of what is needed for their trip, a simple way to upload required documents and quickly get their boarding pass, fully integrated within our app and website."
In the weeks and months ahead, United will add more innovative, industry-first features to the Travel-Ready Center platform to make navigating evolving entry requirements even easier. United customers will soon be able to:
- Schedule a COVID-19 test at one of more than 15,000 testing sites around the world, right from the app or website.
- Access the recently launched "Agent on Demand", a United-exclusive feature that gives customers the ability to video chat live with a customer service agent to answer any questions about pre-travel requirements or documentation.
- View details about visa requirements for the countries they plan to visit.
United Customers Can Now Access 3,000 COVID Testing Locations at Albertson Companies and Walmart Through Airline's Mobile App and Website
Airline's digital channels now offer customers easy access to more than 3,000 testing locations via Accenture and CLX Health's TrustAssure™ Platform integration
Customers can book appointments and have test results directly validated on United's mobile app and website to be cleared for travel
Photos(1)
CHICAGO, Aug. 19, 2021
Starting today, United customers can access even more COVID testing locations, including more than 3,000 new Walmart and Albertson Companies locations across the U.S., through the airline's website and mobile app in the Travel Ready Center. Customers can now easily book COVID-19 testing appointments at more than 3,800 total testing providers powered by Accenture technology and the CLX Health's TrustAssure™ network and have their results delivered within 4 to 48 hours of their test and directly submitted to United's website and mobile app to be reviewed for their flight.
United remains the only airline that gives customers destination-specific travel requirements and the ability to upload country-specific required forms, testing results and vaccination records, all within the United App and on United.com. To date, nearly 3.3 million vaccination records, test results and destination entry forms have been submitted through United's online platforms.
"United continues to deliver solutions that make it simple for customers to understand and meet all testing and vaccination requirements directly through our award-winning digital channels," said Linda Jojo, United's executive vice president for technology and Chief Digital Officer. "As more Americans resume international travel, this enhancement to our mobile app and website will give our customers confidence and peace-of mind knowing they have access to all of the information and services they need right in the palm of their hand or on their laptop."
Through United's Travel Ready Center, customers can view a list of localized, eligible COVID testing locations, now including select Albertsons Companies and Walmart locations, as well as additional popular drug store, pharmacy chains, and local healthcare providers across the country. Customers can then select their preferred location and schedule an appointment directly through United's website and mobile app. Once the test is reviewed, customers will see a status indicator informing them that they are "travel-ready" and can receive their mobile boarding pass. The airline plans to continue to expand its offering, including adding international testing sites for customers flying to the U.S. This process was designed with privacy in mind so that limited personal data is involved.
"At Albertsons Companies, we are always seeking convenient solutions for our customers, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. Our partnership with United Airlines, to provide access to pre-travel COVID testing, is just another example of this intent," said Omer Gajial, Albertsons Companies SVP of Pharmacy and Health. "With our integrated testing solution, our customers can easily schedule their COVID-19 test at one of our convenient store locations, and results are seamlessly and confidentially delivered to United Airlines."
"Our TrustAssure™ platform was engineered to deliver a compliant, clinically sound, state of the art solution that leverages interoperability to thousands of COVID testing locations around the world," said Joseph Gonzalez, Chief Strategy Officer for CLX Health. "The domestic expansion of our TrustAssure network of premier national retail partners supporting COVID-19 testing, including Albertsons and Walmart locations in the United States, will provide travelers a multitude of choices virtually anywhere in the country to help them meet their travel requirements."
"Together with United, Albertsons and Walmart, we innovated at speed and scale to help implement a solution for United's customers, creating a system designed to give them greater support and confidence to navigate the new complexities introduced as a result of COVID-19," said Emily Weiss, global lead of Accenture's Travel industry group. "We are proud to help with this effort and provide a solution to make meeting travel requirements easier for customers as they continue to resume flying domestically and internationally."
Today's news is the latest initiative the airline has introduced in recent months to make travel easier for customers who need proof of a negative COVID-19 test. United was the first to set up an easy way for international travelers to bring a CDC-approved test with them, self-administer while abroad, and return home through an innovative collaboration with Abbott. United was also the first airline to offer COVID-19 tests to customers traveling from San Francisco to Hawaii, and the first to launch a free transatlantic COVID-19 testing pilot program for customers traveling from Newark to London.
Airline's digital channels now offer customers easy access to more than 3,000 testing locations via Accenture and CLX Health's TrustAssure™ Platform integration
Customers can book appointments and have test results directly validated on United's mobile app and website to be cleared for travel
Photos(1)
CHICAGO, Aug. 19, 2021
Starting today, United customers can access even more COVID testing locations, including more than 3,000 new Walmart and Albertson Companies locations across the U.S., through the airline's website and mobile app in the Travel Ready Center. Customers can now easily book COVID-19 testing appointments at more than 3,800 total testing providers powered by Accenture technology and the CLX Health's TrustAssure™ network and have their results delivered within 4 to 48 hours of their test and directly submitted to United's website and mobile app to be reviewed for their flight.
United remains the only airline that gives customers destination-specific travel requirements and the ability to upload country-specific required forms, testing results and vaccination records, all within the United App and on United.com. To date, nearly 3.3 million vaccination records, test results and destination entry forms have been submitted through United's online platforms.
"United continues to deliver solutions that make it simple for customers to understand and meet all testing and vaccination requirements directly through our award-winning digital channels," said Linda Jojo, United's executive vice president for technology and Chief Digital Officer. "As more Americans resume international travel, this enhancement to our mobile app and website will give our customers confidence and peace-of mind knowing they have access to all of the information and services they need right in the palm of their hand or on their laptop."
Through United's Travel Ready Center, customers can view a list of localized, eligible COVID testing locations, now including select Albertsons Companies and Walmart locations, as well as additional popular drug store, pharmacy chains, and local healthcare providers across the country. Customers can then select their preferred location and schedule an appointment directly through United's website and mobile app. Once the test is reviewed, customers will see a status indicator informing them that they are "travel-ready" and can receive their mobile boarding pass. The airline plans to continue to expand its offering, including adding international testing sites for customers flying to the U.S. This process was designed with privacy in mind so that limited personal data is involved.
"At Albertsons Companies, we are always seeking convenient solutions for our customers, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. Our partnership with United Airlines, to provide access to pre-travel COVID testing, is just another example of this intent," said Omer Gajial, Albertsons Companies SVP of Pharmacy and Health. "With our integrated testing solution, our customers can easily schedule their COVID-19 test at one of our convenient store locations, and results are seamlessly and confidentially delivered to United Airlines."
"Our TrustAssure™ platform was engineered to deliver a compliant, clinically sound, state of the art solution that leverages interoperability to thousands of COVID testing locations around the world," said Joseph Gonzalez, Chief Strategy Officer for CLX Health. "The domestic expansion of our TrustAssure network of premier national retail partners supporting COVID-19 testing, including Albertsons and Walmart locations in the United States, will provide travelers a multitude of choices virtually anywhere in the country to help them meet their travel requirements."
"Together with United, Albertsons and Walmart, we innovated at speed and scale to help implement a solution for United's customers, creating a system designed to give them greater support and confidence to navigate the new complexities introduced as a result of COVID-19," said Emily Weiss, global lead of Accenture's Travel industry group. "We are proud to help with this effort and provide a solution to make meeting travel requirements easier for customers as they continue to resume flying domestically and internationally."
Today's news is the latest initiative the airline has introduced in recent months to make travel easier for customers who need proof of a negative COVID-19 test. United was the first to set up an easy way for international travelers to bring a CDC-approved test with them, self-administer while abroad, and return home through an innovative collaboration with Abbott. United was also the first airline to offer COVID-19 tests to customers traveling from San Francisco to Hawaii, and the first to launch a free transatlantic COVID-19 testing pilot program for customers traveling from Newark to London.
UA's "Travel Ready Center" - Q&A, issues,....
Oct 26, 2021, 4:36 pm
#256
Join Date: Sep 2018
Programs: UA Gold, Hilton Gold, Marriott Gold, IHG Platinum Elite
Posts: 185
This process is incredibly frustrating - and unnecessarily so.
I've uploaded a copy of my passport through the mobile app countless times and every single time I need to visit the TRC, I need to upload it again. Every time it asks me if I want to save the passport information, I select 'yes' - then when I go to do OLCI, there is no record of my passport so I need to upload it yet again.
What idiot designed this workflow? I should upload a passport ONE time and it should be carried over to the TRC automatically, and be available for OLCI every single time without further uploading or intervention from me.
I've uploaded a copy of my passport through the mobile app countless times and every single time I need to visit the TRC, I need to upload it again. Every time it asks me if I want to save the passport information, I select 'yes' - then when I go to do OLCI, there is no record of my passport so I need to upload it yet again.
What idiot designed this workflow? I should upload a passport ONE time and it should be carried over to the TRC automatically, and be available for OLCI every single time without further uploading or intervention from me.
Oct 26, 2021, 6:31 pm
#257
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: 4éme
Posts: 12,038
Flying SHD - ORD - CDG next month.
I really don't want to bother with TRC.
I have my CDC card and that's all that's needed to enter France.
Online it says i need to come back within 72 hours of flight to upload docs, which implies it is required?
Can I just skip TRC and check in in-person like I always do when checking bags, that's fine right?
And for return, I can also forget about TRC and just have a printout of my negative test for UA agent at CDG?
Thanks!
I really don't want to bother with TRC.
I have my CDC card and that's all that's needed to enter France.
Online it says i need to come back within 72 hours of flight to upload docs, which implies it is required?
Can I just skip TRC and check in in-person like I always do when checking bags, that's fine right?
And for return, I can also forget about TRC and just have a printout of my negative test for UA agent at CDG?
Thanks!
Nov 2, 2021, 8:19 am
#259
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: DAY
Programs: UA 1K 1MM; Marriott LT Titanium; Amex MR; Chase UR; Hertz PC; Global Entry
Posts: 10,159
Nov 2, 2021, 8:27 am
#260
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: PHX
Programs: AS 75K; UA 1MM; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott LTP; Hilton Diamond (Aspire)
Posts: 56,450
United Airlines doesn't require covid testing. The destination you're flying to may. UA won't let you board unless you can satisfy the rules of the destination.
Nov 2, 2021, 8:47 am
#261
Moderator: United Airlines
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: SFO
Programs: UA Plat 1.995MM, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott Plat/LT Gold, Hilton Silver, IHG Plat
Posts: 66,850
Nov 2, 2021, 8:49 am
#262
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Golden, CO USA
Programs: UA 1K 2MM, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 765
I believe Hawaii was one that initially had a very limited list of acceptable testing locations, which United had to enforce. This has changed somewhat but it is the destination that dictates acceptable lab testing locations, if any.
Nov 2, 2021, 9:28 pm
#263
Join Date: Jun 2011
Posts: 923
I am not sure why I continue to use Travel-Ready
Today, uploaded 2 sets of documents for 2 pax: negative PCR and country-specific entry documents. The negative PCRs were accepted. One entry doc was accepted while the other was not (even though they were identical in every way except name and passport number (and seat). I uploaded the same doc three times. I kept getting an error that I was using the wrong entry documents! (Specifically, "Your document isn’t the required destination entry documentation. Please review the requirements again and resubmit.")
SO, while I had an opportunity today, I called the Premier Line. The rep told me she did not understand why. Apparently, there is an internal number for reps to call the Travel Ready Center. After 45min, its rep told the Premier Line rep the same thing. Since I print my documents, I had another review them--identical with the exceptions as stated.
Really, I do not know why I use Travel-Ready. I feel like I keep wasting more time on getting that right than just going to the airport early and giving the TA my docs.
Am I missing something?
SO, while I had an opportunity today, I called the Premier Line. The rep told me she did not understand why. Apparently, there is an internal number for reps to call the Travel Ready Center. After 45min, its rep told the Premier Line rep the same thing. Since I print my documents, I had another review them--identical with the exceptions as stated.
Really, I do not know why I use Travel-Ready. I feel like I keep wasting more time on getting that right than just going to the airport early and giving the TA my docs.
Am I missing something?
Last edited by dcpdxtrans; Nov 2, 2021 at 9:50 pm Reason: Quoting error message
Nov 3, 2021, 12:31 am
#264
Join Date: May 2010
Location: AVP & PEK
Programs: UA 1K 1.8MM
Posts: 6,349
Not sure, but I gave up today also trying to use it.
I also couldn't upload a VISA. Kept getting rejected, until it was accepted, only to be met with: "Wrong type of VISA" message.
I think this is all a classic case of a board room decision by UA management to implement new technology, without their consideration that the whole UA IT department [apparently] consists of one guy who works part-time on an Amiga 2000 computer in a disused boiler room on a subterranean level at Sears Towers.🤔
I also couldn't upload a VISA. Kept getting rejected, until it was accepted, only to be met with: "Wrong type of VISA" message.
I think this is all a classic case of a board room decision by UA management to implement new technology, without their consideration that the whole UA IT department [apparently] consists of one guy who works part-time on an Amiga 2000 computer in a disused boiler room on a subterranean level at Sears Towers.🤔
Nov 3, 2021, 6:07 pm
#265
Join Date: Jun 2011
Posts: 923
Not sure, but I gave up today also trying to use it.
I also couldn't upload a VISA. Kept getting rejected, until it was accepted, only to be met with: "Wrong type of VISA" message.
I think this is all a classic case of a board room decision by UA management to implement new technology, without their consideration that the whole UA IT department [apparently] consists of one guy who works part-time on an Amiga 2000 computer in a disused boiler room on a subterranean level at Sears Towers.🤔
I also couldn't upload a VISA. Kept getting rejected, until it was accepted, only to be met with: "Wrong type of VISA" message.
I think this is all a classic case of a board room decision by UA management to implement new technology, without their consideration that the whole UA IT department [apparently] consists of one guy who works part-time on an Amiga 2000 computer in a disused boiler room on a subterranean level at Sears Towers.🤔
Nov 6, 2021, 1:57 pm
#266
Join Date: Oct 2021
Posts: 178
If UA's website can't accept the uploaded document(s), the passenger can just present them to the human check-in agent on the day of the international flight, right? (which is unavoidable because she has 4 bags to check, one of which is a cello)
Nov 6, 2021, 2:01 pm
#267
Moderator: United Airlines
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: SFO
Programs: UA Plat 1.995MM, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott Plat/LT Gold, Hilton Silver, IHG Plat
Posts: 66,850
Nov 6, 2021, 2:06 pm
#268
Join Date: Oct 2021
Posts: 178
Yes, and the agent will use IATA's Timatic to determine acceptability.
Nov 6, 2021, 6:59 pm
#269
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Austin, TX
Programs: CoUniHound 1K 1MM, AA EXP 2MM, DL Plat, Marriott Lifetime Titanium
Posts: 1,625
Appears that 11/8 caught the Travel Ready Center by surprise. After waiting over 6 hours to get my Costa Rica Pase de Salud approved, and getting no response from Twitter, I called the 1K desk. My documents are approved but stuck in the queue waiting to send back so the TRC will go from pending to approved. Still on hold trying to get them out of their queue. Before this, I had never had a wait of longer than 10 minutes to get documents or tests approved.
Nov 7, 2021, 7:43 am
#270
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: where lions are led by donkeys...
Programs: Lifetime Gold, Global Entry, Hertz PC, and my wallet
Posts: 20,340
Appears that 11/8 caught the Travel Ready Center by surprise. After waiting over 6 hours to get my Costa Rica Pase de Salud approved, and getting no response from Twitter, I called the 1K desk. My documents are approved but stuck in the queue waiting to send back so the TRC will go from pending to approved. Still on hold trying to get them out of their queue. Before this, I had never had a wait of longer than 10 minutes to get documents or tests approved.