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,....
May 14, 2021, 10:00 am
#46
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Honolulu Harbor
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 15,014
Flying from US through AMS onto IST arriving and departing June 1. United is showing under the Prepare for your upcoming trip>View Requirement>Your flight may require two types of testing
Transit
Amsterdam, NL
Test type
Molecular PCR test and Antigen test (both are required)
From what I have read on these boards and on NL official nl-covid-19 travelers etc page 4, UAL is incorrect.....so what to do? Print out the official form, contact them? Bite the bullet and get the rapid test as well?
Transit
Amsterdam, NL
Test type
Molecular PCR test and Antigen test (both are required)
From what I have read on these boards and on NL official nl-covid-19 travelers etc page 4, UAL is incorrect.....so what to do? Print out the official form, contact them? Bite the bullet and get the rapid test as well?
Last edited by IAH-OIL-TRASH; May 14, 2021 at 10:05 am
May 14, 2021, 10:10 am
#48
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: SFO/SJC
Programs: UA Silver, Marriott Gold, Hilton Gold
Posts: 14,884
Could this also potentially an issue in the data feed UA is using/getting?
May 14, 2021, 10:13 am
#49
Join Date: Mar 2019
Posts: 63
True, and likewise for us trying to travel. My only concern is could they deny boarding despite doing everything that is required - testing 72 hours, fill out forms for various countries, etc. But because their site says 24 hour rapid test there might be that conflict. Thank you for the reply.
May 14, 2021, 10:27 am
#50
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: 66,821
UA agents use Timatic to determine requirements, UA provides a customer link to Timatic
It is the definitive site but not very user friendly -- this Travel Ready information appears to provide "easier" to use site but in a few cases the information does not seem to match Timatic.
It is the definitive site but not very user friendly -- this Travel Ready information appears to provide "easier" to use site but in a few cases the information does not seem to match Timatic.
Jun 3, 2021, 6:15 am
#51
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: London
Programs: UA GS
Posts: 2,438
I'm finding the process of using the Travel Ready Center for my upcoming EWR-ATH flight to be a little frustrating. There are three requirements, and none of them work:
- One asking for vaccine or test status:
- One asking for vaccine or test status:
- I uploaded my CDC card. It was deemed "unreadable"
- I tried uploading my New York Excelsior digital certificate, which I didn't expect to work but has a barcode with the encoded information. It was rejected for "not having the dates of innoculation
- Why do I have to upload this anyway, when I supposedly entered the contest to streamline this?
- One asking for the Passenger Locator Form from the Greek government.- I tried uploading my New York Excelsior digital certificate, which I didn't expect to work but has a barcode with the encoded information. It was rejected for "not having the dates of innoculation
- Why do I have to upload this anyway, when I supposedly entered the contest to streamline this?
- The requirement explicitly states that the PLF must display a QR code. However, the email and website explicitly state that the QR code won't be available until midnight on the day of arrival. Midnight on the day of arrival is 5pm EDT the day before - the flight departs at 5:45 EDT. But the email states "If travel departure begins prior to the day of arrival, travelers are allowed to board after showing the confirmation email (and not necessarily the QR code which is scheduled to arrive during their trip)". But it was rejected by United for not having the QR code. Tried uploading both the email confirmation and the more complete confirmation from the website - no luck.
- The last requirement says "Enter your required passport and visa information"- When you click in, it says "We're unable to find the documentation requirements for this trip", so "Requirements Pending"
- There's a button to "Update information" but just takes you to your saved passport.
I realize this is all new(the first ATH flight hasn't even departed yet) and I can just check in at the GS lobby but they've got some kinks to work out.
- There's a button to "Update information" but just takes you to your saved passport.
Jun 4, 2021, 7:57 am
#52
Join Date: Jan 2011
Programs: UA GS, Bonvoy Plat, Hyatt Silver, Hilton Gld
Posts: 17
I uploaded my results from the NAVICA App using the BinaxNOW test from Abbott and it's been pending for days. I had no issues getting approved on the way here (to PLS) but it seems like nobody is looking at our outbound documentation (still says "An agent will review documents...etcetc"). Guess I'll have to chance it at the airport!
Jun 4, 2021, 11:35 am
#53
Join Date: Jun 2021
Programs: Mileage Plus 1K, AAdvantage Gold, Marriott Bonvoy Platinum
Posts: 298
I uploaded my results from the NAVICA App using the BinaxNOW test from Abbott and it's been pending for days. I had no issues getting approved on the way here (to PLS) but it seems like nobody is looking at our outbound documentation (still says "An agent will review documents...etcetc"). Guess I'll have to chance it at the airport!
Did you share a screenshot from the NAVICA app or an emailed copy?
Jun 4, 2021, 9:29 pm
#54
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Between AUS, EWR, and YTO In a little twisty maze of airline seats, all alike.. but I wanna go home with the armadillo
Programs: CO, NW, & UA forum moderator emeritus
Posts: 35,400
We're headed to PPT tomorrow and have uploaded our test results. Now, over 24hrs later, they are still waiting for agent review. I'll further note that there was nowhere in the dialog for PPT to specifically upload vaccination rec
rds.
rds.
Jun 4, 2021, 9:33 pm
#55
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: SFO/SJC
Programs: UA 1K & 2MM, Bonvoy Titanium & LTP, HH Gold, Accor Silver, Hertz PC, Avis PC
Posts: 2,350
My docs were approved very quickly - within minutes - when I uploaded them prior to my recent trip to LHR. Not sure how it helped though, because I had to show everything at check-in anyway. Check-in was really fast at the airport, but not clear what the point of the upload was.
Jun 4, 2021, 9:40 pm
#56
Join Date: Jun 2021
Programs: Mileage Plus 1K, AAdvantage Gold, Marriott Bonvoy Platinum
Posts: 298
My docs were approved very quickly - within minutes - when I uploaded them prior to my recent trip to LHR. Not sure how it helped though, because I had to show everything at check-in anyway. Check-in was really fast at the airport, but not clear what the point of the upload was.
Jun 4, 2021, 9:42 pm
#57
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: BOS/EAP
Programs: UA 1K, MR LTT, HH Dia, Amex Plat
Posts: 32,017
I'm finding the process of using the Travel Ready Center for my upcoming EWR-ATH flight to be a little frustrating. There are three requirements, and none of them work:
- One asking for vaccine or test status:
- One asking for vaccine or test status:
- I uploaded my CDC card. It was deemed "unreadable"
- I tried uploading my New York Excelsior digital certificate, which I didn't expect to work but has a barcode with the encoded information. It was rejected for "not having the dates of innoculation
- Why do I have to upload this anyway, when I supposedly entered the contest to streamline this?
- One asking for the Passenger Locator Form from the Greek government.- I tried uploading my New York Excelsior digital certificate, which I didn't expect to work but has a barcode with the encoded information. It was rejected for "not having the dates of innoculation
- Why do I have to upload this anyway, when I supposedly entered the contest to streamline this?
- The requirement explicitly states that the PLF must display a QR code. However, the email and website explicitly state that the QR code won't be available until midnight on the day of arrival. Midnight on the day of arrival is 5pm EDT the day before - the flight departs at 5:45 EDT. But the email states "If travel departure begins prior to the day of arrival, travelers are allowed to board after showing the confirmation email (and not necessarily the QR code which is scheduled to arrive during their trip)". But it was rejected by United for not having the QR code. Tried uploading both the email confirmation and the more complete confirmation from the website - no luck.
- The last requirement says "Enter your required passport and visa information"- When you click in, it says "We're unable to find the documentation requirements for this trip", so "Requirements Pending"
- There's a button to "Update information" but just takes you to your saved passport.
I realize this is all new(the first ATH flight hasn't even departed yet) and I can just check in at the GS lobby but they've got some kinks to work out.- There's a button to "Update information" but just takes you to your saved passport.
Jun 4, 2021, 9:45 pm
#58
Join Date: Jun 2021
Programs: Mileage Plus 1K, AAdvantage Gold, Marriott Bonvoy Platinum
Posts: 298
I was searching the Travel Ready Center part of my international reservation today and also could not see where to upload vaccination card photo. I used the “Your shot for a year of free flights sweepstakes” link to upload my CDC card, and it then gave me the option to make the record available in my profile for all travel. So I assume it’s there now without the need to upload again for each trip. 🤔
Jun 4, 2021, 10:21 pm
#59
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: London
Programs: UA GS
Posts: 2,438
I mean sure, and as a GS it’s probably less hassle than when I have to checkin with my pet in cabin. But if they’re advertising the ability to have things verified in advance it would be nice to see it work.
Jun 4, 2021, 11:18 pm
#60
Join Date: Jan 2005
Programs: SQ, QF, UA, CO, DL
Posts: 2,882
A few weeks ago I submitted both a COVID test and arrival country quarantine registration, both were rejected as invalid. Checked in using the same documents with no problem and arrival into country was a breeze. The system is clearly not working well.