United Airlines is giving five lucky frequent flyer club members the chance to win free travel, in any class of service, for themselves and a companion for an entire year. But as well as signing up to United’s MileagePlus program, there’s one other entry requirement – you have to have had a COVID-19 shot.
The prize draw, United explains, is to support the Biden administration’s effort to get more people to come forward and get vaccinated against COVID-19. According to Our World in Data, nearly 49 per cent of people in the United States have now received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine as of May 23 but vaccine supply is now starting to outstrip demand.
United’s ‘Your Shot to Fly’ sweepstakes follows hot on the heels of state and local incentive programs that include cash prize lotteries and raffles to win free college education intended to boost uptake amongst vaccine-hesitant communities. In New York City, residents have been able to collect free Metro cards if they choose to receive the Johnson & Johnson single-shot vaccine.
“We’re proud to do our part to incentivize people to get their shot,” commented United chief executive Scott Kirby on Monday. “Thanks to the vaccine, more and more destinations are opening up for travel – and we know our customers are eager to fly,” Kirby continued.
“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 which all could be just one shot away.”
To take part in the sweepstakes, new or existing MileagePlus members must upload their vaccination records into United’s mobile app or website by June 22. There are 30 pairs of tickets to any destination and in any class of service to be won through the month of June.
And five lucky winners will bag themselves a grand prize of travel for a year for themselves and a companion. The grand prize will be drawn on July 1.
The sweepstakes is open to any resident of the United States who is at least 18 years old and a MileagePlus member. For more information and to enter, visit United.com/YourShotToFly.
Last week, the European Union agreed to plans to reopen to tourists from anywhere in the world if they can prove they are fully vaccinated. Some countries, including Iceland and Greece, are already open to fully vaccinated tourists.
Photo Credit: Emiel Molenaar via Unsplash
