Airlines are increasingly requiring health checks before flying. Alaska is the latest
Alaska Airlines has become the latest U.S. carrier to require that passengers verify their health before going on a flight.
Starting June 30, passengers will be required to complete a health checklist during check-in that asks them to verify that they have not exhibited any COVID-19 symptoms in the 72 hours prior to flying. They'll also have to confirm that they've not come into contact with a symptomatic individual during that same time frame.
The Seattle-based airline announced this move this week as part its "Next-Level Care" program, which includes about 100 different measures that the carrier says provides "layers of safety" for both customers and employees.
Sign up for the free daily TPG newsletter for more airline news
Customers who are not able to comply with the requirements can reschedule their trip as long as their tickets was purchased before June 30 and rebooked travel occurs within a year of the original itinerary. Customers may have to pay the difference in fare between the original ticket and the new one.
The new "health agreement" being added by Alaska puts it on par with that of United and Frontier in requiring such declarations. Going one step further, Frontier has started screening flyers' temperatures before boarding.
More broadly, the moves come as U.S. airlines begin to add flights back to their normally busy summer schedules. While passenger numbers at airports are increasing, they remain well below 2019 numbers as many are still reluctant to fly. Even with a recent summer uptick, the number of people being screened at Transportation Security Administration checkpoints in early June are still 80% below the totals from the same time a year ago.
Underscoring coronavirus-related health concerns, a May TPG report found nearly 40% of travelers surveyed said they'd feel safe flying again only after a vaccination for COVID becomes available. Against that sentiment, carriers have had to toe a fine line in convincing customers to return. They're been instituting new policies — like the one rolled out by Alaska — to help assuage safety concerns and regain their confidence about getting on plane again. Delta even launched its "Global Cleanliness" division to dedicate more resources into upending cleanliness standards in the sky.
More: How far can airborne COVID germs really spread on a plane?
"Caring for our guests and employees and ensuring their safety has always been our number one priority," Alaska Airlines CEO Brad Tilden said in a statement announcing its new health agreement. "COVID-19 has touched all of us in some way and it prompted us to fundamentally change the entire travel experience."
He said the company's Next-Level Care initiative "has been informed by medical experts, employees and guests, to ensure our customers are safe whenever they're ready to fly."
Alaska has also announced that personal hand sanitizing wipes will be available onboard starting in July.
These new policies come as the airline had already made several safety measures, such as blocking middle seats and capping flights at 65% capacity to allow physical distancing onboard until July 31. The airline has also mandated face masks for customers and employees alike, offering face coverings to anyone that may forget about it. Hand sanitizers are offered throughout the airport as well, including the lobby and gate areas.
More: With over 90% of flyers still grounded, what it's like flying in the U.S. right now
TPG featured card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 5X | New! Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Pros
- Valuable dining and food-related credits
- Flexible rewards with airline and hotel transfer partners
- Multiple travel and purchase protections
- No foreign transaction fees
- Access to Amex Offers for additional savings (enrollment required)
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- New! Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- Pay It® lets you tap in the American Express® App to quickly pay for small purchase amounts throughout the month and still earn rewards the way you usually do. Plan It® gives you the option to split up big purchases into equal monthly payments with a fixed fee. You’ll know upfront exactly how much you’ll pay.
- Updated! $120 Dining Credit: Earn up to a total of $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the Gold Card at Grubhub (including Seamless), Buffalo Wild Wings, Five Guys, The Cheesecake Factory, and Wonder. This can be an annual savings of up to $120. Enrollment required.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year at over 10,000 qualifying U.S. Resy restaurants after you pay for eligible purchases with the American Express® Gold Card. That’s up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: Earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin’ locations. Enrollment required.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Enjoy up to $120 in Uber Cash annually with your Gold Card. Just add your Card to your Uber account and you'll get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an Amex Card for your transaction.
- New! As an American Express® Gold Card Member, you can enjoy complimentary Hertz Five Star® Status. Enjoy benefits like skipping the counter at select locations, adding an additional driver at no additional cost*, and vehicle upgrades**. Benefit enrollment and Hertz Gold+ registration are required. *Additional drivers must meet standard rental qualifications and must be a spouse or domestic partner to qualify as complimentary. Other additional drivers subject to fees. **Benefits are subject to availability and vary by location. Additional Hertz program Terms and Conditions including age restrictions apply.
- Take advantage of a $100 credit towards eligible charges* at over 1,300 upscale hotels worldwide when you book The Hotel Collection through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App **. *Eligible charges vary by property. **The Hotel Collection requires a two-night minimum stay.
- Book your travel through the Amex Travel App with added peace of mind – backed by American Express® service and support. Only for American Express® Card Members.
- Whenever you need us, we're here. Our Member Services team will ensure you are taken care of. From lost Card replacement to statement questions, we are available to help 24/7.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.