The future of international flying? IATA and Qantas push vaccine passports to restart travel
Before the pandemic, I always traveled with my passport (and international power adapter), even if I was going on a short domestic trip.
Though a trip could start with a quick hop from New York to Chicago, I never knew where work would take me next.
That's also why I was sure to always pack one more international travel item: my yellow fever vaccination card. In addition to a passport and visa, some countries require proof of a yellow fever vaccination to enter.
Well, that proof of vaccination framework is what the International Air Transport Association (IATA), as well as Qantas, appear to be working towards as we recover from the coronavirus pandemic.
For more TPG news delivered each morning to your inbox, sign up for our daily newsletter.
On Monday, IATA announced that it's in the final stage of developing a digitalized "Travel Pass" that would help support the reopening of international borders.
This new online system would enable airlines to tap into a common data set of necessary testing or vaccine information for travelers. As part of the plan, travelers and laboratories could theoretically upload negative test results and vaccination information, which could be shared with airlines during check-in and international governments at border crossings.
Additionally, by centralizing all the COVID-19 related testing or inoculation procedures, airlines and travelers could use the Travel Pass as a one-stop-shop for figuring out necessary pre-travel requirements.
In fact, on my recent trip to Dubai, the airline staff simply checked my printed negative COVID-19 test before checking me in. There were no authenticity checks, nor did anyone else in New York or Dubai check the certificate.
With a Travel Pass, not only would the laboratory upload the test result directly to the centralized system, but airlines and governments could be reassured that no one's gaming the system.
And perhaps most importantly, a Travel Pass should hopefully have better safeguards for sensitive health information.
According to Alexandre de Juniac, IATA's Director General and CEO, "We are bringing this to market in the coming months to also meet the needs of the various travel bubbles and public health corridors that are starting operation."
For now, IATA is working with International Airlines Group, which counts Aer Lingus, British Airways, Iberia, Level and Vueling as subsidiaries, to further develop this solution. The first cross-border Travel Pass pilot is scheduled for later this year and the full roll-out slated for the first quarter of 2021. The end goal, of course, is to convince airlines and governments to work together to reopen borders sooner.
Related: When will international travel return? A country-by-country guide to coronavirus recovery
IATA's move comes just as Qantas' CEO, Alan Joyce, told a local television network that the Sydney-based airline is working towards requiring all international travelers to be vaccinated against the coronavirus before boarding one of the company's flights.
"We are looking at changing our terms and conditions to say that for international travelers to ask people to have a vaccination before getting on the aircraft," said Joyce.
While the details remain light, Joyce hinted at a program similar to IATA's Travel Pass for managing the flow of health information.
"What we are looking at is how you can have a vaccination passport, an electronic version of it, that certifies what the vaccine is, is it acceptable to the country you are traveling to," Joyce concluded.
Only time will tell how the airline industry and governments collaborate to reopen international travel. But one thing's for certain: there's no shortage of concepts being piloted.
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.