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Vaccinated? You could win free United flights — in any cabin — for a year

May 24, 2021
4 min read
Vaccinated? You could win free United flights — in any cabin — for a year
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Getting a COVID-19 vaccine now includes some sweet travel perks — if you're one of the winners in United's newest sweepstakes.

On Monday, the Chicago-based carrier announced its "Your Shot to Fly" campaign, in support of the Biden administration’s effort to encourage more people to get the COVID-19 vaccine.

As part of the promotion, 30 lucky MileagePlus members will win a round-trip flight for two, in any class of service, to anywhere in the world United flies. Five grand-prize winners will receive one year of free travel worldwide — in any cabin — for themselves and a companion. Note that the grand prize is limited to a total of 26 round-trip flights taken during the year.

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To enter the sweepstakes, MileagePlus members will need to upload their vaccination certificate between May 24 and June 22 to the carrier's mobile app or website at United.com/YourShotToFly. If you're using the mobile app, look for the United Travel-Ready Center when uploading your certificate. The promo is limited to one entry per person.

(Photo courtesy of United)

The winners of the 30 free round-trip tickets will be selected at random throughout the month of June, while the grand-prize winners will be announced on July 1.

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To be eligible, you need to be at least 18 years or older, and a U.S. resident who's received at least one shot of the COVID-19 vaccine — any of the approved COVID-19 vaccines will work.

Since these sweepstakes are designed to encourage those who haven’t yet received their shot to go out and get vaccinated, United isn't requiring a completed vaccination series to be eligible. (To be considered fully vaccinated according to the CDC, you'll need to wait two weeks after the single-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine, or two weeks after the second shot of the two-dose Moderna or Pfizer vaccine.)

The "Your Shot to Fly" campaign is only open to MileagePlus members — if you're not yet a member, you can enroll during the promotion to become eligible. All flights won as part of the sweepstakes must originate in the U.S. and take place on United or United Express.

Though the sweepstakes are designed to encourage vaccination, United is offering a mail-in entry option for those who are unable to receive the shot due to medical reasons, or for those who have privacy concerns with uploading their vaccination certificate. You'll need to send a completed affidavit that explains your ineligibility to receive the COVID-19 vaccine, along with your MileagePlus profile details to MileagePlus Vax Sweepstakes, PO Box 158, Freeburg, IL 62243-0158.

In explaining the campaign, United CEO Scott Kirby said that "thanks to the vaccine, more and more destinations are opening up for travel – and we know our customers are eager to fly. 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.”

In fact, the vaccine is at least partially responsible for some of United's new long-haul routes. The Chicago-based carrier recently announced new nonstop service to Croatia, Greece and Iceland — three countries that are reopening to vaccinated Americans. These routes join existing flights to Italy, Portugal, Spain and France, among others, that are on the docket to resume this summer, as these countries also reopen to vaccinated tourists.

Featured image by (Photo by Zach Griff/The Points Guy)
Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.

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  • Doesn't make sense if you don't fly Delta
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  • Earn 90,000 bonus miles after you spend $4,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months.
  • Receive a Domestic Main Cabin round-trip companion certificate each year upon renewal of your Card. Payment of the government imposed taxes and fees of no more than $80 for roundtrip domestic flights (for itineraries with up to four flight segments) is required. Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. See terms and conditions for details.
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  • Earn 2X Miles at restaurants worldwide including takeout and delivery in the U.S., and at U.S. supermarkets.
  • Earn 1X Mile on all other eligible purchases.
  • Enjoy a per-visit rate of $50 per person for Card Members and up to two guests to enter the Delta Sky Club when traveling on a Delta flight.
  • Fee Credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck® after you apply through any Authorized Enrollment Provider. If approved for Global Entry, at no additional charge, you will receive access to TSA PreCheck.
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TPG Editor‘s Rating
Card Rating is based on the opinion of TPG‘s editors and is not influenced by the card issuer.
3 / 5
Go to review

Rewards Rate

3XEarn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and purchases made directly with hotels.
2XEarn 2X Miles at restaurants worldwide, including takeout and delivery in the U.S. and at U.S. supermarkets.
1XEarn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases.
  • Intro Offer
    Earn 90,000 bonus miles after you spend $4,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months.

    Earn 90,000 Bonus Miles
    50,000 Bonus Miles
  • Annual Fee

    $250
  • Recommended Credit
    Credit ranges are a variation of FICO© Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.

    670-850
    Excellent/Good

Why We Chose It

Build your loyalty to Delta by applying for the carrier's mid-tier card option, the Delta SkyMiles Platinum card. The annual fee is quickly recouped by the card's travel perks, such as an application credit to Global Entry or TSA Precheck, annual companion certificate and so much more. Plus you can fast-track to elite status simply through card spend.

Pros

  • Earn bonus Medallion® Qualification Miles (MQMs) and an Medallion Qualifying Dollar (MQD) waiver when you hit specific spending thresholds with your card within a calendar year
  • Receive a Domestic Main Cabin round-trip companion certificate each year
  • Statement credit for TSA PreCheck/Global Entry fee (up to $100)
  • First checked bag free

Cons

  • Doesn't make sense if you don't fly Delta
  • SkyMiles aren't the most valuable airline currency
  • Earn 90,000 bonus miles after you spend $4,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months.
  • Receive a Domestic Main Cabin round-trip companion certificate each year upon renewal of your Card. Payment of the government imposed taxes and fees of no more than $80 for roundtrip domestic flights (for itineraries with up to four flight segments) is required. Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. See terms and conditions for details.
  • Enjoy your first checked bag free on Delta flights. Plus enjoy Main Cabin 1 Priority Boarding and settle into your seat sooner.
  • New: Card Members get 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
  • Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and purchases made directly with hotels.
  • Earn 2X Miles at restaurants worldwide including takeout and delivery in the U.S., and at U.S. supermarkets.
  • Earn 1X Mile on all other eligible purchases.
  • Enjoy a per-visit rate of $50 per person for Card Members and up to two guests to enter the Delta Sky Club when traveling on a Delta flight.
  • Fee Credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck® after you apply through any Authorized Enrollment Provider. If approved for Global Entry, at no additional charge, you will receive access to TSA PreCheck.
  • Earn up to 20,000 Medallion® Qualification Miles (MQMs) with Status Boost® per year. After you spend $25,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year, you can earn 10,000 MQMs up to two times per year, getting you closer to Medallion® Status. MQMs are used to determine Medallion® Status and are different than miles you earn toward flights.
  • No Foreign Transaction Fees.
  • $250 Annual Fee.
  • Terms Apply.
  • See Rates & Fees