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US airlines to support contact-tracing efforts in bid to help restart travel

Feb. 19, 2021
2 min read
US airlines to support contact-tracing efforts in bid to help restart travel
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U.S. airlines are known for being especially competitive. We saw that in action just this week when United responded to JetBlue's Newark expansion with a targeted long-haul flight. Still, from time to time, carriers cooperate to address industry-wide concerns, often through their large trade organization, Airlines for America (A4A).

This week, A4A announced that Alaska Airlines, American, Delta, Hawaiian, JetBlue, Southwest and United have all committed to asking passengers to voluntarily share contact-tracing details, that can then be shared with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Some carriers, including Delta and United, have already begun a similar effort on their own.

U.S.-bound international passengers will have the option to provide their:

  • Legal name
  • Two phone numbers
  • Email address
  • Destination address in the U.S.

While the data collection will add some burden to airlines, carriers are hopeful that the extra step could help lead to relaxed travel restrictions — and, ideally, a boost in business.

"We are hopeful that this measure, coupled with existing testing requirements for passengers flying to the U.S., will lead policymakers to lift travel restrictions so that international travel can resume and the social and economic benefits of that travel can be realized," Airlines for America President and CEO Nicholas E. Calio said in a statement.

COVID-19 continues to rage in the United States. Although the effort could potentially lead to some reduction in transmission, with participation being voluntary, it's unclear how effective it'll be. Even with passenger information on hand, there may not be contract tracers available to respond quickly enough to have any meaningful impact.

Still, contract-tracing could once again become practical as more people are vaccinated. This voluntary passenger data may eventually prove useful, especially as transmission rates start to fall but continue to be high.

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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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.

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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 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.
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  • $250 Annual Fee.
  • Terms Apply.
  • See Rates & Fees