#United Airlines’ vaccine sweepstakes offering free flights

United Airlines announced Monday that it’s giving vaccinated customers the chance to win a year of free flights in an effort to promote COVID-19 vaccines. 

Frequent fliers in the airline’s MileagePlus program who upload their vaccination records to the company’s mobile app or website before June 22, can be entered into the “Your Shot to Fly” sweepstakes, the company said. 

As part of the sweepstakes, throughout June, the company will give away 30 roundtrip flights for two in any class of service to anywhere in the world that United flies, the company said. 

On top of that, United will announce five lucky participants on July 1, who will win a grand prize of free travel for a year for themselves and a partner. Those flights can also be in any class of service and anywhere in the world United flies, the company said. 

The sweepstakes is open to all US residents who are at least 18 years old and a MileagePlus member, the company said. Customers have to upload proof of vaccination to be entered.

“We’re proud to do our part to incentivize people to get their shot,” United CEO Scott Kirby said in a statement. “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.”

The program comes as prices for flights are beginning to creep back up again, after more than a year of deals during the pandemic as airlines pleaded with people to board planes.

With the outbreak subsiding in the US, demand for travel returning, and some analysts and economists expect a boom of pent-up demand for travels, hotels and other services this summer.

United is the latest company to incentivize getting one of the COVID-19 vaccines, after President Biden called on the private sector to help with the vaccine roll out.

Earlier this month, for example, the White House announced that ride-hailing companies Uber and Lyft would provide free rides to and from COVID-19 vaccination sites for anyone who still needs to get their shot.