Vaccination campaigns around the world are offering all sorts of incentives to ramp up the vaccination rate, including big-money lotteries, theater tickets and more. But two airlines, Qantas and United, are really going ‘around the world’ with their incentive offers.
Qantas chief Alan Joyce listed his airline’s offer: “We’re going to offer 10 ‘mega-prizes’, at least one for each state and territory, where you will get for a year, for a family of four, unlimited economy class travel on the Qantas and Jetstar network.” To top that off, he said, the Accor hotel group will throw in a million of its loyalty points to cover hotels for the winners. Qantas members who’ve already been vaccinated will be in the pool, too.
At United, the prizes aren’t limited to economy class—”Think Polaris,” one of its ads suggests, referring to the flagship first-class product—and will give five winners unlimited travel on United for a year, anywhere, any class. An additional thirty winners will get one anywhere any class round trip. Entry is by uploading a vaccine card to United’s frequent flyer program.
In United’s case, there’s also an incentive for pilots: 13 hours extra pay with proof of vaccination.