Choose the Best Vaccine Passport App for Safe Travel
With all the new requirements in place for travel documents, it can be hard to keep track of everything you need to fly. Following the COVID-19 pandemic, many airlines require proof of vaccination before boarding your flight. Fortunately, there are many handy apps available and in development that display a copy of your vaccine card. Also known as vaccine passport apps, these tools make it easier than ever to prove your vaccination status.
With so many options, it can be hard to determine which is the best app for you. Read on to learn more about finding a vaccine passport app that suits your travel needs.
Why Do You Need a Vaccine Passport?
A vaccine passport allows you to show proof that you have received a required vaccine when traveling. While they are now more commonly used following the COVID-19 pandemic, travelers have been providing documentation for vaccines for years when traveling to countries that have a high risk of certain diseases. Typically provided by a doctor, a vaccine passport is an official document that proves you meet certain medical requirements for traveling.
What Is a Vaccine Passport App?
Vaccine passport apps are designed to make it easier than ever to provide documentation for required vaccines. You might be asked to show proof of vaccination at various stages of your trip, from the airport to the hotel. Instead of carrying around your certification, you can simply upload it to a vaccine passport app and save yourself the trouble of pulling out your vaccination card. Vaccine passport apps also hold COVID-19 testing information, which is sometimes required for air travel.
Aside from the convenience of storing all your documents in one place, it also ensures that your information doesn’t get lost or stolen. Carrying around original copies of your travel documents increases the risk that you might lose them. A vaccine passport app is highly secure, giving you one less thing to worry about when packing your bags.
What Is the Best Vaccine Passport App?
The app you choose will depend on your travel plans. Travelers in the European Union can use the Green Pass app, while residents and visitors to New York state can use the Excelsior Pass app. The right vaccine passport app for you is the one that best suits your needs as a traveler. Here are some of the top options available, ranging from apps with many features to ones that prioritize simplicity. All of the apps listed below work on both iPhone and Android devices.
Airside
Airside is a multipurpose app that allows you to store most of your travel documents. From your passport to your driver’s license, you can carry digital copies of your documentation wherever you go. The app requires you to verify your identity, so your vaccine certification is always linked securely to the app. Airside is a wonderful option if you’re looking for an all-purpose travel app to store all your information.
Excelsior Pass
New York State developed an app specifically designed to help you meet state requirements for COVID-19 vaccination and testing. The app stores a copy of your vaccination card so it is easy to show in areas that require documentation. Additionally, the app carries negative results for both PCR and antigen tests. Whether you need to show your vaccine card or a negative test, the app has you covered for both.
Green Pass
Green Pass is a standard app that is widely used in the European Union to show proof of vaccination for COVID-19. Like other apps, it stores your vaccine card in digital form, as well as any negative test results necessary for air or train travel. Keep in mind that only European citizens can access and use the app. Non-European travelers will need to provide proof of vaccination in the form of their vaccine certificate.
VeriFLY
VeriFLY is a useful travel app that offers you features well beyond vaccine certification. By entering information about your destination or the event you plan to attend (such as a concert or sporting event), the app will inform you of all the documentation you need. Such documents could include visas, ID documents and, of course, vaccine certifications. This app is a great option if you plan to visit places that have numerous entry requirements.
IATA Travel Pass
The International Air Transport Association Travel Pass is a newer vaccine passport app. It can currently receive vaccine and testing information from 52 countries and is expanding in the coming months to accommodate even more. The app has been widely tested within the IATA and has broad compatibility with many travel requirements.
VaxYes
VaxYes is the perfect app if you’re looking for simplicity and ease of use. While the other apps on this list have other features to help you store travel documents, VaxYes is essentially a digitized version of your vaccine card. The app doesn’t have all the bells and whistles of some other options. Instead, it is designed for users who simply want to digitize their vaccine certificate.
Other Useful Vaccine Apps
Aside from the apps listed above, look for other ways that you might easily store your vaccine information for travel. Individual airlines, such as Delta, often allow you to upload your vaccine information to their apps before arriving at the airport. If you tend to use a particular airline for corporate or personal travel, do some research on any helpful features in their app.
You can also upload health documents, including your COVID-19 vaccine card, to wallet applications. Google and Apple both offer smartphone users a secure digital ‘wallet’ that can store documents of all kinds. If you regularly use these apps, simply upload your vaccine card to your wallet so it’s ready for use when traveling.
Book Your Travel
Now that you know more about the many options, you can select a vaccine passport app that is compatible with your travel needs. Check out our blog for more tips on traveling safely and to learn how Rocketrip can help you with your corporate travel needs.
