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Albertsons, Walmart provide COVID-19 testing for United travelers

Thousands of test sites made available through airline’s website, app

Russell Redman

August 20, 2021

3 Min Read
United_Airlines_app-Albertsons_Walmart_COVID_tests.jpg
United customers going online to the airline's Travel Ready Center can access a list of local COVID test sites, including at Albertsons and Walmart stores and other pharmacy chains and health care providers.United Airlines

More than 3,000 Albertsons Cos. and Walmart locations are participating in a COVID-19 testing network for travelers accessible via the United Airlines website and mobile app.

Customers going online to United’s Travel Ready Center can view a list of local COVID testing sites that now include selected Albertsons and Walmart stores, as well as locations from other popular drugstore chains, pharmacies and health care providers nationwide, the Chicago-based airline said yesterday. They can then choose their preferred location and schedule an appointment directly through United’s website or app. After the test is reviewed, customers will see a status indicator informing them that they are “travel-ready” and can receive their mobile boarding pass.

“At Albertsons Cos., we are always seeking convenient solutions for our customers, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. Our partnership with United Airlines to provide access to pre-travel COVID testing is just another example of this intent,” Omer Gajial, senior vice president of pharmacy and health at Albertsons, said in a statement. The Boise, Idaho-based food and drug retailer’s stores include banners such as Albertsons, Safeway, Vons, Jewel-Osco, Shaw’s, Acme, Tom Thumb and Randalls. “With our integrated testing solution, our customers can easily schedule their COVID-19 test at one of our convenient store locations, and results are seamlessly and confidentially delivered to United Airlines.”

Related:Albertsons reaches 6 million COVID-19 vaccinations

Overall, more than 3,800 providers in the CLX Health TrustAssure network, powered by Accenture technology, enable United travelers to book COVID test appointments. Results are delivered in four to 48 hours and directly submitted to United’s website and app to be reviewed for customers’ flights.

“Together with United, Albertsons and Walmart, we innovated at speed and scale to help implement a solution for United’s customers, creating a system designed to give them greater support and confidence to navigate the new complexities introduced as a result of COVID-19,” explained Emily Weiss, global lead of Accenture’s travel industry group. “We are proud to help with this effort and provide a solution to make meeting travel requirements easier for customers as they continue to resume flying domestically and internationally.”

The TrustAssure platform provides a “clinically sound,” interoperable solution to connect with thousands of COVID testing sites worldwide, according to Joseph Gonzalez, chief strategy officer at CLX Health. “The domestic expansion of our TrustAssure network of premier national retail partners supporting COVID-19 testing, including Albertsons and Walmart locations in the United States, will provide travelers a multitude of choices virtually anywhere in the country to help them meet their travel requirements,” he stated.

Related:Walmart providing digital COVID vaccine records for customers

United plans to expand the digitally accessible COVID testing program, including the addition of international test sites for travelers flying to the United States. The company said it’s currently the only airline that gives customers destination-specific travel requirements and enables them to upload country-specific required forms, test results and vaccination records within its app and website.

“As more Americans resume international travel, this enhancement to our mobile app and website will give our customers confidence and peace of mind, knowing they have access to all of the information and services they need right in the palm of their hand or on their laptop,” commented Linda Jojo, chief digital officer and executive vice president of technology at United.

To date, almost 3.3 million vaccination records, test results and destination entry forms have been submitted through United online platforms, the company reported.

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About the Author

Russell Redman

Senior Editor
Supermarket News

Russell Redman has served as senior editor at Supermarket News since April 2018, his second tour with the publication. In his current role, he handles daily news coverage for the SN website and contributes news and features for the print magazine, as well as participates in special projects, podcasts and webinars and attends industry events. Russ joined SN from Racher Press Inc.’s Chain Drug Review and Mass Market Retailers magazines, where he served as desk/online editor for more than nine years, covering the food/drug/mass retail sector. 

Russell Redman’s more than 30 years of experience in journalism span a range of editorial manager, editor, reporter/writer and digital roles at a variety of publications and websites covering a breadth of industries, including retailing, pharmacy/health care, IT, digital home, financial technology, financial services, real estate/commercial property, pro audio/video and film. He started his career in 1989 as a local news reporter and editor, covering community news and politics in Long Island, N.Y. His background also includes an earlier stint at Supermarket News as center store editor and then financial editor in the mid-1990s. Russ holds a B.A. in journalism (minor in political science) from Hofstra University, where he also earned a certificate in digital/social media marketing in November 2016.

Russell Redman’s experience:

Supermarket News - Informa
Senior Editor 
April 2018 - present

Chain Drug Review/Mass Market Retailers - Racher Press
Desk/Online Editor 
Sept. 2008 - March 2018

CRN magazine - CMP Media
Managing Editor
May 2000 - June 2007

Bank Systems & Technology - Miller Freeman
Executive Editor/Managing Editor
Dec. 1996 - May 2000

Supermarket News - Fairchild Publications
Financial Editor/Associate Editor
April 1995 - Dec. 1996 

Shopping Centers Today Magazine - ICSC 
Desk Editor/Assistant Editor
Dec. 1992 - April 1995

Testa Communications
Assistant Editor/Contributing Editor (Music & Sound Retailer, Post, Producer, Sound & Communications and DJ Times magazines)
Jan. 1991 - Dec. 1992 

American Banker/Bond Buyer
Copy Editor
Oct. 1990 - Jan. 1991 

This Week newspaper - Chanry Communications
Reporter/Editor
May 1989 - July 1990

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