In 2021, Dwight and I planned a trip to Central America. It was the year after the pandemic was announced, and somewhat easier, because all we had to do was show proof of a negative COVID-19 test seventy-two hours prior to every flight. Easy peasy.
2022, things are a little different. We’re headed to The Netherlands, and in addition to proving that we’re both vaccinated, we also had to show that we’re boosted. We also had to submit a health form that allows us to enter the country.
Proving those things wasn’t an issue. The challenging part was having our uploaded documents verified by United Airlines.
COVID-19 BOOSTER/HEALTH FORM
Initially, part of our documents were incomplete or not verifiable. It looked something like this:
| Dwight | Kathy |
| COVID-19 proof: RESUBMIT | COVID-19 proof: VERIFIED |
| Health Form: INCOMPLETE | Health Form: INCOMPLETE |
Yes. Even though we’re both vaxxed and boosted, the airline said one of us was not verified lol After sitting on the phone for an hour, we found out that the verifier thought Dwight’s booster was half a vaccine. The health form was my error. Both forms were incomplete because I didn’t include the flight number to Amsterdam on the form.
We resolved the issue around ten in the morning, ate our waffles, bacon, and eggs in peace, and continued packing.
HEALTH FORM
Around six that same evening, I received a text. My health form was verified, but Dwight’s was incomplete. With the exception of our names/signatures, our forms were identical. How could this be?
I sat on the phone for another hour while the customer service rep “researched the problem.” Surprise, surprise, they messed up again. They didn’t consider that Europeans require the date to be written differently. So, the confusion looked something like this:
Actual birthday: 02/10/1974
How it is required to be written on the form: 10/02/1974
Yes. This confused the airline. Although they apologized and rectified the situation, I cannot get those hours back.
THE POINT?
To travel abroad these days, you have to be super motivated. You have to not only have all of your health affairs in order, but you also have to be technologically savvy and have a surplus of time in case you have to deal with a disorganized airline.
Even though the pre-flight requirements are a bit annoying, and the airline doesn’t seem to be the most efficient, being able to see another country is still worth it.
Thanks for following us. Next week, we’ll be happy to share what’s going on in Rotterdam!
Garlands Abroad 