Holiday travel season is here and this one is expected to make up for all the lost travel time and revenue that vanished last year because of COVID-19.

Already, Americans are packing up ahead of planned trips to see their families or take a vacation after a year of hard work. The American Auto Association is estimating that 53.4 million people will travel for Thanksgiving alone. Travel data firm Hopper meanwhile predicts that throughput at U.S airports will be around 1.9 million people daily for Thanksgiving and 2 million for Christmas.

Unfortunately, COVID-19 is still with us all, overstaying its welcome for another holiday season. What separates this year from 2020 though is that a large number of Americans and other travelers have been vaccinated against the virus, increasing their safety and leaving them more comfortable traveling than before.

However, many airlines, businesses, states and countries will want to see proof that you are vaccinated or have at least tested negative first. It is still important to keep your vaccination record on hand, but this is the digital age, so here are three vaccination apps that can help make your travels hassle-free.

VeriFLY

Developed by Virginia-based biometrics company Daon, VeriFLY is designed to store your travel health data and make it easily accessible during your trip. For your convenience, you can download it from either the Apple App Store or from Google Play.

What makes the app more convenient is that it is free, easy to use, and helpful in sharing data on COVID-19 entry requirements of your destination.

After creating a secure profile on your mobile device, the app will request you to confirm details of your trip including flight information, a negative COVID-19 test or vaccination, and other required documents needed to fly. The app verifies that your test or vaccine matches your destination country's vaccine requirements, giving you a "pass" or "fail" message if your information matches them.

The app was first tested out last November and since has been accepted by a number of major international airlines. According to the app’s website, companies including Alaska Airlines, British Airways and Japan Airlines have all connected prospective travelers with VeriFLY and so have a few cruise lines like Viking Cruises.

CommonPass

If you are looking to get a one-stop-shop to hold all of your vaccination or COVID-19 testing information, look no further than CommonPass.

CommonPass is the end result of a collaboration between The Commons Project, The World Economic Forum and The Rockefeller Foundation together with business leaders from around the world to create a common app for safe traveling.

How the app works is that it accesses your results through existing health data systems like local or national registries. The app's site makes it clear that it remains limited to what it considers trusted sources, but that it is looking to expand to include more.

How the app itself works is straightforward. After receiving your most recent test results or vaccination status, you record them onto the CommonPass app which then assesses whether the source is trustworthy or if it satisfies the screening requirements of a country or state that you are visiting. Like VeriFLY, it tells you "Yes" or "No" before generating a certificate for your use.

CommonPass is free to download and you can find it from the Apple App Store or from Google Play as well.

CLEAR Pass

For U.S and Canadian travelers going across North America, the ClearPass is for you.

First off, the app is free like VeriFLY and CommonPass but remains available only for iOS users. Aside from that limitation, the app is easy to use and has a unique setup that ensures you’ll move safely and smoothly through the airport.

CLEAR Pass’ unique reliance on biometrics ensures you’re the only one able to use the app. After downloading it, it requires a clear selfie and a passport scan anytime before you make your trip.

Next, you provide information about any trip that will require you to go through U.S Customs, giving you four hours to go through a mobile passport control line. To add to the convenience, you can also add up to 12 family members who would be traveling on the same flight.

Currently, CLEAR Pass is only available for travelers from the United States or Canada, but it is accepted at a number of the largest American airports, including John F. Kennedy Airport in New York City, and smaller ones like San Juan’s airport in Puerto Rico.

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