Travel Insurance Review

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How to spot and avoid the latest travel scams

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Scam artist typing on a laptop

Thanks to the global pandemic, travel has changed and so have the travel scams. Travel-related scams rely on a different type of psychology than more well-known scams such as a caller demanding your credit card info to correct a problem with your income taxes. Travel scams rely on a traveler’s desire to save money and book a great travel deal.

Scam artists are very tech-savvy and they can use the same tools that legitimate companies use to attract your attention: websites, online ads, and search data.

The end goal of any scam is to get either your personal or financial information (or both) so that it can be used however the scammer wants. There can be short-term and long-term effects if you are scammed too. In the short term, you might lose some money; and in the long term, your personal information could be sold to other thieves that can cause additional financial harm.

Here are the top travel scams targeting unsuspecting travelers right now.

Fake airline ticket scam

Back in April, the Better Business Bureau (BBB) Scam Tracker was receiving reports that thieves were creating fake airline ticket booking sites. Luckily, fraudulent charges made on your credit card can usually be disputed, so you’ll get the money back but there’s no way to stop the personal information you shared when booking the ticket from being sold online.

How the scam works: A traveler searches online for cheap flights and comes across what appears to be a great deal with a major airline. After booking the flight with a credit card, they discover that the airline has no record of the booking.

How to avoid it: Only book flights on official airline sites with “https://” in the URL.

Fake pizza delivery scam

There’s an entire industry built around targeting travelers for scams, and most travel scams happen in places where you find lots of tourists, like busy cities or near popular attractions. 

How the scam works: A tired and hungry traveler returns to their hotel room and spots a takeout menu for a local restaurant slipped under the door. They order and may or may not receive the food, but fraudulent charges start appearing on their credit card account.

How to avoid it: This one’s tough to avoid if you’re not familiar with the local area. You could call the hotel front desk and ask about the menu to see if it’s a legitimate restaurant, or order room service instead.

Rental car scams

Travel con artists tend to follow what people are doing and what’s happening in the industry. You’ve probably heard about the current rental car shortage, so it’s no surprise that crooks have been setting up phony online customer service numbers that look just like the major rental car companies.

How the scam works: The traveler searches for rental car deals, spots an ad, and clicks or calls to reserve the car they need. After their personal information and credit card are entered, they may or may not receive an email confirmation and the company leaves them stranded without a car.

How to avoid it: Similar to the airline ticket scam, you should only book a car rental on an official rental car site with a secure URL (starting with “https://”).

TSA PreCheck scams

Travelers watching long airport security lines on the news are likely more interested than ever in a program that lets them skip those lines. Look-alike websites have begun popping up that claim to help you quickly renew or enroll in one of these programs for a fee.

How the scam works: The traveler searches for TSA PreCheck or Global Entry and sees a website or ad that advertises speedy processing of their paperwork. They click or call, share their personal data and credit card but they are never enrolled.

How to avoid it: If you’re interested in enrolling or renewing your TSA PreCheck, always start the process by going through the official government website: tsa.gov.

Tips to spot an online travel scam

The BBB offers these tips to avoid online travel scams:

  • Look for reviews. If the company doesn’t have any online reviews, they’re probably not legit.
  • Never wire money or use a debit card to make travel payments. These are the same as sending cash and, unlike credit card payments, you can’t get that back.
  • Be a snoop. Check for links to the company’s social media accounts and look for complaints. Notice typos or pixelated images – these are not the signs of a company that cares about their online presence.

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Meet the luxury travel agent who plans trips for former US presidents and world leaders.

Facial recognition is here. Delta Air Lines and the TSA are rolling out facial recognition software at Atlanta’s Hartsfield–Jackson International Airport (video).

Got some old travel posters in your attic? You could be sitting on a goldmine. Vintage travel posters are particularly popular in a pandemic.

Traveler Hacks for TSA Wait Times

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Traveler hacks for avoiding long security line wait times

Long security lines at the Denver International Airport have been in the news this week, but it’s not the only airport frustrating travelers. Airports around the country are seeing massive increases in travelers, and it’s easy to see why this is a perfect storm when you consider:

  • Understaffing issues – the TSA has been recruiting agents all summer but it turns out it takes time to ramp back up to full staff
  • Travel surges – in some airports, the domestic travel rates are 95% of pre-pandemic levels
  • Rusty skills – travelers haven’t seen security lines for a year or more and their speed of unpacking toiletries and electronics is slow

Specific to DIA’s recent woes, construction has also impeded into the security checkpoint areas, causing the closure of 12 screening lanes.

Fly off peak

One of the best things you can do to avoid massively long security lines is to travel off-peak. That means early morning flights and starting out at small airports.

No one wants to get out of bed so early you arrive at the airport before anyone is awake, but doing it gives you first dibs at getting through security quickly. If you’re lucky, there will even be coffee and tea on the other side.

While local airports are plagued with the same TSA staffing issues, the number of travelers is far less. Once you’re behind the security line, you’re golden. If you start your trip at a smaller airport, you can avoid the chaos at larger airports.

Enroll in TSA PreCheck, Global Entry, or Clear

As security lines grow longer, many travelers have reconsidered these options. The services are not free, but many popular credit cards will give you credit for enrolling in one of these plans. Having just one of these expedited options can help you get through security faster. 

Here’s a quick explanation of each:

Clear

The most important perk is nearly empty security lines and the ability to speed through security. clear is a membership program that uses biometric authentication (fingerprint or eye scan) instead of an agent to inspect your ID. After your identity is verified, the Clear representative will take you to the expedited security line.

Is it worth it? See a Clear review by The Points Guy

Global Entry

The best perk about this service is that it lets you speed through US Customs and Border Protection quickly, so it’s ideal for international travelers. When entering the US (at select airports), you won’t need to fill out paperwork or wait in processing lines. Instead, you use a Global Entry kiosk, complete your customs declaration, and take the receipt to the officer. 

Bonuses: Global Entry includes TSA PreCheck and kids of all ages are eligible to enroll.

TSA PreCheck

The most significant perk is access to dedicated faster security lines at most US airports. Plus, you don’t have to remove your shoes, belt, light jackets, or laptop.

Not sure if your known traveler number (KTN) is still active? Check your TSA PreCheck expiration date.

Check TSA wait times before you arrive

If you want to know just how early you need to get to the airport, the MyTSA app can help. It lets you check the wait time at the TSA gate at airports around the country. You can see:

  • How busy the airport is likely to be on a specific time or day, based on historical data
  • Live, crowdsourced wait times contributed by other MyTSA users
  • If your departure airport has a TSA PreCheck line

It’s also a great way to keep track of your KTN 😉


A final word: Looking into November, and just as the US opens to international travelers, the TSA is not only understaffed, it’s at risk for low vaccination rates. All TSA employees must be fully vaccinated by November 22, the Monday before Thanksgiving. So far, only 60% of the workforce is vaccinated, which could result in longer lines if TSA staff are furloughed for late vaccinations.

Other interesting news

Inbound travelers – International travel spiked after the announcement that US borders are re-opening.

Public opinion vaccines to fly – 7 out of 10 US travelers want them, so do many medical experts.

COVID Boosters – Should you, and can you, get a booster vaccine before you fly?

Best travel plan right now – Might be having a backup travel plan.

US Land Borders to Open in November

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US land border with cars rolling through

The US land border crossing ban has had enormous financial, social and cultural impact―on both sides of the border. Starting in November, the US will open its land borders with Canada and Mexico after 18 months of lockdown. The reopening is a big deal for those on both sides of the border. 

Since early August, vaccinated Americans have been able to cross into Canada, but the reverse has not been true. Nonessential travel from Canada to the US has been closed since March 2020.

A specific date has not been set and the rules apply only to those entering the US legally. All travelers must be fully vaccinated for COVID-19 and have the necessary documentation to cross. A negative COVID-19 test will not be required. The new rule applies to those entering the US by vehicle, rail or ferry.

If you’re planning to cross into or back from Canada or Mexico after October, here’s what you need to know.

Essential travelers now need proof of vaccination

Up to now, US citizens and those crossing the border for essential purposes have not had to show proof of vaccination. That means that people who regularly cross the land borders will now need to show proof of vaccination, including:

  • Students and teachers
  • Commercial drivers
  • Healthcare workers

If you, or someone you know, regularly crosses a US land border as an essential worker, they’ll need to get vaccinated quickly if they are to continue crossing after this month.

Bring a book – border wait times will be longer

Wait times at land borders can be long: 2-3 hours is normal but the wait can be as high as 8 hours in some cases. The time it takes to cross either border will likely get even longer as people start crossing the border for work, to see family and friends, and shop again.

Pro tip: Check the US Customs and Border Protection site wait times website to see how long it will take to cross into the US on foot, in a commercial vehicle, or in a passenger vehicle by point of entry.

Vaccination rates could go up

We seem to be moving closer to the point where it will be difficult, and in some places impossible, to travel if you’re unvaccinated. 

Reuters’ COVID-19 tracker reports the vaccination rates in both countries as:

Earlier in the summer, when New York Mayor Bill de Blasio banned unvaccinated people from indoor dining and other activities, the daily rate of vaccinations doubled the next day. It’s clear that travelers are willing to accept rules and regulations if it means they can start traveling again.

Other interesting news

Like to travel with your bike? See which airlines let you travel with your bike for free.

Solo female travel – Meet the woman who solo-traveled to nearly two hundred countries and counting!

Got married, will travel – this wedding dress has traveled the world.

Backpacking through the pandemic. One traveler spent the entire pandemic backpacking.

All aboard! Check out the 15 best train journeys around the world.

Booking a trip this fall? Here’s why you should have travel insurance

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Traveler waving goodbye with travel insurance for the trip

As colder weather approaches in the northern hemisphere, airlines are hoping to fill their planes with leisure travelers seeking sunny getaways and time with family. Over the past few weeks, many airlines have been expanding their schedules and adding domestic routes, expecting a surge in holiday travel.

International travel is approaching pre-pandemic levels. Optimism rose with the recent news that many borders will be fully open to vaccinated travelers in November.

Overall, travel sentiment appears to be cautiously optimistic. For the first time since the start of COVID, travel insurance sales have surpassed pre-pandemic numbers. Travel insurance companies have adapted some plans to include special coverage for COVID. Policies can include coverage should you get COVID before you travel or even while you are on your trip.

Travel insurance is best purchase at the time you start booking your trip because you’ll have the opportunity for the widest range of benefits for travel mishaps, like these:

Trip cut short? Trip interruption cover is the answer

Some of the most common reasons that trips get cut short, sending you suddenly back home, are:

  1. The traveler is injured
  2. The traveler is suddenly ill
  3. A death occurs in the family

If you have to end a trip early, here’s how trip interruption coverage can help:

  • Reimbursement for unused, pre-paid and non-refundable trip expenses (like that special anniversary dinner at a vineyard).
  • Reimbursement for unexpected costs to get home quickly (think airfare change fees, for example).

Sick while traveling? Travel medical cover is your safety net

If you get sick while traveling – domestically or internationally – the cost of medical treatment is likely to be high and certainly unexpected. Even if you have health insurance and are traveling in the states, your coverage may not extend to where you are traveling. Health insurance plans almost never cover you while traveling abroad.

Travel medical coverage is your safety net. Since the rise of COVID, travel insurance companies have adapted some plans to include coverage for COVID-related hospitalization and medical expenses. 

Bonus: Included with travel medical coverage is the added benefit of medical evacuation. This is helpful if you need to be airlifted to a place where you can receive medical treatment.

Test positive before leaving? Cancel for any reason to the rescue

Even if you’re vaccinated, you could test positive for COVID. Many domestic and all international locations require a negative COVID test result as part of the entry requirements. If you test positive before you leave, and have to cancel your trip, you can reclaim a portion of your pre-paid, non-refundable trip costs with cancel for any reason coverage. 

Cancel for any reason can be handy in other situations completely beyond your control, like:

  • Borders at your intended destination close
  • Injury or illness of you or a traveling companion
  • Infection rates at your intended destination rise beyond your comfort level

Even if the place you’re visiting doesn’t require travel insurance, you could be glad you bought it. Just like any insurance plan, you only wish you had it when you really need it.

Other interesting news

Business class anyone? Here’s why super business mini suites may be the new future of flying.

Vaccine mandates – could there be a vaccination mandate for domestic air travel soon?

Read this if you have AAdvantage – the Points Guy is worried about devaluation.

Worried about lost bags? See which airline is most likely to lose or damage your luggage.

Check your carbon footprint – Google flights will now show you the environmental impact of flights.

Tips for Booking Holiday Travel in these Uncertain Times

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Animated gif of mobile phone and travel booking

The list of countries reopening to fully vaccinated international visitors in November grew longer this week, including:

As borders open and restrictions ease, the EU digital COVID certificate program has expanded. The digital certificate can be used to enter venues where it’s required like restaurants, museums, and bars. It is now open to all EU member states as well as 16 non-EU countries, including Israel, Morocco, and Panama.

Tip: Presenting the white CDC vaccination card is an acceptable alternative for American tourists.

With the holiday season approaching and restrictions easing up, demand for holiday travel is expected to be high. Regardless of whether you’re planning to travel internationally or simply across the country, here’s what you need to know about trip planning right now.

1 Don’t be afraid to book travel now

There are loads of reasons to book your holiday trips right now, and here’s why:

  1. Most flights can be changed – not refunded but changed – to a new ticket without paying fees. Basic economy tickets are the exception.
  2. Great deals are everywhere right now. The airlines are eager to get people traveling again, and tours with flights, cars, and lodging are on sale too.
  3. Demand for travel to the US is picking up and domestic locations could fill up quickly. 

Plus, it’s fun to have something to look forward to on the calendar.

2 Travel reward cards and loyalty programs help you save

Even the not-so-frequent and budget-minded travelers can reap the rewards of booking holiday travel right now. Here’s how:

  1. Airline credit cards with airport lounge access help you avoid overpriced airport food (especially helpful on a long layover).
  2. Travel cards that cover the cost of TSA PreCheck, Global Entry, or Clear memberships save you money and time waiting in security lines.
  3. Airline credit cards often include the benefit of free checked bags when you use the card to pay for flights (really helpful for families with lots of luggage).
  4. Hotel loyalty programs don’t charge resort fees for rooms booked using points. Many programs also offer additional discounts like the fifth night free when booking with points.

Pro tip: If you buy your airline tickets with points, and have to cancel the trip, you don’t have to go through the process of re-booking a new trip and paying the difference. The points are returned to your account instead.

3 Check the cancellation terms

As demand for travel picks up and inventory gets low, you’ll want to play investigative reporter with the terms and conditions for hotels and tours. 

Many hotels pose stricter-than-usual cancellation requirements over the holidays. You may be able to reschedule your stay instead of getting a refund, but that only works if you can schedule a later trip.

4 Consider ‘stacking’ your trips for extra reassurance

Trip stacking is a new trend that can give you some peace of mind. Stacking your trips means booking more than one trip within the same timeframe in the hope that one will actually happen. It’s a way to have a backup trip ready to go if your first preference doesn’t work out. Usually the first preference trip is more aggressive – like traveling internationally or taking a cruise – while the backup is often domestic and less likely to be canceled.

If you’re still on the fence and uncertain about booking your holiday trips now, you’re in good company. Prince Harry and Meghan haven’t figured out their holiday travel plans yet either.

Other interesting news

Volcano erupts – the Cumbre Vieja volcano eruption on the Canary Island of La Palma disrupted flights this week and prompted evacuations.

Stop already – a list of 17 things flight attendants wish passengers would stop doing.

Tourist magnet – Canada rolls out a lure for frequent flyers by matching perks on Air Canada.

Group trip organizing – this new travel app designed for group trips just launched and they’re hosting a contest. If you’ve got a frustrating group trip planning story, you could win a paid vacation for you and, you guessed it, three of your friends.

Tired of the same four walls? Malta has opened applications for year-long digital nomad visas. 

The US Updates Travel Rules to Let Europeans In

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US air travel rules updated to let Europeans in

Back in March 2020, the US closed its borders to most travelers in an attempt to prevent the spread of COVID-19. In the spring of 2021, many countries loosened their own entry restrictions while the US kept their travel rules in place. 

After Europe opened its borders to Americans in June, some governments complained about the unfairness. That’s all about to change soon, however.

The travel news this week is all about the lifting of US travel bans. Here’s what you need to know about what travel will look like come November.

1 America’s new air travel rules look like most of the world’s

The American international travel rules will look very similar to those other countries have put in place:

  • All adults must be fully vaccinated before boarding a flight to America, and
  • Show proof of a negative COVID-19 test taken within 72 hours of departure.

Fully vaccinated means the traveler has received one of the vaccines approved in the US, including the AstraZeneca vaccine, and waited at least two weeks before traveling. 

2 With one important difference

Airlines will be required to collect and retain passenger information (phone number and email address) for 30 days. The data may be submitted to the CDC if the health agency needs to conduct contact tracing.

The goal is to enable the CDC and state and local public health officials to follow up with inbound travelers and those around them when someone has potentially been exposed to COVID and other pathogens. This new requirement may be applied broadly going forward to protect the US population from future public health threats, including new COVID variants.

3 Travel rules for the unvaccinated differ by citizenship

Just like other countries, the US is barring unvaccinated visitors from entering its borders unless they are a citizen. US citizens and permanent residents who are not fully vaccinated or unvaccinated are permitted to enter. They will need to test within 24 hours of their flight and be tested upon arrival.

4 Children are exempt

The new travel rules, at least for now, apply only to adult travelers. There are exceptions in place for children who are not yet eligible to be vaccinated.

5 Health passes may be required

Depending on where travelers go in the US, they will have to navigate a myriad of rules mandated by the state and local officials. There is no standardized system in the US and the states are passing their own regulations. Here are a few examples:

  • In California, proof of vax is required for many indoor venues like bars and nightclubs. The vax card will also be required to enter theme parks.
  • In New York City, proof of vaccination is required to dine or drink indoors and to visit gyms, fitness classes, and theaters.
  • In New Orleans, proof of vaccination or a negative COVID test will be needed to gain entry to restaurants, bars, and music venues.

Other states have lifted the requirement to wear a mask and do not require a vaccination card.

6 America’s land borders remain closed

The restrictions on crossing land borders from Mexico and Canada remain unchanged. This means that fully vaccinated travelers from the two neighboring countries can fly to enter the US, but they cannot drive into the US.

Trip planning appears to be in the works already, as newly released data from travel platform Hopper shows. Search data for US-bound flights rose by 27% after the announcement. Flight searches from Europe to the US spiked by 68%.

Other interesting news

Mistakes in Paris – Common travel mistakes to avoid in Paris according to a local.

New in the world of travel – 7 Exciting new hotels, companies, and tours are coming this fall.

Is the future of air travel windowless? See the new windowless cabin designs. Hint: prepare to be amazed.

Want to travel to Canada? You might need this province-by-province travel guide.

Traveling abroad? What happens if you test positive?

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If you’re watching your inbox or any of the flight search engines lately, you know that Europe is on sale for American travelers. We’re talking really cheap flights that would cause any travel-lover to whip out their miles card fast.

Wait just a minute though! International travel is more of a gamble than you might realize. 

Why?

The risk isn’t in getting there–it’s whether you can get home. Here’s what you need to know to sort out whether your personal risk tolerance is up to the challenge of international travel right now.

Unvaccinated? Forget about going

Earlier in the summer, you may have been able to squeak through with a negative test or proof of recovery, but not anymore. Now, you have to show a negative test and proof of vaccination or recovery.

Everywhere around the globe, borders are slamming shut for the unvaccinated. Unvaccinated US travelers may be allowed to enter for essential reasons, but the list of reasons is quite narrow. Plus, you’ll have to convince the person at the point of entry that your reason for entering their country unvaxxed is valid.

Pre-flight testing works

A study by the Mayo Clinic of nearly 10,000 trans-atlantic passengers during the third COVID-19 surge shows that the risk of contracting the virus on an airplane is extremely unlikely when:

  1. All passengers tested negative for the virus prior to departure
  2. Everyone is masked
  3. The airplane has hospital-grade air filtration

The data can be used as a blueprint for requiring vaccinations and testing instead of using quarantines to re-open borders for international travel. 

What this data cannot show is the level of risk for travelers being exposed to or catching the virus while they are eating in restaurants, touring museums, and wandering the streets of an international city. This brings us to the next point.

What if you can’t get home?

While the question of ‘where can I go?’ is usually top of mind, you have to ask yourself this question instead: ‘what if I can’t get home?’. 

Let’s assume you’re fully vaccinated, have your pre- and return flight testing figured out, and you want to go. The chances of getting a surprise positive test while abroad, even while you’re feeling just fine, is not zero. The US requires possession of a negative test (or declaration of recovery) no more than 3 days prior to your flight home.

If you test positive, you won’t be able to board that plane and come home. You’ll have to wait between 10 and 14 days and get a fresh negative test to be able to return.

Will you have enough money and flexibility in your work or school schedule to stay an extra couple of weeks? Will you even be able to get a place to stay while you wait?

What if you already have a trip booked?

If you already have a trip booked, decide if you want to keep it on the calendar or move it to a later date. 

If you want to cancel or change your trip, here’s what you need to know:

  1. Change fees are basically gone as long as you purchased your flight through the airline and the ticket is in main economy (not basic) or higher.
  2. There is some temporary flexibility for basic economy tickets on United and Delta currently, but not all airlines offer this.
  3. Free change fees does not equal refunds even if your reason for canceling is justified, like an increase in infections at your destination.
  4. Trip insurance will rarely cover a cancellation unless you bought Cancel for Any Reason coverage.

The bottom line: if you’re concerned about the virus derailing or canceling your trip, you’ll want travel insurance that covers all possibilities. Otherwise, you’re better off traveling domestically for now.

Other interesting news

Busiest holiday travel day predictions are out–and it looks a little different this year.

New travel subscription–in the world of travel subscriptions, Travel + Leisure has one that’s different.

Cool new tech: this handy little docking station lets you charge all the devices anywhere you go in the world.

Fools’ rules–coming from the Motley Fool are some new rules for making travel less expensive.

Getting in a little work time while traveling? Here’s the latest VPN for digitally scary places.

Want to save on that holiday trip? There’s a method to finding the best holiday airfare for up to 40% off!

What you need to know for fall and holiday trip planning

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Fall and holiday trip planning with a journal, tickets, and passports.

Summer is over and we’re officially in the travel shoulder season, so you might be wondering how to plan your fall and holiday trips.

Labor Day travel data is typically a good indicator of how busy the fall and holiday travel seasons will be. Overall, more people are getting on planes. Fewer than 4.2 million people passed through security on Labor Day weekend last year. This year, the TSA reported 9.2 million people shuffled through security checkpoints over the five-day Labor Day weekend. 

So, what does all of this mean for planning fall and holiday trips? Here’s what you need to know.

EU travel just got harder for Americans

Last week’s announcement from the European Union removing the US from its safe travel list caused confusion and worry about fall and holiday travel planning. This week’s news that the UK’s ‘traffic light’ travel system could be scrapped by October is giving American travelers a case of travel whiplash.

In the meantime, some EU countries got busy modifying their entry requirements:

  • The Netherlands now requires a 10-day quarantine for all US travelers (vaccinated or not)
  • Italy added the negative COVID test requirement (previously vaccinated travelers did not need the test)
  • Spain now requires either proof of full vaccination, a negative test, or proof of recovery from COVID (previously neither the test or vaccination were required)
  • Denmark banned unvaccinated Americans over the weekend (previously those with a negative test or proof of recovery were allowed in)

Belgium’s rules took a weird turn. US travelers are added to their red list, which says travelers have a high risk of infection. At the same time it whitelisted the US, so non-essential travel to Belgium is still allowed.

Other EU countries made no changes at all. Perhaps they’re waiting for October? There is also the lingering question of which European countries will accept mixed vaccine doses. 

Fall travel to Europe also just got cheaper

After a brief period of high travel demand, searches and bookings recently hit a plateau and started to fall, according to travel data company, Hopper. To keep travelers coming during the slower fall travel season, airfares are expected to drop below 2019 levels. 

Tip: The latest news from the travel deals company, TravelZoo, appears to confirm this expectation.some roundtrip flights between the US and Europe now cost less than $300 (basic economy).

Perhaps it’s time to consider train travel

Long haul flights are endurance events that are hard on the body. If you’re not currently a fan, or just tired of trying to figure out the rules, it may be time to look at trains instead. 

America has never had the luxury of lots of trains, lagging far behind Europe and Asia in routes and speed. Then came COVID, and more travelers than ever shifted their travel plans to trains where they can skip the dreaded middle seat and backed up security lines. A recent article schowcased the stories of US tourists who only travel by train.

Last spring, Amtrak’s ridership was up 86% over the same period in 2020 and it’s now reporting 65% of pre-pandemic ridership levels. Amtrak is also investing in high-frequency and long distance routes as part of a 3-year, $28 million refurbishment project that includes upscaling food and beverages, seating, lounges, and business centers to luxury levels.

Tip: The latest from Amtrak shows they’re willing to compete with the airlines by offering new travel packages for visiting coastal cities and national parks. 

Other interesting news

Can we get a global set of COVID rules already? Cries across the globe continue for a common set of rules recognizing vaccines and removing the need to quarantine travelers.

More arrests in Hawaii – Police on Maui island arrested a Rhode Island visitor for violating the state’s safe travel rules.

Solo travel for women – Take a look at the latest recommendations for women traveling on their own from AARP.

Caribbean resorts get creative – Luring travelers with offers of free travel insurance.

Can you really save by booking hotels last-minute? According to the travel nerd at Nerd Wallet, you can! By as much as 13-22%

Will the latest EU travel ban wreck your fall travel plans?

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American flag and passport animation

The big travel news this week is the removal of six nations, including the United States, from the European Union’s safe travel list. This impacts non-essential travel to the Schengen Agreement member-nations including Italy, France, and Spain.

It’s important to note that the restrictions recommended on Monday are not yet mandatory. Further, the European Council is leaving it up to individual member countries to impose or ignore their recommendations.

The delta variant that is currently sweeping through the US, causing dangerous surges in infection rates, hospitalizations, and deaths, is what prompted the EU to rethink welcoming American tourists.

Here’s everything you need to know about the new EU travel ban.

US-EU Summer Travel Timeline

Between the dates below, many US travelers took the opportunity to cash in on long-held rewards, mileage awards, and credit card points to snap up travel deals to Europe.

  1. June 18, 2021 – the EU lifted the travel ban against American tourists (the US does not reciprocate)
  2. August 30, 2021 – the EU recommended restrictions on US travelers as the delta variant spreads

EU Summer Travel Rules

Travelers had to be fully vaccinated with one of the vaccines approved in the EU. Alternatively, they could avoid mandatory quarantine by showing a recent negative COVID-19 test.

One extra wrinkle was the fact that individual EU countries could mandate their own restrictions on unvaccinated travelers (restrictions didn’t apply to fully vaccinated travelers).

While the list of requirements to get into Europe over the summer was daunting and confusing, not everyone had a hard time getting into Europe this summer.

Can you plan a trip to Europe now?

Pandemic travel planning is tricky and the EU’s latest announcement is still a recommendation, not a full-out travel ban. Essentially, travel to the EU would only technically be banned for vacations and other leisure trips IF they decide to ban all non-essential travel, even with a quarantine.

It is still possible for Americans to fly to Europe despite the US no longer being on the EU safe travel list. Where it could get complicated is this: each EU bloc nation has the freedom to set its own entry requirements for non-citizens.

If you haven’t already booked a trip, the best advice (at least for now) is to wait and see how your desired European destination reacts to this new travel recommendation. It may also be wise to plan to visit only one or two countries at most to make navigating the possibility of changing requirements easier to follow and avoid a potential quarantine.

What if you already have a trip booked?

If you have fall or winter travel planned for Europe, it’s important to remember that the new recommendations are not likely to affect fully vaccinated Americans.

Here’s what to do if you’re concerned about your upcoming trip:

  1. Start with consulting the official tourism or government website for the country or countries you want to visit. Then, watch that site closely for changes to entry requirements. Hint: the US State Department maintains a country page with the most relevant information for Americans.
  2. Check your airlines’s website for information on cancellation or changes. Fortunately, most domestic airlines have waived change fees for non-basic tickets (those are the premium economy, business, and first class tickets). If your ticket is one of the non-basic classes, you should be able to cancel and receive a credit.
  3. Don’t panic yet. Countries are constantly modifying their reopening guidelines based on COVID-19 data, which changes all the time. The EU remains open for now, and this week’s news has not yet been translated into all-out bans that could ruin a vacation.
  4. Plan on getting a vaccine booster. Croatia was the first to set a maximum validity period on international travelers’ inoculation statuses, and Austria followed suit this week. Both countries have set a nine-month limit on the acceptability of a visitor’s vaccination certificate.

Other interesting news

Travel wallet upgrade – Here’s a combination passport and vaccination card holder, perfect for fall travel.

Good news – Iceland is the only country with zero covid deaths since May.

In hotel news – some hotels are now requiring vaccine proof for staff AND all guests at check-in.

Need to cancel a trip? Here’s how to do it like a pro.

Riding the Ups and Downs of Travel in a Pandemic

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Since May, the numbers of travelers have been steadily rising, but then came the delta variant. The recent news about travel in a pandemic is starting to feel like déjà vu all over again. Now, instead of focusing on the numbers of Covid-19 cases, experts are talking about the rates of hospitalizations and deaths. 

There are more than 100,000 people across the US that are currently hospitalized for the coronavirus, according to the US Department of Health and Human Services. That’s the highest number of hospitalizations since January 2021. New hospital admissions for kids have reached the highest levels since the US started tracking pediatric cases, and doctors are warning it could get worse as schools reopen and the delta variant continues to spread.

Early fall months like September and October are considered the shoulder season, a time when bookings become available and prices go down. Here’s what you need to know about the up-and-down ride that is trip planning in a pandemic.

FDA approves two vaccines

This week, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) granted Pfizer and BioNTech vaccines full approval, which health experts hope will persuade people who were hesitant to get vaccinated to book the next appointment. FDA approval will make it easier for businesses, the military, schools, and hospitals to mandate vaccination.

European travel is risky

Many Americans have waited and hoped for a fall or winter European trip, but travel restrictions and cautions remain in place across the continent. The delta variant’s rampant progress means more changes are inevitable.

Keep in mind that given the continued high rate of COVID-19 cases in the US, European countries could at any time ban inbound travelers. 

What can you do? Book only when there is built-in flexibility. Think plane tickets with no change fees, generous cancellation policies at hotels and homestays, and itineraries where you can spend most of your time outdoors in case indoor spaces are restricted.

Canada travel is difficult

The excitement around Canada’s recent news about borders re-opening for fully vaccinated US travelers turned sour as people learned what’s really required to cross the border. The requirements to enter the country are so restrictive as to effectively end any chances of casual travel. 

TSA numbers are falling

According to the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), the lowest number of travelers passed through security this week. The highest traffic numbers of the year were at the beginning of August. Rising concerns about the delta variant and vaccination rates are pushing people to cancel their flights.

Other interesting news

Fined for fake vax cards? One couple from Florida was recently fined $8,000 for attempting to travel with their kids to Hawaii with fake vaccination cards.

2021 is the year of the travel company IPO – quite possibly caused, in part, by the global pandemic.

Traveling with the kids this Labor day? Here is a list of 10 products that make it easier to travel with the small ones.