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Hawaii travel is about to get a lot easier: Here's what you need to know

March 03, 2022
•
3 min read
Sunset on a Maui Beach
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Editor’s note: This is a recurring post, regularly updated with new information.

As of March 26, domestic travelers to Hawaii will no longer have to comply with the state's Safe Travels program, ending testing and vaccination requirements for those arriving in Hawaii from within the United States.

Since October 2020, the digital COVID-19 health system has been required for use by all visitors to the Aloha State to facilitate proof of vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test to avoid quarantine on arrival.

Here’s what you need to know about traveling to Hawaii in late March and beyond.

The latest: Say goodbye to the Safe Travels program

(Photo by Zach Honig/The Points Guy)

Beginning at 12:01 a.m. GMT on March 26, passengers arriving in Hawaii on domestic flights will no longer need to show proof of vaccination against COVID-19 or submit negative results of a pre-travel COVID-19 test to the Safe Travels portal. Additionally, the mandatory five-day quarantine for travelers who possess neither no longer applies.

(Photo by Zach Honig/The Points Guy)

Island restrictions are no longer in place

Local county restrictions have been lifted across the Big Island, Oahu, Kauai and Maui.

Gov. David Ige's indoor mask mandate remains in place for now at public spaces, including airports.

Read more: Maui COVID-19 travel restrictions: What you need to know about visiting this Hawaiian island right now

Who can travel to Hawaii?

Hawaii is open to domestic and international tourists alike, the only difference being foreign visitors to Hawaii will remain subject to U.S. law requiring all air travelers age 2 and older to take a COVID-19 test (PCR or antigen) within one day of departure to the U.S. and show negative results to their airline.

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These travelers age 18 and older must also provide proof of full vaccination to the airline to enter the country by air.

"All of the screening activity will occur prior to departing from that country," according to a spokesperson for the Hawaii Visitors and Convention Bureau.

Related: Proof of vaccination or recent test no longer required to access indoor spaces in Maui

Bottom line

Poipu Beach, Kauai. (Photo by Clint Henderson/The Points Guy)

Hawaii is soon to be open as close to normal as we've seen in the past two years, which means there's perhaps no better time to plan your trip than right now.

Even for foreign visitors, Hawaii is more than doable thanks to a simple proof-of-vaccination requirement.

Although an indoor mask mandate is still in place, it's the only state to still have one.

Read more: Hawaii’s Safe Travels program is ending

Additional reporting by Caroline Tanner, Chris Dong, Victoria M. Walker, Katherine Fan, Madison Blancaflor, Clint Henderson, Nick Ellis, Andrea M. Rotondo and Ashley Kosciolek.

Featured image by Getty Images/iStockphoto
Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.

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  • Annual Fee

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  • Recommended Credit

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Why We Chose It

There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)

Pros

  • 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
  • 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
  • Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
  • Solid welcome bonus

Cons

  • Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
  • Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
  • You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
  • $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
  • $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
  • $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
  • $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
  • Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
  • No Foreign Transaction Fees.
  • Annual Fee is $325.
  • Terms Apply.