What is the Schengen Area and what European countries are included?
On Wednesday, President Trump unveiled new travel restrictions for foreign nationals coming from most European countries in an effort to halt the spread of the coronavirus. While the restrictions were first believed to be from all of Europe, the White House and Department of Homeland Security (DHS) confirmed the new rules apply only to foreign nationals coming from the Schengen Area as of midnight on Friday, March 13.
So, what does this all mean?
What is the Schengen Area?
In the Schengen zone, internal border checks are mostly a thing of the past. This area of 26 European states have largely done away with passport checks along their mutual borders, and the zone comprises a single jurisdiction, with a standardized visa policy, for the purposes of international travel. Just don’t confuse the Schengen zone with the European Union itself, or the EU Customs Union for that matter. Some countries, such as Switzerland, do not belong to the EU but are part of the Schengen area, while others (like Cyprus) are not part of the Schengen area but are members of the EU.
While the Schengen Area doesn't include all the European nations, all of the countries within the Schengen Area are in Europe.
Related: Everything you need to know about the U.S. European travel ban
The Schengen Area includes the following 26 countries: Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland.
Notably missing from the Schengen Area are the United Kingdom and Ireland. As a result, foreign nationals originating in those countries will still be permitted to travel to the United States so long as they haven't visited any country in the Schengen Area in the past 14 days.
Related: Complete guide to traveling during the deadly coronavirus outbreak
In addition to the U.K. and Ireland, the following European countries are also not members of the Schengen Area: Albania, Andora, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Croatia, Cyprus, Georgia, Kosovo, North Macedonia, Moldova, Monaco, Montenegro, Romania, Russia, San Marino, Serbia, Turkey, Ukraine and Vatican City.
Who is affected?
According to the DHS, the travel restrictions do not apply to “legal permanent residents, (generally) immediate family members of U.S. citizens and other individuals who are identified in the proclamation.”
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However, if a U.S. citizen is looking to return to the country after visiting a Schengen Area destination, they will be subject to screening. While the White House and DHS haven't released specifics on how the restrictions will be implemented, American Airlines' website gives us some clues as to how it may be enforced.
Prior to boarding any American Airlines flight to the U.S., all passengers will be asked if they have visited a country within the Schengen Area, Iran or mainland China (excluding Hong Kong and Macau) within the past 14 days. If so, the approved passenger — a U.S. national — must enter through an approved airport. Foreign nationals who answer yes will be denied permission to travel to the U.S.
Related: Which airlines are offering the most flexibility for travelers affected by the coronavirus
According to American, the following airports are “approved entry points” for eligible passengers who have traveled to the Schengen Area, Iran or mainland China within the past 14 days:
- Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL)
- Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW)
- Detroit Metropolitan Airport (DTW)
- Newark Liberty International Airport in Newark, New Jersey (EWR)
- Daniel K. Inouye International Airport in Honolulu, Hawaii (HNL)
- John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York City (JFK)
- Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)
- Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD)
- Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA)
- San Francisco International Airport (SFO)
- Washington-Dulles International Airport in Washington, D.C. (IAD)
For travelers who are not set to travel to one of the approved airports, American Airlines said it will reroute the passenger.
The White House could ultimately expand this travel restriction to include the U.K., Ireland and other European countries not already banned. For the time being, however, if you're a foreign national — or a U.S. citizen — who has traveled in Europe and not stepped foot in a Schengen Area country in the past 14 days, you'll still be able to travel to the U.S. All others, however, will be subject to additional screening (if a U.S. citizen) or not be allowed to travel at all.
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| 4X | 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. |
| 4X | 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. |
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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.