Bermuda to drop arrival testing and quarantine for vaccinated visitors
Editor's Note
With less than 700 miles and 90 minutes separating it from the U.S. East Coast, Bermuda is a worthy destination for travelers to consider, especially since the pink sand paradise recently made it easier for vaccinated travelers to visit starting next month.
New COVID-19 entry requirements for vaccinated travelers
New COVID-19 protocols will take effect March 7, 2022, in a move that the Bermuda Tourism Authority hopes will "streamline the process for vaccinated travelers visiting the island by land or sea."
The new guidelines will require all visitors age 18 and older to show proof of current vaccination status. Travelers to Bermuda are considered fully vaccinated if they have received the final dose of a two-dose COVID-19 vaccine, or if they are boosted with three doses.
For vaccinated travelers, no further testing will be required beyond the pre-departure test starting March 7. Until March 7, vaccinated travelers will still be required to submit a pre-arrival test, test upon arrival and quarantine until that pre-arrival test result is returned negative.
This change is welcome news for travelers, including TPG senior travel editor Melanie Lieberman, who chronicled her journey from NYC to Bermuda in June to review the new St. Regis Bermuda Resort.
"In addition to the PCR test taken prior to departure, I also needed to apply for Travel Authorization one to three days before arrival with the negative test result, which cost $75," she wrote then. "This summer, being vaccinated barely altered my experience in Bermuda since I had to quarantine at the hotel until receipt of the negative test I had taken upon landing at L.F. Wade International Airport (BDA)."
Travelers must still complete an online authorization form within 24–48 hours of arrival. Additionally, all visitors age 2 and above must still submit results of a negative COVID-19 test result within two days of arriving on the island. Both antigen and PCR tests are accepted.
The Bermuda Tourism Authority (BTA) will automatically schedule and provide testing to travelers whose country of origin requires an entry test, including Americans.
“We welcome visitors from around the world with travel guidelines that ensure their safety as well as their convenience, and our updated protocols will make visiting Bermuda even easier,” said BTA CEO Charles H. Jeffers II in a statement. “Our hotels and local businesses are open with the Bermudian hospitality for which we are known. There’s never been a better time to visit.”
Related: A first look at the St. Regis Bermuda Resort — and why you should wait to visit
Entry requirements for unvaccinated travelers
Although things may be getting far simpler for vaccinated travelers, it's a different story for unvaccinated travelers, who are currently prohibited from entering Bermuda as of December 2021.
Bottom line
Thanks to the upcoming removal of on-arrival testing requirements and quarantine for vaccinated travelers, a quick trip to Bermuda is more plausible than ever if you've received a COVID-19 vaccine. However, travel is currently implausible for those who are unvaccinated.
The BTA is currently offering a deal for half-price stays at certain hotels on the island for reservations booked by Feb. 20, 2022.
“Due to the overwhelming response we have seen to our recent Pink Sale promotion, we are extending this special offer for savings of up to 50% if booked before February 20,” said Douglas Trueblood, chief sales and marketing officer of the BTA. “People are ready to travel, and Bermuda is eager to welcome them back.”
Featured deals include rooms starting at $197 per night at Cambridge Beaches Resort & Spa; $251 per night at Azura Bermuda; $254 per night at Royal Palms Hotel and $281 per night at the Newstead Belmont Hills Golf Resort & Spa, among others. Click here for full details.
Additional reporting by Melanie Lieberman.
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- 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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| 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. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
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You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
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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.