Travel bubbles: Here's what they might mean for your future trips
Travel bubbles. Green zones. Air bridges. Green lanes. You might be hearing much more about all of these in the weeks and months to come.
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We first heard the terms when writing our in-depth country-by-country guide to reopening travel in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak. These are essentially agreements between countries believed to have controlled the spread of COVID-19. They go by different names, but all allow travel -- essential or otherwise -- across otherwise closed borders, often without long quarantines and other major restrictions.
Most recently, Singapore said it would begin allowing certain "high-value" visitors from countries around the world beginning in January. Those visitors, according to Reuters, would be kept in small groups, or bubbles, making it one of the first nations to attempt a travel bubble that isn't limited to certain countries.
And in Oceania, a long-awaited travel bubble is finally set to begin between Australia and New Zealand in early 2021.
Related: A country-by-country guide to the Caribbean
So, what countries are attempting travel bubbles and how could they affect your future trips? Here's what we know so far.
Related: When will international travel return? A country-by-country guide to coronavirus recovery
Asia travel bubbles
Singapore announced this week it will start a new program in late January 2021 that will allow so-called "high-value" travelers from most countries to come to the island nation. The program seems to be intended mostly for business travelers, company executives and diplomats.
Travelers will be confined to designated luxury hotels, but may be able to meet in groups of up to five people at what Reuters calls "segregated facilities." Meetings will be allowed, but only in rooms with floor-to-ceiling, air-tight glass panel dividers. Meals will be dropped off outside visitors' rooms. Travelers in this bubble will also be required to carry contact-tracing devices and will be tested regularly.
The annual World Economic Forum (WEF) that is usually held in Davos, Switzerland, is being moved to Singapore in May of this year. These Singapore bubbles are preparation for the forum, so it may be able to go on as scheduled.
In China, a planned bubble connecting the republic to Hong Kong has been delayed until 2021 after new outbreaks in Hong Kong. But a bubble between China and South Korea exclusively for business travelers was among one of the first to open, as first reported by the Wall Street Journal.
Beginning as early as May, both countries began allowing fast-track immigration in so-called green lanes between the two nations, with South Korean business travelers to visit certain regions in China and the cities of Shanghai, Tianjin and Chongqing. Health screenings are mandatory and a quarantine period is still part of the process. Travelers need to quarantine at a government-run facility for one to two days. Testing for COVID-19 is also mandatory.
China has reportedly also had talks on allowing essential business travel with Austria, Germany, Singapore and at least 10 other nations. Japan is also in talks to join the group.
New Zealand and Australia
New Zealand and Australia were among the first to announce plans for a "Tasman travel bubble." On Monday, Dec. 14, 2020, the two nations agreed to allow travel between the countries beginning in the first quarter of 2021.
It will allow quarantine-free travel for citizens of the neighboring nations who are not sick.
Fiji and other Pacific Island nations have also suggested they are open to joining in any expanded trans-Tasman bubble.
Australia and New Zealand are also involved in discussions for a larger "trade bubble" that would allow for essential business travel between Australia, New Zealand, Canada, South Korea and Singapore.
In fact, trade ministers from Singapore, South Korea, Australia, Canada and New Zealand have agreed to allow travel "on an exceptional basis" for essential businesses.
Europe
In the U.K., which has its own quarantine requirements for international arrivals, business leaders are demanding the use of so-called sky bridges to allow international visitors from countries with low infection rates into the country without that mandatory quarantine.
In fact, there could be a travel bubble for business travelers between London and New York at some point.
The Wall Street Journal was the first to report the news and said the “growing availability of COVID-19 tests in the U.S.” might eventually allow for “shortened traveler quarantine periods” for travel between the financial capitals. The Journal was hopeful there would be a travel corridor approved by the end of 2020, but that appears increasingly unlikely.
Delta Air Lines chief executive Ed Bastian poured a bit of cold water on the idea, telling the U.K.'s Financial Times newspaper, "I think New York [to] London is complicated." Bastian suggested it would be easier to almost any other European capital.
In addition, U.K. citizens are currently barred from entering the U.S. if they’ve spent time in the U.K. within the last 14 days. That ban would likely need to be lifted if the corridor between London and New York City was put into place.
In May, the people of Estonia, Lithuania and Latvia were allowed to travel freely between the neighboring nations, making the "Baltic bubble" the first of its kind in the European Union. But in September, a spike in coronavirus cases in Estonia forced Latvia to implement new restrictions, and Estonians were asked to start self-quarantining for 14 days upon arrival. The step backward underscores just how delicate these travel bubbles are.
Germany reopened its borders with some neighbors on June 15, while the Czech Republic opened its borders to Austria and Slovakia. Croatia is allowing quarantine-free travel within its own bubble with Slovenia, too.
What about Americans?
Unfortunately, the United States has still not been welcomed into any travel bubble, as it currently has the most coronavirus cases and deaths of any country on Earth. Even Canada isn't welcoming Americans at the moment. But with the arrival of promising new vaccines, travel bubbles could very well be the next step toward resuming international travel.
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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
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- 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.
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- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.
Rewards Rate
| 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. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
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Intro Offer
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
$325Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.Excellent to Good
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.