Why Allegiant should correct its peculiar face covering policy
One of the best ways to prevent the spread of the coronavirus is by wearing a mask.
That's why we've seen every major U.S. airline introduce mask requirements. If you're planning to fly during the pandemic, you'll need to keep your face covered from the beginning to the end of your travel journey.
Though every carrier has a mask requirement, the details differ based on the airline. Absent a federally mandated mask requirement, airlines are free to create their own exemptions and exclusions.
Over the past few weeks and months, most airlines have matched — and frequently outdone — each other's policies. But there's one airline whose policy is at odds with CDC guidelines, and that's Allegiant Air.
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Allegiant requires all passengers to wear face masks during all phases of travel. The only exemption is for children under the age of two, as well as passengers with documented disabilities or medical conditions. Allegiant threatens to bar travelers from travel should they choose not to wear a face covering.
On the surface, this complies with the latest CDC guidance. However, there's a giant loophole.
Per Allegiant's policy, you are allowed to wear a face shield instead of a mask. This was confirmed by an airline spokesperson and appears on the carrier's website.
This means that you can satisfy the mask requirement with a shield that's much less effective at preventing the spread of the virus. According to the CDC,
A face shield is primarily used for eye protection for the person wearing it. At this time, it is not known what level of protection a face shield provides to people nearby from the spray of respiratory droplets from the wearer. There is currently not enough evidence to support the effectiveness of face shields for source control. Therefore, CDC does not currently recommend use of face shields as a substitute for masks.
As such, Allegiant's policy of allowing you to wear a face shield instead of a mask contradicts the CDC guidance. We reached out to Allegiant to understand how their policy makes sense relative to the guidelines and will update this story when we hear back. An airline spokesperson did let us know that it is rare to see passengers using face shields.
Related: TPG’s 9 favorite face masks and where to buy them
Allegiant's policy is even at odds with those of the airports it operates from. At its hub in Las Vegas, travelers must wear a mask throughout the terminal, according to Directive 024 by the Nevada Medical Advisory Team. Only those who have medical conditions or disabilities that prevent them from wearing masks can substitute a face shield. Otherwise, "medical advisors recommend face shields be accompanied by cloth face coverings, where medically possible."
In my experience, face shields have recently increased in popularity. TPG's Summer Hull wore both a mask and a face shield on her recent flights, and I noticed many passengers doing the same on my trip last week to California and during recent visits to LaGuardia Airport. Doubling up certainly doesn't hurt you, but just wearing a face shield isn't what health officials recommend.
Allegiant is the only major U.S. airline to allow face shields instead of masks. Alaska, American, Delta, Frontier, Hawaiian, JetBlue, Southwest, Spirit and United all require a face covering that fits snugly over the nose and mouth. Face shields are optional and can be worn in addition to a suitable mask.
Related: The US airline that now has the strictest mask policy may surprise you
With that, Allegiant's policy seems lax compared to its ultra-low-cost carrier peers. Both Frontier and Spirit have some of the strictest mask policies in the country. Neither allow medical exceptions and have a list of exclusions to accepted face coverings.
Enforcing the mask policy is another issue in and of itself. Flight attendants are already busy with other responsibilities and gate agents can only monitor what mask a passenger wears while boarding. Though it may be hard for a flight attendant to police the mask requirement during flight, it shouldn't be too much work for the crew to walk around the plane and spot passengers not wearing any mask.
Hopefully, Allegiant works quickly to remove the face shield loophole and get its face-covering policy in line with CDC recommendations.
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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 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.
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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.