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This Bahamas resort offers free quarantine and private-jet flights to guests who get COVID-19

Feb. 24, 2021
4 min read
Baha Mar Cabana pool
This Bahamas resort offers free quarantine and private-jet flights to guests who get COVID-19
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The Bahamas is one of several countries in the Caribbean open to international visitors.

It's set up a robust arrivals system meant to keep the spread of COVID-19 to a minimum, including pre-arrival testing and mandatory health insurance plans that cost between $40 and $60, depending on the length of your stay.

The required insurance plan issued by the Bahamas covers up to to $50,000 in COVID-19-related medical expenses incurred on the islands, as well as up to $7,000 in quarantine-related expenses, if necessary (up to $500 per day).

Baha Mar -- a giant resort complex in the city of Nassau -- specifically said that if a guest tested positive, they'd be given the opportunity to complete a quarantine period on the property or fly home via "private aircraft or air ambulance," arranged by the property's so-called Special Guest Ops team.

Initial details of this program were light, but now we have more information about what this contingency plan would look like should someone test positive while on property.

In a press release issued Monday, Baha Mar said that it would provide "courtesy suite accommodations" for up to 14 days, including a $150 per person, per day dining credit, or "should the guest need to return to the United States earlier," a free flight on a private jet back to the U.S. facilitated "via a medical evacuation provider," according to a Baha Mar spokesperson, for the COVID-19-positive guest and their immediate family members. These services are funded by Baha Mar itself and come at no additional cost to guests.

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These offerings build upon the property's "Commitment to Your Wellbeing" program, which includes complimentary rapid antigen testing upon arrival and prior to departure if your home country requires it. (The United States has required proof of a negative rapid antigen or PCR COVID-19 test for entry since Jan. 26.)

With the U.S.' still-new testing requirement for entry in mind, this offering from Baha Mar raises a few questions. The CDC says that limited exceptions to the rule will be considered, on a case-by-case basis for those with "exigent circumstances where emergency travel is required to preserve health and safety (e.g., emergency medical evacuations)."

One may be able to enter the U.S. without a negative COVID-19 test if an exemption is granted for a medical evacuation. And, according to Baha Mar, the service it is working with to arrange the flights -- Air Ambulance Worldwide -- would work with the appropriate authorities "to guarantee they'd be allowed into the U.S."

Finally, according to the Baha Mar spokesperson, if anyone tests negative again for COVID-19 during their quarantine period, the resort would work with them to coordinate a return to the United States "via commercial air carriers."

If you find yourself in the less-than-ideal situation having to take advantage of this, the private-jet flight would take you to South Florida, and you'd have to arrange onward travel -- if necessary -- from there.

Because of the U.S.' negative-test entry requirement, it makes the situation of returning to the U.S. after being diagnosed with COVID-19 more difficult, though it seems Air Ambulance Worldwide will ensure that a COVID-19-positive guest will satisfy the CDC's criteria for a medical evacuation.

We certainly hope no one would find themselves in a situation where they'd need to take advantage of this free ride home on a private jet, but at the same time we are very excited that Baha Mar will offer COVID-19-positive guests a complimentary 14-day quarantine with a generous daily dining credit. This would go a long way to make what surely would be a stressful time a lot more comfortable.

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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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)

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  • 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.