Dream destinations: Bali and the Maldives loosen COVID-19 entry restrictions
Two popular tourist destinations in the Indian Ocean are following the trend of removing pandemic-related requirements to make it easier for visitors to travel there.
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On March 5, the Maldives dropped its requirement to present a negative PCR test on arrival. Now visitors to the island nation, which is popular with honeymooners and known for its overwater bungalows, can present a declaration of health 48 hours prior to departure and they will be issued a free 30-day tourist visa on arrival.
Bali, an island located east of the Maldives in Indonesia, announced it was dropping its quarantine requirement for visitors from 23 countries, including the U.S., on March 7. You must still be vaccinated and take a COVID-19 test before arrival, but you no longer have to quarantine for three to five days after arriving.
Rules for entering the Maldives
Last year, some islands in the Maldives archipelago were placed on lockdown when coronavirus cases rose in early spring. Visitors, including Americans, had to present a negative result from a COVID-19 PCR test taken within 96 hours of their departure. This is no longer required with the new rules.
Related: Maldives reopening
The Maldives is currently under a "Level 4: Very High Level of COVID-19" advisory from the CDC, but so are more than half of the world's countries. For news on resorts and tourist facilities that are open on the islands, check here for updates.
Related: CDC adds more countries to its 'Do Not Travel' list
You can get to the Maldives on Emirates by connecting through Dubai, and Etihad has resumed flights from Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. Turkish Airlines also offers service to the Maldives.
Entry requirements for Bali
Now that Bali is no longer requiring quarantine at your own expense, visitors are more likely to make plans to visit this destination. Indonesia has been opening gradually, but had a number of false starts. It first reopened on Oct. 14, 2021, but visitors from the U.S. were not allowed. They finally opened their doors to U.S. residents on Feb. 4.
Indonesia is currently under the "Level 3: COVID-19 High" warning from the CDC. Travelers must be fully vaccinated and show negative results from a COVID-19 PCR test taken within 48 hours of departure.
Previously, tourists had been required to quarantine for five days (three days if boosted) at a certified hotel at their own expense. That restriction has now been lifted. Visitors must still fill out a short-visit visa and show proof of international health insurance with minimum coverage of $25,000 including, but not limited to, COVID-19-related treatment and hospitalization in Indonesia.
Bottom line
The lowered requirements for entering both Bali and the Maldives will make them easier to access for travelers, though testing requirements are still in place for Bali. However, if one of these long-haul destinations is on your bucket list or if you're planning a wedding now that the pandemic has eased, these are two great honeymoon destinations. Also, rules may loosen even more by the time you get there if the trend continues. For the most up-to-date rules on traveling, see our country-by-country guide.
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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.
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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. |
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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
$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.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.