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Biden to potentially withhold funding from travel companies, cruises unless they implement vaccine requirement

Aug. 06, 2021
3 min read
Biden to potentially withhold funding from travel companies, cruises unless they implement vaccine requirement
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President Biden is considering withholding funding from certain institutions to encourage vaccinations, including travel companies, according to an anonymous source who spoke to the Washington Post.

"The Biden administration is considering using federal regulatory powers and the threat of withholding federal funds from institutions to push more Americans to get vaccinated," the Post reported, and also said that such effort could apply to the 90 million-plus eligible Americans who remain unvaccinated at various institutions, including "long-term-care facilities, cruise ships and universities."

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Thus far, the Biden administration has refrained from enforcing a federally mandated vaccine passport for both travel and daily use, despite growing pressure from airlines and health experts. Even so, the president has hinted at vaccination as a prerequisite for international travel.

Read more: The future of travel is vaccine certificates: These are the popular destinations and tourist attractions requiring proof of vaccination

Biden's presidential powers would allow him to require proof of vaccination for domestic travel.

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A vaccine mandate of some sort may be an inevitable necessity to combat the delta variant, says Dr. Anthony Fauci.

"If we continue to vaccinate and we get those 93 million people who are eligible people who are eligible for vaccinations who have not been vaccinated, if we do that in the immediate, intermediate and longterm, and do the mitigation right now, we will turn the Delta surge around," Fauci said on Aug. 5. "I will guarantee you that that will happen if we do what I just outlined."

Read more: White House under increasing pressure on vaccine passports, but it’s complicated

Just yesterday, the White House coronavirus response coordinator Jeff Zients confirmed that agency working groups are "developing plans" to open U.S. borders once again to foreign nations, including a vaccine requirement for incoming travelers.

"...Part of that planning is a phased approach that foreign nationals traveling to the United States may — there’s still policy work being done here — may need to have some type of a vaccine requirement, but that’s not a decision at this point," Zients said in a press briefing on Aug. 5. "That’s one of the paths that’s being looked at and considered, but there are — there are alternative paths being looked at, at the same time."

Featured image by Getty Images
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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Card Rating is based on the opinion of TPG‘s editors and is not influenced by the card issuer.
3 / 5
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Rewards Rate

6X6x Marriott Bonvoy Points on each dollar of eligible purchases at hotels participating in the Marriott Bonvoy® program.
4X4x points for purchases made at restaurants worldwide, at U.S. gas stations, on wireless telephone services purchased directly from U.S. service providers and on U.S. purchases for shipping.
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  • Intro Offer
    Limited Time Offer: Earn 125,000 Bonus Marriott Bonvoy Points after you use your new Card to make $5,000 in purchases within the first 3 months of Card Membership. Offer ends 5/3/23.

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    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.

    670-850
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Why We Chose It

The Marriott Bonvoy Business Amex is a stacked card with a rewards rate that will help you earn bonus points on everyday and business-related purchases. You'll earn 15 elite night credits each calendar year, and receive automatic Gold elite status. Finally, the free night award certificate with a redemption level of 35,000 points or less can get you hundreds of dollars in potential value each year.

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  • 4 points per dollar at restaurants worldwide, U.S. gas stations, wireless telephone services purchased directly from U.S. service providers and U.S. shipping
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  • Limited Time Offer: Earn 125,000 Bonus Marriott Bonvoy Points after you use your new Card to make $5,000 in purchases within the first 3 months of Card Membership. Offer ends 5/3/23.
  • Receive a 7% discount off standard rates for reservations of standard guest rooms at hotels that participate in the Marriott Bonvoy program when you book directly. Terms and Conditions Apply.
  • 6x Marriott Bonvoy Points on each dollar of eligible purchases at hotels participating in the Marriott Bonvoy® program.
  • 4x points for purchases made at restaurants worldwide, at U.S. gas stations, on wireless telephone services purchased directly from U.S. service providers and on U.S. purchases for shipping.
  • 2x points on all other eligible purchases.
  • Receive 1 Free Night Award every year after your Card renewal month. Plus, earn an additional Free Night Award after you spend $60K in purchases on your Card in a calendar year. Awards can be used for one night (redemption level at or under 35,000 Marriott Bonvoy® points) at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy®. Certain hotels have resort fees.
  • Enjoy Complimentary Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite Status with your Card.
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