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Flying in Canada? You’ll have to be fully vaccinated even if you’re traveling domestically

Oct. 06, 2021
•
3 min read
Air Canada 737-8 Max Tail at Windosor airport
Flying in Canada? You’ll have to be fully vaccinated even if you’re traveling domestically
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As the United States debates whether to require air travelers to be vaccinated against COVID-19, our neighbor to the north just implemented a sweeping vaccination policy for travel.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced on Oct. 6 that all people 12 and older traveling by rail or air in Canada must be fully vaccinated before boarding. This is not entirely new, as I reported back in August that Canada would require proof of vaccination for air and rail travel. But what is new is that travelers finally have a date for when the order goes into effect: Oct. 30.

Travelers leaving from Canadian airports, as well as those traveling by Via Rail and Rocky Mountaineer trains, will be required to be fully vaccinated, with very limited exceptions. Those exceptions, the government says, include those in remote, fly-in communities, emergency travel and exceptional medical reasons.

Trudeau also said a “short transition period” when unvaccinated travelers will be able to show proof of a negative COVID-19 test would end on Nov. 30.

"Vaccines are the best way to keep each other safe," Transport Minister Omar Alghabra said in the statement. "Requiring travellers and employees to be vaccinated ensures that everyone who travels and works in the transportation industry will better protect each other and keep Canadians safe.”

The news comes just two months after Canada reopened to vaccinated Americans after a 17-month border closure. Americans who are fully vaccinated can finally enter Canada for tourism or other nonessential purposes by air and land so long as they pack a negative PCR test. The U.S. will reopen for vaccinated international air travelers in November, but notably, the land border between the U.S. and Canada remains shut except for essential reasons.

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The U.S. is mired in its own debate about requiring proof of vaccination for domestic travel, which is gaining steam in Washington.

Sen. Dianne Feinstein, a Democrat from California, introduced a bill last week that would require all passengers on domestic flights to be fully vaccinated or have proof they’ve recently tested negative or have fully recovered from COVID-19. And the White House’s top infectious disease expert said in September he would support a vaccine mandate for domestic air travel.

For now, the White House doesn't appear to be close to mandating vaccines for travel.

Several airlines have already begun requiring their employees to be vaccinated or have a medical or religious exemption. Those who don’t comply with the order face termination.

But as I’ve written before, requiring proof of vaccination in the U.S. would likely get backlash from the travel industry, which has long pushed back against any mandate. However, even if the industry isn’t keen on the idea, several studies indicate most Americans are.

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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Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees
Best for dining at restaurants

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  • Intro Offer

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  • Annual Fee

    $325

  • Recommended Credit

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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)

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.