Will you be able to take a summer vacation this year? Disease experts weigh in
Editor's Note
Editor's note: This post has been updated to reflect AA has not yet extended elite status.
Dr. Anthony Fauci, Director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, told CBS Thursday that leisure travel might be back on the books by summer 2020 if the United States can maintain its current progress toward "flattening the curve" of coronavirus infection spread until the summer months.
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"It can be in the cards," Fauci said regarding the possibility of a summer filled with traditional social activities such as vacations, baseball games, weddings or family reunions. But Fauci warned that the coronavirus "makes the timeline" on when it would be safe again to travel. Without the right precautions in place, he said, the U.S. would go right back to experiencing "spikes" of outbreak cases.
Related: When will we start traveling again? Here's a hint from the major U.S. carriers
Fauci also pointed out that the timeline for eliminating social distancing would be different from region to region, with some areas of the country returning to everyday life more rapidly than others.
But Crystal Watson, an assistant professor at Johns Hopkins' public health school, told CNN Thursday that "we're not there yet," referring to the nation's success in limiting the outbreak. Lifting non-essential activity bans would risk "a huge resurgence -- and much worse than what we've seen already," Watson said on CNN's "New Day."
Fauci's prediction seems optimistic in the face of what major U.S. carriers appear to anticipate. In an unprecedented move, Alaska Airlines, Delta, and United have announced elite status extensions for at least one additional year, while many airlines have extended generous change, cancellation and voucher policies. (We are still waiting to hear what American Airlines plans to do).
While this appears to be a boon for travelers on the surface, TPG's Zach Griff cautioned that this announcement is "nuanced," pointing out that these measures likely imply that airlines expect greatly reduced routes and traffic for many more months to come.
Will there be "safe" destinations?
Those who have already been hunkered down for a month, with at least many weeks to go, may have grabbed onto the idea of a summer trip like a lifeboat. The problem with trying to plan a summer vacation now is that the novel coronavirus threat can change daily. America's ability to "flatten the curve" enough for all of us to get back to normal depends on how well communities follow shelter-in-place guidelines and other safety measures designed to stamp out the transmission of the disease. That means certain destinations may start to see a decline in cases sooner than other places. However, that can all change in a hurry if those from a virus "hot zone" descend on a destination that previously had minimal transmission.
Related: 7 destinations without the crowds
If you hope to take a summer vacation, you may want to plan -- or at least double-check your plans -- at the last minute and look for places with fewer cases. You can monitor the case rate at the CDC's website.
Of course, all it takes is being in contact with one carrier that can transmit COVID-19, so this isn't a foolproof method. Choosing a close-to-home destination so you can eliminate as many points of contact as possible may also be a good strategy. For example, driving to a cabin within two hours of your home eliminates the need to visit an airport or even stop on the road along the way.
Before setting your plans in stone, check with your destination's local authorities to be sure you can travel there. For example, Hawaii has instituted a 14-day quarantine for anyone arriving to the islands. States currently even have quarantine restrictions for those driving across one state border to another.
Related: What to know if you're planning future travel now
What types of accommodations are best?
In addition to cabins in the woods, we are hearing of travelers considering RV travel, beachside vacation homes and less-traveled state and national parks. Motel-style accommodations where you don't have to walk through the lobby to access your room may also have some advantages. If you're uncomfortable with anyone coming into your room, tell the hotel that you're waiving housekeeping services during your stay.
Plenty of home rental companies and hotels have changed their booking and cancellation policies to be more favorable to the customer. But, before booking anything for the summer, carefully read the cancellation policy and be sure you're comfortable with it in the event that you may need to cancel or postpone the trip at the last minute. Unfortunately, current optimism about potential summer travel may or may not pan out in the long run.
Related: What to know about coronavirus hotel change and cancellation policies
Safety precautions for near-term travel
No matter if you're heading to the local grocery store or to a nearby beach house rental when restrictions are potentially eased in the coming months, you should take some of the same precautions.
Heed the CDC's recommendations:
- Stay at least six feet from other people.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with your hands.
- Wash your hands with soap and water often and rigorously for at least 20 seconds.
- Carry hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol and use that when you don't have access to soap and water.
- Wear a cloth face mask when you have to go out in public, like when picking up takeout food.
- When you check in to a hotel or home rental, clean and distinct frequently touched surfaces, like the work desk, and objects like the coffeemaker and TV remote. Be sure to disinfect the doorknob, light switches, sink faucets and basins, etc. (If you don't have any disinfectant, you can use a solution with 70% alcohol.)
All of these suggested measures may change by the time your summer trip comes around -- while others could be added -- so just be sure to stay up-to-date on current practices and do everything you can to keep your contact with others to a minimum.
Related: Guide to travel during the coronavirus
Bottom line
Everyone is asking, "Can I travel this summer?" And the answer may be a cautious and optimistic "maybe," at least for some of us to some destinations. Keep listening to government officials and research destinations that may make sense for a summer sojourn in our current more distanced realities. While a theme park visit may not be in the cards right away, a trip to a more secluded beach or mountains may be just what you need to recharge from your months spent at home once it is safe to do so.
Follow TPG's complete coverage of the coronavirus impact here
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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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| 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. (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.