Skip to content

What if you're not eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine? Can you travel?

April 16, 2021
5 min read
This post contains references to products from one or more of our advertisers. We may receive compensation when you click on links to those products. Terms apply to the offers listed on this page. For an explanation of our Advertising Policy, visit this page.

More than 21% of the U.S. population have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19. And many of the people who have been vaccinated — or are scheduled to receive the vaccine soon — are thinking about their travel plans for 2021 and beyond.

But what if you’re ineligible for the vaccine right now, for whatever reason? In that case, you still might be able to travel -- with some extra hoops. But it likely won’t be that simple, given how complex the COVID-19 pandemic is. Here’s what you need to know.

For more TPG news delivered each morning to your inbox, sign up for our daily newsletter.

Who isn’t eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine?

(Photo by Summer Hull/The Points Guy)

Currently, the only groups the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends postponing vaccination are people currently sick with or those who get COVID-19 before getting their second dose of vaccine. Also, people with severe allergic reactions to any component of the vaccine shouldn’t receive it. Children under 16 aren’t eligible for the vaccine yet, at all -- more on that below.

Related: US recommends pausing Johnson & Johnson vaccine: What to know about COVID-19 vaccines in the US

Can children travel abroad if they haven’t been vaccinated?

(Photo by narvikk/Getty Images)

Children might be the best example of a large population of people who aren’t eligible for vaccination yet.

Currently, there’s an age limit on all three vaccines available under the Emergency Use Authorization from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine is available for people 16 and older, while the Moderna and Johnson & Johnson vaccines are available for adults who are over 18.

Kids aren’t yet eligible for vaccination, under current guidelines, and might not be for a while. Pfizer said on March 31 that its vaccine was 100% effective in children ages 12 to 15, and the company hopes to start vaccinating this age group “before the start of the next school year.”

“Children and adolescents outside these authorized age groups should not receive COVID-19 vaccination at this time,” say guidelines issued by the CDC. The CDC also says there are limited vaccine safety and efficacy data in this age group.

Sign up for our daily newsletter

Related: Can you skip quarantine if you’ve been vaccinated?

The cruise industry offers a glimpse of how the travel industry might handle travelers who aren’t vaccinated. Royal Caribbean and Celebrity said children under 18 could sail with proof of a negative COVID-19 test instead of proof of vaccination.

However, both lines said adult passengers would need to be fully vaccinated to sail when the lines resume operations in June.

Dozens of countries have now reopened to U.S. tourists. Some of those countries have already announced plans to welcome back — or waive testing and quarantine requirements for — fully vaccinated travelers.

Related: Do kids need to get the COVID-19 vaccine before traveling?

Will a vaccine be required to travel?

(Photo by Maciej Toporowicz, NYC/Getty Images)

Several countries have indicated that they’ll allow vaccinated travelers to skip mandatory quarantines. And certain destinations and travel providers have indicated the vaccine could even be a requirement.

Having received a COVID-19 vaccine could very well be a new requirement for entry to some destinations, similar to the way proof of yellow fever vaccination is already necessary to travel to some countries.

Related: Where you can go with a vaccine passport: A country-by-country guide

What about other travel vaccines?

There’s much more guidance on people who shouldn’t take the yellow fever vaccine, for instance. How countries have handled these vaccines may serve as guidelines for overseeing people who aren’t yet eligible for vaccination.

For example, people can opt-out of taking the yellow fever vaccine if they’ve had an allergic reaction after a previous dose, have a weakened immune system or have gotten any other vaccines in the past four weeks.

But it’s not as simple as saying you can’t take it, especially for international travel.

Travelers headed to Ghana, which requires the yellow fever vaccine, are required to show a vaccination waiver issued by a medical practitioner stating the reasons why a person can’t take it. However, the International Association for Medical Assistance to Travellers, a travel health organization, notes that these waivers might not be accepted.

Bottom line

We can look to how other countries have handled entry requirements for travel vaccines, like yellow fever, to possibly predict how the COVID-19 vaccines will be handled for those not eligible to receive it.

Children might be afforded more leeway because most aren't eligible for vaccination as of yet. But if you're an adult, justifying not being eligible for vaccination might prove difficult -- if not impossible -- in some countries.

Featured image by AFP via 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.

Top offers from our partners

How we chose these cards

Our points-obsessed staff uses a plethora of credit cards on a daily basis. If anyone on our team wouldn’t recommend it to a friend or a family member, we wouldn’t recommend it on The Points Guy either. Our opinions are our own, and have not been reviewed, approved, or endorsed by our advertising partners.
See all best card offers

TPG featured card

OFFER ENDS 5/3/23
TPG Editor‘s Rating
Card Rating is based on the opinion of TPG‘s editors and is not influenced by the card issuer.
3 / 5
Go to review

Rewards

2 - 6X points
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.
2X2x points on all other eligible purchases.

Intro offer

Earn 125,000 points75,000 points
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.

Annual Fee

$125

Recommended Credit

670-850
Excellent/Good
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.

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.

Pros

  • 6 points per dollar on eligible purchases at hotels participating in the Marriott Bonvoy program
  • 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
  • 2 points per dollar on all other eligible purchases
  • Earn a free-night award each card renewal month (up to 35,000 points)
  • Receive 15 elite night credits to jump-start status
  • Transfer Marriott points to 40+ airlines

Cons

  • Airline points transfer ratios are poor
  • Must spend $60,000 in a year for second free-night award
  • 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.
  • Terms apply.
Apply for Marriott Bonvoy Business® American Express® Card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees
TPG Editor‘s Rating
Card Rating is based on the opinion of TPG‘s editors and is not influenced by the card issuer.
3 / 5
Go to review

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.
2X2x points on all other eligible purchases.
  • 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.

    Earn 125,000 points
    75,000 points
  • Annual Fee

    $125
  • Recommended 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.

    670-850
    Excellent/Good

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.

Pros

  • 6 points per dollar on eligible purchases at hotels participating in the Marriott Bonvoy program
  • 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
  • 2 points per dollar on all other eligible purchases
  • Earn a free-night award each card renewal month (up to 35,000 points)
  • Receive 15 elite night credits to jump-start status
  • Transfer Marriott points to 40+ airlines

Cons

  • Airline points transfer ratios are poor
  • Must spend $60,000 in a year for second free-night award
  • 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.
  • Terms apply.