A senator just introduced a bill to require COVID-19 vaccinations for domestic flights
A U.S. senator wants to require all travelers to be vaccinated against COVID-19 or have a negative test to take a domestic flight.
Sen. Dianne Feinstein, a California Democrat, introduced a bill earlier this 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. (Travelers flying back into the U.S. from abroad are already required to show proof of a negative coronavirus test).
The bill, called the U.S. Air Travel Public Safety Act, would require the Secretary of Health and Human Services and the Federal Aviation Administration to develop "national vaccination standards" for air travel.
"We know that air travel during the 2020 holiday season contributed to last winter's devastating COVID-19 surge. We simply cannot allow that to happen again," Feinstein said in a statement on Sept. 29.
"Ensuring that air travelers protect themselves and their destination communities from this disease is critical to prevent the next surge, particularly if we confront new, more virulent variants of COVID-19."
The White House's top infectious disease expert, Dr. Anthony Fauci, made waves in September after saying he would support a vaccine mandate for domestic air travel (but also said he wasn't proposing a plan).
Several airlines have already begun requiring their employees to be vaccinated. United Airlines said more than 99% of its employees were now fully vaccinated after the airline said it would fire employees who did not comply with the mandate or didn't have a medical or religious exemption. And now, travelers — as well as the travel industry — are gearing up for November, when the U.S. reopens to fully vaccinated foreigners.
But requiring proof of vaccination (or testing) is likely to draw the ire of the travel industry, which has long said that COVID-19 vaccinations should not be mandated for domestic air travel. Earlier this year, the Biden administration floated the idea of a domestic testing mandate before quickly walking it back after backlash from the industry. TPG reached out to Airlines for America (A4A), the trade organization representing the airline industry, for comment on Feinstein's bill but did not hear back in time for publication.
But this was before the highly transmissible delta coronavirus variant, which fueled a surge in positive cases, hospitalizations and deaths this summer in the United States.
While figures have begun to drop, so have COVID-19 vaccinations.
Daily doses administered in the U.S. have sharply dropped: After a mid-April high of 4.6 million doses, the U.S. is averaging just under a quarter of a million new doses a day right now. Currently, 56% of Americans are now fully vaccinated, and 75% of Americans have received at least one dose.
Many travelers, however, support a domestic vaccine mandate. According to a survey conducted by the points and miles website Upgraded Points, 75% of travelers say proof of vaccination should be required to fly on an airplane.
More than half of respondents said only vaccinated travelers should be allowed to travel domestically.
TPG featured card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 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. |
| 5X | New! Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Pros
- Valuable dining and food-related credits
- Flexible rewards with airline and hotel transfer partners
- Multiple travel and purchase protections
- No foreign transaction fees
- Access to Amex Offers for additional savings (enrollment required)
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 $8,000 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.
- New! Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- Pay It® lets you tap in the American Express® App to quickly pay for small purchase amounts throughout the month and still earn rewards the way you usually do. Plan It® gives you the option to split up big purchases into equal monthly payments with a fixed fee. You’ll know upfront exactly how much you’ll pay.
- Updated! $120 Dining Credit: Earn up to a total of $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the Gold Card at Grubhub (including Seamless), Buffalo Wild Wings, Five Guys, The Cheesecake Factory, and Wonder. This can be an annual savings of up to $120. Enrollment required.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year at over 10,000 qualifying U.S. Resy restaurants after you pay for eligible purchases with the American Express® Gold Card. That’s up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: Earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin’ locations. Enrollment required.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Enjoy up to $120 in Uber Cash annually with your Gold Card. Just add your Card to your Uber account and you'll get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an Amex Card for your transaction.
- New! As an American Express® Gold Card Member, you can enjoy complimentary Hertz Five Star® Status. Enjoy benefits like skipping the counter at select locations, adding an additional driver at no additional cost*, and vehicle upgrades**. Benefit enrollment and Hertz Gold+ registration are required. *Additional drivers must meet standard rental qualifications and must be a spouse or domestic partner to qualify as complimentary. Other additional drivers subject to fees. **Benefits are subject to availability and vary by location. Additional Hertz program Terms and Conditions including age restrictions apply.
- Take advantage of a $100 credit towards eligible charges* at over 1,300 upscale hotels worldwide when you book The Hotel Collection through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App **. *Eligible charges vary by property. **The Hotel Collection requires a two-night minimum stay.
- Book your travel through the Amex Travel App with added peace of mind – backed by American Express® service and support. Only for American Express® Card Members.
- Whenever you need us, we're here. Our Member Services team will ensure you are taken care of. From lost Card replacement to statement questions, we are available to help 24/7.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.