You can enter France if you haven't been boosted, but that might be all you can do
As much as I tried to escape it, I am compelled to continue writing about the French health pass thanks to all of the TPG readers who anticipate traveling to France and don't know what to do with the new COVID-19 booster shot requirement starting this weekend.
While I usually answer five questions in my weekly column, I received many inquiries asking the same question:
Bonjour Caroline,
Do you have any idea what to do in this situation: My first dose was in January 2021 and my second was in Februrary. I received the booster as soon as it was available in November. This means my booster wasn’t in the 5-7 month period France requires for the pass, which is critical. I’m not sure if you have access to someone for an answer on this, but I thought I’d reach out to you in case you do. I’m considering a trip in early Spring, because 'Paris is always a good idea,' right?!
What is happening on Jan. 15?
As of Jan. 15, 2022, France will be changing the criteria currently used to restrict access to public spaces within the country to only admit those who are fully vaccinated and boosted against COVID-19. President Emmanuel Macron had previously said the original rules would be in effect through at least July 2022.
The French health pass, also known as the "pass sanitaire," will soon be referred to as the French vaccine pass or "pass vaccinal," according to Atout France, the official French government tourism agency.
This means that starting Saturday, Jan. 15, all tourists to France that are over 18 will need to show proof of full COVID-19 vaccination, in addition to proof of a third dose or booster administered within five to seven months after one's final dose of a vaccine accepted by the French government.
"Currently only the Pfizer, Moderna, AstraZeneca and Johnson & Johnson vaccines are accepted for entry into France," says the U.S. Embassy in France. "Travelers who have received all required doses of a WHO-licensed vaccine not approved by the European Medicines Agency require an additional single dose of an EMA-approved mRNA vaccine (currently Pfizer or Moderna)."
Read more: Protests erupt as France introduces new vaccination requirements
How to get a vaccine pass
"For foreign visitors who already have a Pass Sanitaire (to be known as the Vaccine Pass on Jan. 15), they will need to visit a pharmacy to show proof of a third dose (in addition to their initial vaccination) and have the pharmacy update their pass," confirmed a spokesperson for Atout France, who also said that only vaccinated travelers will be able to obtain the pass.
As has been the case since October, travelers can still obtain the pass on the ground in France by visiting participating pharmacies and showing a passport and proof of vaccination and booster.
Although unvaccinated travelers had previously been able to get a temporary pass by showing results of a negative COVID-19 test, that is no longer the case.
"Essentially, as it's now a Pass Vaccinal only vaccinated travelers are eligible to obtain one," said Atout France.
Nearly 3,000 pharmacies are currently issuing vaccine passes, including almost 700 in Paris. The French Health Ministry provides a map outlining pharmacies by location throughout the country.
Are those boosted more than seven months prior to visiting france ineligible for the pass?
The short answer is yes, though a booster is not required to enter the country.
"For entry purposes only, for all vaccines approved for use in the United States, a booster dose is not required to be considered fully vaccinated," said the embassy.
Anecdotally, I have heard stories from TPG readers who successfully visited restaurants, bars and museums sans pass by showing their CDC vaccination record.
Read more: Applications for France’s digital health pass are temporarily closed
What else do I need to visit France at the moment?
Fully vaccinated travelers coming from the U.S. must show results of a negative PCR or antigen test taken within 48 hours prior to departure for France, in addition to completing an Eos electronic form online.
If you still have questions, we recommend consulting the websites for the Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs, the U.S. Embassy or Atout France. Also, note that many airlines provide answers to COVID-19-related travel questions in specific countries, including Air France.
While this was a departure from our usual weekly column format, I hope it was just as helpful and I sincerely wish I had better news to report.
For what it's worth, I still think Paris is (sometimes) a good idea depending on how safely you can visit. But that's how I am personally approaching travel right now.
Have a question for next week? Email me at caroline.tanner@thepointsguy.com or tips@thepointsguy.com.
Read more: More answers about the French health pass and trusted traveler programs
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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. |
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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.