TPG readers still have a lot of questions about traveling to France at the moment; We have answers
Editor's Note
Since France most recently updated its entry protocols for incoming travelers, including Americans, on Feb. 12, we took last week off from answering more France-related questions and instead focused on the love of dogs, which you can read about here.
But when the majority of questions in my inbox are about one thing and one thing only, your wish is my command — yet another weekly column devoted to navigating travel to France at the moment. Here are some of your questions, and our answers:
France vaccine passports for transit
Is the French vaccine pass necessary for passengers transiting through French airports?
No, a pass is not required for passengers simply passing through any French airport, including Paris-Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG) or Paris-Orly Airport (ORY).
Leaving airport
Logistically, if a vaccine pass is necessary to access public spaces, how does one get from the airport to the pharmacy to obtain a pass?
The pass is not required for short-distance public transit within the Ile-de-France region, which includes Paris. This means you can take the Régie Autonome des Transports Parisiens (RATP bus, RER, Metro, etc.) from the airport into town or you could take a taxi as well.
However, for long-distance public transit, including planes, trains and buses, a vaccine pass is required.
Other vaccines
How can travelers vaccinated with a vaccine not currently recognized by French authorities get a pass?
"If you received two doses of Sinopharm, Covaxin or Sinovac, then you would need to receive one dose of an mRNA vaccine to be eligible for the vaccine pass," according to a spokesperson for Atout France, the country's tourism organization. "If you only had one dose of these vaccines, you would need two doses of the mRNA vaccine with 21 to 49 days between the doses in order to receive the vaccine pass."
Currently, Pfizer, Moderna, AstraZeneca and Johnson & Johnson vaccines are acceptable for entry into France.
Pass Sanitaire
For those who previously applied for the Pass Sanitaire and have a current QR Code within the TousAntiCovid app showing proof of booster, does this suffice for the vaccine pass or do they need to start from scratch upon arrival?
This should suffice as long as it shows proof of booster. Previous Pass Sanitaires without proof of booster were automatically canceled when the vaccine pass took effect last month, in which case, these visitors would need to start from scratch upon arrival.
What about boosters?
Currently, France only considers travelers fully vaccinated if they were boosted within 9 months of receipt of their final vaccine dose. How does this affect getting a vaccine pass?
It's OK if it's been nine months between your second dose and booster shot. As long as you've been boosted, you are eligible for a vaccine pass.
For example, suppose someone had their second dose in early March and then got their booster in early December. This person would be able to receive a vaccine pass.
Have a question for next week? Email me at caroline.tanner@thepointsguy.com or tips@thepointsguy.com.
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.