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TPG readers still have a lot of questions about traveling to France at the moment; We have answers
Caroline Tanner
News reporter
A classically trained journalist, Caroline Tanner covers news and travel for TPG. She is a dual-journalism graduate of Mizzou and Northwestern.
March 04, 2022
•
5 min read
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Editor's Note
On March 3rd, <a href="https://twitter.com/TF1Info/status/1499363830576603136?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1499363830576603136%7Ctwgr%5E%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.connexionfrance.com%2FFrench-news%2FCovid-19%2FFrench-vaccine-pass-and-Covid-mask-rules-to-be-removed-almost-completely-from-March-14-2022" target="_blank" rel="noopener">French officials announced</a> that the Vaccine Pass will no longer be required as of March 14th as long as certain health criteria related to COVID-19 case numbers are maintained. We will update this story accordingly.
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.
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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.
Featured image by 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.
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Best for dining at restaurants
TPG Editor‘s Rating
Go to reviewCard Rating is based on the opinion of TPG‘s editors and is not influenced by the card issuer.
Rewards Rate
| 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.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.