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Is France's reopening up in the air? What you should know if you're planning June travel

June 02, 2021
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4 min read
Paris, France with Eiffel Tower in background
Is France's reopening up in the air? What you should know if you're planning June travel
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Editor's Note

This post has been updated with new COVID-19 case numbers.</strong>

Editor's note: This post has been updated with new COVID-19 case numbers.

In May, TPG learned that France was planning to reopen to tourists on June 9. But, with just one week until international travelers are rumored to be allowed -- and following a steady increase in the number of COVID-19 cases in France -- there has still been no official word on what the reopening will look like or whether it will happen at all.

We're still hopeful that Americans will be able to go to France this month, but we just don't know for sure yet. Be prepared in case the answer is "no."

According to the U.S. State Department, as of May 18, "The president of France has laid out a reopening plan that would allow 'foreign tourists' with a health pass (tied to being fully vaccinated or having a negative COVID-19 PCR test) to enter France beginning June 9, 2021, if COVID-19 levels remain under control."

Here’s more information about France’s reopening.

France is set to reopen June 9, but entry requirements haven't yet been announced, and it's unclear how travelers can obtain the necessary health passes. (Photo by Frédéric Soltan/Corbis via Getty Images)

However, the French government remains mum on what, exactly, the health passes will entail and how prospective travelers can apply for them.

The State Department's statement indicates that the restart will depend on the current pandemic situation within France when June 9 rolls around.

Currently, the World Health Organization (WHO) shows France has had more than 5,575,000 total cases since the beginning of the pandemic, resulting in nearly 109,000 deaths. But the number of cases and hospitalizations is now on a downward trend according to Reuters.

France's reopening will depend on the state of the pandemic, which has seen a steady increase in the number of reported cases. (Photo by MathieuRivrin/Getty Images)

Johns Hopkins University's Coronavirus Resource Center puts those numbers even higher and says that less than 17% of France's population has been fully vaccinated.

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If France does reopen on schedule, it is expected to relax its current 9 p.m. curfew by two hours to 11 p.m. and do away with it completely by June 30. (Those who break it are subject to a €135 fine.) The country has also said it would allow restaurants to reopen at 50% capacity.

Eiffel Tower in Paris, France
The U.S. State Department has France under a "Level 4: Do Not Travel" advisory, citing COVID-19, civil unrest and terrorism threats. (Photo by Nikada/Getty Images)

Anyone looking to travel to France should check the State Department website. Like most of the world's nations, France is under a "Level 4: Do Not Travel" advisory -- a joint warning from the State Department and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, citing both rising COVID-19 numbers and civil unrest, with demonstrations posing a threat in some tourist areas. Bookmark the website for the French Embassy in the United States to check for additional intel.

France joins most European Union (EU) member countries in opting for a slow, phased-in approach. However, fellow EU nations Italy and Greece are already fully open to Americans again, and seven member countries -- including Greece -- are already using digital COVID-19 certificates to help with streamlining the traveler verification process. Earlier this week, the president of the International Air Transport Association said similar electronic health passports could eliminate airport waits of up to eight hours.

Featured image by V_E/SHUTTERSTOCK
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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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)

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  • Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
  • Solid welcome bonus

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  • 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.
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