Here's how to travel to France right now and what it's like once you arrive
To the regulars who read this column weekly, first of all, thank you, and second, please excuse my absence for the past two weeks, which resulted from my traveling to and from France.
After a brief departure from writing about France in my most recent column, we will pick up where we left off, with what I hope will be all the information you need to know for any upcoming trips to Paris or beyond.
What are the current entry requirements for Americans?
Proof of vaccination and two predeparture documents
To enter France, Americans are told they will need to be prepared to show three pieces of information to check in at the airport and board their flight to France. However, the only documentation I was asked to show was proof of full vaccination, which is verified by your Centers for Disease Control and Prevention-issued card.
French officials consider travelers fully vaccinated if at least one month or four weeks has elapsed since the final dose of the Johnson & Johnson, Pfizer, AstraZeneca or Moderna vaccine.
Even if you check in online ahead of your flight and receive a mobile boarding pass, expect to be asked to show your vaccination proof in person to airline staff before you board, even if you don't check in at the gate before going through security.
In addition to providing vaccination proof to your airline, incoming travelers are asked to sign a document attesting they do not have any COVID-19 symptoms nor have they knowingly been in contact with someone who tested positive recently. I carried a printed copy of this form.
Lastly, I was told to complete an online form called the EU Digital Passenger Locator Form. This form is reportedly used by health officials in France, Slovenia and Malta to facilitate contact tracing should a traveler be exposed during travel. Travelers to these countries are advised to complete this form digitally and carry around the corresponding QR code you will receive upon completion.
Although I was not asked to show either document at any point throughout my journey from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) to Paris-Orly Airport (ORY), I recommend filling out the forms as directed.
Do you need to have a booster to be considered fully vaccinated?
Technically yes, if it's been nine or more months since your final dose
Since February, the French government has required all travelers age 18 and older to get a booster within the nine-month period following one's final vaccine dose in order to maintain their status as fully vaccinated individuals.
This language was not meant to prohibit tourists who are vaccinated but not (yet) boosted from visiting France, as people are eligible to enter within one week of their booster shot, regardless of the timing.
For example, I received my second vaccine dose in April and booster shot in November, well within the nine-month window. However, a traveler vaccinated this month could continue to travel to France without proof of a booster until February 2023, at which point a booster would be required. You could even wait until March or April (or any subsequent month) to get boosted though. This is because although a booster becomes required at the nine-month mark, it doesn't have to be administered at month nine, just by or after month nine.
Having said that, it was not ever conveyed to me during the check-in process that any distinction was noted between the timing of my two-dose vaccine and booster shot.
Do they check your vaccination status at any other point?
Vaccination status is not verified after you leave the US
Once I showed my CDC card to the gate agent handling check-in for my outgoing flight to France, I put my vaccination card away and did not retrieve it again for the rest of the trip. You should not feel the need to carry your card with you while in France.
Are you able to travel to Paris without proof of a negative COVID-19 test?
Unvaccinated travelers must take a test to visit
The only travelers who need to worry about taking a test before leaving for France are those who are unvaccinated. If you do not meet the aforementioned qualifications to be considered fully vaccinated, you must provide negative results of either a PCR test taken within 72 hours of departure or an antigen test taken within 48 hours.
There's just one exception. France does not appear to be wavering on this existing predeparture requirement, though travelers who have recovered from COVID-19 within the preceding 11 days up to six months prior to departure may be able to enter without a test by showing the original positive test result, according to the U.S. Embassy in France.
Are people wearing masks?
Overall, I saw very few people wearing masks in Paris
Public transportation, including the Metro and buses, is the only place where face coverings remain compulsory for those age 6 and older. There are signs throughout the Metro stations reminding you of such.
Even so, I took both the Metro and bus a number of times during my trip and observed many fellow passengers not wearing masks and they were not asked to do so.
Although this is mandated by French law and noncompliance can result in a fine of up to $160, I did not observe any enforcement.
Outside of the Metro, I was surprised to see the lack of mask-wearing in indoor crowded spaces I visited, including at a huge department store called Galeries Lafayette and at the Palace of Versailles.
Besides some people wearing masks on the Metro, at the airport and in random places, things in France appeared to be about as normal as they were pre-pandemic. In typical French fashion, restaurants don't open until 7 p.m., and we had trouble getting into restaurants without a reservation once it hit 9 p.m. After dinner each night, the streets were filled with locals drinking and hanging out at the brasseries until the early hours of the morning.
Au revoir!
Have a question for next week? Email me at caroline.tanner@thepointsguy.com or tips@thepointsguy.com.
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- 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.
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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. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
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$325Recommended Credit
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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.