Good riddance 2020; What I'm hoping for from travel in 2021
Normally this time of year, I'm recapping another long list of flights and new countries I've checked off my list. This year? Not so much.
It's been pretty bleak for travel across the board. I only left the U.S. once in 2020. In 2019, for comparison, I visited 11 new countries!
I don't think there's a year I've traveled less than 100,000 miles in the past decade. This year? Just over 64,000 miles -- and much of that was before the pandemic.
2020
My travel year started off great. As I wrote about at the end of 2019, I decided to change up my loyalty strategy.
Instead of trying to make Executive Platinum on American Airlines, I did a status challenge to Delta Platinum. You can find out how to do that here: Delta Air Lines status challenge.
I got a great deal on a Delta business class flight to Rio de Janeiro for early January. I'd never been to Sao Paulo, so it was a great opportunity to fly in business class to Rio and then take a connecting flight.
It would turn out to be my only international trip of 2020.
I also reached out Alaska Airlines to see if I could also enroll in a challenge for its top-tier status. That ended up being really fun, and that's where most of my 2020 travel ended up coming from. I said at the time 2020 "would be an interesting year." Boy did that turn out to be the case.
Related: Alaska Airlines transcon 737-900 review
I managed to do several domestic trips on Alaska Airlines before things shut down due to the pandemic, including swings to Seattle and a visit to my father's ranch in Montana.
Related: Alaska Airlines first class to Seattle
That's also how I ended up in Hawaii in the first part of the year before things really shut down. I flew Alaska Airlines to Maui and stayed at the Hyatt Regency Maui. I was only there for two nights, but I'm so glad I went because Hawaii shut down to tourism not long after that trip. Even now, Hawaii is not exactly easy to manage.
Related: Here's everything you need to know about Hawaii's ever-changing rules
From March onwards, I mostly stuck to my father's isolated ranch in Montana, although I did manage to check some states off my to-do list with road trips. I got in trips to Yellowstone and Glacier National Parks. I also got a look at a much-changed Las Vegas.
Related: Complete guide to Yellowstone
I also did end up doing some airplane travel over the summer. I wrote about how much the flying experience had changed here.
I will say that I was able to visit Iowa, Nebraska, North Dakota, Michigan and Wisconsin for the first time in 2020, but those definitely aren't the exotic locales I thought I'd be writing about in 2020.
2021
I was really looking forward to turning the page on what has been a challenging year. The slow rollout of several vaccines for the novel coronavirus has me excited about the possibilities. I'm pretty low down on the priority list for vaccination, though, so I'm not expecting I'll be able to really hit the road again until the second half of 2021.
A new strain of COVID-19 that spreads more easily may further crimp my travel style this year. Just today, the New York Times reported it has been found in 33 countries already.
Still, I do think I will be able to begin planning second half 2021 travel soon. So what's highest on my list?
My first priority is Alaska. I've never been, and it's an easy trip from my temporary home base in Montana. Testing requirements and the winter weather will keep me away, however, until springtime at the earliest.
Related: How to visit Alaska in age of coronavirus
My international goals for 2021 are more ambitious. I'm hoping I can reschedule a trip to Chile that I booked last spring when we thought the coronavirus pandemic would be well past (how wrong we were!). In fact, I was supposed to be in Chile this month after my co-worker found a great deal on business class flights.
I won't go until Chile opens up Patagonia and Easter Island. Americans can go to Chile again, but you'd need to mostly stick to Santiago. Most of the country remains shut to tourism.
I'd also love to finally be able to take a twice-cancelled trip to Tahiti. I had a trip all booked in March when things really fell apart and borders began shutting down. Thankfully, I canceled that trip at the last minute as borders shut down when I would have been there.
Tahiti was canceled a second time when the hotel I was set to stay in announced it was shutting down temporarily. I am bound and determined to do that trip, and I'm hoping back half of 2021 will be 'third time's the charm.'
Indeed, I love that airlines have rolled over status to 2021. I'll end up with top tier status on Alaska Airlines, and mid-level status with both Delta and American Airlines due to rollovers. I did a status challenge to Hyatt and so will enjoy Globalist status to boot with World of Hyatt. I'm really hoping I can find ways to maximize those perks.
Related: Elite status extensions
Still, I haven't booked anything as things are still so subject to change. Normally one of my favorite activities is looking at the 'upcoming trips' section of my airline accounts. Right now, they are all pretty sad.
I wrote about how awful 2020 was for the travel industry, and there's good news there. Most analysts and executives think there will be a big rebound this year. I'm counting on it.
I'm hoping that 2021 is going to be a much better travel year. After all, I still have more than 100 countries and eight states to check off my to-do list!
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Rewards
| 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. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro offer
Annual Fee
Recommended Credit
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.
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. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro Offer
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. (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.