Would you wear a tracking bracelet for a Hawaiian vacation?
If you don't mind wearing a wrist monitoring bracelet (and paying for that privilege), have we got the postcard-perfect vacation for you.
The Hawaiian Island of Kauai has received permission to create "resort bubbles," that officially kick off today. Hawaiian Governor David Ige first approved the resort bubble concept back in September, but the details surrounding implementation weren't fully ironed out, approved and launched until now.
The program called an "enhanced movement quarantine," was approved by Kauai Mayor Derek Kawakami on Dec. 30 and is distinctly different than the state's pre-travel testing program that is in effect on the other islands. That program has allowed travelers to bypass an otherwise mandatory 10-day quarantine with a negative COVID-19 test from an approved provider taken with 72 hours of departure to the islands.
But faced with rising cases and limited medical capacity, Kauai opted out of that program in early-December. Since then, there's been no way around a mandatory quarantine of 10 days upon arrival to the Garden Island -- until now.
Related: Everything you need to know about visiting Hawaii
With this program that takes effect today, those wishing to travel to Kauai have a new hybrid option, the resort bubble.
To participate in this new program, travelers will need to have negative results from a pre-travel COVID-19 test taken no more than 72 hours from the final leg of departure of their trip to Kauai. However, of note is that this test can be any COVID-19 diagnostic test (antigen or PCR) approved by the FDA, as opposed to relying solely on the state's Trusted Testing and Travel Partners list. Travelers will need to complete the County of Kaua‘i arrival form available at www.kauai.gov/COVID-19.
Upon arrival to Kauai, travelers then proceed directly to their resort bubble either by hotel transport or a car service type of ground transportation, though no rental cars allowed until the traveler is released from the bubble program.
At one of those six designated bubble resorts, guests who participate in this program will be able to move about the property. This means access to pools, dining (if available) and potentially even the beaches during the 72 hour quasi-quarantine period. The catch?
During the three days of quarantine, guests cannot leave the resort other than for medical care and will have their movements monitored by a bracelet.
After the 72 hour mark, participants can get another coronavirus test on the property at their expense, and if they are negative, are then free to move about the rest of the island.
Related: State-by-state guide to coronavirus reopening
Hawaii Guide lays out the official rules here:
To qualify, travelers must:
- Take a pre-travel test within 72 hours before traveling to Kauai and receive a negative test result.
- Stay at an approved EMQ "resort bubble" property.
- Take a post-travel test more than 72 hours after arriving on Kauai and receive a negative result.
So far, only six Kauai resorts are approved for the bubble program, though two do allow traditional points reservations.
The approved properties are The Cliffs at Princeville, Hilton Garden Inn Kauai Wailua Bay, Koa Kea Hotel & Resort at Poipu, The Club at Kaukuiula, Timbers Kauai Ocean Club & Residences at Hokuala and the Kauai Marriott Resort.
You can book your stay directly with those properties like normal, but factor in not only the cost of the pre- and post-arrival tests, but also the monitoring bracelets.
Related: Country-by-country guide to reopenings
The Kauai Hilton Garden Inn is charging $80 as a one-time fee for the bracelet. I recently spoke with the general manager of the hotel who is thrilled to be part of the new program. He told me guests would be able to move about a portion of the resort while they wait for the test results, and he laughed when I accidentally described it as an "ankle bracelet."
He said it's actually unobtrusive and you wear it on your wrist.
A call to the Kauai Marriott revealed a $100 fee for the monitoring bracelet at that property. The Marriott does provide a $25 food and beverage credit once you've paid the bracelet's fee, which is good, because you can't leave the property to go grab a meal anywhere else. I learned that one restaurant on property was open for quarantine tests, but that food and beverage can be delivered to the room.
The Marriott has a free shuttle from Kauai's Lihue Airport (LIH) while the Hilton Garden Inn says guests are allowed to use taxis or Ubers as ground transportation, but emphasized that guests should come directly to the hotel from the airport.
Related: Why we love Hawaii
For what's it worth, several other countries have similar tracking devices that may be a sign of things to come for future travel as the world battles the pandemic. And of course, this is not mandatory for entry to Kauai.
Visitors or returning residents to Kauai may instead opt for the island's traditional 10-day quarantine, though keep in mind that quarantine option doesn't come with the freedom of enjoying a mai tai by the resort pool.
Related: U.K. goes back into strict lockdown
If you are considering a Hawaii visit in 2021, be sure to read my colleague Summer Hull's complete guide to visiting Hawaii right now, as well as this first-hand report on what it's really like to vacation in Hawaii right now.
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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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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
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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.