How I Roll: TPG Senior Travel Features Reporter Katherine Fan
Welcome to a special COVID edition of How I Roll, an airport routine series with a focus on health and safety while traveling. Today, we're asking TPG Senior Travel Features Reporter Katherine Fan a shortlist of questions about how she travels during the pandemic, covering everything from how she preps for a trip to what she wears on the plane. Here's what she had to say. Safe travels!
The itinerary:
TPG: What is the last flight you caught?
KF: My last flights were round trip from Austin to Madison, WI, for a family member's elopement, in February 2021.
TPG: Was the trip for business or pleasure?
KF: I used to be a wedding photographer, so I flew up to document the ceremony. So I guess the trip was a little bit of both?
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TPG: With whom were you traveling? If you had a travel companion, what conversions did you have to align on safety precautions? Did you need to reassure them?
KF: I traveled solo, but I did take one trip with a friend in September 2020. She and I had similar precautionary perspectives and felt very comfortable around each other with the precautions we mutually took.
TPG: Did you plan this trip pre-pandemic, or were these new travel plans?
KF: This trip was planned almost last-minute; elopements are hard to plan around!
TPG: What's a trip you're hoping to take in the future, that's been put on hold?
KF: I really wanted to travel to Antarctica this past winter.
Related: Dreaming of Antarctica: How to book the trip of a lifetime
Pre-departure prep:
TPG: What does your pre-travel to-do list entail?
KF: I have COVID antibodies, so I now have a "second-class vaccine passport": I have a doctor's note clearing me to travel, and test results showing I am positive for antibodies as of early February 2021.
TPG: Are you getting a COVID test? If so, what kind?
KF: I recently got an antibody test. After a quick telehealth appointment through my insurance provider, I was able to book a same-day test for $130 and have it fully refunded by insurance.
Packing strategy:
TPG: Are you purchasing any additional supplies, masks or protective gear for the trip?
KF: I've been sticking with my standard N95 mask.
Related: Face shields and sanitizer: 5 things we're packing for flights during the pandemic
TPG: What are your carry-on essentials?
KF: I have a few extra masks stashed into various pockets of my travel backpack, just in case. One is a fabric mask, the rest are new-in-package surgical masks. Other than that, I've got the same usual items.
TPG: What's your go-to travel outfit, and has it changed at all during the pandemic?
KF: I usually wear a black T, black hoodie, black leggings with pockets, and comfy sneaks. Not much has changed at all on my end. I am boringly basic, but I like to think of myself as a ninja.
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Before boarding:
TPG: Are you getting to the airport early or with just enough time to spare?
KF: I'm getting to the airport these days with a tiny bit of buffer to spare, but the airports have been super empty and I have TSA PreCheck so it's usually faster than ever for me to get through security. Same for bag checks.
Related: 7 reasons to get TSA PreCheck now — even during a pandemic
TPG: How do you normally prefer to kill any extra time at the airport?
KF: I crash at an airport lounge, or just bum some free Wi-Fi to get some work done.
TPG: Has that changed at all?
KF: I haven't really changed my airport habits much! I have avoided travel for the most part so when I do travel, I just relax a little bit and let things happen.
TPG: What is your airport food strategy?
KF: If there's lounge food, I'll eat that. If not, I buy a taco from my home airport and chow down. I really hate overpriced sandwiches and the super-hard cardboard "bread", so I'll actually skip meals if nothing looks palatable. I do love a good McDonald's, though.
TPG: What differences have you noticed at the airport since the pandemic began?
KF: It's so much more empty in airports and on planes right now. And you look way more at people's eyes to read their emotions, which is probably a nice thing! People leave so much more personal space; it's awesome. And honestly, everyone seems a lot kinder. Also, this 36-year-old woman got ID'ed at a lounge bar so that's flattering.
Inflight routine:
TPG: What is your strategy for choosing your seat on the plane?
KF: I used to be an aisle person, but now I'm a window seater. It helps that a lot of my flights have been pretty empty, so I still get the row (and aisle access) anyway.
Related: 7 tips for picking the perfect airplane seat every time
TPG: Do you eat or drink on the plane? Has that changed in any way?
KF: I will eat/drink on the plane and put my mask back on immediately after.
TPG: Have you noticed any changes in in-flight service?
KF: Service is a lot calmer and very clean.
Everything else:
TPG: Overall, did you still enjoy traveling during the pandemic?
KF: I have definitely enjoyed the few trips I've taken. Being back on a plane is so great.
TPG: How much traveling have you done since the pandemic began?
KF: I've only taken two trips for family reasons (one funeral, one elopement) and one "time off" vacation in the last 12 months.
Related: Vaccines could be available to all adults by May: Is it time to start booking trips?
TPG: Any travel pearls of wisdom or hacks for flying right now?
KF: My best advice right now is to be respectful of others, be kind to everyone who's working, and enjoy how much space and distance there is everywhere!
Rapid-fire questions:
Are you Team Ask or Not Ask when it comes to fellow travelers who aren't wearing a mask? I wouldn't ask unless they were in the aisle or something, and then I'd ask a flight attendant to handle it.
Latex gloves — yay or nay? Nay.
Favorite hand sanitizer brand? The one that smells like watermelon. I've only smelled it in places of business so I am not sure what's going on there.
Favorite mask brand? Just like with water bottles, I'm a fan of the generic surgical masks that don't make me sad if I lose or destroy them.
Favorite pandemic travel gear innovation? I can't think of a favorite pandemic innovation. Masks as fashion statements and conversation starters, perhaps?
Photo by Katherine Fan/The Points Guy
TPG featured card
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.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.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.