Travel industry groups urge White House to temporarily drop predeparture test for vaccinated flyers
Despite a public plea from nearly 30 travel industry groups asking the Biden administration to drop the predeparture COVID-19 testing requirement for vaccinated individuals entering the U.S. by air, there has been no indication the president intends to waiver on any arrival or predeparture testing practices.
Although the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has required all inbound travelers (regardless of vaccination status) to the U.S. over the age of 2 to show results of a negative COVID-19 test to enter the country for more than a year, the decision made late last year to shorten the testing window has led to widespread criticism from global health, hospitality and airline organizations, citing flawed logic as they called on the government to follow the lead of the European Union.
"Since the onset of the pandemic, U.S. airlines have leaned into science and research to prioritize the health and safety of all travelers and employees. Studies now demonstrate that predeparture testing is not effective, but continues to hinder the recovery of international travel," said Katherine Estep, a spokesperson for Airlines for America, the trade group representing North American airlines.
"We remain in regular communication with the federal government and encourage the removal of travel requirements that are no longer justified by current circumstances."
The inbound testing window was shortened from three days to just one day in December.
In January, the World Health Organization deemed international travel restrictions (such as testing) aimed at limiting the spread of the omicron variant a "failure," citing their "ineffectiveness over time," ultimately advising the "lift or ease of international traffic bans."
Just yesterday, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, Airlines for America, the American Hotel and Lodging Association and 26 others penned the Biden administration to request the removal of any predeparture testing requisites for vaccinated passengers traveling to the U.S., which they said was "justified by the pervasiveness of COVID-19 cases in all 50 states, increased immunity and higher vaccination rates as well as new treatments."
In their letter, the authors encouraged U.S. officials to heed the advice of their European counterparts, noting the Council of the EU's recommendation to remove intra-Europe travel restrictions, in addition to the United Kingdom eliminating its predeparture test requirement for vaccinated air travelers while reducing the burden for unvaccinated visitors.
Related: CDC providing free COVID-19 tests to returning travelers at select airports
"More than 74.3 million people have had COVID-19 in the U.S., meaning that at least 22% of the population has had the virus (though this figure is almost certainly an underestimate due to the number of asymptomatic infections and limited testing early in the pandemic)," the letter reads. "Clearly COVID-19 is widespread throughout the U.S. and attempts to control its importation via air travel under today's circumstances are unlikely to change that fact."
Interestingly, the groups leave the door open for arrival testing rules to be reimplemented in the face of a new variant.
"No new threatening variants appear to be imminent, but if they were, predeparture testing could be easily reinstituted," they said.
The White House declined to comment for this article.
For now, at least, all passengers age 2 and older traveling to the U.S. by air must submit results of a negative COVID-19 test (PCR or antigen) taken within one day of departure.
Related: UK ends COVID-19 testing for vaccinated arrivals and reduces testing for unvaccinated travelers
TPG featured card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 3X | Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases. |
Pros
- Delta SkyClub access when flying Delta
- Annual companion ticket for travel on Delta (upon renewal)
- Ability to earn MQDs through spending
- Various statement credits for eligible purchases
Cons
- Steep annual fee of $650
- Other Delta cobranded cards offer superior earning categories
- Earn 100,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $6,000 or more in purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership and an additional 25,000 bonus miles after you make an additional $3,000 in purchases on the Card within your first 6 months, starting from the date that your account is opened. Offer Ends 04/01/2026.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members receive 15 Visits per Medallion® Year to the Delta Sky Club® when flying Delta and can unlock an unlimited number of Visits after spending $75,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year. Plus, you’ll receive four One-Time Guest Passes each Medallion Year so you can share the experience with family and friends when traveling Delta together.
- Enjoy complimentary access to The Centurion® Lounge in the U.S. and select international locations (as set forth on the Centurion Lounge Website), Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge in the U.S. (see the Centurion Lounge Website for more information on Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge availability), and Escape Lounges when flying on a Delta flight booked with the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card. § To access Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge, Card Members must arrive within 90 minutes of their departing flight (including layovers). To access The Centurion® Lounge, Card Members must arrive within 3 hours of their departing flight. Effective July 8, 2026, during a layover, Card Members must arrive within 5 hours of the connecting flight.
- Receive $2,500 Medallion® Qualification Dollars with MQD Headstart each Medallion Qualification Year and earn $1 MQD for each $10 in purchases on your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card with MQD Boost to get closer to Status next Medallion Year.
- Enjoy a Companion Certificate on a Delta First, Delta Comfort, or Delta Main round-trip flight to select destinations each year after renewal of your Card. The Companion Certificate requires payment of government-imposed taxes and fees of between $22 and $250 (for itineraries with up to four flight segments). Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. Delta Basic experiences are not eligible for this benefit.
- $240 Resy Credit: When you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card for eligible purchases with U.S. Resy restaurants, you can earn up to $20 each month in statement credits. Enrollment required.
- $120 Rideshare Credit: Earn up to $10 back in statement credits each month after you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card to pay for U.S. rideshare purchases with select providers. Enrollment required.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members get 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
- With your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card, receive upgrade priority over others with the same Medallion tier, product and fare experience purchased, and Million Miler milestone when you fly with Delta.
- Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees. Enjoy international travel without additional fees on purchases made abroad.
- $650 Annual Fee.
- Apply with confidence. Know if you're approved for a Card with no impact to your credit score. If you're approved and you choose to accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees