Israel is opening up to all travelers, including unvaccinated, from March – what you should know
Unvaccinated travelers are set to be allowed into Israel from March onward.
Israel’s Prime Minister Naftali Bennett and Health Minister Nitzan Horowitz revealed yesterday current travel restrictions – allowing only passengers who have been vaccinated or have recovered from COVID-19 entry to the country – will soon be eased.
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Beginning March 1, both vaccinated and unvaccinated travelers will be allowed to enter Israel after submitting two COVID-19 tests: a predeparture PCR test (which proves a demonstrable negative result) and another PCR test on arrival.
Once in the country, all travelers will be required to self-isolate for 24 hours, or until their PCR test comes back negative.
Currently, Israel’s entry requirements state that non-Israeli citizens must have been fully vaccinated with an approved jab – or have proof of recovery – to be allowed entry into the country.
Related: Here's how to get to Israel using points and miles
Israel accepts all of the vaccines commonly administered in the U.S., including Moderna and Pfizer as well as the single-dose Johnson & Johnson.
In the case of two-dose vaccines, the second dose must have been received at least 14 days prior to arrival in Israel, and no more than 180 days prior. Where booster doses have been available, they are also necessary to qualify as "fully vaccinated" by Israel’s definition.
Present rules have allowed entry for people who can prove they have recovered from COVID-19 with a certificate of recovery – if the recovery happened within a period of eight to 190 days prior to the visit.
Related: The tiny nation with a rapidly growing airline route map
For more information on current entry requirements for Israel, visit the Israeli government website.
Of these restriction changes, Bennett confirmed: “We are seeing a consistent decline in morbidity numbers, so this is the time to gradually open up what we were the first in the world to close.”
Israel was one of the earliest countries to lock down its borders at the beginning of the pandemic in March 2020, reopening briefly before locking down in December 2021 as a result of the omicron variant.
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5X | Earn 5X Membership Rewards® Points for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year. |
5X | Earn 5X Membership Rewards® Points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel. |
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Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $6,000 on purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership.Earn 80,000 PointsAnnual Fee
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Why We Chose It
Sometimes it's worth a large investment to reap the benefits of a great credit card. That's exactly the case with the Amex Platinum card. In exchange for the annual fee, you'll unlock access to the Amex Membership Rewards program that let you access airline and hotel transfer partners, along with new lifestyle and travel credits. This card is also incredibly rewarding for travel purchases, helping you rack up a ton of Membership Rewards points for your next award trip.Pros
- The current welcome offer on this card is quite lucrative. TPG values it at $1,600.
- This card comes with a long list of benefits, including access to Centurion Lounges, complimentary elite status with Hilton and Marriott, at least $500 in assorted annual statement credits and so much more. (Enrollment required for select benefits.)
- The Amex Platinum comes with access to a premium concierge service that can help you with everything from booking hard-to-get reservations to finding destination guides to help you plan out your next getaway.
Cons
- The high annual fee is only worth it if you’re taking full advantage of the card’s benefits. Seldom travelers may not get enough value to warrant the cost.
- Outside of the current welcome bonus, you’re only earning higher rewards on specific airfare and hotel purchases, so it’s not a great card for other spending categories.
- The annual airline fee statement credit can be complicated to take advantage of compared to the broader travel credits offered by competing premium cards.
- Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $6,000 on purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Apply and select your preferred metal Card design: classic Platinum Card®, Platinum x Kehinde Wiley, or Platinum x Julie Mehretu.
- Earn 5X Membership Rewards® Points for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year and earn 5X Membership Rewards® Points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel.
- Get $200 back in statement credits each year on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts® or The Hotel Collection bookings, which requires a minimum two-night stay, through American Express Travel when you pay with your Platinum Card®.
- $240 Digital Entertainment Credit: Get up to $20 back each month on eligible purchases made with your Platinum Card® on one or more of the following: Audible, Disney+, The Disney Bundle, ESPN+, Hulu, Peacock, SiriusXM, and The New York Times. Enrollment required.
- $155 Walmart+ Credit: Cover the cost of a $12.95 monthly Walmart+ membership with a statement credit after you pay for Walmart+ each month with your Platinum Card. Cost includes $12.95 plus applicable local sales tax. Plus Ups are excluded.
- American Express has expanded The Centurion® Network to include 40+ Centurion Lounge and Studio locations worldwide. There are even more places your Platinum Card® can get you complimentary entry and exclusive perks.
- $200 Airline Fee Credit: Get up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year in baggage fees and more at one select qualifying airline.
- $200 Uber Cash: Enjoy Uber VIP status and up to $200 in Uber savings on rides or eats orders in the US annually. Uber Cash and Uber VIP status is available to Basic Card Member only.
- Get up to $300 back per calendar year on the Equinox+ digital fitness app, or eligible Equinox club memberships when you pay with your Platinum Card. Enrollment required. Learn more.
- Breeze through security with CLEAR® lanes available at 100+ airports, stadiums, and entertainment venues and get up to $189 back per calendar year on your membership when you use your Card. Learn more.
- $695 annual fee.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees