How to travel to these 5 popular countries right now — including news on Australia and the UK
I'm taking a brief departure this week from writing about France to address the emails sitting in my inbox seeking answers to questions about the nuances of travel to other countries as COVID-19 restrictions continue to be lifted.
Looking ahead to spring and summer trips, readers have asked if I can go deeper into entry protocols for specific countries as I have done for France.
If you want to read more, I write a weekly guide detailing recent moves by countries to ease restrictions. Also, be sure to check out TPG's country-by-country reopening guide.
South Africa
Proof of vaccination or predeparture PCR test
For travel to South Africa, whether or not a predeparture test is required depends on your vaccination status. Currently, travelers to South Africa must present proof of full vaccination against COVID-19 or results of a negative COVID-19 test taken within 72 hours of leaving your home country.
If for some reason you choose not to test or show proof of vaccination, you will be required to take a test upon arrival and submit to a mandatory quarantine on your own dime, per the U.S. Embassy in South Africa, which notes that the average cost of a PCR test in South Africa is between $50 and $60.
All travelers, regardless of vaccination status, should expect to be screened upon arrival at the airport, and those with symptoms will need to test and quarantine until receipt of negative test results.
Australia
No predeparture test for vaccinated visitors
It's further good news for travelers heading to newly reopened Australia, as the government will scrap the current predeparture testing requirement effective April 17 for vaccinated travelers.
Until April 17, all travelers must continue to show a negative PCR or rapid antigen test taken within 72 hours or 24 hours, respectively, of your flight's scheduled departure.
The TPG reader who asked me about Australia wanted to know whether an at-home proctored test, such as the Abbott BinaxNow COVID-19 Home Test, could be used to meet the testing requirement.
Per Benjamin Smithson, senior writer at TPG UK and a native Aussie, such tests would work for entry "provided they issue a certificate with a negative result."
The U.S. Embassy in Australia confirms this by saying that evidence of a "medical certificate as proof of a negative Rapid Antigen Test (RAT) taken under medical supervision within 24 hours" is acceptable for entry.
In addition to the predeparture test for unvaccinated visitors, these travelers must apply for a travel exemption and quarantine at a government-approved hotel, subject to the rules and regulations of the specific state or territory you are visiting.
Come April 17 and beyond, all passengers arriving by air to Australia must complete an online Digital Passenger Declaration form.
Conveniently, the Australian Department of Health has compiled a document of frequently asked questions for international travelers.
United Kingdom
Zero restrictions
Of all the countries discussed in this story, the United Kingdom is by far the easiest for travelers to get to since the U.K. dropped all of its remaining COVID-19 restrictions on March 18, meaning travelers are not subject to any pandemic-related requirement.
"No more quarantines, no more tests and no more forms," the country's Transport Secretary Grant Shapps declared on March 15.
If you are heading to Britain or Wales (two of my personal favorites), enjoy a taste of pre-pandemic travel life, even if just briefly thanks to the rapid spread of a new omicron subvariant across Europe, including the U.K.
Italy
Vaccination proof, negative test or recent recovery
Beginning March 31, Americans age 6 and older are allowed to enter Italy by presenting either a COVID-19 vaccination certificate, results of a negative PCR test taken within 72 hours of arrival or an antigen test taken within 48 hours, or a certificate of recovery from COVID-19 in the preceding six months.
If you can provide none of the above, you must quarantine for five days upon arrival and then test to get out of isolation.
The only other predeparture step for travelers is to complete an EU Passenger Locator Form in digital or paper form. Consult the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation for the latest updates.
The Netherlands
Vaccination required for non-EU travelers
The Netherlands has also made it significantly less difficult for travelers coming from within the European Union to visit by dropping its predeparture testing requirements and wholly eliminating COVID-19 restrictions this week. However, travelers from outside the EU, including Americans, must still show proof of vaccination to enter.
How to travel to the Netherlands with vaccination proof is outlined by the Netherlands government.
These travelers must also fill out a health declaration form.
Have a question for next week? Email me at caroline.tanner@thepointsguy.com or tips@thepointsguy.com.
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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
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- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
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- 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.
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- 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.