International travel with unvaccinated children; Spain drops the vaccine requirement for teens
Traveling with children and teens always comes with challenges, but the pandemic has added complexity because of the restrictions that are in place for international travel. With the long holiday weekend for Presidents' Day coming later this month and spring break around the corner, you may be looking to get away with your family.
While domestic travel is easiest for U.S. travelers as you don't have to worry about entry requirements, now that many countries are opening their borders and removing restrictions, you may want to take the family further afield.
But where can you go, especially if your children are not vaccinated yet? One choice is Spain, which announced on Friday that starting Feb. 14 it will allow unvaccinated U.S. travelers between the ages of 12-17 to visit the country. They only need to show a negative COVID-19 PCR test taken within 72 hours of arrival. Unvaccinated children under 12 were already able to visit the country with fully vaccinated adults.
Parents still need to comply with Spain's COVID-19 regulations that require proof of vaccination for U.S. tourists. Adult visitors must be fully vaccinated with their last dose at least 14 days before travel and not more than 270 days prior to arrival. If the second vaccine shot was administered more than nine months before planned travel, a booster shot is needed at least 14 days before entry.
Travel planners might want to think twice before booking a trip to the country with children who are not vaccinated though, as Spain is currently on the CDCs "Level 4: Very High" risk for COVID-19. But many countries are at that level due to the spread of the highly contagious omicron variant. If you decide to travel, here are the CDC guidelines on traveling with children.
Related: Countries reopening after COVID-19
Some Vacation spots that don't require vaccines for children
If you are comfortable taking an international trip with your family and your kids are not vaccinated, there are more destinations you can consider. Below is a small sample of other places that do not require young children to be vaccinated, though many do require adults and children over 12 to be vaccinated and most still require a negative COVID-19 test for anyone over 2 before arrival. Some also require testing after you get to your destination as well. Vaccines for children under 5 have not been approved, so there are no vaccine requirements for them.
If you are looking for a European destination other than Spain that allows unvaccinated children, Bulgaria allows unvaccinated children age 12-18 to visit, although they do need to present a negative PCR test to enter.
If North America is on your radar for an upcoming trip with the family, you can visit Canada with children under 12 if they are not vaccinated. They still need to meet testing requirements and submit information electronically through ArriveCan.
Island GetAways that allow unvaccinated children
If you're looking to get away from the winter weather to a sunny destination in the Caribbean and your kids are not vaccinated, consider Anguilla, which does not require vaccines for children under 18. They will still need authorization, proof of a negative PCR test taken 48-120 hours before arrival or a negative antigen test no more than 48 hours before landing. They will also have to test again on arrival.
Another warm destination is the Bahamas, where unvaccinated travelers 12 and older need to take a PCR test within 72 hours of arrival. Children aged 2-11 can show results of either a negative PCR or a rapid antigen test on arrival.
Bermuda requires all travelers over 18 to be vaccinated, but unvaccinated minors may enter with vaccinated adults who need to provide a negative test taken within three days of departure.
Children under 12 with parents who received their second vaccine dose more than two weeks before travel are allowed to enter St. Kitts and Nevis without additional testing.
Some islands like St. Lucia allow unvaccinated children 5-17 years of age, but they need to be tested before and after they arrive, and they must stay in quarantine until the test result comes back negative.
Other rules to consider
These destinations are just a sampling of those that allow minors in without vaccines, but you should be aware that many places still have restrictions on what you can do once you're there, so be sure to do more research before deciding to take a trip with the kids.
Many destinations have opened their borders and rules are changing daily so be sure to check the country's embassy site for up-to-date information before booking.
Related: U.S. rules for international travel
Keep in mind that the CDC recommends vaccinations for all travelers over 5 to most foreign destinations. If you do decide to travel internationally, current regulations require you to take a negative test when returning to the U.S. To keep up to date on the ever-changing rules for traveling to international destinations, check TPG's comprehensive guide to COVID-19 regulations by country.
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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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- 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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- Annual Fee is $325.
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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. |
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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
$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.