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Spain will welcome fully vaccinated Americans starting June 7
May 21, 2021
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3 min read
Spain will welcome fully vaccinated Americans starting June 7
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There's more good news for travelers looking to visit Europe this summer.
Following the news that fully vaccinated Americans will be allowed to travel to the European Union this summer, Spain has announced it will reopen to international visitors starting June 7. Eligible travelers must be able to show digital proof of vaccination, a negative COVID-19 test or proof that they recently recovered from the virus.
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Spain will be taking part in a pilot program for the EU's digital COVID-19 health certificate this month, with the goal of implementing it in time for the June 7 reopening.
Tourists will have to show proof of vaccination, that they have tested negative if they have not yet received the vaccine or that they have recently recovered from COVID-19. According to the Telegraph, Fernando Valdés Verelst, the Spanish tourism minister, said his country is pushing to make the digital passport "mutually recognized."
Related: Want to travel to Europe this summer? Here’s what you need to know
"Spain is going to be ready in June to use this digital certificate," Valdés Verelst said. "We are doing a pilot program in May, in all our 46 airports. We are going to give all these travelers that certainty. Spain is going to be ready in June to tell all travelers worldwide that you can visit us."
United Airlines reacted quickly to the news, announcing that it would restart service from New York’s Newark Airport (EWR) to Madrid (MAD) and Barcelona (BCN) in July. The airline also said it would increase service from Newark to Rome (FCO) and Milan (MXP) in July, operating the flights daily. Italy recently reopened to vaccinated visitors, who can now avoid self-quarantine requirements when presenting a negative COVID-19 PCR or rapid antigen test.
Related: Now that Europe is reopening, here are some of our favorite cities
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Along with the vaccine rollout, digital certificates are seen as crucial for the resumption of summer travel. According to the Spanish news agency Europa Press, the country's Secretary of State for tourism said the digital COVID-19 passports offer "a degree of certainty" for travelers.
According to Reuters, starting May 24, Spain will also allow tourists from 10 low-risk non-EU countries -- including the U.K., Australia, New Zealand and Israel -- to enter without presenting negative COVID-19 PCR test results.
Tourism -- which was down by 80% in 2020 -- is incredibly important for Spain's financial health, accounting for about 12% of its GDP, which is why vaccination efforts are so important.
Currently, about 34% of the country's 47 million residents have received at least the first dose. Government officials have said the goal is to have 70% of its people fully vaccinated by the end of summer.
Additional reporting by Ashley Kosciolek and David Slotnick.
Featured image by Getty Images
Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.
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Best for dining at restaurants
TPG Editor‘s Rating
Go to reviewCard Rating is based on the opinion of TPG‘s editors and is not influenced by the card issuer.
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.