Summer travel is here, but maybe we should all stay home a little longer
We waited out a pandemic for this?
As Americans ramp up travel after largely staying home in 2020, pressure points emerge each day. Air passenger rage incidents both multiply and worsen. Airports may be full, but airport concession employees and TSA security officers are in short supply, leading to long lines. Also in short supply: rental cars. And of course, airline ticket prices are rising.
Maybe, just maybe, it's best to stay home a little longer.
Unruly travelers can ruin the travel experience
In assessing the viability of travel in 2021, two recent incidents stand out – one domestic and one in Europe.
In a particularly disturbing case, a Southwest flight attendant suffered injuries to her face and lost two teeth after being assaulted by a passenger on a May 23rd flight from Sacramento to San Diego.
Related: FAA doubles down on fines
The day after the incident, the Federal Aviation Administration said it has received approximately 2,500 reports of unruly passenger behavior this year. About 1,900 of those cases involved travelers who refused to wear masks while flying. It was unclear whether the Southwest incident involved a no-masker.
The TSA has since extended a mask mandate in aircraft, buses, trains and airports through Sept. 13.
And while most passengers comply willingly, it’s no pleasure to be on a flight with angry people who feel compelled to decry measures intended to protect public health. Theoretically, if mask mandates are not extended past the Sept. 13 deadline, air travel may be less safe for those unvaccinated for COVID-19, but would involve fewer unpleasant confrontations.
International travel is still a gamble
Internationally, the problem is not no-maskers but rather the complexities of sometimes unforeseen government responses to the pandemic.
Over the weekend, British tourists scrambled to leave Portugal because the British government – reacting to the threat of a new COVID-19 variant — imposed a Tuesday deadline to return without having to quarantine upon arrival. This was a sudden reversal in a policy set just days earlier.
“The ongoing nightmare…forced some Brits to pay through the nose to come home from Portugal early to avoid having to self-isolate,” Daily Mail reported Monday.
Author Rick Steves, one of the best-known U.S. authorities on European travel, has thrown up his hands on 2021 transatlantic travel.
“Right now, I’m not that desperate to go to a Europe where you’ve got to wonder: ‘Can I cross that border? What about flights? Will there be a quarantine waiting for me anywhere?’,” Steves told The Seattle Times in a recent interview.
“Patience is not an American forte, and certainly not a Rick Steves forte — but I’m telling people: ‘Relax. This is what we expected,’” said Steves, a resident of Edmonds, Washington. ”It would be nice if we could be traveling again in late 2021, but I think early 2022 is realistic.”
Steves said the problem is that “Europe isn’t open until Europe is open.” In a truly open Europe, he said, “I go to the pubs in Ireland to sit at the bar and clink glasses with people who really believe strangers are just friends who’ve yet to meet.” Additionally, he said, some mom-and-pop businesses with insufficient resources to survive the pandemic, may have closed. Perhaps they can reopen in 2022.
Related: Vaccinated Americans are booking up summer vacations
Prices are rising and personnel shortages are prevalent
Travel app Hopper saw a 16% gain in domestic ticket prices from April through May. Domestic fares should peak in late June, Hopper said, before falling about 10% in September, then rising back up 10% in October. According to Hopper, domestic fares have risen 23% since March 1 in Charlotte, which is the second busiest hub for American Airlines. An average domestic round-trip fare is now $296, up from $240.
So far, the problem in Charlotte hasn't only been higher fares, but also a shortage of workers at both concessions and the Transportation Security Administration. In a pre-Memorial Day media conference, airport and TSA officials urged people to apply for airport jobs. Plus, American Airlines and Delta have both asked employees to volunteer to help with airport operations.
Related: You could wait 8 hours at the airport on your next trip; here’s why
Nevertheless, on Saturday, June 5, hundreds of travelers missed flights due to insufficient security staffing, an American Airlines official told Charlotte TV station WBTV.
The TV station reiterated the best travel advice anyone can give: Enroll in TSA PreCheck, which is almost a guarantee of shorter lines to clear security.
One more hazard of 2021 travel is the rental car shortage. In 2020, rental car companies sold off inventory; in 2021, new car production has been hampered by a semiconductor shortage. This means finding a rental has become harder — and often much more expensive.
Related: Can't find a rental car? Here are 7 tips
The Bottom Line
It is well known that travel falls off when summer ends. This year, if the mask mandate ends as scheduled on Sept. 13, the number of onboard confrontations could also diminish. Additionally, it appears that Europe is opening, although slowly and inconsistently.
Given the multiple hiccups passengers may face while traveling this summer, patience may provide the best global solution. And perhaps booking in shoulder season instead of summer is the best strategy this year.
TPG featured card
Rewards
| 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
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
- 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.
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.