Traveling to Hawaii just got a whole lot easier; TPG was among the first to try it out
It's been a monumental day in Hawaii's COVID-19 journey. The state today dropped all its remaining coronavirus travel restrictions, and TPG was there to see what it was like to travel to the Aloha State paperwork-free for the first time in two years.
“The end of Hawai‘i’s Safe Travels program and indoor mask mandate, which are the last of the pandemic-related requirements for travelers arriving from the U.S. and its Territories, signals the start of a new chapter for the Hawaiian Islands," said John De Fries, President & CEO of the Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority, in a statement to The Points Guy.
Indeed, it is again easy and frictionless for visitors.
Preparing for Hawaii and the end of "Safe Travels"
I've visited Hawaii four times during the pandemic, and I absolutely love the state. But as I wrote last August, I decided I wouldn't be going back anytime soon.
Part of that was the onerous rules around COVID-19.
For one trip, I got no less than four COVID-19 tests to take part in the Kauai Resort Bubble program (and then a fifth to leave).
Every trip also required filling out a predeparture "Safe Travels" form. One of the visits even included a test on arrival. Each time it was stressful and left me with days of anxiety ahead of time.
Not this time.
You no longer have to fill out the Safe Travels form at all. In fact, I tried to go to the website just to see what it said and it gave me an error message saying, 'Hawaii Safe Travels restrictions will end on 03/25/22 at 11:59 pm (HST). Travelers on 03/26/2022 and beyond will no longer be required to complete a Safe Travels application to enter Hawaii." Hallelujah!
In fact, if you try to fill out the form it won't let you.
Even if you are unvaccinated, you no longer need to fill out the Safe Travels form, and you are no longer required to quarantine on any of the islands.
Mask mandates lifted
County restrictions are now lifted across the Big Island, Oahu, Kauai and Maui.
Related: Proof of vaccination or recent test no longer required to access indoor spaces in Maui
Even the mask mandate is gone. Hawaii was the last state with an indoor mask mandate, but it also expired last night.
Hawaii Governor David Ige thanked the people of Hawaii for their diligence in combating the COVID-19 pandemic. In a statement the governor said:
“Together, we have reduced COVID-19 in Hawai‘i to the point where most of us will be safe without masks indoors. Right now, hospitalizations are trending down. Case counts are falling. We are better at treating people who are infected. Booster shots are saving lives. And the CDC has rated the state’s COVID-19 community level as low.”
Note that masks are still required in some settings. De Fries told me: "While domestic travelers no longer need to provide their vaccination status or a negative test result on arrival, they should be aware that federal law still requires mask-wearing on an airplane or in an airport, and some businesses and venues throughout the islands may still require the use of masks for everyone’s safety and well-being."
And the governor did say mask mandates and other coronavirus prevention measures like the Safe Travels program could come back in case of another virulent variant and a spike in cases.
On the plane
Gone are the days of filling out forms on your airline app or getting a wristband preflight for Hawaii. In fact, there is no indication at all during your predeparture or during the check-in process to suggest you are going to a state that had strict requirements as of one day ago.
I vividly remember the anxiety of making sure I had my paper bracelet from Alaska Airlines that indicated my papers were in order on my last trip to Hawaii.
This time there wasn't even a mention of any COVID-19 rules before or during the flight. The only thing you have to do is fill out and hand in your agricultural declaration form to the flight attendants. No mention on that form of COVID-19.
Arrival in Honolulu
Again, getting off the plane in Honolulu was just like getting off the plane in any other state. No screenings or questions from employees and certainly no testing. Contrast that with my trip to Kauai in January of 2021 where I was greeted by workers in full PPE, rigorous questions and even National Guard soldiers.
Once you deplane, you are good to go. Talk about easy! The whole process was so much simpler this time. Each time I've been to Hawaii during the pandemic, it's gotten easier and this time was just like pre-pandemic. In fact, there was no signage or warnings about the pandemic at all.
Off the plane and into paradise.
What does it mean for tourism?
The return of easy access for tourists will no doubt be a huge boost to the state of Hawaii's coffers. It got a majority of its private income from tourism, including more than $2 billion in tax revenue in the pre-pandemic days of 2019.
Related: Fair warning: Hawaii is crowded again
Betsy Carlson was my seatmate on my Delta Air Lines flight from Atlanta to Honolulu. She was headed to Hawaii for spring break and said when she decided to come that any restrictions wouldn't stop her from coming. "I did think about them, but I didn't think it would stop me."
"It just makes travel there so much easier," she said. "Travel to Hawaii has been hard because of COVID. Now that there's no restrictions, people will be more inclined to go there."
"We are encouraged to see overall travel confidence growing and anticipate tourism’s steady return," said De Fries.
But he also had a request for tourists, "As visitors come back to our shores, we ask that they travel mindfully and with intention to mālama (care for) our people and place. That means staying on maintained hiking trails, wearing reef-safe sunscreen, keeping a far distance from protected wildlife on land and in the ocean, supporting our local businesses, and celebrating our island way of life by participating in regenerative tourism activities.”
He hints at some of the problems I found in Hawaii during my many visits too.
Why it's not all good news
One of the most popular articles I ever wrote for TPG was the one I mentioned in the intro about why I wasn't planning to return. Unfortunately, not all the problems I mentioned have gotten better. Prices are still high, staffing is limited, the crowds are likely to get even worse, and the tensions between Native Hawaiians and tourists remain. But one of the major barriers to entry for me and for many other tourists has now been lifted. I'm happy to report I'm back in Hawaii.
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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.
- $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.
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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. |
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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.