United is adding more flights to Italy, hoping to salvage American summer vacations
Transatlantic flights between the U.S. and Europe have long been bread-and-butter routes for major global airlines. The COVID-19 pandemic has effectively eliminated that much-needed revenue for 2020 and the first half of 2021, but airlines are hoping to salvage at least part of this year, thanks to a sudden EU move to reopen borders.
International travel reached a major milestone this week, with Italy reopening to tourists arriving on special "COVID-tested" flights — Delta was the first to announce a deal with the Italian government, followed shortly by American and now United. Most eligible flights depart from the New York City area, but travelers can connect from destinations around the U.S.
On these special flights, passengers are required to present a negative PCR or rapid antigen result from a test taken at most 48 hours before departure. If they also test negative upon arrival, they'll be able to skip Italy's otherwise-mandatory quarantine.
Travelers can either get a test at Newark Airport (EWR) or before they arrive. XpresCheck is offering tests at Newark for $200 per person, with results provided within 30 minutes. The company is operating two locations at EWR, including on Level 1 of Terminal C and Level 3 (near Door 1) in Terminal B. Travelers must register for their test in advance at this link.
An antigen test will also be performed upon arriving in the airport in Italy — Milan passengers can register for their test here, while anyone arriving in Rome will register at this link.
Related: How to book a COVID-tested flight to Italy from 51,000 miles round-trip
As of this writing, United is offering four weekly flights between Newark and Milan (MXP), along with three weekly flights between Newark (EWR) and Rome (FCO). With Italy's reopening, United will offer five weekly flights on both routes beginning June 1, before moving to daily service on both routes beginning on July 1, through the end of the schedule in April 2022.
Fares to both destinations are currently priced starting around $600 round-trip for economy or $2,650 for business class. Round-trip MileagePlus awards start at 60,000 miles for economy and 120,000 miles for business class, with scattered saver availability throughout the summer.
As of now, seat maps for both routes show United's older business class, with a 2-2-2 arrangement on the 787-9 Dreamliner to Milan and a 2-1-2 configuration on the Boeing 767-300ER to Rome, however many of the airline's planes have already been retrofitted with the new Polaris, so there's a good chance business-class flyers will land United's latest lie-flat seats.
The airline's Polaris Lounges remain shuttered, but hopefully they'll reopen soon. Despite the inconsistent product, I wouldn't hesitate to hop on one of these flights if you're vaccinated and looking to visit Italy.
While many U.S. travelers have already locked in trips to domestic and regional destinations, including national parks and Hawaiian islands, hopefully this sudden Europe reopening came soon enough for tourists to hop across the pond, as well.
That said, it may be best to wait to complete your COVID-19 vaccination, first, even though it isn't a requirement for entry — if you test positive upon arrival, you'll be forced into a mandatory quarantine, and won't be able to return to the U.S. until that process is complete. Not to mention that it's certainly best to avoid getting sick abroad.
TPG featured card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 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. |
| 5X | New! Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Pros
- Valuable dining and food-related credits
- Flexible rewards with airline and hotel transfer partners
- Multiple travel and purchase protections
- No foreign transaction fees
- Access to Amex Offers for additional savings (enrollment required)
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 $8,000 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.
- New! Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- Pay It® lets you tap in the American Express® App to quickly pay for small purchase amounts throughout the month and still earn rewards the way you usually do. Plan It® gives you the option to split up big purchases into equal monthly payments with a fixed fee. You’ll know upfront exactly how much you’ll pay.
- Updated! $120 Dining Credit: Earn up to a total of $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the Gold Card at Grubhub (including Seamless), Buffalo Wild Wings, Five Guys, The Cheesecake Factory, and Wonder. This can be an annual savings of up to $120. Enrollment required.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year at over 10,000 qualifying U.S. Resy restaurants after you pay for eligible purchases with the American Express® Gold Card. That’s up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: Earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin’ locations. Enrollment required.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Enjoy up to $120 in Uber Cash annually with your Gold Card. Just add your Card to your Uber account and you'll get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an Amex Card for your transaction.
- New! As an American Express® Gold Card Member, you can enjoy complimentary Hertz Five Star® Status. Enjoy benefits like skipping the counter at select locations, adding an additional driver at no additional cost*, and vehicle upgrades**. Benefit enrollment and Hertz Gold+ registration are required. *Additional drivers must meet standard rental qualifications and must be a spouse or domestic partner to qualify as complimentary. Other additional drivers subject to fees. **Benefits are subject to availability and vary by location. Additional Hertz program Terms and Conditions including age restrictions apply.
- Take advantage of a $100 credit towards eligible charges* at over 1,300 upscale hotels worldwide when you book The Hotel Collection through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App **. *Eligible charges vary by property. **The Hotel Collection requires a two-night minimum stay.
- Book your travel through the Amex Travel App with added peace of mind – backed by American Express® service and support. Only for American Express® Card Members.
- Whenever you need us, we're here. Our Member Services team will ensure you are taken care of. From lost Card replacement to statement questions, we are available to help 24/7.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.