USVI drops testing requirements for vaccinated US travelers
The U.S. Virgin Islands last week joined the wave of countries and territories relaxing COVID-19 protocols. As of March 7, vaccinated travelers from the U.S. no longer need to show proof of a negative COVID-19 test in order to enter the territory. Unvaccinated travelers and those coming from other countries still must provide a negative test result.
It's a move that will make it even easier for U.S. travelers to visit and vacation in a popular Caribbean destination. The USVI, which is a U.S. territory but sets its own COVID-19 protocols, includes St. Croix, St. John and St. Thomas.
USVI Governor Albert Bryan announced the changes to the country’s protocol at a briefing, calling the updated protocols a “giant step forward.”
Restrictions still remain. On top of the testing requirements for unvaccinated travelers, the USVI still requires all travelers to complete its travel screening protocol. Additionally mask requirements remain in place on public transit and in indoor spaces, although the USVI did end its mask mandate for open air areas.
Like many tourism destinations, the pandemic has been tumultuous for the USVI. During the spring and summer of 2020, the territory closed to leisure travelers multiple times, before welcoming visitors back with stringent protocols.
USVI government officials made the decision to loosen the restrictions after seeing a drop in the number of new COVID-19 case.
“We have come a long way in the last two years,” Bryan said last month when announcing the changes. “Because of our collective efforts, we are here now taking this step forward to normal.”
Related: Aruba loosens testing requirements
Arriving in the USVI
In order to travel to the USVI, all domestic travelers (including those coming from the U.S. mainland) age 5 and older must enter the Travel Screening Portal. For international travelers, those age 2 and older must enter the portal. Each person age 18 and older in a travel party must complete their own application.
The portal takes you to a page where you enter personal information, details on travel plans, and it gives you a COVID-19 symptoms questionnaire. Then, travelers must select whether they are vaccinated and will be providing proof, or unvaccinated with plans to provide proof of a negative test.nThere is a space in the portal to upload vaccine (or wavier) proof.
Related: How to show proof of vaccination
Like most vaccination requirements, the USVI considers you fully vaccinated 14 days after receiving the second of two shots in a two-dose vaccine regimen (including Pfizer and Moderna) and one dose of a single-shot regimen (including Johnson & Johnson and AstraZeneca).
When it comes to testing requirements, the USVI accepts both antigen and PCR tests. TPG recommends taking a close look at the health agency’s most up-to-date testing requirements for protocols and acceptable tests, shortly before your trip.
Unvaccinated domestic (including U.S.) travelers must submit a negative test result within five days of travel to the USVI.
How to get there & where to stay
Plenty of major carriers fly to the U.S. Virgin Islands, including American, Delta, United, Frontier, JetBlue and Spirit.
For a hypothetical vacation in early June, I found a round trip on JetBlue for $297, with nonstop service to St. Thomas.
Departing from Miami, I found Spirit Airlines offering a round trip for $158 in late August.
Related: Air travel rising again as new cases drop
Looking to get there even sooner? Frontier has a round-trip flight to St. Thomas priced at $123 next month out of Atlanta. Just be sure to check the fees in advance so you get a sense for the full price of your itinerary.
When it comes to booking a place to stay, Keisha Nelson, from the tourism department, previously told TPG the USVI “offers a variety of accommodation options based on travelers’ preferences and budget.”
Marriott Bonvoy operates several properties, including the Ritz Carlton on St. Thomas and a Westin at St. John. There’s also an Autograph Collection hotel expected to open later this year. These could be good options for travelers looking to redeem points for their stays.
The islands include boutique hotels, and numerous other options: a quick search for a trip in mid-April to go with that Frontier flight shows a $177 nightly rate at the Lindbergh Bay Hotel and Villas, according to Hotels.com.
Bottom line
Restrictions still remain in the U.S. Virgin Islands, but there’s no doubt the requirements are beginning to loosen as COVID cases decline. Be sure to check with the USVI Department of Tourism before your trip to make sure you are up to speed on the latest health protocols.
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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 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.
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- $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.
- 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.