White House ending airport COVID screening, reports say; more international flights coming?
Overseas flights could be returning to more U.S. airports following reports the government is set to ease coronavirus-related restrictions on passengers arriving from abroad.
The U.S. had been requiring passengers coming from certain high-risk countries — including Brazil, China and much of Europe — to undergo “enhanced” screening upon arrival in the U.S. The move required those passengers to fly into one of 15 airports designated by the government, but the White House plans to end that requirement on Monday (Sept. 14), according to a report from Yahoo! News that cited unnamed sources.
Reuters later confirmed the report, though it noted “the move could still be delayed,” according to the unnamed U.S. officials cited by the news agency.
That enhanced screening is supposed to include health monitoring for COVID-19 symptoms and the collection of information that would facilitate contact tracing for possible exposure, though arriving passengers have reported varying levels of checks at the designated airports.
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“The orders to cease prescreening operations came from the White House, with strict orders to keep the information secret until a public announcement is made,” Yahoo! News wrote in its report. “Meanwhile, behind the scenes, the various agencies — and contractors — involved in the airport screening operations are working frantically to prepare for Monday’s shutdown [of screenings].”
If the news turns out to be confirmed, the move would likely worry health experts afraid of a possible "second wave" and the persistence of COVID infections in countries like the United States, Brazil and India.
Health implications notwithstanding, the enhanced screening restriction has presented a headache for schedule planners at U.S. airlines since many high-profile international long-haul routes were essentially restricted to the designated 15 airports.
American Airlines, for example, has two major hubs — Charlotte and Philadelphia — that are not on the list. Both are important transatlantic gateways for American. So, as the carrier tried to restart some international service, it had to choose to either hold off or instead fly some routes from hubs like Dallas/Fort Worth, poorly positioned for East Coast connections.
Perspective: These are the only long-haul international routes American, Delta and United plan for September
More: When will international travel return? A country-by-country guide to coronavirus travel restrictions
American’s long-haul plans for September underscored the challenge, with most of the carrier’s European routes coming from Dallas/Fort Worth. No long haul flights were on the September schedule from either Charlotte or Philadelphia, according to data from Cirium. It's only European routes from other hubs were to London, where American also has stepped up its reliance on partner British Airways for international connections via that carrier's hub at Heathrow Airport.
Other U.S. airlines have not been affected as severely, such as United. Six of its seven mainland U.S. hubs were included in the list of 15 airports; only Denver was not.
As for the apparent decision to scrap the enhanced screening requirement, a federal document viewed by Reuters said the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) "is shifting its strategy and prioritizing other public health measures to reduce the risk of travel-related disease transmission."
More: American Airlines has flown more than its competitors during the pandemic, and it’s paying off
The document added about 675,000 passengers have been screened at the 15 airports, but "fewer than 15 have been identified as having COVID-19."
The 15 airports designated for enhanced screening protocols are listed below.
- Atlanta (ATL)
- Boston (BOS)
- Chicago O’Hare (ORD)
- Dallas/Fort Worth
- Detroit (DTW)
- Fort Lauderdale (FLL)
- Honolulu (HNL)
- Houston George Bush Intercontinental (IAH)
- Los Angeles (LAX)
- Miami (MIA)
- New York JFK
- Newark (EWR)
- San Francisco (SFO)
- Seattle (SEA)
- Washington Dulles (IAD)
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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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- 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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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.