Planning an accessible trip? These travel resources can help.
Traveling with a disability poses challenges, and more research and planning are required to ensure a safe trip. Unfortunately, not everywhere you go will be accessible to people with disabilities, so picking where you go and when can make all the difference in your trip experience.
There are great tour companies and travel agencies out there that specialize in helping travelers book accessible trips catered to their specific needs. But if you do go the DIY route, there are also resources available to help you research where to book.
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Planning resources
AbleThrive
AbleThrive aggregates support resources to help people with disabilities. The site covers multiple topics related to living with a disability, including healthcare, parenting, employment, relationships and, of course, travel.
AccessibleGO
AccessibleGO is a full-service travel platform dedicated to helping people with disabilities make the most out of their travels. They offer articles written by community members who all have first-hand experience traveling with a disability.
You can use their booking tool to search for hotels and cruises that are accessible. You can also book trips through the website, but we recommend booking directly with a hotel or airline generally.
Handiscover
Similar to AccessibleGO, Handiscover allows you to book accessible accommodations. The site uses a unique classification system that lets you filter searches to your specific physical accessibility needs — from being able to walk up only a few flights of stairs to needing fully wheelchair accessible accommodations.
Handiscover also has community-contributed articles on the site to help you plan out your trip from start to finish.
Related: What does accessible travel mean to you?
Tips for planning an accessible trip
The resources listed above all offer content created specifically to help people with disabilities — often with a focus on physical disabilities that impact mobility — plan out trips. But there are also some general tips everyone looking to book an accessible trip should keep in mind when mapping out a getaway.
Use a travel agent or tour company that specializes in accessible travel
Beginner travelers especially should consider taking advantage of tour operators and travel agents that cater to those with disabilities. They'll not only have resources to help make sure your trip fits your specific needs, but you also might get special rates or offers when going through an agency.
Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP)
The STEP program is a free government service that notifies you of security updates from the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate while you're abroad. STEP also helps the U.S. embassy better provide assistance during an emergency while you're out of the country.
This tip doesn't only apply to people traveling with disabilities — anyone traveling abroad should sign up — but those who are traveling with physical disabilities can also add relevant information about any mobility limitations.
Call ahead to arrange special assistance
Whether it's a hotel, a cruise or a flight, you should call ahead if you need special assistance. When you book, it's a good idea to call and note if there are any physical limitations you'll need help with — such as boarding a plane with a wheelchair. Also, call again 48 hours before your trip to confirm any assistance arranged at booking, and mention it again at the check-in counter.
Related: Air travel tips for wheelchair users
Research contingency plans before you go
Talk to your doctor before your trip to discuss any specific concerns, get any doctors' notes required for travel and arrange for any medication refills you may need before you go (you'll want to pack more than you need of any medication, and it should go in your carry-on bag for easy access).
Additionally, research the area where you're traveling, and have contact information for doctors' offices, pharmacies and hospitals in case of emergency.
It's also not a bad idea to look into comprehensive travel insurance that includes medical coverage while you're abroad.
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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.
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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.