The 5 US cities most popular with international travelers right now
The U.S. lifted its international travel ban on Nov. 8 after almost two years of closure. Now, fully vaccinated travelers from a number of countries can once again visit the United States — and U.K. travelers are among the most eager to hop on a plane and visit, Bloomberg reported earlier this month.
Data from Travelport shows that after President Joe Biden announced in September that U.S. borders would reopen in November, flight searches and bookings from the U.K. were higher than all other European countries combined.
Related: What it was like on the first British Airways flight to the US on reopening day
Brits, in particular, seem to have Disney on the brain, but in addition to Orlando, New York City, Miami, San Francisco and Los Angeles also made the list, according to Bloomberg.
As the cooler weather rolls in and Atlantic hurricane season comes to an end, it's not surprising to see travelers are itching for a warm winter escape, with Florida and California dominating the list.
Orlando, Florida
The obvious reasons to visit Orlando, Florida, are Disney World and Universal Orlando. And this year, visitors can join in on the fun for Disney World's 50th Anniversary celebration, which lasts for 18 months.
Some of the Disney novelties available now include special 50th-anniversary food items, dining experiences such as Space 220, new lighting effects, events, shows, rides and more.
Others, such as the Star Wars immersive hotel experience Galactic Starcruiser and the renovated Disney's Grand Floridian Hotel will launch in 2022.
New York City, New York
The clarion call of the city is undeniable, despite its cold winters, thanks to its diverse culture and cuisine. Almost all indoor activities are back up and running, but keep in mind you'll have to be fully vaccinated (and be able to show proof of your vaccination) to enjoy them time indoors in New York City this winter, including Broadway shows.
Although there are endless hotel options, especially for travelers who have a stockpile of points, the newly opened Pendry Manhattan West offers a California-meets-New York City hotel experience in the heart of the Manhattan West area.
Visitors should check out the brand-new One Vanderbilt Summit glass rooftop deck, featuring two glass ledges suspended over 1,000 feet above the ground, all-glass elevators on the exterior of the building and immersive mirrored spaces. There's also Little Island on the Hudson River, an immersive art and nature experience, if you're visiting on a mild day.
Miami, Florida
With Atlantic hurricane season coming to a close, who wouldn't want to winter in Miami?
If the mild temperatures and warm sunshine aren't enough, events like Art Basel (Dec. 2 to 4) and South Beach Food and Wine Festival (Feb. 24 to 27, 2022) are sure to draw both domestic and international travelers to the Sunshine State's most glamorous city.
Check out new hotels like the Moxy South Beach, which has an outdoor screening room, an indoor and outdoor gym and, in typical Florida fashion, a gorgeous pool deck with cabanas. The hotel is a Category 5 Marriott Bonvoy property, so an award night will cost 30,000 points on off-peak dates, 35,000 for a standard night and 40,000 for a peak night until Marriott moves to dynamic award pricing in March of 2022.
Los Angeles, California
Travelers should head to Los Angeles if only to stay at the brand-new Thompson Hollywood. TPG director of content Eric Rosen compared the illustrious rooftop pool to a "sun-splashed David Hockney painting come to life," as well as noting the staff was as warm as the weather.
The best part? If you have Hyatt points, a stay here will only cost 25,000 points per night. And speaking of warmth, Los Angeles maintains temperatures in the 70s almost all winter long.
For travelers who want to really visit Los Angeles in style, consider flying through a secret VIP terminal, PS at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX). Each private suite provides a luxury pre-or-post travel experience with chic, comfortable furniture, access to communal outdoor space, top-of-the-line cuisine, fancy booze, elite spa services and tarmac transfers. Just expect to fork over $4,500 for an annual membership.
San Francisco, California
It’s not hard to see how quickly travel to (and from) San Francisco is rebounding: Vietnam Airlines will make SFO its first scheduled destination in the U.S. starting Nov. 28. And United is poised to restart its incredible San Francisco to Singapore (SIN) route on Jan. 5.
But no matter where you're coming from or how you're getting here, travelers visiting San Francisco for the first time in a while should consider checking into the Kimpton Alton, a relatively new entry to the hotel scene in the City by the Bay.
Or, venture to nearby wine country and book a stay at the Alila Napa Valley (a Category 7 World of Hyatt) or the Four Seasons Napa Valley, the latter of which is located on a functioning winery. After all, there's no better way to celebrate the rebound of travel with a glass of fine California wine.
(Feature image by Alexander Spatari/Getty)
TPG featured card
Rewards
| 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. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro offer
Annual Fee
Recommended Credit
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.
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. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
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.