Now that the Covid-19 restrictions are being relaxed for vaccinated tourists in Europe and elsewhere, you may have your sights set on international summer travel. But it won’t be as usual.
Expect strongly fluctuating prices, new testing and vaccination rules and even different mask specifications depending on the travel destination. (We are sorry,
do not want your lovely homemade face covering.)
“You will have one more item on your pre-screening checklist. But the reward is being able to visit some of the most famous tourist destinations with a fraction of the summer crowds, ”said Scott Keyes, author of Take More Vacations and founder of price tracking website Scott’s Cheap Flights. He says international travel has decreased by 60% overall compared to 2019, although some places are seeing an increase in tourism.
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To help you find your way around while traveling in the pandemic era, here are some apps and websites that can help streamline the process.
Check out the CDC’s Covid-19 advisories for your travel destination. Before you fly, it is a good idea to review the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s instructions Instructions per country to travel. Currently, the CDC recommends international travel only for People who are fully vaccinated– those who have been two weeks since their last dose.
Look up entry requirements. Google travel Links to official government websites listing entry requirements. (Go to google.com/travel and search for the destination country.) The travel website sherpa has a tool that shows entry requirements and restrictions based on your country of origin, connections, final destination and vaccination status. Every detail includes a link to an official source.
‘Website has a Discover the map in which the entry requirements of the airline for certain countries are listed, and a Travel planning center List of all international destinations currently open for travel.
Delta’s Discover Map is a color-coded, interactive guide that shows which countries are open to visitors and details entry requirements.
Photo:
Nicole Nguyen / The Wall Street Journal
Create digital scans. For many travel destinations you need a paper copy of your vaccination card as proof of vaccination to enter the region. My upcoming flight to Germany from California, via
accepts the printed map or a digital copy of it. Either way, it’s a good idea to keep a digital backup.
If you have an iPhone, you can use the Notes app’s built-in document scanner. Create a new note, tap the camera icon and choose Scan Documents. Name the note “Covid-19 Vaccine Card” so that it is easy to locate. You can also pin the note to stay at the top of the screen by tapping the three dots in the right corner.
Microsoft Lens, free on both iOS and Android, is a scanning app that can digitize printed or handwritten text.
Digitize your vaccination card with the integrated document scanner in the Notes app of your iPhone: Start a new note, tap on the camera symbol, select Scan documents.
Photo:
Nicole Nguyen / The Wall Street Journal
Patients can access a copy of their vaccination records on the company’s website. If you were vaccinated on
or Sam’s Club, you can download Clear health passport (free, iOS and Android) to access your digital recordings. You must agree to share your vaccination history using the app from the Walmart website. If you lose your ID, contact your state’s Vaccination Information System (IIS). The CDC lists links to IIS. every state on his website.
Search Google and then book directly. “The open secret in the travel world is that there isn’t a single search site that offers the cheapest rates,” Keyes said. “Choose the one that offers the user experience that suits you best.”
He uses Google flights because it is the “easiest and fastest”. The website also gives you a pre-filled link to book direct with the airline, which is a best practice, he says. If something goes wrong with your flight, it is easier to negotiate with the airline than with a middleman.
Before checking out, verify that you have a pending flight voucher with the airline from a delayed pandemic trip. Many of these credits expire this year. Mr. Keyes says that many airlines will give you an extension if you call the customer service number and say that you are not yet comfortable with traveling.
Look for flexible bookings. The step to elimination international exchange fees is one of the silver linings of Air travel in the pandemic era. Delta,
and
Abolish the fees for good, except for Basic Economy tariffs.
Travelers searching for flights through the in the Air app can filter the results based on health concerns such as mask requirement, locked center seats, and free cancellation.
Photo:
Nicole Nguyen / The Wall Street Journal
App in the air (Free, iOS and Android) has new “Health Filters” that let you view search results from airlines that offer flexible fares, enforce face masks, or block center seats.
funnel (free, iOS and Android), a price tracking and booking app, may be a better option than direct booking for those who need more flexibility and are willing to pay for it. The app’s Flexible Dates option, which increases booking costs by 5 to 10%, allows you to apply your ticket value – even if it is a Basic Economy ticket – to a new airport, date, time or another airline. up to 24 hours before departure. If you are held up at customs or experience delays, if you miss the original flight, the rebooking option for missed connections (average of $ 25 per passenger) will take you to the next flight to your destination regardless of the airline.
And for hotels: Google Travels Hotel finder and
have filters for accommodations with free cancellation. But be careful: some bookings may have a higher refundable rate.
Get an expedited check-in. Check if your airline has an online verification process. VeriFly is a health passport app developed by American Airlines, Aer Lingus,
Iberia and
Travelers can upload necessary documents such as negative Covid-19 test results or vaccination cards to the app. An American Airlines spokeswoman says customers who receive pre-approval through the app don’t need to interact with an agent before boarding the plane.
United’s mobile app has a new section called the Travel-Ready Center where flyers can upload vaccine or test records. The documents are verified via the app and travelers are immediately approved for check-in.
SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS
Which travel apps do you use? Join the conversation below.
Find vaccination centers for re-entry. The US currently requires all incoming travelers on international flights who are 2 years of age or older to present a negative Covid-19 testeven if vaccinated. Google Maps lists official test centers in many metropolitan areas; Search for “Covid-19 Tests Near Me” to see results. Delta sells home ($ 50) Covid-19 antigen tests on its Ellume website that can report results to a paired smartphone and the US Meet reporting requirements. A spokesman said the kit can be purchased in advance, eliminating the need for leaflets to seek testing facilities overseas.
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Write to Nicole Nguyen at nicole.nguyen@wsj.com
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