A strong U.S. dollar helps American international travelers, but other challenges remain

If you’re thinking about taking a trip to another country this year, it might be expensive to get there, but once on foreign soil, it may be quite affordable for Americans.

The U.S. Dollar Index is near a 20-year high. The dollar closed Wednesday at 104.03, up from 89.54 a year earlier.

Despite rising airfares, the strong dollar means many currency exchange rates are better (excluding fees) and prices Americans pay for goods and services in other countries are lower.

In particular, if you haven’t traveled to Europe for a while (many of us haven’t because of the COVID-19 pandemic), you’re in for a treat. Europe is especially attractive for Americans as $1 gets you 95 euros, a level not seen since February 2017. A year ago, you would get 82 euros for $1.

The euro has lost value against the U.S. dollar as Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has increased fears that rising energy, food and other costs will hurt economic growth in the 19-country eurozone.

Be prepared

The strong dollar comes as travel rebounds after two years of the global pandemic. Despite inflation driving up the cost of airplane tickets and gas (for road trips), U.S. travelers are ready to travel again.

The flip side is that travelers can expect long lines, crowded planes and airports, delays and cancellations if spring travel is anything to go by.

The Transportation Security Administration saw nearly 2.25 million passengers travel through U.S. airport security checkpoints on May 8, nearly at 2019’s level of 2.4 million for the same day.

International passenger traffic increased 257 percent in February from a year earlier across all regions. Russia invaded Ukraine on Feb. 24, according to the International Air Transport Association. Domestic traffic rose 61 percent.

Many countries, including Italy, Jamaica and Sweden, have been re-opening their borders to international visitors in preparation for spring and summer travel. In early April, I blogged some spring travel tips.

Strong leisure travel demand reported by airlines, including the three biggest American, Delta and United, + higher airfares = strong airline revenue. But increased demand combined with staff shortages has forced some airlines to cut capacity. JetBlue and Alaska Airlines, for example, are trimming their planned summer flight schedules to mitigate the expected impact of bad weather and air traffic disruptions.

In April, airfare rose 33 percent from a year earlier, according to the federal government’s Consumer Price Index released on Wednesday. You can blame higher airfares, in part, on higher jet fuel prices, which many airlines, such as Delta and United, are passing on to customers.

Still, there appears to be no reticence yet by travelers.

“There appears to be no concerns, candidly, about any variant or the virus,” Delta CEO Ed Bastian told The Wall Street Journal. After the airline reported its “best cash sales month in Delta’s history” in March. “Everyone is ready to get past it.”

As of now, all travelers entering the United States, even U.S. citizens returning from an international vacation, must get a COVID-19 test.

And while the U.S. face mask mandate for public transportation and related hubs ended in mid-April, international airlines and other countries may have their own rules. Check with your airline and the country or countries you plan to visit before flying.

Addition: As of May 16, the European Union no longer requires face masks to be worn at airports and on airplanes as COVID-19 restrictions ease across its 27 member states. Rules, however, may vary by airline and country.

Eager to travel again? Here’s what you need to know

As the holidays approach and after living 18 months with restrictions, many people are eager to travel again.

The good news is it’s OK to travel within the United States and internationally if you’re fully vaccinated because you’re less likely to get or spread COVID-19, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Fully vaccinated means two weeks have passed since your second dose of a two-dose vaccine, such as Pfizer or Moderna, or a single-dose vaccine like Johnson & Johnson’s.

Nearly 57% of the U.S. population is fully vaccinated against COVID-19 as of Oct. 1, according to John Hopkins University & Medicine. But rates vary greatly by state. Travel still poses some risk because even fully vaccinated travelers may get and spread some COVID-19 variants.

Passengers on all public transportation, including trains, buses and planes, must wear a face mask at all times. They also must wear a mask while waiting at airports and stations.

International travel

International travel risks – and travel rules – vary from country to country. Plan ahead and have a contingency plan. Before making plans, do some research, starting with:

• The CDC provides COVID-19 travel recommendations by destination online with a nifty map showing risk levels.
• Check the current COVID-19 situation in your destination. The State Department’s website posts travel advisories for many countries and provides country-specific COVID-19 information.
• Go to the government website of your destination for information. The Canadian government website, for example, says travelers from outside Canada must be fully vaccinated and must answer some online questions. But that doesn’t guarantee entry; the final determination will be made by a government official at the port of entry. And then Canada still requires a fully vaccinated traveler to get a pre-entry test; upload proof of vaccination; be prepared to quarantine for 14 days in case you don’t qualify as a fully vaccinated traveler; and possibly take a random arrival test (at Canada air or land border crossings, but you don’t have to wait for the results or quarantine). There are some exemptions.

If you need to get or renew a U.S. passport, apply early. First timers must apply in person; renewals typically can be done by mail. As of September, passport processing may take up to 16 weeks; even expedited processing (which costs $60 more) can take up to 12 weeks. The cost is $110 for a passport book for international travel. It’s $30 for a passbook card, which is good for travel by land and sea to Canada, Mexico, Bermuda and the Caribbean. For first-timers, there’s a $35 “execution fee.” The State Department has a lot of online information.

Travel by car

Don’t forget hand sanitizer, wipes and healthy snacks on your road trip. (Photo by Sheryl Jean)

A road trip still is the No. 1 travel mode for most Americans. People simply feel safer in their own automobile. Plus, who doesn’t like the the feel of wind in their hair or the freedom to stop when and where they want?

This year, two of every three travelers said they plan to take a road trip, according to the MMGY Global’s annual Portrait of American Travelers survey. Flexibility is the top reason for road trips.

Roadtrippers can use AAA’s COVID-19 Travel Restrictions Map. AAA members can visit TripTik.AAA.com for the latest state and local travel restrictions as well as gas stations, rest stops, restaurants and hotels open on your route.

If you need to rent a car, now is better than earlier this year when supply chain problems led to sky-high prices and limited supply. Read my May blog post about that. You still may find high prices, but may save money by pre-paying, booking outside of busy locations and renting a smaller vehicle. Ask how the rental agency is cleaning vehicles.

Travel by train

In addition to wearing a face mask on the train and at the train station, Amtrak requires passengers to fill out a “Pre-Trip COVID-19 Check” online within 24 hours of departure regardless of vaccination status.

Amtrak says it has enhanced its safety protocols, including following reinforced disinfection protocols with Lysol, using EPA-registered cleaning products and enhancing the cleaning of common surfaces. The rail services boasts that all train filtration systems have a fresh air exchange rate every four to five minutes. Amtrak requires all employees to get vaccinated.

I’ll be writing more about train travel soon.

Travel by air

Photo by Sheryl Jean

When booking a flight, most airlines have waived their change fees to give passengers extra flexibility. But there is no flexibility on face masks: By law, travelers over the age of 2 must wear a face mask in the airport and on the plane.

During the pandemic, TSA is allowing travelers to carry up to 12 ounces of hand sanitizer in a carry-on bag, but remove it from your bag for screening. Other liquids and gels are still limited to 3.4 ounces.

Remember that in-flight food and drink services may be limited or absent all together. And No U.S. airlines are blocking the middle seat for social distancing.

Air New Zealand is the first major airline to mandate Covid-19 vaccinations for all international travelers starting Feb. 1, 2022. Australia’s Qantas Airways also has said it plans to require vaccines for international flyers but no date has been set. And the Canadian government has said it will mandate vaccines for travelers on flights starting this fall.

Air New Zealand also requires its employees to get vaccinations to work. Among U.S. carriers, Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, JetBlue Airways and Southwest Airlines, are joining United Airlines with similar mandates.

Hawaii is the only state that requires U.S. travelers to submit a negative COVID-19 test within 72 hours of their flight.

Travel by boat

Some cruise lines have started booking vacations for fall 2021 and 2022. Deals are to be had, with discounts up to 30% and on-board food credits offered.

Several cruise lines have said they’ll require staff and passengers to be fully vaccinated at least two weeks before departure. Many have relaxed cancellation policies. Royal Caribbean’s website touts fresh, filtered Air; EPA-certified disinfectants; cleaning techniques like electrostatic fogging; and more medical staff and upgraded medical equipment.

Hotels:

Many hotels have taken extra steps to boost cleaning, however, they also may be understaffed and may not offer hospitality services except for long stays. Before booking a hotel, see what it’s doing to protect guests, if staff wear masks, if hospitality services are provided and if the restaurant, bar or gym are open.

For peace of mind, you may want to get a viral test three to five days after traveling. Watch for COVID-19 symptoms. If you develop any symptoms, self-quarantine and get tested.

Featured image at top by Adolfo Felix via Unsplash.

Traveling abroad for spring break? Follow these health and safety tips for smooth sailing

Sun and surf are top priorities for many people who travel to exotic locations for “spring break. But health and safety risks may lurk behind the scenes in some countries.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention offers several tips to help ensure smooth sailing before, during and after spring break.

Before your trip

• Vaccines or medicines may be recommended depending on your destination. See your doctor or a health care professional at least one month before you depart for an international trip.
• Check the U.S. Department of State’s travel advisories and alerts by country. Register with the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program in case of an emergency.
• Pack a travel health kit with items you might need on your trip, including prescription drugs, over-the-counter medicines and condoms. If you forget something like sunscreen, you probably can buy it at your destination, but medicine brands, dosage and quality may differ. Bring written prescriptions.
• Many health insurance plans don’t cover medical care in other countries; check yours. Consider buying trip cancellation, travel insurance or travel medical insurance, especially if you will be going to a remote place.

During your trip

• Be careful when tasting local food and drink. In developing countries, eat only food that has been fully cooked and served hot: son’t eat fresh vegetables or fruits unless you can peel them; drink bottled, sealed beverages; and avoid ice since it’s probably made with tap water.
• Use insect repellent and other measures to prevent insect bites that can cause diseases, such as malaria, yellow fever and Zika.
• Practice sun protection. Remember you can get a sunburn when it’s cloudy. Wear sunscreen of at least SPF 15, a hat and sunglasses.
• Choose safe transportation, wear a seat belt and be alert when crossing the street. Motor vehicle crashes are the No. 1 cause of death among healthy travelers.

If you get sick or injured while traveling and need immediate medical attention, contact the U.S. Embassy or Consulate in that country to help find medical services.

Specific health risks

Zika: Many popular spring break destinations in the Caribbean, Central and South America and Mexico have a risk of Zika. Because the virus can cause birth defects and is spread by mosquitoes and sex, travelers to at-risk areas should prevent mosquito bites and use condoms during sex. The CDC advises pregnant women not to travel to areas with a risk of Zika. Check the CDC’s Zika page for information by country.

Yellow fever: Brazil has an ongoing yellow fever outbreak, so travelers should check the risk level at their specific destination. Get a yellow fever vaccine at least 10 days before travel (only certain U.S. clinics offer the yellow fever vaccine; find a clinic near you) and prevent mosquito bites, which is how the virus spreads.

Flu: Many countries have reported widespread flu outbreaks. Get your annual flu shot at least two weeks before a trip. During travel, wash your hands often and avoid people who are coughing or appear sick.

Measles. There are outbreaks in popular places such as Brazil, France, Greece and Italy. Make sure your MMR (measles, mumps, and rubella) vaccine is up to date.

Norovirus: Outbreaks of this virus, which causes vomiting and diarrhea, have been reported on cruise ships. Wash your hands frequently and practice safe eating and drinking habits during on-shore excursions.

Hepatitis B: Avoid getting tattoos or piercings abroad to prevent infection caused by the hepatitis B virus.

Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs): Use condoms to reduce your risk.

After your trip

If you don’t feel well after your trip, contact your doctor or a medical professional. You may have picked up a virus or infection. The CDC provides a list of travel medical clinics.

Don’t let a preventable illness or poor planning ruin your trip or your return home.

Note: The featured photo at the top of this blog post is by Oliver Sjöström at https://ollivves.com. The image is publicly available on Pixels.

U.S. travel grew in July, but a slowdown may be coming

U.S. travel increased this summer, but growth is slowing even as a global travel boom continues.

That’s according to the latest data from the U.S. Travel Association (USTA).

Travel to and within the United States grew 3 percent in July from a year earlier, according to the USTA’s Travel Trends Index. And travel for the first seven months of this year has grown faster than the same period in 2017, said David Huether, vice president for research for the USTA.

Growth is credited mainly to increased domestic travel on the heels of higher consumer confidence. Business travel, in particular, is having its best year since 2010, Huether said.

However, domestic and international travel growth decelerated from June to July, a trend the USTA expects to continue over the next six months, though growth will remain positive. The association predicts domestic travel will grow an average of 2.4 percent through January.

Adam Sacks, president of the tourism economics group at research firm Oxford Economics, said “cooling consumer indicators and the potential for slower business investment growth” through the rest of this year could hurt domestic travel. Oxford prepares the Travel Trends Index for the USTA.

For example, new orders for durable goods, which can reflect future consumer and business demand, declined 1.7 percent in July, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. In addition, steep U.S. tariffs on many foreign products have risen fears about the long-term effect of the escalating trade wars on U.S. consumers and businesses.

As global economic growth moderates, the USTA predicts international travel will grow at an average rate of 1.6 percent through January. A longer-term concern, said USTA CEO Roger Dow, is that inbound international travel is not accelerating fast enough to boost the U.S. share of the global travel market, which peaked at 13.6 percent in 2015.

Case in point: In 2017, nearly 77 million people from other countries visited the United States, which was basically flat (+0.7 percent) from 2016, according to recent data from the International Trade Administration’s National Travel and Tourism Office. More visitors came from South Korea (+18 percent), Brazil (+11 percent), Argentina (+10 percent) and Ireland (+9 percent).

New coalition aims to reverse declining international travel to the United States

A new business coalition hopes to work with the Trump administration to reverse declining international travel to the United States.

The Visit U.S. Coalition, which launched today, consists of trade groups that represent many travel-related businesses and workers.

As global travel increased 8 percent over the last two years, the U.S. share of that travel fell — from 13.6 percent in 2015 to 11.9 percent in 2017, according to data cited by the coalition.

International travelers spent $246 billion in 2016, according to the U.S. Travel Association (USTA), which is member of the coalition. About half of the 75.6 million foreign visitors that year were from Mexico and Canada.

President Donald Trump blocked travel from several largely Muslim countries, has proposed an end to so-called “chain immigration” and wants to erect a wall at the Mexico border. Visit U.S. cites the strong U.S. dollar, low-cost air travel and stronger air travel security as factors hurting international travel here.

In the coming weeks, Visit U.S. said it will propose policy recommendations. In addition to USTA, the coalition’s founding members include the American Gaming Association, American Hotel & Lodging Association, Asian American Hotel Owners Association, National Restaurant Association, National Retail Federation and U.S. Chamber of Commerce.

 

Global Entry may speed up for some international travelers

International travelers now may find it faster to get a Global Entry membership — at least for some international travelers passing through the San Francisco International Airport (SFO) and a few other locations.

Global Entry applicants must use this kiosk at the U.S. Customs and Border Protection office at the San Francisco International Airport to complete the process. (Sheryl Jean)

As of this month, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is letting people who’ve completed the first part of the Global Entry application process proceed to an interview without an appointment at one of five airports, including SFO. Until now, travelers often waited several months for an interview.

Last year, I blogged about my experience waiting seven months for a Global Entry interview at SFO.

The five airports with the Enrollment on Arrival program are among the busiest Global Entry enrollment areas. In addition to SFO, the four other airports are: Austin-Bergstrom International Airport in Austin, Texas; George Bush Intercontinental Airport and William P. Hobby Airport in Houston; and Vancouver International Airport in Canada. The CBP plans to expand the program to more airports.

CBP Acting Commissioner Kevin McAleenan said Global Entry application volume has increased steadily over the last several years. A five-year membership costs $100.

Over 4 million Global Entry members use automated kiosks to bypass the traditional customs inspection process at 53 U.S. airports and 15 other sites, speeding up the international arrivals process. Members also get expedited airport security screening through TSA PreCheck.

Here’s what you do to become a Global Entry member:

1. U.S. citizens, U.S nationals, U.S. lawful permanent residents and citizens of certain countries must apply online through the Global Online Enrollment System (GOES).
2. If you pass a background check and receive conditional approval, you must make an appointment for an in-person interview with a CBP officer at one of over 100 Global Entry Enrollment Centers or follow the new Enrollment on Arrival program.
3. You must provide identification and biometrics during the interview.
4. After final approval, you receive a Global Entry number. A Global Entry card arrives via mail a few weeks later.

Lengthy wait for Global Entry yields quick interview

 

Last summer, I signed up for a government program to help me move faster through airports globally and found myself stuck in a poky approval process.

Global Entry members place their passport where the green light is to be identified. Airport kiosks spit out a slip of paper (in hand) to bring to a U.S. customs agent instead of the declaration form passed out on airplanes. (Sheryl Jean)

Global Entry members bypass traditional customs inspection lines and use an automated kiosk to enter the United States. (Quick facts at bottom.) It also includes TSA PreCheck, which lets travelers into a special security line without having to take off your shoes and coat or remove your laptop.

It makes sense, especially if you travel often or internationally. Friends raved about Global Entry, but I procrastinated.

I applied just as government agencies and airlines were promoting Global Entry after travelers last spring experienced long waits at U.S. airports.

As a result, applications surged and I was looking at a seven-month wait for an appointment at the San Francisco International Airport. I’m told the wait is not as long at some other airports.

The interview

This week, my interview day finally arrived.

At my local Global Entry office, I joined about a dozen other people sitting in chairs or standing outside the office door, which was closed with a sign saying “Do not knock.” After a few minutes, a woman stepped out to take names.

When my name was called, I entered the office and was told to sit at cubicle No. 3. A  U.S. Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) officer asked for my identification. Warning: If your home street address is not on your identification, you must bring a utility bill printed with it. Read the “Special Instructions” at the end of your appointment notice.

My photograph was taken and fingerprints scanned. That lets the CBP conduct a criminal background check and it’s needed to use the airport kiosks.

It all took less than 15 minutes.

Still waiting

I’m eager to test my new travel privileges, but I’m still waiting. The CBP officer said I should be notified within 48 hours.

Tip: If you have to wait a while for a Global Entry interview and have an international trip in the meantime, consider downloading the CBP’s free passport control app. It helps because you can electronically fill out the customs declaration form and use a special customs line.

Global Entry Quick Facts

Who: For U.S. citizens, U.S. lawful permanent residents and citizens of some other countries who fly within the United States and internationally.

What: Members who arrive at a U.S. airport go to a Global Entry kiosk to: Scan their passport and fingerprints; answer customs declaration questions; and go through an express customs lane. It includes TSA PreCheck to move through security lines faster.

How: You must create an account online to apply and schedule a visit to a Global Entry Enrollment Center to provide identification and scan your fingerprints.

Where: Kiosks are at over 50 airports worldwide; expedited entry benefits in 11 countries.

Cost: A $100 non-refundable application fee includes the $85 enrollment for five years.