Better Travel in 2022
Travel in 2022 has evolved. We’ve been dealing with ever-changing regulations and requirements for more than two years. Destinations have shut down and re-opened. We’ve navigated our way through vaccine mandates, testing requirements, attestations, occupancy limits, and uploading necessary documentation. As we enter the third year of this global pandemic, the US is still requiring its citizens to provide a negative test result (taken within 1 day) before they can return home. Here are a few steps that you can take to ensure that you’re prepared and ready for anything that may happen on your next trip.
Before You Travel
- Buy the travel insurance. You may need to cancel your trip due to an illness (or any number of other covered reasons). You may also need medical care or coverage for accommodations if you need to extend your stay due to an inability to return home. Don’t take risks with your vacation investment.
- Enroll in STEP, the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program, so that you can stay informed about conditions in your destination, and help family and friends get in touch with you in an emergency.
- Research the requirements for the countries you’ll be visiting so that you know what’s needed for arrival and can prepare accordingly. You may need proof of vaccination, a recent booster, and/or a negative test. Know before you go.
- Test before you depart. It’s no longer required for most destinations, but you should consider testing to ensure that you’re negative before traveling. You wouldn’t want to arrive in a foreign country only to have to quarantine or to become seriously ill while abroad. Due to the current CDC requirements, you would not be able to return home until you’ve fully recovered.
- Bring test kits with you. That way, you won’t have to find testing locations in your destination. Proctored kits are available online that are accepted by the airlines for travel. Alternatively, ask at the front desk of your hotel for the nearest testing location.
- Pack extra medications, masks (KN95), and clothing in case you need to stay longer in your destination. Refill your prescriptions before you depart.
- Bring plenty of cash to last for an extended period of time and be sure that you have backup credit cards (in case any of them are compromised).
While You Are Traveling
- Test yourself prior to any “official” test, especially those that are available at an airport. You will want to know if you’re positive before leaving for the airport. Otherwise, your options may become much more limited if you test positive while at the airport.
- Have a plan with your travel companions. If you or one of your companions tests positive in destination, will the others stay with you or return home? Discuss this in advance so that you’re not making decisions under stress.
- Know where to find your country’s requirements and protocols for those who test positive. Some countries require only a 5 day quarantine period, while others may mandate a longer quarantine. The rules in other countries often vary from what we’re familiar with in the USA.
- If you test positive, call your travel insurance company right away, open a claim, and obtain a claim number. Ask them for assistance if you need it. They will have information about where to find a doctor or who to contact for a “fit to fly” letter of recovery.
- Keep all of your receipts and records so that you’ll have the documentation you’ll need for submitting your claim.
We hope that you’ve found these tips helpful. Have we missed anything, or do you have questions? Let us know in the comments!
We Can Help
Talk to a qualified travel advisor at FNS Travel Group. We’re here to help, and we’ve been staying current on all of the changes as travel evolves and adjusts.
At FNS Travel Group, we specialize in custom travel itineraries, luxury and river cruises, and small group tours. We pride ourselves on creating unique, memorable, and hassle-free deluxe and luxury getaways. Visit us on the web for more information or call 855-557-5588 to speak with us about your travel plans.
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