No tourist travel to US likely for “months”
Jun 14, 2020, 6:31 pm
#47
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: BOS
Programs: BA - Blue > Bronze > Silver > Bronze > Blue
Posts: 6,812
I think a lot of people who had plans to travel to the US this summer as a tourist will be cancelling/postponing their trips. I'm due to fly BA to LAX in late August and back to the UK on September 20th, for what is supposed to be a big road trip around national parks and to be honest I don't want to go. I've been looking forward to this trip for a year but I feel August will be too soon to be travelling to the US given how bad the pandemic is there, the possibility of having to quarantine on my return as well as the fact some of my plans may be more difficult or not possible due to any Covid-19 restrictions in place at destinations. My current line of thinking is to cancel everything and take the BA voucher and then rebook for around May/June next year. I'll lose about £100 from two domestic flights in the US that will give me a voucher that I'll never use (different itinerary planned for next year). I'll also lose about £80 on a non-refundable hotel booking and about £60 on cancellation fees for everything else. But those losses don't bother me much as I feel I will enjoy the trip more next year.
So for me at least, it doesn't matter whether the US opens up to tourists, it comes down to whether I feel it is safe to go there and whether I will enjoy the trip as much as I would have if Covid-19 weren't around. I can't imagine many people will be looking forward to their summer trips with all the uncertainty around travel and will be wanting to postpone if possible. I've spent every day for the past month browsing this forum to see what BA are doing with July cancellations to try figure out if my August flights might be cancelled and hoping they extend their book with confidence policy to cover August (which they did last week).
So for me at least, it doesn't matter whether the US opens up to tourists, it comes down to whether I feel it is safe to go there and whether I will enjoy the trip as much as I would have if Covid-19 weren't around. I can't imagine many people will be looking forward to their summer trips with all the uncertainty around travel and will be wanting to postpone if possible. I've spent every day for the past month browsing this forum to see what BA are doing with July cancellations to try figure out if my August flights might be cancelled and hoping they extend their book with confidence policy to cover August (which they did last week).
That said it will be a very different vacation than what you had imagined, although the parks themselves may actually be nicer with reduced tourism!
Jun 14, 2020, 6:59 pm
#48
Join Date: Dec 2018
Programs: BA
Posts: 138
Assuming you're in the UK, the US will be no less 'safe' COVIDwise, indeed its death rate is nearly half that of the UK's which is only surpassed by Belgium now, in regards to the ballsed it up stakes! Restrictions whilst varying state by state are also in the main no different to the UK's and unlike the UK most people are actually bothering to wear masks where recommended. As long as you follow the right precautions, esp in the great outdoors, I suspect you'd have less chance off catching it than you would popping down Tescos.
That said it will be a very different vacation than what you had imagined, although the parks themselves may actually be nicer with reduced tourism!
That said it will be a very different vacation than what you had imagined, although the parks themselves may actually be nicer with reduced tourism!
Jun 14, 2020, 7:40 pm
#49
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: West Coast, USA
Programs: Skywards Platinum
Posts: 3,747
The virus doesn't know that. It's spiking hard again in Florida right now. Other states led by pro-Trump Republican governors are following suit. It's tragic and insane. In New York and Chicago, etc., things are leveling off now, but in, um, other places the health risk is growing owing to bad leadership, fudged data, and a rebellious or dismissive populace.
Before you frame plans to come back over here in the near-to-medium term, please know there is a long list of hot-zone states this American intends to stay clear of for at least the next year. It's a mess here.
Before you frame plans to come back over here in the near-to-medium term, please know there is a long list of hot-zone states this American intends to stay clear of for at least the next year. It's a mess here.
Frankly, with the lack of social distancing that is now occurring all over the world from these protests, I am not sure there is much to be gained by stopping travel from most countries as long as proper precautions are taken.
Last edited by whimike; Jun 14, 2020 at 7:49 pm
Jun 14, 2020, 7:57 pm
#50
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: In the air
Programs: Hyatt Globalist, Bonvoy LT Plat, Hilton Gold, GHA Tit, BA Gold, Turkish Elite
Posts: 8,717
I’m all for avoiding party politics on here, but one can’t credibly claim there isn’t (bizarrely) a US party line divide on Coronavirus. You particularly can’t then end with an insinuation that it’s the black lives matter movement which is going to be to blame...
Anyways, as in any social environment today, we unfortunately have to acknowledge that many people hold views which seem utter madness and move on (even if that is often only possible from a position of privilege).
Anyways, as in any social environment today, we unfortunately have to acknowledge that many people hold views which seem utter madness and move on (even if that is often only possible from a position of privilege).
Jun 14, 2020, 8:14 pm
#51
Suspended
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: ABZ/NCL
Posts: 2,943
Assuming you're in the UK, the US will be no less 'safe' COVIDwise, indeed its death rate is nearly half that of the UK's which is only surpassed by Belgium now, in regards to the ballsed it up stakes! Restrictions whilst varying state by state are also in the main no different to the UK's and unlike the UK most people are actually bothering to wear masks where recommended. As long as you follow the right precautions, esp in the great outdoors, I suspect you'd have less chance off catching it than you would popping down Tescos.
That said it will be a very different vacation than what you had imagined, although the parks themselves may actually be nicer with reduced tourism!
That said it will be a very different vacation than what you had imagined, although the parks themselves may actually be nicer with reduced tourism!
As you righly say, probably more chance catching the virus in a supermarket or on the train to LHR, than actually in the US.
Jun 14, 2020, 8:55 pm
#52
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: West Coast, USA
Programs: Skywards Platinum
Posts: 3,747
You totally miss my point by coming up with the ridiculous assertion that I am blaming BLM for something, I am not. I am simply saying with tens of thousands of people in every large city gathering in large groups (irrespective of reason), there probably is little benefit to restrict travel (if proper precautions are taken). I.E. With states/countries opening for business, beaches, pools and parks opening, restaurants opening, European borders opening and now millions of people gathering in large groups all over the world, what exactly is the benefit of restricting travel?
I won't clutter this thread any further with politics.
Last edited by whimike; Jun 14, 2020 at 9:36 pm
Jun 14, 2020, 10:03 pm
#53
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: PHX, SEA
Programs: Avis President's Club, Global Entry, Hilton/Marriott Gold. No more DL/AA status.
Posts: 4,422
https://time.com/5853392/million-dol...tment-seattle/
Jun 14, 2020, 10:04 pm
#54
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Edinburgh
Programs: BAEC
Posts: 547
I'm supposed to be going to BOS in August (the trip was previously booked for May.) I'm still hopeful.
Jun 15, 2020, 2:30 am
#55
Join Date: Jun 2003
Programs: BA, IHG, 5C
Posts: 4,413
Assuming you're in the UK, the US will be no less 'safe' COVIDwise, indeed its death rate is nearly half that of the UK's which is only surpassed by Belgium now, in regards to the ballsed it up stakes! Restrictions whilst varying state by state are also in the main no different to the UK's and unlike the UK most people are actually bothering to wear masks where recommended. As long as you follow the right precautions, esp in the great outdoors, I suspect you'd have less chance off catching it than you would popping down Tescos.
That said it will be a very different vacation than what you had imagined, although the parks themselves may actually be nicer with reduced tourism!
That said it will be a very different vacation than what you had imagined, although the parks themselves may actually be nicer with reduced tourism!
Personally it looks to me that it will be very hard for the UK government to switch off the self-isolation requirement for the US anytime soon. I'm sure politically they wouldn't want an argument with Trump if/when he declares the US re-open, but they'll get a very tough time from the press and opposition if they go from a quarantine where most other countries are at lower rates to suddenly no quarantine when particularly countries are higher.
Jun 15, 2020, 2:38 am
#56
Join Date: Jan 2008
Posts: 3,838
What could go wrong? COVID-19 treatment only costs $1.1 million (£878,000) in the USA!
https://time.com/5853392/million-dol...tment-seattle/
https://time.com/5853392/million-dol...tment-seattle/
Jun 15, 2020, 2:47 am
#57
Join Date: Feb 2017
Location: London
Programs: BAEC Gold, Marriott LT Platinum
Posts: 2,333
The access to adequate insurance coverage is one of the biggest barriers to both personal and business travel resuming and is woefully ignored on here by those desperate to get back on planes. Particularly for business travel, I’d be asking my employer for a very clear statement on any changes or limitations to cover, particularly to high risk/high cost jurisdictions like the US.
Of course its anyone's choice to go or not to go, as long as these who like to travel in any case don't cry for state paid repatriation if something goes wrong. Or take on the hospital bill themselves.
Jun 15, 2020, 2:58 am
#58
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: London
Programs: BA, VS, HH, IHG, MB, MR
Posts: 26,871
I am overly keen to go back to California but I won't travel there without travel insurance (e.g. the FCO warning in place). Not keen to pay a five digit number for a broken leg, not even talking about CoVid.
Of course its anyone's choice to go or not to go, as long as these who like to travel in any case don't cry for state paid repatriation if something goes wrong. Or take on the hospital bill themselves.
Of course its anyone's choice to go or not to go, as long as these who like to travel in any case don't cry for state paid repatriation if something goes wrong. Or take on the hospital bill themselves.
Jun 15, 2020, 3:02 am
#59
Join Date: Dec 2009
Posts: 2,553
Lack of travel insurance and cost of covid and other health costs in the US will keep people from going, even when/if the US reopens.
Jun 15, 2020, 3:23 am
#60
Join Date: May 2019
Posts: 66
Assuming you're in the UK, the US will be no less 'safe' COVIDwise, indeed its death rate is nearly half that of the UK's which is only surpassed by Belgium now, in regards to the ballsed it up stakes! Restrictions whilst varying state by state are also in the main no different to the UK's and unlike the UK most people are actually bothering to wear masks where recommended. As long as you follow the right precautions, esp in the great outdoors, I suspect you'd have less chance off catching it than you would popping down Tescos.
That said it will be a very different vacation than what you had imagined, although the parks themselves may actually be nicer with reduced tourism!
That said it will be a very different vacation than what you had imagined, although the parks themselves may actually be nicer with reduced tourism!
Also yes as @pauldb said historic death rate is a bad indicator. I've been following data closely on Worldometer and whilst the UK death rate is decreasing quickly the US isn't. I'm actually seeing case numbers there starting to go up, not down like ours is. On June 12th they recorded their highest number of cases since May 21st. If numbers were going down and there was talk of possible air bridges as there is with Europe I'd be more confident about my prospects of visiting the US this summer.
My vacation might sound alright in a Covid era due to being mostly outdoors, but you have to think in most national parks people go to the same popular viewpoints and crowd them and I don't want to skip these bits as they're busy for a reason. There's also limited places to eat, which will also be busy. I can also see some tours that visit special places you can't go without a tour not restarting due to it not being viable or possible to run them socially distancing. So to me, if I can postpone my trip and have a better experience next year with less worry and minimal financial loss postponing it that sounds like the best thing to do.