Planning Jan. 2022 Travel Destination
 

I am hoping to do my first post-Covid international trip in January. I'm thinking of booking it soon because flying Emirates First Class has long been on my bucket list and apparently you will no longer be able to book it with partner miles/points after the end of the month. My question is where is the best final destination after a stopover in Dubai? I'd like to go to either Thailand or South Africa and am wondering if one is more likely to be open to American tourists in the first quarter of 2022. Anyone have any thoughts? Moderator: If this isn't in the right category feel free to move it. I didn't put it in the Emirates category since my question is more about the destinations than Emirates-specific.

From what I’ve heard/read so far, expectation is that some destinations will start opening up by the fall so January seems reasonable assuming things stay under control come winter. US vaccinations picking up pace should theoretically help. Beyond that, it’s really anyone’s guess at this time on which specific countries/destinations will be open and when.

People are still making plans 9 months in future...

If you make plans 30+ days in advance - and even then -- just make certain that you understand that circumstances will likely change. Not only scheduling, but hard requirements, e.g. prohibitions on entry as well as soft requirements such as testing, vaccination & quarantine. None of the science people are willing to remotely commit to next January and it is largely the travel industry influencers peddling the "when."

So long as anything you book is fully refundable to a credit card (no "funny money" credits for the future), you are, of course safe.

Bear in mind that the credit analysts following the industry do not expect a significant recovery before 2024. This is, of course, not destination specific. But, it is a consideration before one makes an interest-free loan.

I may well be very wrong, but I do not see Thailand opening by early 2022.

May as well go for Maldives. If it was open last year, it will almost certainly be open next year. BKK and most other points in SE and East Asia are more easily reached via TPAC (especially from the west coast), and the fares were generally quite low pre-COVID. Thailand has been wavering back and forth regarding vaccinated travelers, but it will also be one of the first places to slam the doors shut with no notice if something goes awry.

I would avoid booking places that pursue "zero cases" strategy - China, Australia, many pacific island nations. Aside from those i would just book where you want to be. Thailand is already kinda open - just need to sit through quarantine.
And yes absolutely i strongly recommend booking 9 or better 12 mo in advance to get ahead - by the time restrictions are lifted everyone will be trying to travel.

Do you think Taiwan or Japan falls into that category? Hoping for a late Jan 2021 trip to either.

IMO Japan is much more likely to open - they have to support influx of ppl for the olympics anyways

Good point about the Olympics. I'll plan for Japan and hope for the best :)

I think you're a little late for Jan. 2021. 😁

"Japan reportedly won’t allow overseas visitors to attend Tokyo Olympics"
https://thepointsguy.com/news/japan-...tors-olympics/

Regards

Doh! :D

I doubt it'll happens, i talked to some thais and they show irrational level of fears over covid so i bet elites will push back on this idea long as they can. I give up on idea of going to Asia since most countries seems pursing unrealistic zero-covid strategy. I wouldn't plan any trip that far ahead, and I accept the fact that it's better to GO quickly once country opens up... because they can revert the decision quickly.