Wherever You May Go, AAA Travel Helps to Keep You Informed, Prepared & Protected!

Federal health officials have dropped the warning that was attached to cruising during the pandemic, leaving it up to vacationers to decide whether they feel safe getting on a ship, much like they do in all other travel settings. During the height of the pandemic, ocean and river cruise lines worked with the CDC to take measures to help protect passengers while on board and their joint efforts continue today. 

Travel requirements and health protocols continue to change and can vary by cruise line, ports of departure, and ports of call. They can even vary by sailing date.

One thing that remains consistent is that AAA’s network of preferred cruise partners continue to provide quality and memorable vacation experiences.

For more information about your cruise line's current guest protocols, click here.

AAA has trusted preferred tour partners who work closely with an established network of specific hotels, restaurants, ground handlers, and venues in the local communities you will be visiting. Some tour operators have even added Wellness Experts to help make traveling with a guided group even more seamless, by ensuring local policies are known and followed.

For more information about your tour operators’ current protocols, click here.

Wearing a mask that covers your nose and mouth is optional on most planes, buses, trains, and other forms of public transportation when traveling into, within, or out of the U.S. Please speak with your AAA Travel Advisor, or click here, for the requirements by state/country. The CDC continues to recommend that people wear masks in indoor public transportation settings at this time, but does not enforce this recommendation. For more details on CDC recommendations, click here.

In addition, travelers who are not U.S. citizens or permanent residents can expect to fill out an Attestation Form when entering the U.S. from a foreign country. While this form is likely to be supplied by the airline, you can also print one out in advance and take it with you.

Planning and packing properly can facilitate the screening process and ease your travel experience at the airport. Know what you can pack in your carry-on and checked baggage before arriving at the airport by visiting this site: TSA - What Can I Bring?

For more than 80 years, AAA has been helping travelers make informed decisions when it comes to choosing a hotel. If a property is a member of the AAA Diamond Program, you can be certain it meets our high standards for cleanliness, service and more -- whether it’s a budget hotel or luxury resort.

As you travel, you may notice some differences such as:

• Contactless check-in and checkout
• Updated housekeeping procedures
• Grab-and-Go breakfast offerings
• Flexible booking and cancellation policies

Look for the 'Best of Inspected Clean' badge or filter property results with the 'AAA Best of Inspected Clean' option to find the top properties in terms of cleanliness, when booking online at AAA.com/hotels.

For specific hotel brand information, click here.

AAA's preferred travel partner Hertz offers vehicles that are cleaned and disinfected following CDC guidelines. AAA recommends you become a Hertz Gold Plus member (free for AAA Members) which allows you to skip the counter line and go straight to your vehicle.

Please keep in mind that rental car demand can exceed the supply in many locations, so be sure to reserve well in advance and consider pre-paying your rental.

AAA.com/Hertz

AAA recommends purchasing a travel insurance policy to help cover the unexpected while traveling.

Travel insurance can help protect you and your travel investment -- before and during your trip. Trip cancellation, accidents, medical emergencies, illness -- even lost baggage – costs can all quickly add up. AAA’s preferred partner, Allianz Travel Insurance, includes coverages for COVID-19 related travel disruptions and offers plans with automatic claims and payment^* for flight departure delays of more than a few hours.

Before you decide on a policy, you should know:

• It's best to purchase travel insurance through AAA when you book your trip because it offers the most options for coverage. 
• Even if you didn’t book your travel with AAA, you can still add an insurance policy through us.
• While I may be tempting to purchase a cruise or tour operator-offered insurance plan, the benefits they offer may not be what you need. Be sure to consider all your options before you make a purchase decision.
• For COVID-19 Travel Insurance FAQ's, to get a quote online or purchase insurance, visit Allianz Travel Insurance.

^{*Restrictions apply. Ask your AAAA Travel Advisor or visit Allianz Travel Insurance for terms and conditions.}

AAA has partnered with an online service called Sherpa for our travelers. Click here to access this online tool which can help you get the right travel documentation and an understanding up-to-date travel requirements. It is important to check back frequently as requirements may change at any time.

Keep in mind:

• Even though you are traveling to a final destination, you may also be required to meet the standards of the countries you are passing through.
• Look for posting/publication dates associated with the information you are reading online to ensure you have the most up-to-date.

You can also reference the links provided in the “HELPFUL WEBSITES” section of this page.

Each cruise line and tour operator has different policies. For up-to-date information, visit the AAA Travel Help Center and access your cruise line or tour operator policies. Travelers affected by a change in policy should contact their AAA Travel Advisor for rescheduling options.

A few countries may need to see your original vaccination card, so make sure your official CDC COVID-19 Vaccination Card is filled out with the date of your dose or doses (if you received a two-dose vaccine). It's a good idea to make a copy of the card or have a photo of it on your phone for backup.

Lost your card? Reach out to your vaccination provider or contact your state health department's immunization information system to obtain a replacement before you go.

Check here to see the latest travel regulations, quarantine policies, border statuses, and travel requirements by country.

Wearing a mask that covers your nose and mouth is optional on most planes, buses, trains and other forms of public transportation when traveling into, within, or out of the U.S. However, it is best to familiarize yourself the CDC's latest guidance and with local requirements, protocols, and restrictions prior to departure.

International destinations may also have different policies. Click here, for the requirements by country.

Check the CDC website to see the most current guidance. 

Most countries are no longer requiring travelers to quarantine. To check for exceptions or for up-to-date information, visit the U.S. Department of State website and/or the country embassy, or see the latest travel regulations.

Typically, the cost is the responsibility of the traveler and can vary from $25 to $100 or more. Some travel providers and resorts do offer COVID-19 testing.

Check the testing requirements for your destination(s). Also, be sure to keep proof of your test results with you while outside of the U.S.

Check the testing requirements in advance for your travel provider or the destination(s) visited, which may only accept certain types of tests or tests from specific providers.

For travelers preparing to leave the U.S., visit the testing locations in your area. 

For more information on where to obtain a test overseas, travelers should review the relevant U.S. Embassy website.

Self-tests, sometimes referred to as home tests, may meet the criteria leaving the U.S. You need to check the specific requirements for your destination.

Some countries may restrict the importation of tests that are not authorized or registered there. Travelers who are considering bringing a U.S.-authorized test with them for use outside of the U.S. should contact authorities at their destination for information before they travel.

For destinations that do allow self-test results, Abbott’s BinaxNOW test kit can be ordered online and delivered to your home in the U.S. Once taken, the test delivers results in as little as 15 minutes.

There are two types of tests which tell you if you have COVID-19—Antigen and Molecular.

An Antigen test can be performed in a clinic, doctor’s office, or hospital, at home or anywhere else. Rapid tests can provide results in as fast as 15 minutes.

Considered the “gold standard”, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests (a Molecular test) can detect the coronavirus within days of infection, even if you are experiencing no symptoms. These tests can take 1 or more days to return results as they must be processed in a medical lab.

Check your destination for the type of test required for entry. 

Most countries do not require proof of a negative COVID-19 test before you are allowed to enter.

If a negative COVID-19 test is needed, there may be requirements as to the type of test taken, i.e., a molecular or antigen test. Be sure to check both the specific requirements for your destination as well as the countries you need to pass through to arrive at your destination. These requirements may change, so check back often.

You can also check the U.S. Department of State website and/or the country's embassy for up-to-date information.

In addition, travelers who are not U.S. citizens or permanent residents can expect to fill out an Attestation Form when entering the U.S. from a foreign country. While this form is likely to be supplied by the airline, you can also print one out in advance and take it with you.

Cruise lines also have specific requirements. For information by cruise line, visit the AAA Travel Help Center.

For travelers who are not U.S. citizens or permanent residents, Federal law requires all airlines to confirm either a negative COVID-19 test result or recovery from COVID-19 and clearance to travel, and collect a passenger attestation form on behalf of the CDC for aircraft departing from a foreign country and arriving in the U.S.  For full details and additional insights, visit the Centers for Disease Control.

Once you are back in the United States, follow CDC’s after international travel recommendations.

Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) is a free service that allows you to enroll your trip with the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate to receive safety information while traveling and help the embassy contact you in an emergency.

State and local governments may have travel restrictions in place. For up-to-date information and travel guidance, you can check the state and local health departments where you are, along your route, and where you are going. Follow all state and local travel restrictions.

For CDC domestic travel recommendations, click here.

Before your trip you can easily contact us for help with your travel questions. Visit the AAA Travel Help Center to submit your question or contact your AAA Travel Advisor.

You may also check the CDC's Frequently Asked Questions.