Asian Countries Open for Tourism: 2022 LATEST Update

TODAY'S ADVENTURE

Asian Countries Open for Tourism: 2022 LATEST Update

Despite the fourth and fifth waves of COVID-19 infections, most Asian countries continue efficiently managing their pandemic figures.

Let’s take a look at the current reopening status of 21 Asian countries reopening (or not) for tourism.

Check also: Countries Without Covid Mandates

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Which Asian countries are open for tourism?

Brunei is open to international travelers. Different rules apply for vaccinated and unvaccinated arrivals. ARTs are no longer needed.Cambodia has dropped all entry restrictions for foreign arrivals.China is open to foreign nationals with work or residence visas and Indian students and businessmen. In addition, China has resumed flights to Bali.Hong Kong non-nationals can now enter Hong KongIndia has lifted post-arrival testing and the 7-day mandatory quarantine. Some areas have lifted all restrictions.Indonesia extended its VoA to 75 countries and removed quarantine and testing for fully vaccinated visitors.Japan Japan reopened to groups of tourists from 98 countries on 10 June and plans to lift more restrictions ahead of the fallMaldives is open to most countries. No mandatory quarantine.Laos reopened for tourism on May 9.Malaysia lifted all its entry Covid-19 restrictions. Myanmar plans to reopen for tourism in “2022.”Nepal Open for tourism. Quarantine for vaccinated travelers have been removed.Pakistan is open to all countriesNo quarantine required. New – Proof of vaccination is now mandatoryThe Philippines reopened for fully vaccinated visitors on Feb. 10. Singapore will change entry rules as of July 1.South Korea has lifted all entry restrictions for international tourists.Sri Lanka is open to all tourists from multiple countries. Health Insurance, visa and test are required.Taiwan continues the travel ban on all foreign nationals.Thailand modified its entry restrictions as of May 1Vietnamreopened for tourism on Nov. 20.

More info here sian countries open for tourism – Latest Update June 24)

Brunei

As of May 6, 2022, the Travel Green Lane classification will be lifted and visitors will no longer be required to apply for entry or exit permits.

Everyone entering the country must be fully vaccinated and have received a booster shot. A second dose given in the last 3 months is also valid.

New entry requirements:

All vaccinated travelers entering Brunei no longer required ART testing and self-isolation upon arrival.Unvaccinated travelers are still required to undergo ART upon arrival, RT-PCR test on the third day after arrival and self-isolation until the RT-PCR results return negative.Important: All travelers entering or exiting Brunei must be fully vaccinated with booster shot, or have received the second dose within the past 3 months (vaccinated travelers).

Cambodia Reopening

Cambodia

The Cambodian government has agreed to abolish the Covid 19 entry restrictions for inbound travelers. Travelers were previously needed to submit a health certificate demonstrating that they had tested negative for Covid-19 in the previous 72 hours, as well as a vaccination card.

The decision, which takes effect immediately, was issued in response to a request by Prime Minister Hun Sen.

“We have removed the requirement for all inbound travellers in all modes of transport: Land, waterways and air. They no longer need to produce health certificates or show proof of full vaccination upon arrival,” said Minister of Health Mam Bun Heng in an October 3 announcement.

Read our full post: This Backpacker’s Paradise In Asia Dropped All Covid Restrictions

China Reopening

Under a new policy announced by the National Health Commission, those arriving in mainland China must now spend seven days in a government-managed quarantine facility, followed by three days of isolation at home.

Travelers must still undergo regular testing and show a negative test result before being released from quarantine.

As of today,China is open to foreign nationals with work or residence visas, or those who need to travel for family reunification. Commercial airlines are covering multiple routes.

As a result of Beijing’s stringent COVID regulations, hundreds of Indian students and businesses have been forced to remain in their home country for more than two years. China stated Monday that it will provide visas to these individuals.

“Warmest congrats to #Indian #students! Your patience proves worthwhile. I can really share your excitement & happiness. Welcome back to #China!” Ji Rong, Counsellor, Department of Asian Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, China tweeted.

China has also resumed flights to Bali. Only a few days after HE Deng Xijun, China’s ambassador to ASEAN nations, met with Bali Governor Wayan Koster, China Airlines service to Denpasar has resumed. The two discussed the G20 conference that will take place in November, education, and the future of tourism.

Entry requirements:

Complete the Online health declaration for Departure/Arrival.Negative PCR COVID-19 test results no older than 72 hours.Agree to get tested for COVID-19 test on arrival.Quarantine at a centralized facility for 7 days followed by 3 days of self-monitoring at home

Check the full and updated post on China reopening borders to foreigners!

Hong Kong Reopening

Travelers do not need to be Hong Kong residents to enter Hong Kong after May 1, 2022. Visitors entering Hong Kong from outside Greater China must be fully vaccinated against COVID and have a recognized vaccination record.

In addition, they must show documentation of a 7-day reservation at a specified quarantine hotel, as well as proof of a negative COVID PCR-based nucleic acid test taken within 48 hours of their flight’s arrival in Hong Kong.

India Reopening

Maharashtra has removed all Covid-related restrictions as of April 2.

“All COVID restrictions in Maharashtra will be lifted, as we bring in the new year this Gudi Padwa!” read a tweet from its handle, referring to the spring festival to mark the traditional New Year for Marathi and Konkani Hindus.

India’s Ministry of Health announced that all travelers will no longer be subject to quarantine or post-arrival testing from Feb. 14.

Travelers must still upload a negative RT-PCR test result to the Air Suvidha portal within 72 hours of their arrival in India.

Foreign arrivals will no longer be required to produce samples and wait for results at the airport and the categorization as a “high-risk” country has also been withdrawn.

Entry requirements

All travelers must apply for a visa.In order to enter the country, visitors must fill out a self-declaration form 72 hours before departure and submit a negative Covid-19 RT-PCR test before departure.

Also read: India opening tourism.

Indonesia Reopening

Tourism and Creative Economy Minister Sandiaga Uno announced that the visa-on-arrival program at I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport has been expanded to included people from 75 countries.

Indonesia also removed all quarantine requirements for international visitors from March 21.

Fully vaccinated visitors no longer need to present a negative Covid-19 test result prior to departure.

Entry requirements

Tourist visaHealth insurance that covers Covid-19 expenses

For more details, check out our post: Bali Reopens for Tourism.

Japan Reopening

Japan intends to remove most of the Covid-related restrictions on foreign visitors, including eliminating visa requirements and permitting individual tourism, In advance of the fall travel season.

According to FNN, which could not provide a source, these restrictions will be lifted for visitors who have received three vaccinations or have a negative Covid test.

Current Entry requirements for returning nationals

PCR COVID-19 test results no older than 72 hoursAgree to get tested on arrival (at no cost)Complete an online health declarationAgree to a 3-day quarantine (if it is not part of a tourist group)

Maldives Reopening

Maldives is open to all countries, and has lifted the obligation for fully vaccinated travelers to produce a negative COVID-19 test to enter the island.

Visas are issued on arrival at no cost. No quarantine is required, but if a visitor gets in close contact with a positive patient they will be required to quarantine for 14 days.

Entry requirements

Booking at a hotel, resort, or any other government-approved lodging facility.Negative results of a PCR COVID-19 test taken in the 92 hours before departure.Agree to undergo health screenings on arrival, and additional testing if necessary.

Laos Reopening

Laos has reopened all its international borders as of May 9, 2022.

Fully vaccinated individuals will not require pre-departure or arrival testing.

Unvaccinated individuals must undergo ATK testing no more than 48 hours prior to departure.

Quarantine is not required and visas are available upon arrival.

Malaysia Reopening

Malaysia will reopen for international tourism on April 1.

Malaysia has lifted all its Covid entry restrictions for foreign visitors, including testing and quarantine requirements.

“There is still some confusion surrounding the dropping of the Travel Form on the MySejahtera app and as such tourists may still want to download the app. With all news that is breaking, tourists may want to be better safe than sorry.”

Read our full post: Malaysia Eliminates All Covid-Related Entry Restrictions For Travelers

Myanmar Reopening

The country has stated that it plans to open its doors to international visitors in early 2022.

“We are planning to reopen tourism for vaccinated tourists if plans are well-prepared for safe and convenient travel,” Zeyar Htun, deputy director of the Public Relations and Information Department at the military-run Ministry of Hotels & Tourism, confirmed to CNN Travel.

Myanmar is still struggling with the effects caused by a coup in February 2021. According to experts, it will be hard to see any airlines resuming commercial flights to the country for the time being.

Nepal Reopening

Nepal resumed commercial flights to and from Kathmandu on June 24. Multiple restrictions apply.

U.S. visitors still need to obtain a tourist visa from a Nepali diplomatic mission abroad or obtain a pre-approval recommendation from the concerned ministry for ensuring their on-arrival visa.

Entry requirements

If allowed, visitors must bring,

A proper visa.Negative results of a COVID-19 test taken 72 hours before arrival.Booking in an approved hotel 5-day quarantine only for unvaccinated. Trekkers and Mountaineers need to bring proof of insurance that covers COVID-19 up to, at least, US $5,000.

Special entry requirements for Mount Everest climbers

Apart from the insurance that covers COVID-19 related expenses, Mount Everest climbers will need to agree to potential additional testing, mandatory face mask-wearing, and mandatory social distancing during the climbing period.

The Nepali government has stationed trained medical personnel at the Base Camp to deal with infected patients but this is increasing the total costs of the trip.

Check our post for more information about when is Nepal opening for tourism?.

Pakistan Reopening

Pakistan has ordered an 80% reduction of international flight operations and the closure of most non-essential businesses including tourist spots.

Effective August 1, all domestic air travelers must provide proof of vaccination, according to the National Command and Operation Center (NCOC).

Important! – In certain provinces only fully vaccinated people will have access to public transportation.

For further information, click here.

Entry requirements for allowed visitors

Bring negative COVID-19 test (apart from countries on the green list)Proof of vaccination against Covid-19Fill out the website travel form or use PassTrack mobile app

Philippines Reopening

The Philippines reopened for fully vaccinated visitors from countries that are permitted visa-free travel, including the United States, on Feb. 10.

Travelers must show confirmation of vaccination as well as negative RT-PCR results from a test taken within 48 hours after leaving their home country, and they must self-monitor for symptoms for seven days after arrival in the Philippines.

“We are confident that we will be able to keep pace with our Asean (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) neighbors who have already made similar strides to reopen to foreign tourists,” Tourism Secretary Berna Romulo-Puyat said last week.

Also read: The Philippines reopening for tourism

Entry requirements

A Negative COVID-19 test Proof of vaccination

Singapore Reopening

As of July 01, 2022, all long-term passport holders between the ages of 13 and 17 must be fully vaccinated.

Pre-departure testing COVID -19 will no longer be required for vaccinated visitors.

However, the rules remain unchanged for travelers aged 13 and older who are not fully vaccinated.

These travelers will be required to present a negative Covid-19 test, comply with a 7-day mandatory quarantine upon arrival, and undergo another PCR test on the 7th day of their stay.

Current Entry requirements

Negative COVID-19 test results (or a test on arrival for Air Travel Pass visitors)Agree to a 14-day quarantineProof of vaccination against COVID-19Vaccinated Travel Pass (VTP)

Also read: Singapore is open for some tourists but reimposing strict local restrictions

South Korea Reopening

South Korea has lifted testing on arrival for international travelers which means that the country has officially removed all its entry restrictions as of October 1.

However, depending on ports of departure, visa status, and nationality, some inbound passengers may undergo a mix of temperature screening and health questionnaires according to the American embassy.

Sri Lanka Reopening

Sri Lanka reopened for tourism from June 1. The country had to temporarily close its borders due to a surge in COVID-19 cases, but it is open again. Commercial airlines can operate at a limited capacity.

People who have visited or transited through India, South Africa, Vietnam, as well as South American countries including Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Falkland Islands, French Guiana, Guyana, Paraguay, Peru, Suriname, Uruguay, and Venezuela over the last 2 weeks will be denied entry regardless of nationality or vaccination status.

Check our full post: Sri Lanka opening for tourism!

Entry requirements

Apply for a visa or travel permit online here.

Taiwan Reopening

Taiwan’s Central Epidemic Command Center (CECC) has announced that entry restrictions will be enforced until at least February 28.

In order to reopen to the world and gradually restore regular live, Taiwan’s stringent COVID-19 quarantine policy will be eased by mid-March, the government announced last week,

The CECC said it would be able to lower the quarantine period from 14 to 10 days since testing measures can detect infections within that time.

For the time being, to be granted access workers are evaluated on a new point-based system that takes into account their vaccination status, the epidemiology situation in their home country, and “the prospective employer’s epidemic prevention plan.”

Entry requirements

Negative PCR COVID-19 test results, in English or Chinese issued within three days before boarding.Show proof of a reservation at an approved hotel or quarantine facility.Effective July 14, 2022, Taiwan nationals, ARC holders and transit passengers are exempt from providing PCR test results. More information can be found here .Effective June 15, 2022, upon entry, Taiwan requires all foreign nationals to undergo a 3-day quarantine period. Travelers will be allowed to transit through Taiwan. More information can be found here .

Thailand Reopening

Travelers must now either give evidence of completion of all required vaccinations or a recent negative RT-PCR test as the Thailand Pass is no longer valid. However, children between the ages of four and 17 may enter after only receiving one dose of a vaccination. Travelers who are unvaccinated must have a negative RT-PCR or ATK test within 72 hours of departure.

Vietnam Reopening

Vietnam fully reopen for tourism on March 15.

Effective March 15, 2022, the Vietnamese government has resumed pre-pandemic visa issuance policies and reopen to all international visitors.

Passengers must present either a negative PCR test conducted within 72 hours prior to travel or a rapid test taken with 24 hours.

In addition, travelers must self-monitor their health status for 10 days after arrival. However, there are no quarantine requirements for travelers without COVID -19 symptoms.

The post Asian Countries Open for Tourism: 2022 LATEST Update appeared first on Traveling Lifestyle.

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By: Viktor Vincej
Title: Asian Countries Open for Tourism: 2022 LATEST Update
Sourced From: www.travelinglifestyle.net/asia-reopening-borders-to-tourism-updated-list/
Published Date: Tue, 10 Oct 2023 16:05:54 +0000

Delta debuts mattress pads, lumbar pillows in business class

HOSTED BY: 1 AIR TRAVEL

Falling asleep on Delta Air Lines is getting a little bit easier — if you’re seated in the pointy end of the plane.

That’s because the Atlanta-based carrier will now offer a mattress pad and lumbar support pillow for travelers flying in Delta One business class on ultra-long-haul flights.

Instead of offering a separate pillow and mattress pad, the airline is launching a combination product that looks like a pillow but can be folded open into a mattress pad.

Want more airline-specific news? Sign up for TPG’s free biweekly Aviation newsletter.

This pillow-pad combo is already being stocked on select flights, so you should start seeing it the next time you’re flying in Delta One.

DELTA

I haven’t had the opportunity to try Delta’s new pillow, but the lack of a mattress pad has long been one of my chief complaints about Delta’s sleep amenities. American Airlines offers a mattress pad in business and first class on ultra-long-haul flights, while United Airlines offers one on nearly every long-haul flight.

Delta shared the following infographic with TPG about the new pillow, and I’m eager to check it out for myself the next time I fly in Delta One.

DELTA

This new amenity joins the existing selection of goodies that you receive when flying in Delta One, including duvets and pillows made from recycled materials, slippers, noise-canceling headsets and amenity kits.

Before launching the new pillow-pad combo, Delta says it “thoroughly tested” it with customers and crew members, and it’s already received “great feedback.”

Delta’s new sleep amenity is limited to flights over 6,000 miles, which includes the following routes based on Cirium schedules:

OriginDestinationAtlantaCape TownAtlantaJohannesburgAtlantaSeoulAtlantaTel AvivAtlantaTokyoDetroitSeoulDetroitShanghaiDetroitTokyoLos AngelesAucklandLos AngelesShanghaiLos AngelesSydneyMinneapolis-St. PaulSeoulMinneapolis-St. PaulTokyo

Interestingly, the introduction of Delta’s enhanced sleep amenities comes just a week after United debuted its first major revamp of the Polaris business-class experience, which includes all-new bedding provided by Saks Fifth Avenue as well as health and wellness products from Therabody.

For years, United has marketed Polaris as offering the “best sleep in the sky,” and Delta’s move could be viewed by some as a competitive response to provide something similar to United’s sleep offerings.

Of course, it’d be great if Delta expanded the availability of this new amenity to more flights, but hopefully, that’s something the airline will consider if it continues to receive positive feedback about the pillow.

Related reading:

Your complete guide to the Delta SkyMiles programBest Delta credit cardsWhat is Delta Air Lines elite status worth?Maximize your airfare: The best credit cards for booking flightsThe best credit cards to reach elite status in 2023How to survive basic economy on Delta Air Lines

By: Zach Griff
Title: Delta debuts mattress pads, lumbar pillows in business class
Sourced From: thepointsguy.com/news/delta-air-lines-new-sleep-amenities/
Published Date: Fri, 13 Oct 2023 18:30:03 +0000

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Oman Is Open For International Tourism From September 1

TODAY'S ADVENTURE

Oman Is Open For International Tourism From September 1

Oman is open to vaccinated tourists from all countries from September 1. Unvaccinated can only enter with a residence permit.

Additionally, all visitors must book accommodation in hotels and institutional isolation via the Sahala platform on https://covid19.emushrif.om/.

Some airlines resumed their international flights. Omani citizens and foreign nationals with valid residence, business “express”, tourist or family visit visas are currently allowed entry. (Source: U.K embassy)

Oman Reopening – Latest Updates

October 10 – Wizz Air Abu Dhabi launches low-cost flights to Oman on Oct. 31

Starting Oct. 31, Wizz Air Abu Dhabi will launch three low-cost flights a week to Muscat, Oman. Travelers looking to spend some days in the sultanate now will find airline tickets as cheap as Dh $109 (USD $29.68).

Omani authorities maintain a number of travel restrictions regarding Oman’s entry procedures. All visitors are required to present a certificate with a QR code proving they are fully vaccinated.

Also, for flights shorter than 8 hours (which is the case here), visitors must present a negative PCR test performed no more than 72 hours before arrival.

September 19 – Oman’s tourism gets boosted by UAE’s reopening

Oman reopened its land borders with the Emirates on Sept 1. Since then, the country has benefited from the hundreds of Emiratis coming to visit Oman for a short vacay.

Local business owners report an important increase in hotel and apartment bookings and restaurant reservations.

Oman currently allows visitors from the UAE who have at least one dose of a coronavirus vaccine. A couple of weeks ago it also announced unvaccinated resident permit holders are also allowed to come back.

Source: NGulf

Who can enter Oman during COVID?

Oman reopened its borders for international flights. These groups can enter the country:

Omani citizensGCC nationalsDiplomats and foreigners valid residencyForeign nationals with valid residence, business “express,” tourist or family visit visas re Americans allowed entry in Oman?

Yes. U.S. citizens and residents can visit Oman. They must abide by the country’s protocols and requirements.

What should travelers expect at the port of entry and once in the country?

Oman, whose capital Muscat has been named “The best cultural city to visit in the world” and also “The capital of Arab tourism” is a place you might want to check out in the near future.

There is a national curfew in place at the moment and intercity traveling is restricted.Masks are mandatory in public and there are fines for those who don’t comply.Every foreigner entering Oman needs to prove they are covered by health insurance.Nationals and foreigners allowed entry must quarantine for 14 days at home or at a hotel at their own cost. You will need to demonstrate your residence/hotel meets the requirements to spend the fortnight.Be aware that you may be asked by the government to register on the Tarassaud app (IOS/Android) and wear a tracking bracelet for the duration of the quarantine.

Is Oman safe to visit during a pandemic?

As of October 10, Oman has confirmed 303,915 COVID cases and 4,101 deaths caused by the virus.

Source

CDC organization doesn’t recommend traveling to Oman as it is under warning level 4 at the moment. Only essential travel is recommended. (Source: CDC.gov)

Is the Omani government taking effective action to slow the pandemic spread?

Oman is one of those countries that work closely with international and national health authorities to implement effective measures to slow the spread of COVID-19.

Additionally, the Omani government is committed to providing its citizens and residents with universal health coverage, and offering treatment coverage for COVID-19 infection, for free.

Why should travelers keep Oman on their must-see list?

First and foremost – This country is safe to visit – Regardless of its geographical location, Oman has managed to keep its territory mostly trouble-free.Mosque of Sultan Qaboos it’s a beautiful mosque in Muscat ordered by Sultan Qaboos from Iranian artists from Neyshabur. A place worth visiting.It’s not a desert, the country is full of natural beauty.

Camels in Salalah Oman

Oman Reopening for Tourism: Update Archives

September 4 – Oman is open for all vaccinated travelers and some unvaccinated

On Sept. 1, Oman reopened for vaccinated travelers from all countries.

Unvaccinated residency permit holders are now permitted to enter Oman as well.

Although this is great news for all stranded Omanis, they will still need to undergo quarantine for 8 days or until their additional Covid-19 test taken on day 7 returns negative.

One unfortunate surprise they will find when in the country is that starting Sept. 2 only vaccinated people can access hypermarkets, restaurants, coffee shops and restaurants. Proof of a negative Covid-19 test is not accepted.

Other restrictions are set to be enforced on Sept. 15.

Source: Gulf News

ugust 21 – Oman to ease COVID-19 domestic restrictions on August 22

Authorities have announced plans to ease some domestic COVID-19-related restrictions from Aug. 22. On that date shopping malls, restaurants will reopen and public events will resume activities, authorities said on Thursday.

This reopening will “partially” end on September 1 when only fully vaccinated people will be able to access these venues between 8:00 pm and 4:00 am.

As of Aug. 22, travelers from Iran and Iraq are required to quarantine for at least eight days. Entry bans from Bangladesh, Brazil, India, Nigeria, Pakistan, the Philippines, and the UK. will also remain in effect.

Source: Reuters

ugust 5 – Oman to resume flights with Saudi Arabia in August 11 as COVID restrictions ease

Muscat, Oman, will resume flights with Jeddah, Saudi Arabia on August 11th.

Oman Air will operate two flights on Wednesday and Saturday as WY 1675 from Muscat (MCT) and WY 1676 from Jeddah (JED).

Wearing face masks and maintaining social distancing while boarding and exiting the aircraft is mandatory.

Also, Muscat reduced its night lockdown hours. As of today, the ban runs from 10 pm to 4 am.

Source: Breaking Travel News

July 7 – Oman to impose travel ban on 9 more countries from July 9

Effective July 9, arrivals from Singapore, Indonesia, Iraq, Iran, Tunisia, Libya, Argentina, Colombia, and Brunei will be denied entry as COVID Delta variant spreads like wildfire in said countries.

This new ban extends to visitors coming from any other country if they have passed through any of these places over the 14 days preceding the request to enter the Sultanate.

“This decision will come into effect from Friday, July 9, and remain in force until further notice. The Supreme Committee calls on citizens to avoid visiting these countries.” Reads a statement issued by the Supreme Committee for Combating Coronavirus.

Source: Times of Oman

June 20 – Oman to ban travelers from Malaysia, Thailand, and Vietnam from June 19

The Omani government has suspended all travel from Malaysia, Thailand, and Vietnam from June 19 until further notice, according to the Supreme Committee for Combating Coronavirus.

Also, the Sultanate extended its travel ban on visitors from Bangladesh, Brazil, Egypt, Ethiopia, India, Nigeria, Pakistan, Philippines, Sierra Leone, Sudan, Tanzania, and the UK.

Only diplomats, health workers, Omani citizens, and family members of such persons traveling from these countries will be exempt from the ban.

Authorities have also introduced a daily curfew running from 20:00 to 04:00. Businesses are allowed to reopen at 50% capacity.

(Source: Gulf Insider)

June 4 – Oman reopened borders with Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates from June 2

Although multiple restrictions apply and these foreign citizens still must present proof from their employers at land border check points, Oman continues with their thoughtful but steady reopening.

Effective June 2, citizens from the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), the political and economic union that consist of Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, and Oman, will be allowed to visit the country under the conditions mentioned above.

Additionally, the Supreme Committee decided to allow reopening of mosques at 100 worshippers capacity and for the five prayers only according to the Ministry of Endowments and Religious Affairs, in coordination with the Ministry of Health.

Also, this Committee announced they may reduce the capacity of shops, restaurants, and coffee places to keep containing the virus.

Source: World Gulf

May 20 – Oman has reopened borders to overland UAE and Yemen visitors

Oman land borders have reopened to overland UAE and Yemen visitors after closing from around March 21.

A Consular spokesman stated borders had never been closed. But, land transport companies and other industries’ representatives have stated their businesses have been greatly affected due to the border closure. Besides, visitors have complained about visas not being issued.

Effective May 15, Oman’s Supreme Committee lifted movement restrictions, although customers are still barred from entering different shops and venues between 8 p.m. until 4 a.m.

May 2 – Oman has banned passengers from 14 countries until further notice

Oman has banned flights from 14 countries where cases of COVID-19 have worsened over the last few weeks.

According to the Supreme Committee, visitors from the below 14 countries, or who have been to these countries in the past 14 days will be denied entry into Oman.

Sudan, Lebanon, South Africa, Brazil, Nigeria, Guinea, Ghana, Sierra Leone, Tanzania, Ethiopia, the United Kingdom, India, Pakistan and Bangladesh.

“The ban will continue till further notice. This is with the exception of arriving passengers who are Omani citizens, diplomats, health workers and their families. The exempted groups will undergo the prescribed entry procedures when they reach the Sultanate’s land,” read the press release issued by the committee.

July 20 – Oman indefinitely banned flights from 22 countries on July 19

Omani authorities amended the list of countries not allowed to enter the Sultanate.

Singapore and Brunei are now allowed entry, while other countries such as Bangladesh, Brazil, India, Nigeria, Pakistan, the Philippines, Indonesia, Thailand, Argentina, Colombia and the UK will be banned “indefinitely.”

Also, visitors from other countries but who have travel history to the aforementioned will be denied entry.

These actions have been taken as part of the country’s measures to contain the spread of the new highly contagious variants.

Source: Oman Official Twitter Account

هيئة #الطيران_المدني تصدر تعميمًا حول رفع #سنغافورة و #بروناي من قائمة الدول التي يحظر على القادمين منها دخول السلطنة. التفاصيل

pic.twitter.com/Zh62BmtjwG

— هيئة الطّيران المدني (@CAAOMN) July 16, 2021

The post Oman Is Open For International Tourism From September 1 appeared first on Traveling Lifestyle.

-

By: Viktor Vincej
Title: Oman Is Open For International Tourism From September 1
Sourced From: www.travelinglifestyle.net/oman-starts-reopening-its-borders/
Published Date: Tue, 10 Oct 2023 16:05:53 +0000

Window, middle, aisle? United revamps boarding process with the addition of another group

HOSTED BY: 1 AIR TRAVEL

United Airlines thinks it has found a way to speed up the boarding process.

Beginning on Oct. 26, the Chicago-based carrier will revamp everyone’s favorite part of the travel journey: boarding. As part of the policy update, the airline will add a seventh boarding group and spread out economy flyers across four total groups, based on what it calls a “WILMA” — or window, middle, aisle — ordering.

This change was communicated to the carrier’s airport staff on Thursday, as was seen in an internal memo that was shared with TPG.

Want more airline-specific news? Sign up for TPG’s free biweekly Aviation newsletter.

The new boarding groups are as follows:

Preboarding

Customers with disabilitiesUnaccompanied minorsActive military membersGlobal Services membersAnyone flying with children 2 or youngerPremier 1K members

Group 1

Premier Platinum and Gold membersStar Alliance Gold membersTravelers in United Polaris, United First and United Business cabins

Group 2

Premier Silver membersStar Alliance Silver membersTravelers with Premier Access or priority boardingSelect cobranded credit card holders

Group 3

Window seatsExit row seatsNonrevenue travelers

How to get in: Best credit cards for airport lounge access 

Group 4

Middle seats

Group 5

Aisle seats

Group 6

Basic economy customers (in eligible markets only)

As you can see, there are no changes to preboarding or groups one through three. Furthermore, if you have multiple passengers on the same reservation, each traveler seated in economy will receive the highest applicable boarding group given to any one traveler; this excludes those ticketed in basic economy, which will always be in group six.

Today’s group four, which currently includes middle and aisle seat passengers, will be split into two boarding groups. Group four becomes middle seats only, while group five becomes aisle seats only. In markets where United offers a basic economy fare with no full-size carry-ons, those passengers will move to a newly created group six.

ZACH GRIFF/THE POINTS GUY

While the addition of another boarding group may cause some confusion among travelers and require United to update airport signage, the company believes the payoff will be worth it.

After all, the “WILMA” process saves up to two minutes of boarding time, the airline said in the memo. United tested this new boarding process at one hub and four domestic outstations but didn’t disclose which specific airports were part of the test.

Additionally, the airline claims that net promoter scores for the revised boarding process were higher than those of the existing process.

These changes are coming as a result of longer-than-usual boarding times, United says. The average boarding time has increased by two minutes since 2019, and as any airline executive will tell you, planes don’t make money when they’re sitting on the ground.

That’s why airlines are typically laser-focused on doing whatever they can to trim boarding times. For airlines like Southwest, an open-seating policy means that customers are incentivized to board faster and quickly find their preferred seat.

Over the years, we’ve even seen scientists try to “prove” which processes are the fastest and most efficient.

Either way, the jury is still out among the U.S. carriers. United may now have seven total boarding groups, but that’s nothing on American and Delta, which both have a whopping 10 groups.

Related reading:

Your ultimate guide to the United MileagePlus programThe best credit cards for United Airlines flyersWhat is United Airlines elite status worth?Maximize your airfare: The best credit cards for booking flightsThe best credit cards to reach elite statusHow to survive basic economy on United Airlines

By: Zach Griff
Title: Window, middle, aisle? United revamps boarding process with the addition of another group
Sourced From: thepointsguy.com/news/united-airlines-new-boarding-process-window-middle-aisle/
Published Date: Thu, 12 Oct 2023 16:00:33 +0000

Read More

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Norway Reopens For Most Vaccinated International Travelers Starting September 25

TODAY'S ADVENTURE

Norway Reopens For Most Vaccinated International Travelers Starting September 25

Starting Sept. 25, Norway is permitting entry for all EU/EEA citizens plus UK, Switzerland and other third-party country visitors from purple-ranked areas, Prime Minister Erna Solberg announced Friday.

“It is 561 days since we introduced the toughest measures in Norway in peacetime … Now the time has come to return to a normal daily life,” she said.

The move comes after successfully completing the first three parts of Norway’s total reopening plan, which includes lifting international travel bans, and removing all Covid-19 restrictions.

For instance, social distancing will no longer be required. As of Saturday, restaurants, bars, and cultural and sporting arenas are allowed to operate at maximum capacity.

“In short, we can now live as normal,” Solberg said.

Under the new policy, international visitors from Europe plus New Zealand, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, and Taiwan (purple-rated) who can produce a vaccine certificate or proof that they have recovered from COVID-19 during the last six months, no longer need to undergo testing or quarantine.

Unvaccinated visitors can still enter Norway but they must quarantine at a government-designated hotel if coming from a red, dark red, purple or grey-rated country.

If the same travelers come from green or orange-rated countries, they will be permitted to skip quarantine.

Unfortunately, not everyone has been invited to this celebration. Americans were not included in this phase of the reopening.

Thus far there is no projected start date for the final phase, in which the government would reconsider eliminating its ban on American visitors.

However, if the downward trend in coronavirus cases continues after this massive reopening, there is no reason why Norway should keep their borders closed to U.S. travelers.

Over the last 24 hours the country reported 721 new cases which is less than 50% of the cases they were seeing in August.

Moreover, Some 76% of all Norwegians have already received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine and 67% of the population is fully vaccinated, according to Friday data from Johns Hopkins University.

The post Norway Reopens For Most Vaccinated International Travelers Starting September 25 appeared first on Traveling Lifestyle.

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By: Maria Valencia
Title: Norway Reopens For Most Vaccinated International Travelers Starting September 25
Sourced From: www.travelinglifestyle.net/norway-reopens-for-most-vaccinated-international-travelers-starting-september-25/
Published Date: Tue, 10 Oct 2023 16:05:52 +0000

Holiday airfare is rising: What to know if you haven’t booked your flights yet

HOSTED BY: 1 AIR TRAVEL

Editor’s note: This is a recurring post, regularly updated with new information and offers.

If you haven’t started looking at your Christmas or New Year’s flight options yet (and you should if you plan on traveling for one of these holidays), you may be disappointed at what you find.

Since late summer, airfare experts have advised travelers to book holiday airfare as soon as possible to avoid paying a premium to fly during the season’s high-demand travel periods.

In terms of passenger traffic, this summer was the busiest ever at U.S. airports. So, it’s a safe bet to expect large crowds surrounding Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s. After all, the Sunday after Thanksgiving last year, Nov. 27, was the busiest travel day all year.

Though consumers have seen some price relief on the airfare front in recent months, the supply and demand equation doesn’t get any easier as the holiday season draws closer.

“Airfare almost always goes one direction in the final weeks before travel, and it’s not down,” Scott Keyes, founder of airfare tracking site Going.com, told TPG.

At the same time, we know plenty of travelers who want to get away for Christmas and New Year’s but have yet to book. If you’re one of them, here are some tips and advice to abide by as you lock in airfare for the holidays.

Book holiday flights as soon as possible

A plane leaves the gate area at LaGuardia Airport (LGA) in New York. SEAN CUDAHY/THE POINTS GUY

Now is the time to book holiday flights if you haven’t already done so. That’s because prices for these flights often jump many months before the holiday season.

What to expect when looking to book Thanksgiving flights

The best time to book Thanksgiving flights would have been between three and seven months out, according to Going.com.

For those of us who waited, that’s worth noting for next year. Don’t lose hope, though.

“Just because we are outside of the Goldilocks window of time doesn’t mean you have no shot at getting a great deal, but your odds are lower,” Going.com spokesperson and travel expert Katy Nastro added. “The best advice is to book soon and keep a price alert on so that if the price does drop, you can call the airline up and have them rebook you, issuing a credit for the difference.”

When should you book? Very soon.

Booking app Hopper suggests locking in that Thanksgiving airfare in the coming days, by Oct. 14. Hopper suggests booking flights departing no later than the Monday leading into the holiday and on the Monday following Turkey Day (or later) to avoid the highest airfare.

What to expect when looking to book Christmas and New Year’s flights

For Christmas travel, the mantra used to be to book Christmas flights by Thanksgiving. However, airfare experts have recommended booking all holiday travel as soon as possible for the last couple of years. That includes Christmas and New Year’s.

In other words, there’s little upside to waiting.

“If you find flights with a convenient schedule and fares that fit your budget, book them,” Henry Harteveldt, airline industry analyst and president of Atmosphere Research Group, told TPG. “Don’t try to game the system.”

You’ll find pretty consistent advice just about everywhere you look.

Google Flights projects the best deals for Christmas are available sometime in early October — much further out, the site said, than what it tracked last year. Hopper likewise recommends booking no later than Oct. 14.

“In recent years, due to the pandemic, you were more able to snag last-minute cheap deals on winter holiday flights,” Nastro said. “Far fewer people were flying and business travelers weren’t buying last-minute fares … banking on rock-bottom prices around the holidays is over.”

So, when should you fly? Hopper says the cheapest days to fly around Christmas will be Christmas Eve or Christmas Day, with the most expensive day to return falling on Dec. 26. The longer you can wait to return home, the better.

Can you book holiday flights now and change them later?

Travelers check in on Christmas Eve in 2021 at Dulles International Airport (IAD). BLOOMBERG/GETTY IMAGES

Booking all holiday travel at the same time this year may seem a bit daunting from a budgetary standpoint. Not to mention, sometimes it takes a while for holiday plans to solidify.

It begs the question: If you book now and find a cheaper flight later, can you change your trip? Or, if your plans change, can you cancel your flight? By and large, the answer to both is yes — but with some important caveats to know.

For the four largest U.S. carriers — American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Southwest Airlines and United Airlines — you can now change your ticket without paying a change fee. Generally, if you find a cheaper flight down the road, you can rebook and get airline flight credits for the price difference between the two flights, which you could use on a future trip. You can alternatively opt for a full refund when canceling certain higher-level tickets or when using miles in some programs.

As for this flexibility on American, Delta and United, it generally applies to domestic flights and all flights originating in North America, depending on the airline. Check your carrier’s individual policy if you’re looking to change an international flight.

Remember, American, Delta and United typically exclude basic economy tickets from this flexibility. So, if you think you might want to make a change later on, you’re better off booking a regular economy ticket instead of a highly restrictive one.

Is it too late to book holiday flights?

Christmas Day 2021 travelers at Boston Logan International Airport (BOS). BOSTON GLOBE/GETTY IMAGES

Sure, you might have gotten a better deal if you booked your holiday flights in August or September.

However, if you’re just now starting to check airfare for Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s and are finding the prices a bit daunting, here are some tricks and tactics to keep in mind to help bring costs down and avoid headaches.

Be flexible with your travel dates

If you’re plugging in your destination and travel dates for the holidays and find prices are exorbitant, see if you can be a bit more flexible. While work, school and life don’t always allow for a lot of flexibility, having fewer requirements for your travel needs can help you capture the best deals.

For example, let’s say I’m looking to fly from Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU) to Miami International Airport (MIA) for Thanksgiving, departing on the Wednesday before Thanksgiving (Nov. 22) and returning on the busy Sunday after (Nov. 26).

I’ve now put a lot of “filters” on my travel, so I’m severely restricting the number of deals I can find.

The cheapest itinerary I found that fits all of these parameters goes for $558 on American Airlines.

GOOGLE FLIGHTS

Now, let’s try adding a little flexibility to my search. Can I work remotely on the days leading into and/or out of the holiday so I can leave a little earlier and come back a little later?

By departing on the Monday before Thanksgiving and returning the following Monday, I’ve opened my search up a lot. I can get a round-trip flight for $268, which saves me nearly 52%.

GOOGLE FLIGHTS

If you need to stay in a hotel for more nights because you’re extending your trip, remember that that can quickly offset what you’re saving on flights. However, if you are happy to stay with family for a few more days, it could be a way to save some cash and enjoy a longer getaway at the same time.

Opening up your search goes a long way to increasing your odds of finding better flight prices.

Fly on the holiday, if you can

If your search still isn’t turning up satisfactory prices for the days surrounding the holiday, one option you might want to explore is flying early on the holiday itself, whether it’s Christmas or New Year’s.

It’s not ideal, and we hate to miss precious time with family. However, prices can often be lower for flights on a holiday.

Hopper says Christmas Eve and Christmas Day will be the cheapest days to fly around the holiday, with prices down 26% from peak points.

I’ve also personally found that holiday morning flights can be relatively pleasant, with thinner crowds in the airports compared to the often chaotic days surrounding the major holidays.

Whether this is a realistic option depends, of course, on your family’s particular celebration plans. Still, it’s something to consider if you’re not finding any affordable flights immediately before or after the holiday.

Consider alternative destinations

Another way to skirt high holiday airfares is to go where the prices are lower. If you have to visit a particular city for the holidays and the prices are high, you don’t have a lot of wiggle room.

Consider this: Is there any chance of meeting family in an alternative city instead of traveling to someone’s house? Could you pick an alternative vacation destination around Christmas and New Year’s? Thinking outside the box can allow you to select airfare based on the best prices rather than being at the mercy of prices for a particular city.

To find a more affordable option, use Google Flights to show you airfare prices to places around the country — or the globe — on the dates you want to travel.

Hold a flight when possible

If you’ve found airfare you like but aren’t 100% sure of your plans yet, put a hold on it.

Some airlines will let you put a hold or fare lock on airfare if you find a price and itinerary that will work for your travel needs but are not ready to book just yet. It’s one of my favorite ways to give myself more time to make up my mind.

On United, you can pay a small fee to lock in airfare — a few dollars will generally get you a few days — after which you can either purchase the trip or cancel it.

Keep in mind, if the airline doesn’t allow you to hold a flight, federal regulations require the carrier to give you 24 hours to cancel and get a full refund, so it’s not a problem if you book your flight and then quickly change your mind.

Once again, if you find a better price later on, most airlines will let you cancel and switch to a new trip with no penalty (on domestic trips, at least), provided it wasn’t a basic economy fare.

Use Capital One Travel’s price protection feature

Another tool you can use if you are shopping for holiday airfare with travel credit cards like theCapital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card is the Capital Onefree price protection feature

With this feature, you can leverage Capital One’s relationship with Hopper to use the site’s airfare algorithms to suggest whether you book now or wait for prices to drop. This can make you eligible for a credit in the event the price unexpectedly drops.

If the price drops by a certain threshold, you may be eligible for a refund for the difference in the form of a travel credit. (Note: Capital One caps the credit at a maximum of $50.)

A handful of other booking sites have similar concepts, like the price guarantee feature Google Flights has piloted on a select number of itineraries (a very select number — don’t assume your trip is eligible without checking). For certain book-through-Google trips, if the price drops by at least $5 after you book, you may be eligible for a refund of the difference, up to $500 per calendar year.

Check award pricing, but tread carefully

If you have miles saved up, it may make sense to book your flights with miles instead of shelling out cash. Just be especially careful around the holidays to vet whether you’re getting a good redemption for your hard-earned miles.

While the cash prices aren’t appealing for Christmas and New Year’s, the award prices might be even worse. This can be especially true as more airlines shift to revenue-based award pricing models that remove a layer of predictability from what you pay in points and miles.

Resources like TPG’s points and miles valuations and TPG’s awards versus cash calculator can be great to use to determine whether you’re better off using cash or your miles.

Yes, even a poor value redemption can save you a chunk of money, but remember that you won’t have those miles when spring and summer come around and you’re looking to book a vacation.

It’s still worth checking, though, to keep cash in your pocket. With a bit of luck, you may even find good premium cabin awards available (since there’s virtually no business travel during holiday weeks). Miles can also be your fallback plan while you look for something better since many U.S. programs now allow free changes or cancellations on awards (at least, up until a certain point).

For Capital One products listed on this page, some of the above benefits are provided by Visa® or Mastercard® and may vary by product. See the respective Guide to Benefits for details, as terms and exclusions apply

Bottom line

Christmas Eve 2021 at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA). BLOOMBERG

If you’re thinking of flying for Thanksgiving, Christmas or New Year’s, act fast.

You may have waited until the crisp fall air arrived to start planning your holiday travel, but some decent options are still available. Know, though, that if you want to avoid the worst fares, booking all your holiday travel in the coming days will be your best bet to save money.

While you’re at it, don’t forget to also book flexible car rentals and hotel reservations, if needed.

Related reading:

Key travel tips you need to know — whether you’re a beginner or an expert travelerThe best travel credit cardsThe 18 best places to travel in 20236 real-life strategies you can use when your flight is canceled or delayed8 of the best credit cards for general travel purchases13 must-have items the TPG team can’t travel without

By: Sean Cudahy
Title: Holiday airfare is rising: What to know if you haven’t booked your flights yet
Sourced From: thepointsguy.com/guide/holiday-flights-when-to-book/
Published Date: Wed, 11 Oct 2023 16:00:44 +0000

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Colombia is open for tourism and organizes massive country celebrations through Aug. 22

TODAY'S ADVENTURE

Colombia is open for tourism and organizes massive country celebrations through Aug. 22

Colombia is open to tourists from all countries without restrictions. No test, no quarantine or vaccine is required to enter the country.

The ban on flights from the U.K. has been lifted. All arrivals should bring a PCR test but not mandatory quarantine is required.

Join our COVID Travel Support FB group

Disclaimer: Travel restrictions and governmental regulations can change rapidly and the information below might be outdated within a few hours. Therefore, double-check all information with your embassy or on official websites. Traveling Lifestyle does not take any responsibility for your decision to travel.

Related: – Peru Reopening Borders – All You Need to Know – USA Reopening Borders to Tourism – Who Can Enter?

Colombia reopening – Latest Updates

ugust 18 – No restrictions in Colombia as the country organizes massive events through Aug. 22

As of August 18, COVID-19-related restrictions (or the lack of them) remain largely unchanged in Colombia as major cities hold massive events.

Medellin, Colombia’s digital nomad hub is in the midst of its biggest celebration with more than 400 events and 27,000 attendees.

Colombia is currently reporting around 4,000 new infections and 110 deaths on average each day.

It is expected that these figures increase once the events end on August 22. Source in Spanish: Portafolio

ugust 4 – Colombia to impose restrictions on unvaccinated people, says government

Colombia may impose restrictions on unvaccinated people to access restaurants, shopping malls, hospitals and public transportation, warned Health Minister Fernando Ruiz on Thursday.

“Colombia has not yet implemented any restrictive measures. But we have not ruled them out, because we believe that if someone is not vaccinated and goes to a public event in an enclosed space, for example, it affects the right of other people to protect themselves from disease.”

He also added that citizens should not take off the mask until everyone is fully vaccinated.

So far, 30 percent of Colombians have received two doses of a COVID-19 vaccine.

Source: BOBFM UK

Also read: 7 Best Insurance Plans that Cover COVID-19

FAQs:

COVID-19 situation in Colombia

Source

As of August 18, Colombia has officially reported 4,874,169 COVID-19 cases and 123,688 have lost their livesto the virus. Daily rates are between 18,000-20,000cases.

Why visit Colombia?

Colombia is Latin America’s fifth-largest country. Its rich multicultural heritage dates back to 12,000 BC, when its first inhabitants included the Muisca, Quimbaya, and Tairona.

Given the incredible beauty and rich history, it’s no wonder this is a dream destination for travelers.

It has more species of birds than any other country in the world, lush rainforests, unique desert and highland ecosystems, and access to the world’s third-largest coral reef.

Adventurers can enjoy traveling to the Lost City recently discovered in the Sierra Nevada mountain range. It’s believed to be older than Machu Picchu.

A great spot for diving is the Rosario Islands which are only a quick boat ride from Cartagena. This is arguably Colombia’s most beautiful city, with exquisite colonial architecture that features ornate balconies and lovely plazas.

Tourists can enjoy views of ocean sunsets, ride a horse carriage through the city, and enjoy the flowers that bloom everywhere. The city has many outdoor dance venues and the occasional dancing flash mob.

For those who enjoy nightlife, Colombia’s version of Rio’s Carnival involves four days of parades and parties.

To fuel visitors’ energy levels, there is delicious Colombian coffee. They can also partake of a cornucopia of tropical fruits from guavas to dragon fruit to zapotes.

Check our latest post on the best time to visit Colombia for weather, events and off-season. We compared different seasons and favorite reasons why people love to visit Colombia.

Colombia reopening: Updates archives

July 22 – COVID-19 restrictions remain unchanged as COVID-19 cases decrease in Colombia

The South American country of 50 million has registered a deceleration in cases over the last few days.

Last Sunday, the Ministry of Health reported 19,423 new cases, a decrease of almost 50% in contrast to the figures reported 2 weeks back.

The “worst of this third peak, so long, painful and difficult, is over. All the figures indicate that we have started a sustained decline and are confident that it is a stable trend,” said Bogotá Mayor Claudia López.

For now, this is enough for authorities to keep the borders open to all tourists without testing or quarantine requirements.

Also, all tourist venues are open without limited capacity restrictions.

Source: The City Paper

June 30 – Colombia reopened the entire economy last week amidst the worst COVID-19 surge

Colombia has reopened all businesses and tourist venues amidst the worst COVID-19 spike ever seen since the pandemic struck.

With an ICU occupancy rate of 87% and around 600 deaths per day, the CDC has ranked the country at level-4 risk, (very high).

Cities like Medellin, Bogota and Cali are setting everything up to hold music and other events with more than 10,000 people with no COVID-19-related restrictions.

“From the standpoint of epidemiology, it makes no sense to do this… but if you consider the context we are facing, the shocking levels of poverty and discontent, then it’s a necessity,” said Bogota Mayor Claudia Lopez.

(Source: TheWorld).

June 15 – Colombia no longer requires a COVID-19 test, quarantine or the CoronaApp to enter the country

Colombia will no longer require international arrivals to submit a negative COVID-19 test or quarantine, said the Minister Fernando Ruiz Gómez.

Also the CoronApp travelers needed to download for COVID-19 symptoms self-monitoring was removed from the entry requirements to avoid “crowds in the pre-boarding process,” said the Minister.

(Source in Spanish)

June 13 – Venezuelan President to temporarily reopen land border with Colombia from June 13

Colombia unilaterally and unexpectedly reopened its land border with Venezuela on June 2. But, President Nicolás Maduro turned down the offer due to political and epidemiology concerns.

However, last Sunday – also unexpectedly – Maduro announced a first 12-hour reopening with Colombia. “We will not put up any obstacles… whoever wants to cross can cross,” said Jose Vielma Mora, Governor of Tachira.

35,000 Venezuelans were able to cross to stock up on food and other products since Venezuela has had a major shortage of those for more than 2 years now.

It is expected that the country will allow other reopenings soon.

(Source: Arab News)

June 3 – Colombia reopened land and water borders with neighboring countries from the end of May

Colombia’s sea, land, and river crossings with Panama, Ecuador, Peru, and Brazil were opened at the end of May, according to a statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

“The decision was taken in the interest of advancing measures that will help economic reactivation of our border areas and the strengthening of integration processes with neighboring countries,” reads the statement.

However, the very much awaited reopening with Venezuela may not happen any time soon.

This specific reopening was put on hold after Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro -who was not consulted by the Colombian government- said Colombia was trying to “create a smokescreen to destabilize the border and distract from ongoing protests over rising inequality, poverty and police brutality.”

Thus, the Venezuelan land border will remain closed until President Maduro says otherwise.

(Source: Americas

The post Colombia is open for tourism and organizes massive country celebrations through Aug. 22 appeared first on Traveling Lifestyle.

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By: Maria Valencia
Title: Colombia is open for tourism and organizes massive country celebrations through Aug. 22
Sourced From: www.travelinglifestyle.net/colombia-reopening-borders/
Published Date: Tue, 10 Oct 2023 16:05:52 +0000

Buy Alaska miles with up to a 60% bonus through Oct. 30, 2023

HOSTED BY: 1 AIR TRAVEL

Editor’s note: This is a recurring post, regularly updated with the latest information.

Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan occasionally offers discounts on miles. These miles can be difficult to earn, so buying them during these sales can help top up or save up for future redemptions.

From now until Oct. 30, Alaska is providing a bonus of up to 60% when you purchase miles, with prices as low as 1.85 cents per mile. Simply log in and buy miles through the Alaska Airlines website.

TPG’s valuations peg Alaska miles at 1.4 cents each. However, buying miles slightly above this value can still be worthwhile if you have a specific redemption in mind. This sale is especially beneficial if you’re ready to book a high-value award flight and have already found available award space.

Now, let’s take a closer look at this offer.

Buying Alaska Miles with up to a 60% bonus

POINTS.COM

In our tests, Mileage Plan accounts are eligible for the following offer:

Miles purchasedMileage bonusPrice per mile3,000 to 24,000 miles40%2.11 cents25,000 to 44,000 miles50%1.97 cents45,000 to 100,000 miles60%1.85 cents

Purchasing miles with the 60% bonus decreases the cost to 1.85 cents per mile as long as you purchase at least 45,000 miles.

POINTS.COM

This is one of the highest bonuses we’ve seen for Alaska miles, though not as good as the 70% bonus we’ve occasionally seen in the past. You’ll notice an extra tax recovery fee is listed when you buy Alaska miles, but this fee is included in the price per mile we discuss throughout this story.

You can occasionally get more than our valuation of 1.4 cents from your miles. You can redeem Alaska miles for first- and business-class travel on one of Alaska’s many international airline partners like Cathay Pacific, Japan Airlines and Fiji Airways. Sometimes, you can get more than 5 cents per mile in value with these redemptions.

Related: 6 things to know about the Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan program

How many Alaska miles can I purchase?

If you hold MVP, MVP Gold, MVP Gold 75K or MVP Gold 100K elite status in the Mileage Plan program, there’s no annual limit on how many Alaska miles you can buy or receive as a gift. If you don’t hold elite status with Alaska, you can only buy or be gifted up to 150,000 miles per calendar year.

Know, though, that the calendar year limit for non-elite members doesn’t include bonus miles. If you’re targeted for a 60% bonus and haven’t purchased or received any Alaska miles as a gift this year, you could buy 150,000 miles through this sale and receive 90,000 bonus miles for a total of 240,000 miles deposited into your account.

However, keep in mind that you’d need to purchase your miles in two transactions since the website only supports buying up to 100,000 miles per transaction.

Related: Alaska Airlines devalues Japan Airlines awards without notice, increasing award rates by up to 100%

How should I redeem Alaska miles?

Alaska Airlines partners with many great airlines. On top of Alaska’s Oneworld and Oneworld Connect partners, the airline also partners with various other airlines, including Korean Air and LATAM.

Best of all, you can add a free stopover on many Alaska Mileage Plan awards. You can check out Alaska’s starting award prices for inspiration, but here are a few of our favorite ways to redeem Alaska miles.

Stopover in Fiji on the way to the South Pacific in business class

ZACH HONIG/THE POINTS GUY

With its pristine beaches, Fiji is a bucket-list destination for many travelers. You can redeem 55,000 Alaska miles to fly from the continental U.S., Alaska or Canada to Fiji in Fiji Airways’ business class, making it one of the best redemption values for Alaska miles.

During this sale, 55,000 Alaska miles would cost you about $1,018 if you buy the miles at a rate of 1.85 cents each. Plus, you can use Alaska’s free stopover to continue to New Zealand, Australia or another South Pacific destination for no additional miles.

Fly from the US to South America in LATAM business class

STELLA SHON/THE POINTS GUY

LATAM is the largest airline in South America, with hubs in Santiago, Chile, and Lima, Peru, as well as other major cities. You can book a one-way award from the continental U.S., Alaska or Canada to South America in LATAM business class for just 45,000 Alaska miles.

During this sale, 45,000 Alaska miles would cost about $833 if you can buy the miles at a rate of 1.85 cents each.

Head to Asia in Cathay Pacific first class

JAMES D. MORGAN/GETTY IMAGES

Cathay Pacific flies from several different U.S. gateways to its hub in Hong Kong. You can use your Alaska miles to fly in Cathay Pacific’s swanky first-class product to Hong Kong and beyond for just 70,000 Alaska miles one-way with minimal taxes and fees. Considering these tickets often cost more than $5,000 one-way, purchasing miles is an excellent deal for this award.

During this sale, 70,000 Alaska miles would cost about $1,295 if you can buy the miles at a rate of 1.85 cents each. However, ensure you find first-class award availability before buying the miles. Fair warning: It can be hard to come by.

Use 1 of these credit cards to pay for Alaska miles

Points.com — not Alaska — will process your purchase if you use this promotion. Because Alaska isn’t processing the purchase, you won’t earn bonus rewards for using a card with airline spending as a bonus category.

Pay with a credit card that offers a solid return on everyday purchases to earn the most rewards for your purchase. For example, consider using the following cards that offer bonus earnings on all purchases:

Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card: Earn at least 2 miles per dollar spent on every purchase.Citi® Double Cash Card (see rates and fees): Earn 2% cash back on all purchases (1% when you buy and 1% as you pay).The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express: Earn 2 points per dollar on the first $50,000 spent on purchases per calendar year.

Related: The best credit cards for buying points and miles

Bottom line

We don’t recommend buying points or miles speculatively, but if you have an upcoming trip that you want to book with Alaska miles and you’ve found award availability, this sale may let you earn Alaska miles at a reasonable rate.

If you don’t need the miles immediately and are instead starting to plan a trip, you may prefer to sign up for an Alaska Airlines credit card and earn miles through its sign-up bonus and bonus categories. For example, the Alaska Airlines Visa Signature® credit card currently offers a sign-up bonus of 60,000 bonus miles plus a companion fare from $122 ($99 fare plus taxes and fees from $23) when you make $3,000 or more in purchases within the first 90 days of opening your account.

By: Andrew Kunesh
Title: Buy Alaska miles with up to a 60% bonus through Oct. 30, 2023
Sourced From: thepointsguy.com/news/alaska-buy-miles-promo/
Published Date: Tue, 10 Oct 2023 19:00:27 +0000

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TODAY'S ADVENTURE

48 Hours in Antigua: What to Do, Places to Visit and Day TripsLISTEN TO THE EPISODE: APPLE PODCASTSSPOTIFYGOOGLE PODCASTS

48 Hours in Antigua: What to Do, Places to Visit, and Day Trips

Antigua, Guatemala, is this gorgeous little colonial city that is a UNESCO site outside of Guatemala City, about approximately 1 hour away. So if you’re going to be arriving in Guatemala City, I recommend going directly to Antigua. Today we’re going to be talking about 48 hours in Antigua, Guatemala.

2 Days in Antigua, Guatemala

If you only have 48 hours in Antigua, don’t worry about it, because that gives you a lot of time to really enjoy what this little city has to offer.

First, Antigua is about ten blocks squared. You could easily walk everywhere you need to go. Antigua is a small colonial cobblestone little town.

First Day

Visit Parque Central

The majority of the action surrounds Parque Central, which is the Central Park of Antigua.

It’s also where the main cathedral is (one of the many churches of Antigua), and this is where the famous fountain is. And just hanging out in Parque Central is a lot of fun to people-watch, and there’s usually a lot of different fairs and vendors and all this other stuff. Right around Parque Central, there are also a ton of little restaurants and shops, and right off of that main park is Calle de Arco, Arc Street which is the main street. On weekends, they completely close it down, so it’s a pedestrian street.

However, the majority of the streets right off of Parque Central are really fun. That is where you will find all the real restaurants, fun restaurants, bars, and whatnot. So if you’re going to be calculating how much time you’ll need for that, probably be between 3 and 4 hours. So a good half of a day from there.

Central Market

I definitely recommend going and checking out the central market of Antigua.

Market days are Monday, Thursday, and Saturday. However, when we say market day, that just really means extra fruit and veggie vendors. The rest of the market is always going to be the same, and it’s open seven days per week. So if you get there on market day, it’s more fun because it’s just much more chaos. And for tourism, it’s great if you live there.

I prefer the off days. However, if you are there on a market day, it’s really fun. You’ll just get to see a lot more productivity. But the actual market is there all the time. And if you enter inside the market itself, there are all these clothing vendors.

There are local eateries, called “comedores“, there are butchers, there’s seafood, there’s everything you could possibly imagine, and that’s usually there all the time. You don’t have to go there on market day to see that.

rtisan Market

Then right next to the central market is the artisan market. It’s also open seven days a week. This is where you can find all the different indigenous cloth, the colorful cloth that they’re using, also jewelry, jade, clothes, you name it. Purses, tablecloths. The supply is endless. So this is definitely a place where you want to go and shop around. It’s really cool.

Yes, bargaining is something that we do here in Guatemala, but I don’t really recommend it. The majority of these vendors are really poor. They barely make any money as is. And trust me, this stuff is not expensive. Bargaining, I think at one point, and maybe more in the Arab countries, where it’s actually considered like a sport and almost in good nature here it crosses the line of offensive. That’s just my personal opinion. I don’t really recommend it anyway.

Go Out for Dinner

So here you have that one full day. Then in the evening, you want to go out to dinner, go to a local restaurant. Local restaurants are called Comedores. I recommend you listen to the podcast about Comedores and what is more of the local eateries.

I have several episodes about Guatemalan local foods, drinks, and where to eat. So you really get that idea as well. Go and check them out. They’re only a few minutes long. And it really gives you a much more enriching idea of more in-depth idea of all of this.

Second Day

Now, for the second day, there are many day trips and half-day trips to do right outside of Antigua and many of them are fascinating.

Pacaya Volcano Trip

I really recommend going to a volcano, there are many volcanos in Guatemala, and the most visited are near Antigua. Pacaya volcano is really half a day trip. It’s close enough. You could take a horse when you’re there, or you could hike it to the top.

It’s really cool. It’s not super active, but when it is active, you will know. And there are going to be different precautions you’ll need to take. But it always has hot lava underground, so it’s really cool. You can literally roast marshmallows pretty much any time of the year there.

catenango and Fuego Volcano Trip

I really recommend Pacaya if by chance you have a little bit more time than just 48 hours, Volcano Acatenango and Fuego trip is one of the best things you’ll go hiking to the top. I have an entire podcast all about how to do this really well, the different kinds of tours, and what to look for. But it is an overnight trip.

So you leave for the second part of the day around 01:00 p.m. And you arrive at 01:00 p.m. The following day. And it’s a really awesome trip to do because as you hike up, you get to see Fuego, which is the other volcano, which is almost always erupting. And then you walk down and there’s camping, and everything is included in that. So this is pretty much what I would recommend.

Visit the Jade Museum

If you only have 48 hours in Antigua, you do Pacaya and you have half of that day.

I would also recommend going to a Jade museum. There are jade stores everywhere because jade is the national gemstone of Guatemala. So going to a jade museum, we can learn a little bit more about where jade comes from and the importance it had for the Mayan indigenous Indians. Fascinating. And it’s only about an hour at most.

And there are all these great coffee shops and places to visit and just stroll around in Antigua. That’s really what Antigua is all about strolling and enjoying yourself there.

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The post 48 Hours in Antigua: What to Do, Places to Visit and Day Trips appeared first on Travel Experta - Travel, Lifestyle, Freedom.

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By: Angel
Title: 48 Hours in Antigua: What to Do, Places to Visit and Day Trips
Sourced From: travelexperta.com/48-hours-antigua-guatemala/
Published Date: Wed, 18 Jan 2023 17:00:15 +0000

United PlusPoints upgrades: Why you should reconsider spending more points to skip the waitlist

HOSTED BY: 1 AIR TRAVEL

Editor’s note: This is a recurring post, regularly updated with the latest information.

In 2019, United implemented PlusPoints as a replacement for Regional and Global Premier Upgrade awards when revamping its MileagePlus Premier program. United claims that PlusPoints offer greater flexibility, customization and fewer restrictions than the previous upgrade awards. However, currently, there is limited confirmed upgrade availability before departure.

Today, we’ll look into United long-haul upgrades and why you might not want to skip the waitlist.

United’s upgradable PZ fare class

Looking at United’s long-haul flight availability throughout its international network, there is little, if any, “PZ” fare class space on many routes. The “PZ” fare class indicates whether or not there is confirmed business upgrade availability using either PlusPoints (issued to Premier Platinum and Premier 1K members) or MileagePlus awards.

Historically, United has offered confirmed “PZ” upgrades to Polaris business class before departure when business “saver” award space is available.

When it came time to buy a ticket between London’s Heathrow Airport (LHR) and Washington’s Dulles International Airport (IAD) for a spring trip, I saw plenty of business saver award inventory (in the IN fare class, which is expanded award space for Premier Platinum and Premier 1K members). However, my desired flight had no “PZ” availability. This means that I couldn’t confirm a seat in business class using my PlusPoints at the time of booking.

In my book, removing these desirable “PZ” fares is a letdown, especially after working so hard to maintain Premier 1K status.

UNITED.COM

Related: Is United Polaris business class worth it to Singapore?

How to upgrade a United flight with no PZ upgrade space

Essentially, there were two PlusPoint upgrade options:

Confirm an upgrade to Premium Plus now (for 20 Plus Points) and remain on the waitlist for Polaris business class for 20 additional Plus Points (40 in all).Skip the waitlist using 100 PlusPoints and confirm a seat in Polaris business class now (an option reserved for Premier 1K members).

The latter option was not appealing given that I needed to spend 100 PlusPoints for an upgrade that should only require 40 PlusPoints. Premier Platinum members receive 40 PlusPoints each year they qualify, while Premier 1K members receive 320 PlusPoints each year they qualify (40 PlusPoints after meeting the Premier Platinum requirements + 280 PlusPoints after meeting the Premier 1K requirements).

UNITED.COM

For most 1K members, 100 PlusPoints would equate to nearly a third of their annual allotment.

As a result, I opted to confirm an upgrade to Premium Plus and waitlist for an upgrade to Polaris business class.

And then, within ten minutes of purchasing my ticket, I received this text message from United:

UNITED

I was perplexed about whether I had really gotten this lucky, but yes, after ten minutes of being on the waitlist for Polaris business class, my upgrade from economy to Polaris cleared using a total of 40 PlusPoints, not the 100 PlusPoints to skip the waitlist. This saved me a ton of PlusPoints and gave me the exact same Polaris business-class seat as if I’d spent 100 PlusPoints.

While the Skip Waitlist feature could’ve been an effective tool to confirm a Polaris upgrade (without “PZ” space available), the number of PlusPoints required made it an unappealing option in most cases. I could envision someone using so many PlusPoints when there’s a very compelling reason to burn them, like an impending expiration. In this case, you may consider splurging for the upgrade confirmation — but my experience shows that you may not need to.

You are not limited to using the skip waitlist feature at booking, so you may consider trying to waitlist your upgrade instead. However, the Skip Waitlist feature is only available on select flights at least 30 days before departure.

Related: Complete guide to United’s revenue, award and upgrade fare classes

Bottom line

When booking your next United flight, chances are high that you’ll see no confirmed upgrades to Polaris business class using PlusPoints or miles. This gives you the impression that to secure an upgrade, you will need to burn your awards and go with the Skip Waitlist option. Don’t be fooled. If there’s enough availability (and especially if the flight has saver award inventory in the IN or I fare classes), your upgrade may be confirmed in short order, just like mine — even if you’re not seeing “PZ” fare space.

By: Kyle Olsen
Title: United PlusPoints upgrades: Why you should reconsider spending more points to skip the waitlist
Sourced From: thepointsguy.com/news/dont-skip-the-united-waitlist/
Published Date: Mon, 09 Oct 2023 21:30:14 +0000

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