5 essential elements to include in your travel contingency plan for COVID-19

For international travel during the COVID-19 pandemic, having a backup plan — along with an alternative for that backup — is crucial. This isn't just advice from us at TPG; the U.S. Department of State emphasizes its importance as well.

With the global spread of the omicron variant, the State Department has warned that international travelers might encounter unforeseen difficulties stemming from the COVID-19 crisis. Americans should prepare a contingency plan for situations like needing to stay in another country longer than expected.

According to a statement from the agency on its website dated December 30, "U.S. citizens planning international travel must recognize the potential unexpected challenges associated with COVID-19, whether returning to the United States or moving between overseas destinations."

So, when you're ready to put together a contingency plan, what should you include? Here are key considerations for your upcoming international journey.

Prepare for all scenarios, including potential border closures

While many nations have reopened their borders, some have re-imposed closures, modified entry and exit requirements, or introduced new movement restrictions without prior notice.

For instance, although the Netherlands did not fully close for travel, it imposed a stringent lockdown just a week before Christmas to combat a sharp rise in the new COVID-19 omicron variant. All nonessential shops, bars, and restaurants will remain shut until at least January 14.

In more drastic cases, a country may suddenly bar noncitizen international travelers from entering while you are still there.

This was the situation for Israel, which announced a renewed ban on international tourists in late November. The new regulations took effect the following day, leaving non-Israeli citizens with less than 24 hours to arrange their return home. (Israel is considering reopening to certain countries, but U.S. citizens remain prohibited from entry.)

While it may seem like an overreaction, having an exit strategy ready is wise in case you need to leave a location swiftly.

TPG's travel content director, Summer Hull, recalled the urgency she felt when the U.K. changed its reentry rules in early December. Hull had to factor in the possibility of additional hurdles returning to the U.S., all while managing an eight-hour time difference.

"When we departed for Europe, I had never even heard of omicron, but while we were in London and then the Finnish Arctic, things escalated quickly," Hull noted.

"We didn’t panic, but we did stay vigilant with the news and even had a friend ready during U.S. daytime hours to rebook our flights home the next day, should U.S. regulations change significantly while we slept," she added.

"In the end, it wasn't necessary, so we only changed our plans to spend our last night back in the U.K. at a hotel near Heathrow Airport instead of returning to central London. This put us within quick reach of some of the fastest and most accessible testing locations, just in case."

Think about getting travel insurance that includes coverage for COVID-19 related expenses.

Travelers should also have a solid plan if they test positive while overseas. The State Department indicates that travelers might need to stay in a foreign country longer than expected, which they would have to fund themselves.

The State Department advises Americans to obtain international travel insurance that covers coronavirus-related trip cancellations and medical expenses. This type of insurance can help cover potentially high costs like testing and hotel stays if you need to quarantine. A simple way to find insurance that includes COVID-19 coverage is to use insurance marketplace websites like InsureMyTrip or Squaremouth.

"Generally, Medicare and Medicaid do not cover medical expenses incurred abroad," the agency noted on its website, highlighting that traveling during the pandemic can become costly quickly if you aren't adequately prepared.

Many typical travel insurance plans exclude coverage for COVID-19 and associated disruptions, such as costs for quarantine or testing, and these expenses are often not covered by trip cancellation and interruption insurance provided by many credit cards.

"Usually, credit cards that offer travel insurance won’t cover COVID-19 since it's classified as a pandemic or a known event, but it’s advisable to check the benefits guide to confirm whether this is excluded," said TPG credit cards writer Stella Shon. "In such cases, most travelers should seek additional travel insurance that includes COVID-19 coverage."

Travelers must also be clear about where they would need to quarantine if they test positive for COVID-19, whether upon arrival or while already in the country.

A positive test might mean staying in your hotel room or Airbnb, watching Netflix and enjoying a bowl of soup for 10 days in some places. However, in others, like Hong Kong, travelers who test positive upon arrival are taken to hospitals for isolation, while their close contacts are sent into quarantine.

Prior to departure, travelers should verify the quarantine regulations of their destination country to determine whether quarantine is limited to specific hotels or if you will be required to stay at a designated facility.

Additionally, be aware that most standalone travel medical insurance plans typically do not cover emergency evacuation, which could leave you quarantining in a foreign location.

If you want the assurance of being transported back home to quarantine in the event of a positive test, consider getting a COVID-19 travel insurance membership from Covac Global, the only repatriation service that covers home transportation upon a positive test without requiring hospitalization. Just keep in mind that it's on the expensive side, with plans starting at $175.

Consider your flight options and book tickets that offer flexibility.

Travelers should familiarize themselves with the quickest route home and any alternative direct flights in case you need to change your itinerary unexpectedly.

"Always check for other flights that can bring you home in case your initial options get canceled or if changing regulations prevent you from connecting through your planned city," advises TPG's director of travel news and features, Andrea Rotondo.

Americans planning to travel internationally in the near future might also consider booking direct flights and avoiding layovers whenever possible. In recent weeks, thousands of flights into, out of, or within the U.S. have been canceled due to staffing shortages related to the omicron variant and a severe winter storm affecting the mid-Atlantic.

Book with flexible options, suggests booking platform Hopper, which lets travelers include a "cancel or change for any reason" insurance policy at the time of booking, allowing them to modify their plans up to 24 hours before departure.

"When traveling internationally, we recommend choosing plans that offer flexibility," Hopper economist Adit Damodaran shared with TPG via email.

Hopper provides a flight rebooking guarantee to assist travelers in navigating any issues that may arise during international trips, whether due to weather, flight modifications, or delays.

"If your journey is delayed, your airline cancels your flight, or you miss a connection, you can quickly rebook the next available flight to your destination directly through the Hopper app at no extra charge, regardless of the airline," stated Damodaran.

"Incorporate a buffer into your travel schedule — try to allow for some flexibility, especially when traveling internationally," Damodaran advised. "It's wise to add an extra day or so to account for potential disruptions, ensuring you arrive at your destination on time."

Be aware of the COVID-19 regulations in the country you are visiting.

COVID-19 entry and exit regulations differ from country to country. Alongside consulting our country reopening guide, conduct thorough research ahead of time to ensure you comply with all pre-arrival, arrival, and departure requirements.

"Be well-versed in the travel regulations in effect and ensure you're ready to meet the COVID-19 guidelines at your destination as well as the prerequisites for returning home before embarking on any international journey," advised Damodaran.

"For example, ensure you carry proof of vaccination, COVID-19 test results, and are fully informed about what you will need for your flight, accommodations, and upon arrival — especially when traveling internationally, as each nation has its own protocols."

Additionally, verify that you have downloaded any necessary apps required by your destination country, whether for contact tracing or for submitting COVID-19-related documentation.

Expand your points and miles portfolio.

TPG credit card editor Juan Ruiz recommends that travelers maintain a diverse collection of airline miles and transferable points and miles currency as part of their travel strategy.

"This way, you can book alternate flights if your initial or even secondary flight falls through," Ruiz advises.

TPG consistently encourages booking international travel with miles since it typically allows greater flexibility for changing or canceling flights. Additionally, make it a practice to familiarize yourself with other airlines servicing your route for any last-minute bookings.

"The first thing I check when traveling is which other airlines fly to my destination, just in case anything goes awry," stated TPG senior news editor Clint Henderson. He added, "I keep a reserve of various airline and hotel points in my accounts as a backup, so if I find myself stranded, I have alternative options to reach home or secure a place to stay overnight."

Henderson also recommends monitoring Twitter, where he typically notices updates when countries, cities, or governments alter their regulations.

Key takeaway

Having a plan A and B isn't enough anymore — you really should have plans C and D as well.

"Right now, you need multiple backup plans for leaving the country," says TPG's Summer Hull. "You should prepare alternatives for testing, quarantining, and getting home quickly if the rules become chaotic."