Switzerland may begin allowing vaccinated Americans on June 28th...

[Birdie dog]

And with Italy now open, it gives me a little more hope for our September trip. What I've read regarding Switzerland though is "vaccinated" not negative tested or proof of previous covid. That would require ABD to request proof of vaccination prior to departure. I'm not worried- my whole family is already vaccinated. But, will ABD do it?

 

[sayhello]

And with Italy now open, it gives me a little more hope for our September trip. What I've read regarding Switzerland though is "vaccinated" not negative tested or proof of previous covid. That would require ABD to request proof of vaccination prior to departure. I'm not worried- my whole family is already vaccinated. But, will ABD do it?

This is mostly just my opinion, but in the past, ABD has normally not "required" stuff like that. If you can't enter the country, it's your problem. If you don't have a valid passport, not their problem, it's yours. China requires a Visa to enter mainland China, and if you don't or can't get a Visa, and can't enter the country, you are out of luck. ABD will tell you this up front. So they may say that being vaccinated is required to enter the country, but that doesn't mean they'll require it to take the trip. So if you're not vaccinated, it's your problem. Now, of course, a lot of stuff is still not normal, so anything is possible. But I really see them putting the onus on the customer, and not on them (because you could argue you need a refund because they won't let you take the trip, and they might argue you had to cancel because you wouldn't or couldn't get vaccinated.)

Is it an Adults Only trip? Because if it's not, it will likely still be cancelled if kids can't be vaccinated by then.

Sayhello

 

[Birdie dog]

This is mostly just my opinion, but in the past, ABD has normally not "required" stuff like that. If you can't enter the country, it's your problem. If you don't have a valid passport, not their problem, it's yours. China requires a Visa to enter mainland China, and if you don't or can't get a Visa, and can't enter the country, you are out of luck. ABD will tell you this up front. So they may say that being vaccinated is required to enter the country, but that doesn't mean they'll require it to take the trip. So if you're not vaccinated, it's your problem. Now, of course, a lot of stuff is still not normal, so anything is possible. But I really see them putting the onus on the customer, and not on them (because you could argue you need a refund because they won't let you take the trip, and they might argue you had to cancel because you wouldn't or couldn't get vaccinated.)

Is it an Adults Only trip? Because if it's not, it will likely still be cancelled if kids can't be vaccinated by then.

Sayhello

Yes ma’am. It’s the September 9th adults only. When I last checked numbers- months ago, there were 18 travelers, I think.

 

[sayhello]

Yes ma’am. It’s the September 9th adults only. When I last checked numbers- months ago, there were 18 travelers, I think.

Well, then, since both Switzerland and Italy are no longer Level 4 travel advisories, and are both allowing US travelers if vaccinated, I would *assume* you're good to go. But no-one knows that for sure except for ABD! I'm keeping my fingers and toes crossed for you.

Sayhello

 

[Birdie dog]

I just called ABD- we have 22 on our trip and “ABD is very hopeful for Europe in the fall”. The suspense is killing me…

 

[CaliforniaGirl09]

I'll be crossing my fingers for you. I've been reading reports of vaccinated American's traveling to France (which just opened to us), and it's been a bit of a learning curve so far, but a breeze once you get there. The problem is our vaccination card (grrr, don't get me started on the stupidity of not having an app!). I hope by the fall our ability to use the European app for a vaccine passport is all worked out. One early traveler to France who flew through the UK was erroneously prevented from boarding the flight from LHR to France because the agent wasn't sure the vaccine card sufficed as a "certificate." They were eventually allowed to continue, but 8 hours later. These early travelers are working out all the kinks for us!

 

[Birdie dog]

Not having a universal, electronic vaccine certificate is hurting vaccinated travelers for sure. Agreed 100% that we need one. And by denying me the ability to prove vaccination is denying me privileges that I'm entitled to.

 

[AquaDame]

The other problem with the cards is they aren’t universal. My husband was vaccinated at a different site than I, and his is a little card that folds and fits in his wallet. I have the postcard sized one. How are agents in France supposed to tell what’s legit like this..?

 

[Rapunzellover]

The other problem with the cards is they aren’t universal. My husband was vaccinated at a different site than I, and his is a little card that folds and fits in his wallet. I have the postcard sized one. How are agents in France supposed to tell what’s legit like this..?

I think you need to look at your hubby's card and verify it's an official CDC one. It's my understanding the postcard sized CDC card is universal. Your hubby's card might not be the official CDC one, which you will want for travel.

 

[Birdie dog]

I personally gave vaccines through my hospital. We got a pile of blank cards in the AM and filled them out by hand. We did (usually) have a sticker for the lot number, but sometimes they've been written in. For location, there were several different filled in like RSFH (Roper Saint Francis Hospital) Roper, RH, MtPH (Mount Pleasant Hospital - another hospital in our system). Although all these cards are legit, there's no uniformity and they would be difficult to track.
Because I was actually allowed to chart vaccines in VAMS, I printed my record directly from the site. I don't think most people have the option to do that.

 

[CaliKris]

I just called ABD- we have 22 on our trip and “ABD is very hopeful for Europe in the fall”. The suspense is killing me…

Did you receive an email from ABD regarding the ability to move your deposit to another trip? We did for our Spain ABD (only 10 booked) but not our Portugal ABD (21 booked). This supposedly applies to all September ABDs, but it is suspicious that we only received it for the trip with low numbers.

 

[Birdie dog]

Did you receive an email from ABD regarding the ability to move your deposit to another trip? We did for our Spain ABD (only 10 booked) but not our Portugal ABD (21 booked). This supposedly applies to all September ABDs, but it is suspicious that we only received it for the trip with low numbers.

Not that I've seen, And I watch my email closely. Everything from ABD I'm going to open.

 

[CaliKris]

Not that I've seen, And I watch my email closely. Everything from ABD I'm going to open.

Thanks! That pretty much confirms my suspicion that it is due to low enrollment on our Spain ABD.

 

[AquaDame]

I think you need to look at your hubby's card and verify it's an official CDC one. It's my understanding the postcard sized CDC card is universal. Your hubby's card might not be the official CDC one, which you will want for travel.

Yeah, no, its an official card from the county and not the CDC. They didn't have those at the site.

 

[Rapunzellover]

Yeah, no, its an official card from the county and not the CDC. They didn't have those at the site.

You will want to check that his county card will be accepted if you travel internationally in particular. The CDC one might be the only allowed one.

Btw, are you from California? Because "yeah, no" is totally a CA turn of phrase.

 

[lpm23]

We just got word from Tauck that our Aug 15 trip to Switzerland is going. So if AbD isn’t going switch to Tauck.

 

[Birdie dog]

We're 8 days out from final payment. We have 24 people already booked on our adventure. And we're vaccinated. (Switzerland appears to be requiring it). SO hopeful that we're going.

 

[Woodview]

Birdie Dog,

Before you pay the final payment Check yourself

( A ) WITH the Airline That the flight that you are taking is still going ahead

( B ) With the Airline Is the flight going DIRECT to Switzerland or going first to some other Country.

( C ) You MAY have to Quarantine , at some point So Please check.

Rules are regularly changing in Europe And U.K.

 

[Birdie dog]

Birdie Dog,

Before you pay the final payment Check yourself

( A ) WITH the Airline That the flight that you are taking is still going ahead

( B ) With the Airline Is the flight going DIRECT to Switzerland or going first to some other Country.

( C ) You MAY have to Quarantine , at some point So Please check.

Rules are regularly changing in Europe And U.K.

I booked the flights through ABD. They’re direct from JFK.

 

[Birdie dog]

Two days from final. The trip is still up and not “join a waitlist”!