Travel Planning Info
Whether you're thinking about exploring the great outdoors, relaxing on the beach, or just planning an upcoming holiday getaway – traveling is on a lot of people's minds during what seems to be the "new normal". But, chances are, you also have a lot of questions before you're ready to book your next vacation. As a result of COVID-19, travel advisories, requirements and restrictions are constantly changing. We've compiled the latest information and resources to help you feel comfortable and confident about any future travel. We strongly encourage you to review the latest information before booking travel, any cancellation deadlines for booked travel and your date of travel. Our site may allow you to book travel to a destination where you are not permitted to travel or has certain quarantine or other requirements, so it is your responsibility to be aware of these requirements prior to booking.
Where can I find COVID-19 travel updates?
Staying updated during your travels is the first step in staying safe. Using reliable COVID-19 resources is a good place to start, as this gives you information about up-to-the-minute situations in various locales, as well as travel advisories, specific travel restrictions and more. Additional resources include:
- Travel Partner Updates – COVID-19 Information & Related Policies
- Travel Partner Care Standards – Health & Safety
- Government Travel Guidelines
How do I modify my travel booking with American Express Travel?
If you need to change/cancel an existing American Express Travel reservation:
- If you would like to cancel your flight, hotel, or car reservation, please log in to your account and visit the Manage My Trips page. There will be options to cancel your flight, hotel, or car rental within the reservation details. You can also call American Express Travel with any questions.
- If you booked your travel with American Express Travel and you need to change/cancel a booking, we will be honoring the policies of your travel provider.
How can I cancel a booking that I paid for with Membership Rewards® points?
- For American Express Travel Bookings using Membership Rewards® points (Pay with Points):
- If you cancel a flight directly with your airline that was booked with Membership Rewards® points (Pay with Points), your cancellation will be handled by the airline in accordance with their policies.
- If your flight is not refunded or you are issued a credit with the airline, you will not receive the points back in your Membership Rewards® account, nor will you receive a credit on your Card statement in dollars.
- If your flight is refunded by the airline, then you will receive a credit on your Card statement (in dollars) in the amount equivalent to the refund issued by the airline. You may be able to convert it back into points by contacting Membership Rewards® at 1-800-AXP-EARN (297-3276).
For Card Members who transferred Membership Rewards® points to an airline loyalty program to book their flight:
- If you cancel a flight directly with your airline that was booked via the airline’s loyalty program, your cancellation will be handled by the airline in accordance with their policies. Points transferred from the Membership Rewards® program to an airline loyalty program cannot be transferred back.
Where can I find more information about American Express travel insurance during COVID-19?
- For questions about travel insurance and COVID-19, please visit our COVID-19 Travel Insurance FAQs.
- To file a claim for the fee-based American Express Travel Insurance, please call 1-800-228-6855.
- If you have Trip Cancellation and Interruption Insurance provided as part of your Card benefits and would like to file a claim, please call 1-844-933-0648.
Where can I find more information about accessing The Centurion® Lounges during COVID-19?
- Your health and safety continue to be our top priority, which is why we've implemented The Centurion® Lounge Commitment, featuring additional health and safety procedures so our lounges continue to be a safe, clean, and welcoming space for you, whenever you're ready to start traveling again. Please visit thecenturionlounge.com for the latest lounge information.
- Learn more about The Centurion® Lounge re-openings and The Centurion® Lounge Commitment here, or visit our Lounge At Home page to bring parts of the lounge experience to you, right at home.
Traveling can seem somewhat challenging these days, but by staying informed and taking a few extra precautions, you can feel safer and more relaxed during your upcoming trip. If you've already booked through American Express Travel or have any additional questions about preparing for your getaway, feel free to visit us online.
Still need help?
- If you booked through AmexTravel.com and still need help, click here to see more information.
- Please click here for the most current information from the U.S. Department of State.
At American Express, the health, safety, and wellbeing of our customers is a top priority. As a result of COVID-19, travel provider policies, as well as travel advisories, requirements, and restrictions, are constantly changing. To continue to provide information and assistance to our customers, we have included some helpful resources below that we strongly encourage you to review before booking travel, any cancellation deadlines for booked travel and your date of travel. Our site may allow you to book travel to a destination where you are not permitted to travel or has certain quarantine or other requirements, so it is your responsibility to be aware of these requirements prior to booking. Included below are links to travel provider policies, as well as a number of options for you to change or cancel your travel plans, so please review those before calling us.
How do I modify an existing American Express Travel reservation?
- If you would like to cancel your flight, hotel, or car reservation, please log in to your account and visit the Manage My Trips page. There will be options to cancel your flight, hotel or car rental within the reservation details. You can also call American Express Travel with any questions.
If you booked your travel with American Express Travel and you need to change/cancel a booking, we will be honoring the policies of your travel provider.
How should I prepare for travelling during COVID-19?
We recommend that you review any updated travel advisories, requirements or restrictions that may impact your travel, both prior to any cancellation deadlines and your dates of travel, as policies are constantly changing. Below are some helpful reminders of sites to check:
- Check your flight status on your airline's website to find out if your flight has been delayed or cancelled.
- Check your airport or airline’s website for the latest updates and testing services. Some airports and airlines may offer on-site COVID-19 testing.
- Check your travel providers’ websites to find out if there are any updated requirements for travel with that provider (such as wearing of masks, taking of temperatures or completion of health acknowledgment forms).
- Confirm with your hotel as to what facilities or services may or may not be available during your stay, as health and safety guidelines may require certain facilities or services to be unable.
- Confirm your understanding of any travel destination advisories, requirements or restrictions.
What should I know when booking a flight during COVID-19?
As you consider future or upcoming travel, please review your airline’s current policies. Their change/cancellation policies may have been updated to provide greater flexibility, which may include those of Delta Air Lines, American Airlines and United Airlines.
Make sure you know your airline’s COVID-19 requirements. Aside from being aware of the usual air travel rules like specific luggage weight limitations, prohibited items by the TSA, and any pregnancy restrictions – traveling in the COVID-19 era requires you have a little more knowledge before booking a flight. Be sure to contact your particular airline about any changes in travel rules, including:
- Current mask policies for kids and adults (throughout check-in, boarding and the flight itself)
- Traveling with infants on your lap
- Changes in meal service
- Updated seat spacing, and more
Select your airline from the menu below to review your airline’s current change/cancellation policies. If you do not see your airline listed below, please refer to your airline’s website or contact the airline directly.
Should you want to change/cancel your flight, please review the airline’s current policies applicable to your ticket before changing/canceling your flight. Please be aware that your change/cancellation may be subject to certain restrictions and fees and, for changes, any difference in airfare.
If you booked your flight with American Express Travel and you need to change/cancel a booking, we will be honoring the policies of your travel provider.
What should I know when booking a hotel during COVID-19?
As you consider future or upcoming travel, please review your hotel’s website for their current policies. Their change/cancellation policies may have been updated to provide greater flexibility. Please contact your hotel directly for additional information on:
- Booking flexibility toward future changes to your travel plans. Please note that flexible cancellation policies are the same for “Pay Now” or “Pay at Hotel” payment options.
- How the hotel has enhanced their focus on health, safety and well-being policies.
- Whether the property anticipates being closing during your planned stay or if any facilities or services have been impacted.
- Cancellation policies for Fine Hotels + Resorts® bookings are made available on AmexTravel.com throughout the booking journey
Make sure there are plenty of contactless options available at your hotel before you book. From online reservations and check-in, to mobile room keys, to contactless payments – most hotels are taking those steps and more to keep you safe, including:
- Mandatory staff/guest mask requirements
- Plexiglass barriers at check-in counters
- Signs reminding of physical distancing throughout the hotel
- Updated cleaning and disinfecting policies for surfaces and items (such as pens, room keys, tables, phones, doorknobs, light switches, elevator buttons, remote controls, etc).
- Changes in food and meal services
Below is a list of hotels providing additional information on booking policies. To see if your hotel of choice is offering greater flexibility due to COVID-19, please select your hotel brand from the menu. If you do not see your hotel brand listed below, please refer to your hotel’s website for additional information.
How do I change or cancel a hotel reservation?
The below steps direct you how to change or cancel an existing hotel reservation. Please be aware that you may be charged for changes/cancellations to your reservation.
- To cancel your hotel reservation made online through AmexTravel.com, you can access your reservation via Manage My Trips using the eight-digit Trip ID.
- Hotel bookings can be cancelled via Manage My Trips and the hotel’s cancellation policy in your booking confirmation will apply.
- To change a reservation or cancel a reservation that’s outside of the hotel’s standard cancellation policy, please call American Express Travel at 1-800-297-2977.
- To cancel your hotel reservation made over the phone through American Express Travel, you can access your reservation via Manage My Trips using the Record Locator.
- Hotel bookings can be cancelled via Manage My Trips and the hotel’s standard cancellation policy in your booking confirmation will apply.
- To change a reservation or cancel a reservation that’s outside of the hotel’s standard cancellation policy, please call American Express Travel at 1-800-525-3355.
- Hotel waiver policies are only applicable to hotels booked via our Fine Hotels + Resorts (FHR) or The Hotel Collection (THC) programs and do not apply for hotels booked via our Lowest Hotel Rate Guarantee program. Please call 1-800-525-3355 for the current policy on Lowest Hotel Rate Guarantee bookings. In addition, once a brand is selected from the above drop down, please ensure you are visiting the page of the specific brand/property that you booked for the most detailed information regarding waivers.
What should I know before I change or cancel a cruise reservation?
Prior to booking, changing or canceling a cruise, please review your cruise lines change/cancellation policy. For more information on the latest CDC guidance for cruising, please visit the CDC website.
Select your cruise line from the menu below to view the current policy information on changes and cancellations (this includes updates on temporary operational suspensions):
Should you want to change/cancel your cruise, please review the cruise line’s current policies applicable to your cruise before changing/canceling your cruise. Please be aware that your change/cancellation may be subject to certain restrictions and fees and, for changes, any difference in the price of the cruise.
How do I cancel a car reservation?
To cancel your car reservation:
- Log in to your account and go to Manage My Trips.
- Select your itinerary and cancel your reservation online.
How do I cancel a tour reservation?
Select your tour provider from the menu below to view the current policy information on changes and cancellations (this includes updates on temporary suspension of operations):
Should you want to change/cancel your cruise, please review the cruise line’s current policies applicable to your cruise before changing/canceling your cruise. Please be aware that your change/cancellation may be subject to certain restrictions and fees and, for changes, any difference in the price of the cruise.
Still need help?
- If you booked through AmexTravel.com and still need help, click here to see more information.
- Please click here for the most current information from the U.S. Department of State.
- Please click here for travel partner information on health and safety.
- Please click here for government travel guidelines and updates.
At American Express, the health, safety and wellbeing of our customers is a top priority. As a result of COVID-19, travel advisories, requirements and restrictions, are constantly changing. To continue to provide information and assistance to our customers, we have included some helpful resources below that we strongly encourage you to review before booking travel, any cancellation deadlines for booked travel and your date of travel. Our site may allow you to book travel to a destination where you are not permitted to travel or has certain quarantine or other requirements, so it is your responsibility to be aware of these requirements prior to booking. Included below are a number of options for you to change or cancel your travel plans, so please review those, as well as your travel provider policies, before calling us.
How can I prepare to travel safely during COVID-19?
We recommend that you review any updated travel advisories, requirements or restrictions that may impact your travel, both prior to any cancellation deadlines and your dates of travel, as policies are constantly changing. Below are some helpful reminders of sites to check:
- Check your flight status on your airline's website to find out if your flight has been delayed or cancelled.
- Check your airport or airline’s website for the latest updates and testing services. Some airports and airlines may offer on-site COVID-19 testing.
- Check your travel providers’ websites to find out if there are any updated requirements for travel with that provider (such as wearing of masks, taking of temperatures or completion of health acknowledgement forms).
- Confirm with your hotel as to what facilities or services may or may not be available during your stay, as health and safety guidelines may require certain facilities or services to be unable.
- Confirm your understanding of any travel destination advisories, requirements or restrictions.
Where can I review airline health and safety policies before flying during COVID-19?
- As you consider future or upcoming travel, please review your airlines’ health and safety policies.
- Select your airline from the menu below to view the latest health and safety policy information:
- The TSA and many airlines have separately implemented procedures to increase social distancing and reduce direct contact whenever possible, to make your trip safer. Please allow plenty of time to get to the airport, including through security and your gate.
- For more information, visit your airline’s website, or the TSA website.
Where can I review airline health and safety policies before flying during COVID-19?
- Hotels have intensified focus on guest safety in response to COVID-19, which may include increased disinfection and cleaning, plexiglass barriers at check-in, and contactless payment. To see if your hotel of choice has updated health and safety policies, please select your hotel brand from the menu below. If you do not see your hotel brand listed below, please refer to your hotel’s website for more information.
- When visiting a hotel, face coverings may be required in the lobby and other common areas. Additionally, to limit close contact among hotel guests, hotels may implement other policies and procedures that guests must follow while on hotel premises. Local laws may also require wearing a face mask, as well as other health and safety policies and procedures. For more information about safely planning for overnight travel during the COVID-19 pandemic, please visit the CDC website.
Where can I review cruise health and safety policies before traveling during COVID-19?
Please select your cruise brand from the menu below to view their current health and safety policy information:
Where can I review tour health and safety policies before traveling during COVID-19?
Please select your tour provider from the menu below to view their current health and safety policy information:
Still need help?
- If you booked through AmexTravel.com and still need help, click here to see more information.
- Please click here for the most current information from the U.S. Department of State.
- Please click here for partner information on COVID-19 policies.
- Please click here for government travel guidelines and updates.
At American Express, the health, safety and wellbeing of our customers is a top priority. As a result of COVID-19, travel advisories, requirements and restrictions, are constantly changing. To continue to provide information and assistance to our customers, we have included some helpful resources below that we strongly encourage you to review before booking travel, any cancellation deadlines for booked travel and your date of travel. Our site may allow you to book travel to a destination where you are not permitted to travel or has certain quarantine or other requirements, so it is your responsibility to be aware of these requirements prior to booking. Included below are a number of options for you to change or
cancel your travel plans, so please review those, as well as your travel provider policies, before calling us.
Where can I review government travel guidelines before traveling during COVID-19?
We encourage you to review all government-issued travel advisories, requirements and restriction that may apply to your destination of travel before you book, as well as your
selected travel provider policies. As these rules are continuously changing, we cannot guarantee that this site contains the most current and comprehensive information.
- You may find the following resources helpful:
- Travel Vitals™ has information related to travel guidance, restrictions and government requirements. This includes information at a state and country level.
- Travel Vitals is a travel assistant online platform from American Express Global Business Travel. It is a third-party site; American Express does not guarantee the accuracy or completeness of the information provided.
- The World Health Organization and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention continue to publish updates regarding the novel coronavirus.
- CDC’s Travel Restrictions by state.
What additional information should I know to help prepare before traveling during COVID-19?
We recommend that you review any updated travel advisories, requirements or restrictions that may impact your travel, both prior to any cancellation deadlines and your dates of
travel, as policies are constantly changing. Below are some helpful reminders of sites to check:
- Check your flight status on your airline's website to find out if your flight has been delayed or cancelled.
- Check your airport or airline’s website for the latest updates and testing services. Some airports and airlines may offer on-site COVID-19 testing.
- Check your travel providers’ websites to find out if there are any updated requirements for travel with that provider (such as wearing of masks, taking of temperatures or completion of health acknowledgement forms).
- Confirm with your hotel as to what facilities or services may or may not be available during your stay, as health and safety guidelines may require certain facilities or services to be unable.
- Confirm your understanding of any travel destination advisories, requirements or restrictions.