Travel Checklist & Essentials

Whether it’s applying for a visa, the rules of hand luggage, or buying your currency before you travel, our Travel Checklist will make sure you’re fully prepared and ready for your adventure to begin.

Travel Advice: Coronavirus (Covid-19)

At American Express, the health and safety of our Card Members is a top priority. Before leaving the house, find out more about how we and our travel partners are keeping you safe during the Coronavirus pandemic with our essential travel advice.

Coronavirus (Covid-19) Travel Advice

Know your destination before you travel

You’ve probably already researched the local attractions and best restaurants at your destination, but don’t forget about other information you need to know, such as last minute travel warnings due to COVID-19.

There may be some restrictions imposed at the destination such as additional entry requirements, requiring a negative Covid-19 test result prior to travel, or restrictions & closures of hotel amenities or other tourist facilities. Be sure to review the latest government advisories and travel provider policies before booking or travelling.

SafeTravel

Know your airline's COVID-19 requirements

Travelling in the COVID-19 era requires you to have a little more knowledge before booking a flight. You can check your airline's COVID-19 policies by choosing from a list here. 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

Check your airline's COVID-19 policies

Check your hotel's COVID-19 policy before you go

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

Check your hotel's COVID-19 policies

Visas and entry requirements

Depending on where you’re travelling to and the length of your stay you may need a visa to enter the country.

For example, if you’re travelling to the US, you may need an Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA), which lets you stay for up to 90 days.
As of 8 of January 2025, you may need an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) when traveling to the UK.
From mid-2025, to enter European Union countries, you may need a European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) travel authorisation.

SafeTravel

Check your passport is valid

Don’t get caught out by a lapsed or about to be lapsed passport. Some countries insist you still have at least six months left on your passport before they allow you to enter. Check your passport has got plenty of time remaining on it, and if it doesn’t, get your passport renewed or extended.

New Zealand Passports

Order your currency online

Don’t leave it until the last minute to order your local currency. Some currencies may need ordering in advance, or, depending on your destination, you may find you need travellers’ cheques or US dollars as backup. Remember your American Express Card can also be used and is accepted all around the world.

Order currency online

Using your American Express Card abroad

Ensure you’re insured

As a Card Member, you may have some travel insurance in place already. Check the details in case you need to add extra cover for certain sports, valuables, healthcare or anything else relevant to your trip. To be safe you should buy travel insurance that comes with healthcare before you travel.

American Express Travel Insurance

Packing your bag....

While forgetting something like pants or socks can be annoying, they're generally easy to replace. So, aside from the obvious packing necessities, here are some essential items to keep in mind that aren't so easily replaceable— especially if you're faced with an unexpected delay or change of plans due to COVID-19. Make sure you add these to your holiday packing list:

Health Supplies

Medication, copy of your prescription/s, eye glasses, contact lenses and solution, contraception, extra masks/ hand sanitizer (COVID-19)

Travel Documents

Passport, visas, boarding passes and tickets, insurance, vaccination certificates, drivers licence/ID. You should email copies of these to yourself for backup.

Useful Numbers

The Embassy or Consulate, your Airline, American Express support numbers, your travel insurance company, emergency contacts. You should email these to yourself for backup.

And don't forget...

Your mobile phone and charger, travel adapters, house/car keys (for your return home), your wallet and of course, your American Express Card.

And finally…. Enjoy your trip!

Advance Passenger Information (API)

You might find that your airline needs to collect certain personal details about who’s travelling in your party. For example their passport number, name and date of birth. This is usually done for security reasons and varies from country to country. API should not affect your journey, but it’s useful to be aware of it.

Vaccinations and medications

You may need vaccinations for your trip. Speak to your GP or nurse who will be able to advise you on what’s required. Try to do this around eight weeks before you travel as some vaccinations need time to start working or require several dosages. If you regularly take medication make sure you have enough to cover your holiday period, and it’s useful to take a copy of your prescription or a letter from your GP with you for customs.

Ministry of Health

Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT)

Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) is a rare blood clotting disorder that’s been known to happen on flights. Luckily, there are some simple ways to reduce the risks, from staying hydrated to wearing flight socks or compression stockings.

Health Navigator NZ

Hand luggage

You should check hand luggage limitations with your airline before travelling. Some items, such as sharp objects and liquids above a certain amount, are not be allowed in the cabin with you, but your airline may also have restrictions on the amount and size of luggage you can take on board.