Category Archives for Destinations.
Ukrainian flight Attendants are on social media promoting a NATO No Fly Zone over their country. The Russian Air Force has been shockingly absent, likely less capable than believed, but still poses a threat. And this would allow for Ukranian air superiority. They argue that a NATO No Fly Zone would put an end to the war. This seems… inadvisable.
It’s obvious why many people are leaving Ukraine: the Russian invasion is demolishing homes, bombing cities, risking basic utilities (including by attacking Europe’s largest nuclear reactor). But many Russians are also fleeing their homes. They fear they may not have long to leave, and limited space on planes and trains can be costly.
This isn’t just limited to majority state-owned Aeroflot. It applies to all Russian airlines (even private ones, like oneworld member S7). Even Germany is now sending munitions to Ukraine. European airlines, including most recently Lufthansa
What can Americans do?
Air Canada business class awards between North America and Australia are wide open most of the time beginning in June through October. You’ll find most dates have availability for four or more passengers flying Vancouver – Sydney.
Ottawa is under siege from a protest by anti-vaccine mandate truckers. These are mostly non-violent protests, but also shutting down the city. Most of Canada is vaccinated. There’s little incremental benefit to requiring this of truckers, who spend most of their work time alone. And truckers tend to do this by choice. Take people choosing to work solo, and try to make them do something, this is the group most likely to rebel not just most reasonable in feeling justified at rebelling.
Their trucks are choking off streets in the capital and protesters started digging in for the long haul. And now… hotels are cancelling reservations.
Now, with substantial background immunity in additional to vaccination, the country is preparing to re-open its borders to tourists. The nation’s Prime Minister has announced a February 21 re-opening to tourism.
New Zealand has announced its 5-step plan to re-open borders and it includes welcoming American tourists without quarantine starting in July – or earlier.
This upgrades the chances that Australia’s plan to re-open to tourism before Easter will hold. If New Zealand’s Prime Minister can talk about re-opening publicly, then the politics of re-opening across the Tasman have a greater chance of working out as well.
The Visit Ukraine tourism board is pushing a new slogan as the nation prepares to be invaded by Russia: “Keep calm and visit Ukraine.”
Their position is there’s “no reason to panic” because “situation on the Ukrainian border remains under control.”
China is afraid of foreigners, but they also wouldn’t give up the international prestige of hosting the Olympics – even an Olympics that barely showcases the country.
The U.K. has recognized that a travel testing requirement didn’t provide benefit during the pandemic. It makes little sense in the U.S. where the virus is spreading widely already, and where vaccine boosters are widely available. The specific testing rules in place make even less sense since they don’t universally catch infections. But rules tend to outlive their usefulness even as political narrative. When will U.S. rules change, then?
Gary Leff is one of the foremost experts in the field of miles, points, and frequent business travel -- a topic he has covered since 2002.
Co-founder of frequent flyer community InsideFlyer.com, emcee of the Freddie Awards, and named one of the "World's Top Travel Experts" by Conde' Nast Traveler (2010-Present) Gary has been a guest on most major news media, profiled in several top print publications, and published broadly on the topic of consumer loyalty. More About Gary »
