Flying to USA January 2021

LEverybodyneedsto on 01/06/2020 - 15:14

Have been looking online for airfares to USA & there are some very very cheap fares.

Now that tourism restart taskforce says July 1 for flights to New Zealand & Sept 10 for most of rest, I expect airfares will now increase.

Saw $799 return to la or San Francisco from Sydney Melbourne Brisbane leaving early January. Now cheapest direct flights I can see are $999 return for adults.

Same time this year fares were mostly around $2000 to $2500 or even more.

Have many people booked yet for school holidays in January ?

Was also looking at flying to Cairns from Brisbane later this month or July but although it seems plenty of cheap or frequent flyer seats, many hotels at places like palm cove have jacked their prices a lot.

Anyone else notice this ?

Travel

Comments

  • GG57 on 01/06/2020 - 15:18

    Have you made your flight booking to the USA?

    • Everybodyneedsto on 01/06/2020 - 15:26

      No not yet, but thinking of doing it soon before fares go up.

      • GG57 on 01/06/2020 - 15:35
        +1

        Even the 'task force' has said the dates are "aspirational".
        I wouldn't be planning anything yet.

  • GordonR on 01/06/2020 - 15:25
    +6

    You’d need to be pretty optimistic or have iron-clad cancellation insurance to plan anything involving flying or USA…

      • SydStrand on 01/06/2020 - 15:32
        +4

        COVID, nationwide riots, a potential (and potentially nasty) Presidential transition.

          • songsong on 01/06/2020 - 15:46
            +2

            @Everybodyneedsto:

            will probably end tomorrow

            I wish I had your optimism :)

          • SydStrand on 01/06/2020 - 15:56
            +7

            @Everybodyneedsto:

            Covid is over. Riots very isolated & will probably end tomorrow.

            Okay dude. You're obviously just trying to convince yourself

          • dizzle on 01/06/2020 - 18:51
            +3

            @Everybodyneedsto: California still had over 3700 new cases yesterday and 57 deaths yesterday. It's not over and with everything going on in the streets (not just the riots, but the anti-isolation protests, and large scale congregations), I wouldn't be surprised if it increases again.

          • WreckTangle on 01/06/2020 - 18:53
            +4

            @Everybodyneedsto: Covid is over? It only just begun…

        • Everybodyneedsto on 09/06/2020 - 13:46
          -1

          Riots are hardly nation wide. A few thousand people in 20+ cities in a population of 331 million.

      • seraphim2017 on 01/06/2020 - 15:37

        Won't we have to pay to quarantine on return though? That's what's put me off even looking, an extra 2 weeks in a hotel room at a cost of $$$ (because the government won't pay long term, they will just say "you knew when you went you had to quarantine on return, now cough up".

        Plus..you..know.murica right now..think insurance would pay out?

          • seraphim2017 on 01/06/2020 - 15:57

            @Everybodyneedsto: Best one liner I've heard all day.

            Really though? That's kind of scary when you think most other countries have massive unknown transmission and we don't. opening up borders on July 1st will negate the crippling financial lockdown we just all went through for absolutely nothing.

          • dizzle on 01/06/2020 - 19:02
            +2

            @Everybodyneedsto: If we don't even have travel between all states still, it will take more than 4 weeks to open up to the whole world. We may open to certain countries first, but US/UK are still considered hotspots, and I would think we may not get full international travel this year.

      • Gnostikos on 01/06/2020 - 16:57
        -6

        @Everybodyneedsto

        Why?

        Because you're supposed to be wallowing in media-induced fear, anxiety and paranoia over the invisible bogeyman that the CDC quietly revised the death rate for to 0.26%, down from the initial bleak projections of the WHO's 3.6% death rate; in other words far, far lower than the annual flu season (especially in Australia, where COVID-19 has proved to have a death rate 162 times lower than influenza).

        Don't travel, just stay at home and cheer on the further 1984-ification of Western societies.

    • [Deactivated] on 01/06/2020 - 15:32

      Just make sure to book something refundable with an Airline that is not likely to go under and it should be fine. I have booked a Qantas fexi ticket to UK in December, full refund if change my mind / cannot go.

      • Everybodyneedsto on 01/06/2020 - 15:41
        -1

        Refundable tickets are way too expensive. Airlines are all ramping up. Think only unknown is virgin & whether I can use velocity points for flights in u.s.

  • SydStrand on 01/06/2020 - 15:30

    Maybe things will normalise by September, maybe not. Maybe the civil unrest in the USA will be ancient history by January, or maybe they'll be running a Purge. Who knows how airfares would move, they could drop in response to depressed demand.

    • Everybodyneedsto on 01/06/2020 - 15:44

      Watching airfares increases probably means one of two things. Bookings are increasing or airlines have told positive news by governments or maybe both.

  • netjock on 01/06/2020 - 15:39
    +1

    If you book, I'd be looking for a good deal on medical insurance in the USA. If you get sick over there you'll be bankrupt.

    • Everybodyneedsto on 01/06/2020 - 15:45

      Would never go anywhere overseas without insurance. Haven't looked at insurance costs yet but expect they will increase slightly from previous trips.

      • nick484 on 01/06/2020 - 15:52

        It's not going to be easy to get insurance, especially if you want flight cancellation insurance as well

        • Everybodyneedsto on 01/06/2020 - 15:54

          Why ?

          Just expect to pay a bit more. I will start looking now.

          • nick484 on 01/06/2020 - 15:57

            @Everybodyneedsto: insurance covers the unforeseen. per the comments above, there is a reasonable, if not high, chance that you wont be able to go, which is why most insurers wont offer cover

          • WreckTangle on 01/06/2020 - 18:55

            @Everybodyneedsto: Probly will be an industry wide embargo

          • dizzle on 01/06/2020 - 19:08

            @Everybodyneedsto: Be aware many will not cover covid related issues (including cancelled flights) after a certain date in March.

    • Caped Baldy on 01/06/2020 - 16:15

      If I were an insurer I would not be covering anyone for travel related covid especially considering how blase a large number of overseas countries are treating it.

      • TheMindsetTraveller on 01/06/2020 - 16:31
        +6

        Most policies already exclude pandemics and/or where governemnts have have a do not travel advisory.

        My annual travel policy that I have, which I have had for the past 11 years, exclude pandemics automatically.

        My concern would be 1.having a knee injury for example, arriving at hopsital and getting tested for Covid19 even having no symptoms, but my insurer declining to 'pay' for my knee injury.

  • GG57 on 01/06/2020 - 15:49
    +8

    OP is a new account; seems to be trolling

    • Everybodyneedsto on 01/06/2020 - 15:55

      No just very quiet at work right now.

      • GG57 on 01/06/2020 - 15:57
        +1

        Ok, benefit of doubt, can you:
        - post a reference to where the international flights will definately start on 1 July
        - post a reference to when New York will be COVID-19 safe
        etc.

        Just now, your responses seem to be the outputs of a generous imagination

        • Cluster on 01/06/2020 - 16:11
          +2

          Here you go.

          https://7news.com.au/news/tourism/timetable-for-post-coronav…

          'Australians may be allowed to travel to NZ and the Pacific from July 1, and other countries deemed “safe” from September, according to a timetable produced by the Tourism Restart Taskforce.'

          These are still tentative plans and not set in stone. The other factor to consider is will the USA allow Australians to fly there? You can book flights to the USA over the coming months but right now those planes are not flying. A good example is flights on a Qantas A380 in July. Currently the entire fleet is grounded.

          There must also be tourism both ways. Airlines are not going to fly plane loads of people one way without Americans flying here too. January is cold and flu season again in the USA.

        • Everybodyneedsto on 01/06/2020 - 16:19
          -1

          Nothing set in stone yet but was on news 3 days ago. Search tourism restart taskforce. But New Zealand has to open ve ry soon as they have an election very soon.

          Re New York City search online such as New York Times. Next Monday is set for much of City to reopen and get back to work.

          What does covid safe mean ?

          • GG57 on 01/06/2020 - 16:26
            +3

            @Everybodyneedsto: So nothing factual to base your plans on.
            The 'news' is just republished press releases.
            The 'taskforce' site confirms that the dates you are quoting are 'aspirational'.

            • Everybodyneedsto on 01/06/2020 - 16:40

              @GG57: So it might not be exactly Sept 10. Makes no difference to us if week later but Australian school holidays start mid to late September, which is when airlines can fill flights.

              Obviously New Zealand needs to get flights to USA up and running without any restrictions asap. It would be crazy if you could fly to USA via New Zealand but not direct.

              • GG57 on 01/06/2020 - 16:47

                @Everybodyneedsto: Ok, so now you have edited your post to clarify your original 1 July statement.

                Nothing is 'obvious'.
                The tourism industry and the airlines would be campaigning for this stuff to happen, but they cannot decide the dates.
                Flights to NZ will be when NZ and Aust agree that both countries have COVID-19 under control (or there is a treatment) for a period of time.

                There is not even a guarantee that our own state borders will be open for interstate travel by any date.

                • Everybodyneedsto on 01/06/2020 - 16:53
                  -3

                  @GG57: No didn't edit. All borders will have to open soon. Not sure what agenda Qld premier has but many are sick of her.

                  Suggest all state borders will open this month. It would be crazy if those in Qld can fly to New Zealand (federal domain I think) & not to New South Wales(state domain)

                  • GG57 on 01/06/2020 - 16:57
                    +3

                    @Everybodyneedsto: Regardless of your thoughts of the Qld Premier, she will decide when those borders open.
                    Same for Tasmania.

                    All borders do not have to open soon.

  • Donaldhump on 01/06/2020 - 16:15
    +5

    america will be all burnt down at this rate by xmas.

    • Everybodyneedsto on 01/06/2020 - 16:21

      Hardly. Talk to yanks who live there. Riots are very isolated and will be shut down if they go on much longer.

      • Caped Baldy on 01/06/2020 - 16:46
        +1

        Yup, the militarized police will gun down the protestors fighting against police brutality. Sweet sweet irony justice /s

  • Everybodyneedsto on 01/06/2020 - 16:55
    -1

    Anyway has anyone on here, booked to go to USA next year yet ?

    Some surely are with cheapest
    airfares going up.

    • Mistymoo on 01/06/2020 - 17:18
      +3

      There is absolutely no way I'd be booking flights to the USA any time soon, to go in the next year at all. Things are flapped over there and it's going to get worse before it gets better.

      Besides, I have no desire to book flights when everything re things opening up for travel are so up in the air and I'm hanging to travel again.

      • p1 ama on 01/06/2020 - 17:26

        Things are flapped over there and it's going to get worse before it gets better.

        What makes you say this?

        For the record, I'm a statistician and university academic working on COVID-19 modelling. I'm really surprised at just how casually people throw around "things are going to get better" or "things are going to get worse" based on little to no evidence at all. I'm not saying whether you're right or wrong, but even the best models right now are failing to obtain meaningful forecasts with narrow confidence intervals. Basically, even with the best information, we do not know whether things "will get better" or "will get worse", with the probability slightly in favour of "will get better", so I'm curious what you base your claim on, or if it's just a punt.

        • try2bhelpful on 01/06/2020 - 18:22

          Just out of interest what are the statistical views on the chance of a second wave, especially as the US starts to go into Winter. I am, genuinely, interested on that.

          • p1 ama on 01/06/2020 - 20:55

            @try2bhelpful: 100%, not just a second wave, but a third wave, fourth wave…etc. Just like how you have flu season every year now, you'll have COVID-19 season from now on. Transmission rates will steadily decline as the population becomes more immune (whether that is through natural immunity or vaccination).

            The good news is that (despite what you may hear from the media), the more we learn about the virus, the more we see that it's actually less deadly than we initial thought. The common flu has around a 0.1% CFR, he latest CDC data (https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/hcp/planning-scena…) shows that the CFR is around 0.4%, making it around 4 times deadlier than the common flu.

            This is very good news given that we thought it was much higher (which was around 1%). Everyone is comparing this to the Spanish Flu, but that had a CFR of around 2.5%, so COVID-19 is actually closer to the seasonal flu. That being said, there are some reasons why this particular virus has caused mayhem much greater than its CFR would suggest:

            (1) It is highly contagious, so it spreads extremely quickly, especially given the lack of immunity.
            (2) The most vulnerable die first, so the statistics always have a negative skew at the start.
            (3) Places that implemented a lockdown strategy (e.g. Italy) were most likely further along than we initially thought.

            The modelling so far is all very unclear, but if the latest CDC numbers are accurate (and I've just plugged them into the model I've been working on), it shows that we're around 1/3rd of the way through the whole thing, but given that there's a long right tail (spread is slower once more people have been infected and are immune), it's likely that we're around half way through global lockdowns.

            As always, you want to check whether the results of the model actually make sense in the context of the observed data. If you have a look at the active cases in the US, it looks like it's just peaked as of today actually. Obviously this is just confirmed cases, not total cases, but it does look like the recovery rate has overtaken the infection rate for the first time in the US. In 3 months, you'll likely see very few "official" active cases in the US (below 100,000).

            Overall, even though I don't like OP's rather brash attitude to it all (which I think is based on wishful thinking rather than any evidence), he's most likely correct. Travel restrictions will be lifted as quickly as they were put in place and you'd be surprised at the number of people itching to travel. I'd be willing to bet money that travel restrictions to the US and Europe are lifted before December this year. Most likely some time between September and December.

            • jjjaar on 01/06/2020 - 22:27

              @p1 ama: I’m curious as to when these second, third and fourth waves are anticipated then, if you are suggesting international travel may be open between September and December.

              Are these waves going to happen between now and then, or are these waves expected to be less disastrous than the first and will occur with borders reopened?

              Genuinely curious and wanting to understand, not disagreeing.

              • p1 ama on 02/06/2020 - 02:05
                +6

                @jjjaar:

                I’m curious as to when these second, third and fourth waves are anticipated then, if you are suggesting international travel may be open between September and December.

                It'll be seasonal - just like how we have a "flu season" every year. I'm a statistician, not a virologist, but my understanding is that the virus will most likely mutate to become less deadly over time (those who get the worst strands become so unwell that they may die or isolate themselves, preventing spread, so the less deadly strands are more likely to survive).

                Either way, this goes well beyond the work that I'm doing, which is more focused on the economic impacts of COVID-19 rather than the epidemiology, so I don't think I'm qualified to really say much more about it.

                Are these waves going to happen between now and then, or are these waves expected to be less disastrous than the first and will occur with borders reopened?

                Again, not my area of expertise, but what I've read is that future waves are likely to be much less disastrous. At low numbers, how much a virus spreads is exponentially related to the proportion of the population who are "susceptible", based on the standard SIR model (https://www.maa.org/press/periodicals/loci/joma/the-sir-mode…). Therefore, with a much greater proportion of individuals immune (even if only partially) when a second wave comes around, it's unlikely to spread as quickly or cause as much harm as the first wave. There's also the argument that the most vulnerable are likely to have either caught the illness and developed immunity or passed away already (as grim as that sounds, it's true statistically).

                Of course, we're also better equipped to deal with it as well. We understand more about the virus, how it spreads, who the high risk groups are. We'll likely already have some results from studies on various treatments. We may even have a vaccine. We will have more resources, we will be more vigilant, we'll have better policies, take earlier action if an outbreak happens…etc.

                Overall, there are some pieces of good news. For example, it's likely the US has just reached their peak. We'll know in a week, but I suspect "active cases" will be down this time next week vs. now. The virus is also less deadly than initially thought. If you think of the death rate as: Pr(dying of COVID-19) = Pr(Getting COVID-19) * Pr(Dying | Getting COVID-19) where the second term represents the fatality rate (i.e. the probability of dying if you actually get the illness), then the reason why we had high deaths is largely because Pr(Getting COVID-19) was high, not because it was particularly deadly.

                Basically one way of thinking about it is that a virus can be dangerous because it spreads very quickly (even if it is quite mild), or because it is very good at killing (even if it spreads in a rather limited manner). COVID-19 is likely the former. The good news is that the probability of getting COVID-19 will only drop over time. That's very promising because it means that as time goes on, deaths go down. If it were the other way (e.g. with something like Ebola), then you would see more deaths over time as more and more people caught it. That would be truly disastrous.

                Anyway, I'm not trying to impart an opinion, but I'm an optimistic person, so we should take victories where we can :)

                • jjjaar on 02/06/2020 - 08:31

                  @p1 ama: Thanks for taking the time to write all that. It’s truly interesting to read and see another perspective that’s not all over the media about how it’s only doom and gloom.

    • DashCam AKA Rolts on 01/06/2020 - 17:22

      Air fares will be expensive in the short term at least.
      This is in part due to pent up demand, reduced number of flights/operators on routes. So seats will be at a premium and allow carriers to charge higher rates.
      Emirates, for an example, is going to reduce it's workforce by 30,000.
      https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-05-17/emirates-…

    • SydStrand on 01/06/2020 - 18:11

      Anyway has anyone on here, booked to go to USA next year yet ? Some surely are with cheapest

      It looks like you've either already booked tickets, or at least made up your mind and just want us to confirm your purchase, rather than asking for genuine advice. Many people are saying that there's no guarantee prices will rise, or that travel will be guaranteed, only to be brushed off with your wishful thinking.

  • kolorijo on 01/06/2020 - 17:13
    +9

    When you do leave, please don't come back

  • EFC94 on 01/06/2020 - 17:19
    +1

    I don't think you have any concept of whats going on in the world. Travel "may" open to lower risk countries from September. America is absolutely not one of those countries. They're opening travel to New Zealand and other pacific nations as they have close to no cases. America is still having hundreds of new cases and deaths every single day.

    • Everybodyneedsto on 01/06/2020 - 18:01
      -1

      New Zealand from July 1 not September proposed.

      Think you might be believing all the rubbish in the news. News relies on fear.

      • Cohey on 02/06/2020 - 09:31
        +1

        Seems you're convinced it'll be fine. Go book your flights then.

  • p1 ama on 01/06/2020 - 17:23

    I'd book, but only flex fares that permit changes. You've got nothing to lose by locking in the good price and just changing later on if you find that the situation isn't to your liking.

  • AirbusA389 on 01/06/2020 - 17:57
    +3

    sometimes i wonder why should the doctors and nurses take care of such patients with covid and put themselves at risk of infection, especially for the nonchalant travellers like OP?

    if he comes back with covid, can we shut him in a 40-foot container and let his immune system fight it out?

    • p1 ama on 01/06/2020 - 18:03
      +1

      sometimes i wonder why should the doctors and nurses take care of such patients with covid and put themselves at risk of infection, especially for the nonchalant travellers like OP? if he comes back with covid, can we shut him in a 40-foot container and let his immune system fight it out?

      Hippocratic oath - you take care of all patients without judgement or discrimination.

      By your logic we shouldn't treat smokers who get lung cancer, fat people with heart disease…etc. the analogies continue. Most of the choices we make increase or decrease risk factors for all sorts of different illnesses.

      • AirbusA389 on 02/06/2020 - 11:48
        -1

        The Oath is insufficient for anyone to risk their lives to rescue stupid people who ignore the risks of such a infectious disease. The Oath do not exclude anyone from exercising their own agency to keep themselves and family members safe from the virus.

        If the OP is unaware and happened to be at the wrong place at the wrong time when the outbreak was first discovered, that's just bad luck, and i can accept it.

        If the OP blatantly act against official travel warnings, and after 100k deaths in the USA are announced, then i dont think why doctors and nurses need to risk their lives for such stupidity. The moral hazard lies within OP's intents and actions. Labelling OP as entitled and selfish wouldn't be unjustifiable. Au healthcare system do not have any moral hazard in its refusal to treat him.

        smokers who get lung cancer, fat people with heart disease — these diseases are not communicable. I have no issues with their choices that leads to their self-destruction.

        if he wants to take the risks, do whatever he wants. Just dont implicate others. He might not be the one dying; he might be the indirect cause of death for others who were trying to help.

        • GG57 on 02/06/2020 - 11:59
          +1

          We can relax; I don't think OP is aware that Australia's borders are closed for citizens leaving Australia (unless a permit is approved by Border Force).

        • p1 ama on 02/06/2020 - 13:33
          -1

          The Oath is insufficient for anyone to risk their lives to rescue stupid people who ignore the risks of such a infectious disease. The Oath do not exclude anyone from exercising their own agency to keep themselves and family members safe from the virus.

          So anybody who is stupid should not get medical care? Who decides who is stupid and who is not?

          If the OP blatantly act against official travel warnings, and after 100k deaths in the USA are announced, then i dont think why doctors and nurses need to risk their lives for such stupidity. The moral hazard lies within OP's intents and actions. Labelling OP as entitled and selfish wouldn't be unjustifiable. Au healthcare system do not have any moral hazard in its refusal to treat him.

          So not just stupid people, but also selfish people now?

          Your comments are literally just tyranny disguised as moral proselytising. What you are advocating for, which is to control access to public goods based on a character purity test (i.e. stupidity, selfishness), is some dystopian nightmare similar to the Chinese social credit system where "good" people get more privileges and "bad" people get less. I'm not supporting OP's actions, I'm just pointing out that the idea of trying to deny public goods to somebody based on their "moral character" is a really bad idea.

          Of course, it's all fun and games to say "this person shouldn't get medical care", "that person shouldn't get medical care" until you front up at a hospital and get denied care for some "stupid" thing you've done, right?

          And yes, I love how you're here talking about OP's morality when you're essentially saying we should just leave him to die. It's a bit ironic isn't it?

  • Randxyz123 on 01/06/2020 - 17:58

    I’d hold off. I’m itching to get away as well but I’m not prepared to risk my money on flights that won’t go ahead.

    I think Easter 2021 is a better time to aim for a holiday. International travel probably won’t happen in Jan.

    • p1 ama on 01/06/2020 - 18:05

      I’m not prepared to risk my money on flights that won’t go ahead

      You do realise you get your money back if flights don't go ahead?

      • Everybodyneedsto on 01/06/2020 - 18:09

        No guarantee of getting money back if flights don't go. Maybe a credit. But I'm not talking September to USA but January.

        • p1 ama on 01/06/2020 - 18:11

          No guarantee of getting money back if flights don't go. Maybe a credit.

          Incorrect. If your flight is cancelled, you get your money back.

          • dizzle on 01/06/2020 - 19:24

            @p1 ama: That's not always the case, and from what I've read many that get a refund have had large cancellation fees withheld.

            One example I can think of is flight center and cancelled cruise ships (it's actually worked out in the end, but not because of any laws). People were being charged up to $300 per person for cancelled cruises (or they could get a credit for the full amount).

            ACCC stated that was acceptable, even though the cruise lines still payed FC their commissions so there was no reason to keep anything. It was only after public pressure that FC changed their mind and that was around a month and a half of saying no.

    • Everybodyneedsto on 01/06/2020 - 18:06

      I'd bet July 1 for New Zealand & September 10 or sooner except maybe Africa & some 3rd world countries, but obviously we won't know for sure for a few weeks or more maybe.

      Not sure I understand all the negativity, when most of the world is trying to open ASAP. Notice no restriction at all on flights in USA. Only demand, but most flights operating are full or nearly so with bookings increasing.

      • SydStrand on 01/06/2020 - 18:15
        +2

        Not sure I understand all the negativity

        Are you serious? This is uncharted waters, no one knows what way travel will go; just ask anyone who had flights cancelled. Caution is not the same as negativity, but comments like 'Covid is over. Riots very isolated & will probably end tomorrow' are just wishful thinking. What's the point of this thread if you've already made up your mind?

        • Everybodyneedsto on 01/06/2020 - 18:25
          -1

          Haven't made up mind but thought many bargain hunters here would be or have already bought some of the cheap deals around.

          • SydStrand on 02/06/2020 - 12:17
            +4

            @Everybodyneedsto: Bargain hunting doesn't mean being biting on every deal. If you actually wanted advice, then accept that advice rather than hand-waving it away as 'negativity' just because you're seeing dollar signs. If you want to book flights, go for it, but you're not convincing anyone that 'Covid is over' or that the riots are apparently ending today.

  • try2bhelpful on 01/06/2020 - 18:17

    Anyone who even thinks about travelling to the US without unlimited health insurance is nuts. The big question is will COVID be in the middle of the second wave, given it is winter over there, or will it be done. Either way I wouldn’t go unless you can find insurance that includes COVID cover, and best of luck on that one.

    • Everybodyneedsto on 01/06/2020 - 18:26

      Am talking 7 months away not next week. Insurance companies will adapt.

      • try2bhelpful on 01/06/2020 - 18:29

        Yup, see you in 7 months when the insurance companies have “adapted”. If there isn’t a vaccine by then I can’t see the insurance companies “adapting” to covering COVID in America. However, have a fun trip.

        • Everybodyneedsto on 01/06/2020 - 18:52

          There may never be a vaccine. Plenty of viruses that have been around a long time have no vaccine. Drugs may suffice.

          Insurance companies are in the business of making money.

          • try2bhelpful on 01/06/2020 - 19:23

            @Everybodyneedsto: Yeah, let’s reconvene this in 7 months time. I will be really interested in how the insurance companies see the risk of travelling to the USA at that time. It would help if we had drugs to work with COVID as well. Yes, insurance companies are in the business of making money which is why there are almost none of them cover anything to do with COVID.

  • GordonR on 01/06/2020 - 22:24

    Luckily the TSA publishes the numbers of US air passengers.

    https://www.tsa.gov/coronavirus/passenger-throughput

    For example on 31 May this year there were 350 thousand passengers vs 2.5 million on the same weekday last year.

    So about an 85% reduction in total passenger numbers.

    (Of course this doesn’t mean that flights are 85% empty, because flight schedules have been reduced.)

    But with COVID numbers (internationally) increasing at their highest ever daily rate, and particularly with numbers in Brazil and Mexico exploding, I think a nice tramping trip in New Zealand is a more realistic option for the rest of this year.

    Happy to be proved wrong of course, but fear that I won’t be.

  • tabitha731 on 02/06/2020 - 09:30

    I personally would wait until we recieve official confirmation that we can fly overseas again for leisure, beforemaking a booking. I'm not even tempted to travel interstate now that some borders have been lifted, since its just as expensicve as it was to go overseas.. would rather save my money towards an overseas holiday

    • Everybodyneedsto on 04/06/2020 - 10:38

      That will happen very soon. Suggest within a month or so. But Australian governments have egg on their faces due to over reaction & now pushing domestic bandwagon.

      Meanwhile Aussie dollar rallies making USA even cheaper. Nearly 70 cents u.s. which is best in over a year.

  • GG57 on 02/06/2020 - 09:48
    +4

    Perhaps OP should also start applying for this:
    https://covid19.homeaffairs.gov.au/leaving-australia

    "If you are an Australian citizen or a permanent resident you cannot leave Australia due to COVID-19 restrictions unless you have an exemption."

    • Randxyz123 on 02/06/2020 - 20:52

      The OP is clearly assuming in their post these restrictions would have been lifted.

      Once other countries open their boarders, Australia will start to do the same.

    • Everybodyneedsto on 03/06/2020 - 14:20

      That might the case today but a day is a long time in politics.

  • Everybodyneedsto on 04/06/2020 - 10:41
    -1

    Now that have been searching USA online,ads start popping up everywhere like pay only $99 deposit on airfares to USA with balance in 3 months.

    Plus special discounts on accommodation in la & Anaheim

    Plus crazy deals on cruised out of Florida departing from August 1, 2020.

    Plus ski lift tickets in Colorado for $50 au with kids free.

    Plus cheap cars etc.

    Americans are good at marketing now their country is opening up.

  • Chubbsmcfatflabs on 04/06/2020 - 11:05

    I have always wanted to go there for research purposes, but with the civil rights issues, Politics, covid, gun proliferation, lack of healthcare etc it has gradually become a no go zone for me.

    I'll probably never go now.

    • Everybodyneedsto on 04/06/2020 - 11:15

      So a few 1000 protest in 30 cities.

      Not many when u.s. population is something like 350 million.

      The silent majority who voted for Trump are not happy that a very few get all the attention from media.

      • try2bhelpful on 04/06/2020 - 14:47

        The majority didn’t vote for Trump. Hillary got millions more votes than him and not everyone votes. It was, actually, a small minority that voted for him and a dodgy gerrymander system that got him over the line. What this has done is show the world just how venal, and lacking in principles, the neocon right is in America. Absolutely breath taking how easily they lie and throw away the rule of law. If America votes him back in they deserve him. Given how he has insulted a fair whack of the rest of the world I don’t see them giving America favourable trading status. Trump is certainly taking the heat off the Chinese; which ain’t a great thing. Our Government talks about “standards” but they seem to be “double standards”. I’m sure the CPP rang Putin and congratulated him on his purchase.

        • Everybodyneedsto on 04/06/2020 - 16:42

          No you obviously don't understand u.s. voting system. Trump didn't spend any money where he knew he wouldn't win. He won fair and square. The protests will end fast.

          Anyway have booked some flights. Have until Monday to pay $99 per person deposit then another week to pay balance of $900 or delay paying balance & pay a little extra. Sounds good to me.

          • try2bhelpful on 04/06/2020 - 17:28

            @Everybodyneedsto: I don’t think you understand statistics if you think he represents a “silent majority”. He represents a noisy minority.

            If you are going to the States I would recommend New Orleans and luck.

            • Everybodyneedsto on 04/06/2020 - 19:34

              @try2bhelpful: Ah no really stats.

              As I understand it in Australian terms ….

              If you win NSW & Victoria where most of population is , but lose states of Qld, wa, sa & Tasmania , you lose , even though you may have received more Total votes.

              Anyway, tiny percentage of America me are protesting, probably way less than 1 percent & all probably Democrat voters.

              Anyway, back on topic. Every day more & more countries are opening their Borders so airfares will surely increase, at least above $999 return to USA in peak season, so will probably pay deposit next week.

              • try2bhelpful on 04/06/2020 - 20:07

                @Everybodyneedsto: Love ya assumptions with no basis, but still.

                You were the one saying “silent majority”; just putting out that this is all. bollocks.

                Not sure I would be hanging around America at that time and. I still, wonder what you will do for health insurance but it is your money, Ralph.

                • Everybodyneedsto on 05/06/2020 - 13:12
                  -1

                  @try2bhelpful: 20 plus different insurance companies want your money.

                  Yes silent majority is never taken into account in polls.

                  Think Trump might actually win election. The radical left has annoyed a lot of Americans.

                  Anyway let's back back on topic.

                  Who's booked any overseas trip for 2021 already ?

                  • try2bhelpful on 05/06/2020 - 16:19

                    @Everybodyneedsto: So you have 20 plus insurance companies lined up that say they will cover you for health insurance for COVID in the USA. You want to give me a link to any of these?

                    I love the “silent majority” poll comments. Trying to prove something by saying you can’t prove it. Trump did not get voted in by the majority of Americans, by any measure you can make.

                    The radical right has annoyed a lot more people. Trump can’t open his mouth without more nonsense coming out of it and, given they still talk about Kent University, history is going to be less than happy if the Military shoots protestors; especially if this is against the wishes of the Governor's of the States.

                    Me, I was meant to be hosting my family in France next year. We will see if I go ahead because I will require health cover that includes COVID, just in case.

                    • Everybodyneedsto on 07/06/2020 - 12:19

                      @try2bhelpful: Yes there are more than 20 insurance companies. The 2nd restrictions are lifted insurance products will flood the market. There might not even be a price increase.

                      Trump won majority of states which is all he had to do.

                      The left in USA is playing into Trump s hand. Picking Biden didn't help.

                      & The very small percentage of Americans protesting helps Trump as well.

                      Anyway back on topic.

                      Think we'll put down our $99 deposit this week & buy some u.s. dollars just in case AUD doesn't get any stronger. If it does, will buy some more or pay for accommodation etc. In USA.

                      • try2bhelpful on 07/06/2020 - 14:05

                        @Everybodyneedsto: So you can’t link to a company that is providing insurance now. You are hoping that you will be able to get insurance at that time. You might be in luck, but you may not. I was just providing a warning, my point is still valid.

                        You are the one talking about the “silent majority” that can’t be verified because they aren’t polled. I’m pointing out he didn’t even get a majority of the people who voted. Hilary beat him by millions. There does appear to be something wrong with the system. When you take into account all of the population of the USA there was a small minority of people who voted him in.

                        I wouldn’t get too carried away with your plans until you get a bit closer but, if you aren’t risking a lot of money, then best of luck.

                        .

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