Traveling back to the USA over summer-

[mtflamingo]

I am looking for some advice about traveling home this summer.  I booked tickets back in January before things got crazy and am due to travel back to the US at the end of June for about 6 weeks.  So here's my options.

1. I cancel my trip back home which is not really ideal as I only see family once a year.

2. I continue with my trip as planned and hope the world has magically gone back to normal by then.

3. I go home and spend 2 weeks in quarantine when I get there and then cut my trip short leaving me with two weeks to quarantine in Bangkok before I need to return to work.

A few extra details - I do have a current work permit that doesn't expire until November, as well as Covid insurance and regular insurance provided by my employer.  

 

I am hoping to connect with someone who is in a similar situation.

 

[darrendsd]

So what's your question? You have 3 choices - choose one of them

[mtflamingo]

I was more looking for advice or suggestions from others in the same position.  My biggest fear is being locked out of the country and then not being able to return to my current job.

[ThailandRyan]

4 minutes ago, mtflamingo said:

I was more looking for advice or suggestions from others in the same position.  My biggest fear is being locked out of the country and then not being able to return to my current job.

That is of course a very valid concern.  I would not believe that anyone will be able to re-enter the country for the near foreseeable future.  But then I am wrong most of the time.  I canceled my trip back to the States on June 1st, as I saw no way in returning to my home here until the later part of the year possibly.  However, you have a WP and that was one of the allowable re-entries before CAAT closed down all incoming International flights....

[ubonjoe]

3. At this time you would not have to go into a quarantine in the US.

See: https://www.iatatravelcentre.com/international-travel-document-news/1580226297.htm

It is unknown at this time what you would need to enter here after May 30th.

 

Not visa related moved to here.

[taxout]

The U.S. remains relatively open compared with the rest of the world. No quarantine for anyone coming from Thailand, and Thais and other foreigners travelling from Thailand remain free to enter the U.S. if they already have visas in hand or qualify for visa waiver (unless they've been in the EU, the UK etc in the past two weeks).

 

Edited May 8, 2020 by taxout

[blackcab]

24 minutes ago, mtflamingo said:

...leaving me with two weeks to quarantine in Bangkok before I need to return to work.

 

This is the tricky bit. As things stand at the minute, you would not be re-admitted into Thailand.

 

All flights to Thailand are suspended. Only Thai citizens are being allowed back into Thailand and then only on repatriation flights that are pre-arranged by the Thai embassy or consulate from the relevant country.

 

There is no telling when these regulations will change.

 

 

[bkk6060]

I think you are better off staying here and going to the US another time.

The US is in turmoil now who knows when any of it will settle down.

And, if they renew flights into Thailand, I would not be surprised if at some point they will have to stop them again.  Thailand is a place many will want to travel to as there are low case numbers and death.

But, I bet when flights resume the cases will start to increase again thus a possible second shut down of incoming flights.

[CNXBKKMAN]

If you go in June you may find yourself in quarantine going in and returning to Thailand or blocked from returning for some time? The situation in the USA could get worse before it gets better with Trump in charge. Personally i would probably forget about going in June and date change your current ticket for some time in the future. You may find your airline is offering free of charge date changes. Push it into next year? 

[cmarshall]

Don't go anywhere.  The situation is unstable and you can end up being stuck in the US.  Because the infection and death rates in the US outside of New York are climbing just when the states are deciding to relax restrictions, the US is likely to face a surge in disease.  One estimate from the CDC is predicting 3,000 deaths per day in the US by June 1.  They may be wrong, but why would it be worth it to bet that they are.

 

I had planned a trip to the US this summer, but I am staying right here where I am safest.

[TallGuyJohninBKK]

I wouldn't, especially not for this June.

 

1. Right now, you don't know how bad the U.S. is going to get in the coming months (bad worse beyond what it already is). Though that may also depend on what specific area you plan to go to.

 

2. Right now, you don't know what kind of restrictions Thailand may keep in place for June and onward on the entry of foreign nationals into/back into the country.

 

3. Is this really the time you want to be spending 24 hours or so cooped up in airplanes and airports in close quarters with all kinds of people from who knows where...and no real way of anyone determining who might be carrying the virus (because there's no screening occurring for asymptomatic carriers).

 

[mtflamingo]

Thank you everyone who posted on this topic, as it really put some things in perspective.  Its nice to have a sounding board to discuss different possibilities with.  As it sits right now I am way more comfortable living in BBK then I would be back in the US.  I mean I have access to toilet paper and hand sanitizer! Being stuck in the US isn't an ideal option due to my current employment.  I moved away 4 years ago and with the way things have headed since then going back really isn't something I am interested in.  

 

Again thank you for all of the points/ideas you have suggested.

 

[malathione]

I cancelled my trip back home scheduled for mid-June. Same worry as everyone else: I don't want to risk getting locked out. Just too uncertain at the moment.

[dsj]

I don't know which travel route you are taking back to the states, but at this time you can't transfer thru Hong Kong or Taipei or Japan, I believe the only Asian country you can transit thru is Korea.

[new2here]

16 hours ago, mtflamingo said:

Thank you everyone who posted on this topic, as it really put some things in perspective.  Its nice to have a sounding board to discuss different possibilities with.  As it sits right now I am way more comfortable living in BBK then I would be back in the US.  I mean I have access to toilet paper and hand sanitizer! Being stuck in the US isn't an ideal option due to my current employment.  I moved away 4 years ago and with the way things have headed since then going back really isn't something I am interested in.  

 

Again thank you for all of the points/ideas you have suggested.

 

I empathize with you.  I made the decision to return back in early early April - knowing full well there was risk as to my ability to return timely for work..

 

.. but for me, and this is only me, I made the decision that I was willing to take that risk (ability to return to Thailand timely) in order to be with my parents who are getting up in age. Quite simply, I valued having time with my parents at this stage of their life and mine, over the potential to be able to return timely for work.
 

To be fair, for me, financially, I’m ok- the job in Thailand isn’t essential to my day-to-day survival- I like it, I’m good at it and my employer and I get along very well; so yes, I want to keep it.. but I won’t go hungry or the bills go unpaid without it...  in fact, before I made the call to return, my boss and I discussed it at length.. and we were both in agreement as to what was the right thing to do in totality.

[Skallywag]

21 hours ago, mtflamingo said:

I do have a current work permit that doesn't expire until November, as well as Covid insurance and regular insurance provided by my employer.  

Doesn't a work permit assume you are working?  Maybe pay the Airline change fee and go after your work permit expires.

[KMartinHandyman]

21 hours ago, mtflamingo said:

I was more looking for advice or suggestions from others in the same position.  My biggest fear is being locked out of the country and then not being able to return to my current job.

Is your flight out still open? Some foreign carriers have cancelled June BKK departures as they have been denied arrivals through May. 
  You’ll know the new foreigners entering Thailand policy before your planned departure so maybe just go into standby mode until you know more facts. 

[scorecard]

Perhaps you should factor in the possibility that the airline will cancel your flight, in which case you can probably get a refund of a credit.

 

On the other hand if you cancel your booking, can you get a refund or a credit?

 

Further, what attitude would your employer have to taking leave abroad at this time requiring that you have to quarantine for 2 weeks on return, unless of course, the Bkk 2 weeks quarantine consumes your personal leave entitlement, rather than work time? 

[statman78]

Right now I have tickets to go back to the US at the end of July.  I will still go if the are no quarantine requirements when I arrive in the US and if I feel I can back into Thailand.  IMO, Thailand will be open for some international arrivals by mid June or early July if they want to salvage any part of the tourist based economy.  If the US is still on their list of restricted countries then I would have an issue coming back.  I am not cancelling anything now and will continue to watch what is happening.

 

With proper precautions, I am not too worried.  

[kensawadee]

I have also been watching airline conditions and travel stoppages.... I am in the USA and I survey many US and Asian Airlines..... MOST of the airlines are allowing ticket holders like you to cancel their flights and they will give you a voucher for the price you paid and then you can rebook later when you feel more comfortable to travel..... Many offer a 'One Year' extention of your trip with their voucher... So your money is not lost.... Please verify this with your particular airline.... It is something to think about and may offer a better way out of your situation...

Edited May 9, 2020 by kensawadee
spelling correction

[NCC1701A]

don't go. 

[DFPhuket]

I had a trip to St. Louis scheduled for June 20 until July 20. I just canceled it last night, even though none of the flights had been canceled. I was flying ANA and they changed their policy yesterday allowing a full refund for those flying to/from/via Japan. They say it should take about a month to get the funds credited back to my my Visa. 

 

I'm on a retirement extension and while I think Thailand would probably allow me to leave in mid-June, I'm less certain they would let me back into the country in July.

 

The refund gives me more flexibility to book a new ticket on any carrier so perhaps I'll go in July, August or September. Right now, last minute bookings don't seem to be any more expensive than flights booked in advance so I can just wait and see how this all develops and then book something based on how things are looking closer to departure. 

[DFPhuket]

In my opinion, you should always try to get a refund rather than a voucher, even though it could take a month or two for the money to be returned as a credit on your credit card. Many airlines only give a refund if they cancel a flight or make a  significant change, but others have more liberal policies. 

 

A voucher has an expiration date and forces you to book through that airline even if you find other carriers have more convenient or cheaper options. It is also possible that as airlines reduce flights, they could stop flying to/from your airport, making a voucher impossible to use. And of course, should the airline go bankrupt, a voucher would be worthless. 

[RemyDog]

I am in a similar but different situation to the OP. In late July, I am due to go from BKK to Canada (Vancouver BC) in late July to visit family for a month during their school holidays. All travel has been booked and paid in full with Philippine Airlines (BKK-MNL-YVR) and returning in late August to Manilla & then down to Brisbane Australia for 10 days and back to home to Thailand (YVR-MNL-BNE-MNL-BKK). I do this trip every year since 2015.

 

Two days ago, speaking with my daughter, who is a specialist frontline medical doctor at a large hospital in YVR, she is not optimistic that the trip will happen in those time frames. The original Covid19 virus "D" has already mutated into the more virulent and "improved" virus "G614" - so the second wave is not only coming, it is already in place, waiting to spread whether we are ready or not!! (Domestic or global political objectives and posturing are irrelevant).

 

I expect I will be rolling over those travel bookings as a voucher to be used in the 12 months after the original travel dates.

 

As they say in the classics "up to you".  

[ThailandRyan]

1 hour ago, kensawadee said:

I have also been watching airline conditions and travel stoppages.... I am in the USA and I survey many US and Asian Airlines..... MOST of the airlines are allowing ticket holders like you to cancel their flights and they will give you a voucher for the price you paid and then you can rebook later when you feel more comfortable to travel..... Many offer a 'One Year' extention of your trip with their voucher... So your money is not lost.... Please verify this with your particular airline.... It is something to think about and may offer a better way out of your situation...

Delta has allowed me to cancel my trips and I have been given E-vouchers to be used by 09/2022

[scorecard]

2 hours ago, Skallywag said:

Doesn't a work permit assume you are working?  Maybe pay the Airline change fee and go after your work permit expires.

You can take holidays during the life of the work permit, no issue at all.

[scorecard]

2 hours ago, DFPhuket said:

In my opinion, you should always try to get a refund rather than a voucher, even though it could take a month or two for the money to be returned as a credit on your credit card. Many airlines only give a refund if they cancel a flight or make a  significant change, but others have more liberal policies. 

 

A voucher has an expiration date and forces you to book through that airline even if you find other carriers have more convenient or cheaper options. It is also possible that as airlines reduce flights, they could stop flying to/from your airport, making a voucher impossible to use. And of course, should the airline go bankrupt, a voucher would be worthless. 

Many airlines have credit/voucher rules saying that you must make a booking by the voucher expiry date but the actual departure date can be much later. 

[moe666]

On 5/8/2020 at 12:37 PM, ubonjoe said:

3. At this time you would not have to go into a quarantine in the US.

See: https://www.iatatravelcentre.com/international-travel-document-news/1580226297.htm

It is unknown at this time what you would need to enter here after May 30th.

 

Not visa related moved to here.

Depends on the state you travel too some have a 14 day quarantine, not every person in the states believes what the president is dishing out. A friend of ours drove from Florida back to New Mexico 14 day lock down. His friends would not see him until he did the 14 days.. To the OP just cancell your trip another year without seeing the family will not kill you. All the travel hassel just isn't worth the effort, also Thailand may open up for some countries but I would not bet on the US being one of them as they defiantly do not have a handle on controlling the virus.

[AgMech Cowboy]

On 5/8/2020 at 12:25 PM, mtflamingo said:

I was more looking for advice or suggestions from others in the same position.  My biggest fear is being locked out of the country and then not being able to return to my current job.

@mtflamingo Mate, there are no crystal balls here. I do not think there will be a quarantine in the USA at the end of June, mind you, that will depend on the US state of arrival and from which airport you transitioned.

 

Obviously if the number of COVID cases here continues to be low, I do not think coming from Thailand will be the issue.  I am wanting to go to Texas in May or June, but I'm not buying any tickets, yet.

 

GOOD LUCK!!!

Edited May 9, 2020 by AgMech Cowboy

[AgMech Cowboy]

On 5/8/2020 at 12:37 PM, ubonjoe said:

3. At this time you would not have to go into a quarantine in the US.

See: https://www.iatatravelcentre.com/international-travel-document-news/1580226297.htm

It is unknown at this time what you would need to enter here after May 30th.

 

Not visa related moved to here.

@mtflamingo I would definitely use ubonjoe's info about the US, but... Always a but... After reading a bit more this morning my crystal ball says that Thailand will be looking for the medical certification of no Covid and the 14 day quarantine. I'm basing that on their comments about not really opening up until there is a vaccine (sadly).