Throughout the pandemic, I have been asked continually about whether it is safe to plan a trip. A real trip. A trip that might take you abroad. Or on a cruise. Or to a crowded city. A trip that has been off-limits in the past year.
I do think we are starting to see glimmers of hope, but it is not for spring or summer travel. Not yet.
However, I am starting to think about planning a trip to Egypt for February 2022, a year from now.
I would think about planning a warm weather trip for next winter.
And I would definitely think about trips in 2023.
And here is something you can do right now: dream. A lot has been taken away from us during this pandemic, but last time I looked, it was still safe to dream about trips you want to take someday. Go onto travel sites or look at catalogs. Viking Cruises already is advertising 2022 and 2023 trips. That is smart. Other travel providers also are hustling to get long-range trip options ready.
It does not hurt to put a refundable down-payment now on a trip or vacation rental for next fall or winter. But make sure it is a real refund option, not just a credit.
Avoid paying for any non-refundable trip yet. Wait until maybe summer – when we know for sure if the pandemic is receding — to lock yourself into a trip for early 2022.
As for airline tickets, think about booking fall airline tickets around May or June, if they can be exchanged without penalty. As things get back to normal later this year, keep a close eye on fare rules, because as demand rises, airlines will tighten up on their flexibility.
International travel? Take heart. Globetrotting will not be off limits forever. No one knows when international borders will reopen to Europe, Asia or even Canada. But the moment those borders open, you can bet there will be pent-up demand for travel. So you want to be monitoring your destination closely.
Going forward, travelers will want to find that window to travel where a) it is safe; b) fares and trip costs still are discounted, and c) not everybody in the world is traveling yet. That will be a bit tricky, but if you have a destination in mind, start following the news there. Keep tabs on the costs and restrictions. And when the time is right, go for it. You will not be trapped at home forever.