Page 5 - AAA Now! – AAA Northway – Summer 2021

Twidale. “They are an invaluable resource for travelers navigating evolving travel and public health guidelines.” Travel agents are more important than ever during a
pandemic. They serve as your advocate before, during and after a trip, and can answer questions related to:
• Travel insurance options
• What destinations and attractions are open both
domestically and internationally
• Destination-specific testing and quarantine
requirements
• What to do if you need to make last-minute
changes to a trip, and much more.
AAA RESOURCES GUIDE TRAVEL PLANNING AND OFFER INSPIRATION
In addition to trusted travel agents, travelers have a new resource in the AAA Digital TourBook guides, now available for destinations across the U.S., Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean at TourBook.AAA.com. Available
on smartphone, tablet or desktop, the new interactive guides feature detailed destination information, must-see attractions, sample itineraries and more.
All featured hotels and restaurants have earned a AAA Diamond designation by going through rigorous inspections conducted by AAA’s team
of professional inspectors, based on the latest industry trends and travelers’ expectations. Hotels and restaurants must meet AAA’s high standards of cleanliness, comfort and hospitality to be part of
the esteemed AAA Diamond Program, then they are assigned a designation of either Approved, Three Diamond, Four Diamond or Five Diamond.
In the upper echelon of those AAA Diamond hotels and restaurants are just 182 Five Diamonds (119 hotels and 63 restaurants) and 2,354 Four Diamonds (1,731 hotels and 623 restaurants). Out of 53,000 AAA Diamond designated hotels and restaurants across North America, only 0.3% have earned the coveted Five Diamond designation and 4.4% have achieved Four Diamond status.
While inspections were on hold for most of 2020 because of the COVID-19 pandemic, one new Five Diamond hotel was added this year: Four Seasons Hotel One Dalton Street, Boston. Like nearly all hotels, the property has launched enhanced health and safety protocols in response to COVID-19 and it was also recognized with AAA’s Best of Housekeeping designation based on its last on-site inspection. (50 new Four Diamond hotels and two new Four Diamond restaurants also were added to the lists for 2021.)
TRAVEL RESTRICTIONS REMAIN IN PLACE — PLAN AHEAD
The decision to travel during these times is a personal choice. For those who choose to travel, current guidelines and requirements include the following:
• Travel Restrictions – State and local governments may have travel restrictions in place, including testing requirements, stay-at-home orders and quarantine requirements upon arrival. Check the state and local health department where you are, along your route, and where you are going. Prepare to be flexible, as restrictions and policies may change during your trip.
• COVID-19 vaccines – If you are eligible, consider getting vaccinated for COVID-19. The CDC says to wait two weeks after getting your second dose to travel for your body to build protection after vaccination. Even if you’ve been vaccinated, continue to follow all official travel requirements and guidelines.
• Testing – The CDC recommends taking a viral COVID-19 test 1 to 3 days before your trip. Do
not travel if you test positive. Keep a copy of your negative test results with you during your trip and make plans to get tested again with a viral test 3 to 5 days after you return. Self-quarantine for a full seven days after the trip, even if your test is negative. If you don’t get tested, the CDC advises staying home and self-quarantining for 10 days.
Contact your local AAA travel agent or for more information, visit AAA.com/Travel. Our travel agents also are accepting in-person, phone and video appointments. Schedule your appointment with a local travel agent at AAA.com/Appointment.
CDC guidance current as of date of publication. Visit CDC.gov for more information.
SUMMER
FUN
STARTS at AAA
Have fun and save on your next visit to your favorite amusement park, museums, or attractions close to home and
out of state.
PURCHASE DISCOUNTED TICKETS AT YOUR LOCAL AAA OFFICE
AND MORE
1-877-222-8283 AAA.com/Tickets
AAA MEMBERS SAVE ON:
• Movie Tickets
Regal, Bowtie & Cumberland 12
• Hoffman Car Wash • E-ZPASS tags
SUMMER 2021
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