Check In Testing Issues
 

I'm traveling (fully vaccinated) PDX>DFW>LHR>WAW on Oct. 7. If I travelled today I would be required to get a Covid test to transit LHR (but not to enter Poland). The UK govt has announced that as of Oct 4 you no longer need a test to transit through there. I don't really want to go to the trouble/expense of getting tested if I don't have to. I'm a bit concerned that since this requirement changes a few days before my departure the clerk at check in might give me a hard time. AA directs you to Sherpa for to check on travel requirements. Can showing what Sherpa says at check in counter get around any issue I might have in them not being aware of rule change? Does AA staff use Sherpa to check requirements or do they have a different means?

AA allows you to use the Verifly app to upload any required covid related docs before you fly, then once at the airport you simply show the agent your green checkmark in the app and off you go (the agent doesn't have to check anything).

So assuming Verifly is updated on Oct 4 then you shouldn't have an issue. You can also start the process a few days before with Verifly. So the morning of the 6th you could go online and fill in your UK PLF (is that still required for transit?) as well as upload everything for Verifly, you will know then and there whether it's up to date or still asking for a negative test.

Worst case, and things are not updated on time, you would still have time to run out to CVS or wherever the day before and get a quick test.

https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/amer...periences.html

Verifly does not cover Trips to Poland. Running out to CVS won't work when I am standing at counter trying to check in. Sherpa is only option AA gives me to check on full travel requirements

For this purpose in Verifly you would put "Trip to the UK" and upload anything required for UK transit. If you did this the day before as suggested you would still have time to get a test if the app is not updated accordingly.

Tests are still free in most, if not all, places. For piece of mind, why not just get the test so there will be confusion or issues at the airports you will be transiting.

Verifly is not going to work unless they add Poland. The new UK requirements is you show proof that you have purchased a testing package for 2nd day of trip if you are entering UK (so I won't have that), besides it would not cover my full trip so why would it be acceptable.

Free tests are not readily available in PDX and even getting paid ones (minimum $135) is a hassle.

Since my original question is kind of buried now I will ask it again. Can I show AA check in agent Sherpa requirements if they give me a hard time. Do they use Sherpa themselves to verify requirements? If they use Sherpa then I can rely on what it is telling me to get through check in.

Go to CVS for a test, your insurance will cover it. If you don't have insurance, the feds cover it.

I appreciate all your suggestions, but does anyone know the answer to the question I asked?

Just transiting through LHR does not require the 2/8 day test to be booked (looks like the 8 day is going away in any event).

Does Poland have some sort of pre-travel passenger form you fill out, or all they want to see is your vax cert?

I just traveled to Denmark via LHR a few weeks ago and the process couldn't have been easier. Denmark is also not in Verifly and all they want to see is your vax cert.

Since the UK was the only country that required pre-travel docs (PLF and negative test), in Verifly you do "Trip to the UK" and upload any necessary docs required for UK transit. This was just the PLF, copy of negative test, copy of vax cert. I received the green checkmark, showed it to the agent at check in, and she issued all my BP's all the way to CPH.

The answer to this question is no one knows. One agent may take a look at something you show them and seek help, ask for 2nd opinion, etc, while another agent may tell you to go pound sand and that whatever they show in their computer is what the rule is.

VeriFly still shows test required for Oct 7. I do have a Binax Now AG travel (proctored) test kit that I was planning to use for return, but it's a lot easier (and cheaper) to get in person test coming back. Will VeriFly accept results from Binax Now AG test to verify travel through UK?

I wouldn't pass judgment on whether Verifly will be correct or not until after the rule changes on Oct. 4.

And the Binax Now test does work for Verifly. Take a read through the main Verifly thread mentioned above, there are some helpful data points starting at post 187.

Thanks. I'll just check Verifly on Oct 4 and if it still requires test I'll just waste the Binax kit. Fortunately most European locations make it much easier and cheaper to get tested for return.

Have you checked the availability of CVS testing in Portland?
There is one location listed from the CVS website, it is not CVS and it does not do rapid test

no, but substitute whatever the local pharmacy chain is there and you get the same result