BA partnership with Randox Health: Covid PCR Tests £60
Jul 4, 2021, 4:36 am
#76
Join Date: Sep 2020
Programs: AA EXP, BA Gold, VS Gold, Hyatt Globalist, Marriott Platinum, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 3,938
I actually got a receipt email a little bit after you… which doesn’t give me all that much hope since my flight is at 4pm this afternoon! I’ve also just realised that my sample time is going to be just over 72hrs after the departure time of the first flight tomorrow. FlyerTalk needs to add a facepalm emoji.
My timeline was:
- Dropped off sample at ~15:30 Thursday at a central London Randox Dropbox (inside a Randox clinic/testing center)
- Email received showing receipt of the sample at ~11am Saturday
- Email received showing negative test result at ~9pm Saturday (after missing my flight!)
I won’t be using Randox for a “fit to fly” test again.
As badly as the US has handled many aspects of this pandemic - the testing situation in the US is leagues ahead of the UK. When leaving the US I got a (free) PCR test with results back in less than three hours… all efficiently scheduled and run by local government, same day appointments, less than 5 minutes in the clinic, no fuss, no hassle. A very different experience vs Randox / the UK.
Last edited by coleslaw; Jul 4, 2021 at 8:38 am
Jul 4, 2021, 5:24 am
#77
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: UK (currently)
Programs: BA Gold (and many other greater and lesser distinctions)
Posts: 7,202
Further data point here: Dropped off in London box 10.30am Fri, received Sat 09.41, result Sat 20.54.
Given that Randox are very cheap they appear to provide a decent service provided nothing goes wrong with the process.
Wil see how my day 5 goes on Tuesday (although no notification that it has yet been sent as of Sun mid-day)
Given that Randox are very cheap they appear to provide a decent service provided nothing goes wrong with the process.
Wil see how my day 5 goes on Tuesday (although no notification that it has yet been sent as of Sun mid-day)
Jul 4, 2021, 7:22 am
#78
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: UK
Programs: BA Silver, Marriott Titanium, Accor Plat, IHG Diamond
Posts: 651
Based on the current trustpilot reviews, it looks like Randox might be having some issues currently, so it might be worth having a backup plan if you are relying on tests or results over the next couple of days at least (their overall trust score dropped below 3 overnight): https://www.trustpilot.com/review/www.randoxhealth.com
Jul 4, 2021, 8:19 am
#79
Join Date: Jul 2010
Programs: BAEC Gold Guest List
Posts: 193
Based on the current trustpilot reviews, it looks like Randox might be having some issues currently, so it might be worth having a backup plan if you are relying on tests or results over the next couple of days at least (their overall trust score dropped below 3 overnight): https://www.trustpilot.com/review/www.randoxhealth.com
Jul 4, 2021, 8:34 am
#80
Join Date: Sep 2020
Programs: AA EXP, BA Gold, VS Gold, Hyatt Globalist, Marriott Platinum, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 3,938
feeling nervous about receiving our Test to Release packs on Thursday after reading all of the Trustpilot reviews - clearly a big problem over the last few days with getting these to people in time for their 5th day. Have any Flyertalkers had a better experience? We really need to be out of isolation on the 6th day so I wonder whether we should buy tests from another provider to be on the safe side?
Jul 4, 2021, 9:14 am
#81
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: UK (currently)
Programs: BA Gold (and many other greater and lesser distinctions)
Posts: 7,202
For those doing Randox….
They are all the same kits. You don’t need to order the TTR specifically and when they arrive at your house is of no relevance. I have a stack of them here ready - the use is dictated by what you register the kit on the randox site as. So you can use a day 8 “kit” for TTR etc.
They are all the same kits. You don’t need to order the TTR specifically and when they arrive at your house is of no relevance. I have a stack of them here ready - the use is dictated by what you register the kit on the randox site as. So you can use a day 8 “kit” for TTR etc.
Jul 4, 2021, 9:30 am
#82
Join Date: Feb 2009
Programs: BA Exec
Posts: 23
I have no idea if there is some validation logic when you register the URN that stops you using the codes for different test types.
Perhaps others have real life data points?
Jul 4, 2021, 9:35 am
#83
Join Date: Oct 2017
Posts: 159
To provide two data points:
Day 2 dropped off at Randox Dropbox on Sunday c. 09:30, confirmed received Monday 11:10, result Monday 18:20
Day 8 dropped off at Randox Dropbox on Saturday c. 09:30, confirmed received Sunday 05:40, result Sunday 15:40
I think sub-36hr turnaround over weekends for the price is very good.
Day 2 dropped off at Randox Dropbox on Sunday c. 09:30, confirmed received Monday 11:10, result Monday 18:20
Day 8 dropped off at Randox Dropbox on Saturday c. 09:30, confirmed received Sunday 05:40, result Sunday 15:40
I think sub-36hr turnaround over weekends for the price is very good.
Jul 4, 2021, 9:36 am
#84
Join Date: Oct 2017
Posts: 159
I have not tried it. However I read somewhere (can’t find it now) on the Randox website that the URN numbers printed on the boxes / sample tubes do have a logic to them. Apparently the first digit after the R indicates the type of test. So R8… is a day 8, R2… a day 2. Etc.
I have no idea if there is some validation logic when you register the URN that stops you using the codes for different test types.
Perhaps others have real life data points?
I have no idea if there is some validation logic when you register the URN that stops you using the codes for different test types.
Perhaps others have real life data points?
Jul 4, 2021, 10:02 am
#87
Join Date: Feb 2009
Programs: BA Exec
Posts: 23
Indeed! I would imagine if the system let’s you register it it would probably just be processed as normal.
Last edited by nick50000; Jul 4, 2021 at 10:09 am
Jul 5, 2021, 2:14 am
#89
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: UK (currently)
Programs: BA Gold (and many other greater and lesser distinctions)
Posts: 7,202
It seems odd that all the many many Trustpilot complaints are specifically about Day 5 tests. It's as though they must have run out of tests that are badged as Day 5. I have to say that I now wish I had never gone down the Randox route !
Jul 5, 2021, 2:22 am
#90
Join Date: Oct 2013
Programs: GGL/CCR
Posts: 1,899
The issue is people assumed you had to get them delivered on day 5. And if DPD turn up at 6pm that's pointless. If ordering a TTR just pick day 2.