Aug 31, 2021, 10:34 am
Last edit by: gudugan
CHECK THIS LINK FOR YOUR LOT NUMBER ON YOUR BinaxNOW Covid Tests for the extended expiration date:
Previously, it was on https://ohio.emed.com/ but the link has been removed.
The good news is that as of mid-Dec 2021, Abbott Labs is apparently shipping only kits with printed expiration dates well into 2022.
*Hat Tip to poster Blue Skye
- Lot 195-200: https://www.emed.com/hubfs/Case%2001269955-COL-03030%20BinaxNOW%E2%84%A2%20COVID-19%20Ag%20Home%20Test%20%20Product%20Expiry%20Upda te%20-%20Customer%20Letter%20EN%20%20-%20%20US.pdf?hsLang=en
- Lot 195-200 and 195-100: https://coronavirus.ohio.gov/static/binax-now/scrtechs-0381-v8-binaxnow-covid-19-ag-home-test-product.pdf
- Lot 195-000: https://www.healthvermont.gov/sites/default/files/documents/pdf/COVID-19-BinaxNOW-Expiry-Extension.pdf
Previously, it was on https://ohio.emed.com/ but the link has been removed.
The good news is that as of mid-Dec 2021, Abbott Labs is apparently shipping only kits with printed expiration dates well into 2022.
*Hat Tip to poster Blue Skye
Issues re EMed/Abbot Binaxnow Navica Tests.
Aug 6, 2021, 7:10 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2018
Programs: Hyatt Lifetime Globalist
Posts: 645
Issues re EMed/Abbot Binaxnow Navica Tests.
Trying to get a "Certified Guide" and get the test done. Been holding online for more than three hours now. Called three times as well and all they say is sorry, high call volume, we're backed up.
Looks like we will be up all night trying to get an Abbot/Navica guide online to do the tests for flight tomorrow, and from the looks of it, may not happen in which case we are out of pocket for a rapid test at the airport.
We've used the Abbott Binaxnow ten times for international return flights to US since February, never had this problem before. I guessing the Philippine call center is massively understaffed with al the idiotic covid restrictions going on in PH.
Buyer/flyer beware!
Looks like we will be up all night trying to get an Abbot/Navica guide online to do the tests for flight tomorrow, and from the looks of it, may not happen in which case we are out of pocket for a rapid test at the airport.
We've used the Abbott Binaxnow ten times for international return flights to US since February, never had this problem before. I guessing the Philippine call center is massively understaffed with al the idiotic covid restrictions going on in PH.
Buyer/flyer beware!
Aug 6, 2021, 8:44 am
#2
Join Date: Aug 2013
Posts: 1,710
Thanks for heads up I think this is the second complaint I have seen like this. One thing to state the obvious is if this is for a return the US you really should probably do this at T-3 days if a direct flight back to US. This gives one more time to adjust for any issues.
Aug 6, 2021, 10:06 am
#3
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: LAX
Posts: 3,267
Bleh... Sorry to hear it but thanks for the heads up
Aug 6, 2021, 10:24 am
#4
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2018
Programs: Hyatt Lifetime Globalist
Posts: 645
Thanks for heads up I think this is the second complaint I have seen like this. One thing to state the obvious is if this is for a return the US you really should probably do this at T-3 days if a direct flight back to US. This gives one more time to adjust for any issues.
Aug 6, 2021, 11:01 am
#5
Join Date: Jun 2021
Programs: Mileage Plus 1K, AAdvantage Gold, Marriott Bonvoy Platinum
Posts: 298
I just checked and wait time still 181 minutes. There is a warning posted about wait times exceeding 2 hours. 3 weeks ago I only had to wait seconds.
Has anyone taken the test in the last few days in the morning EU time? A few days ago someone here reported it was possible to get through in 2 minutes during “EU off-hours”. So I’m guessing anytime after breakfast until maybe midnight e.g. UK time wait times are long right now?
Any idea what has changed in just a matter of days with eMed? Staff turnover, word of mouth catching up in the U.S. so more travelers are taking the test with them, more EU countries opening up to travel? Is covid situation in the Philippines making it hard or impossible for the eMed call center staff to go in?
I don’t think the increasing U.S. covid numbers would impact this, since for non-travel there are much more affordable testing options available.
Has anyone taken the test in the last few days in the morning EU time? A few days ago someone here reported it was possible to get through in 2 minutes during “EU off-hours”. So I’m guessing anytime after breakfast until maybe midnight e.g. UK time wait times are long right now?
Any idea what has changed in just a matter of days with eMed? Staff turnover, word of mouth catching up in the U.S. so more travelers are taking the test with them, more EU countries opening up to travel? Is covid situation in the Philippines making it hard or impossible for the eMed call center staff to go in?
I don’t think the increasing U.S. covid numbers would impact this, since for non-travel there are much more affordable testing options available.
Aug 6, 2021, 11:30 am
#6
Join Date: Aug 2013
Posts: 1,710
OP mentioned a lockdown in the Manilla area. See:https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/...ckdown-returns . If their call center is there I could see it being a major issue. I suspect US travel is also up given that it is August. Probably multiple things at play.
Aug 6, 2021, 12:15 pm
#7
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2000
Location: أمريكا
Posts: 26,763
Nearly two hour wait yesterday for a call started morning US east coast time; about 2.5 hours for a call started late morning west coast time.
Taking the test at T-3 makes sense in case of any troubles, on the other hand, it leaves less flexibility if your plans change.
Taking the test at T-3 makes sense in case of any troubles, on the other hand, it leaves less flexibility if your plans change.
Aug 6, 2021, 4:45 pm
#8
Join Date: Dec 2015
Posts: 140
Thanks for the heads up. My tests just shipped today for travel at the end of the month.
Aug 6, 2021, 5:49 pm
#10
Join Date: Sep 2019
Location: LAX
Posts: 59
Currently on hold for 4+ hours.
The counter went down to zero and now has just said “we will be with you shortly” for over an hour now. Little video window at the top right disappeared as well.
We’ve booked local tests tomorrow morning as a backup.
The counter went down to zero and now has just said “we will be with you shortly” for over an hour now. Little video window at the top right disappeared as well.
We’ve booked local tests tomorrow morning as a backup.
Aug 6, 2021, 9:10 pm
#11
Join Date: Jun 2021
Programs: Mileage Plus 1K, AAdvantage Gold, Marriott Bonvoy Platinum
Posts: 298
Wait time right now is 346 minutes, i.e. almost 6 hours. It seems to be getting worse…
Aug 6, 2021, 9:34 pm
#12
Join Date: Sep 2019
Location: LAX
Posts: 59
Left it running and went out to dinner. When I came back I had a link to reconnect in a priority queue, which got me in with a proctor in 2 minutes or so. Phew!
It unfortunately did not work for my friend who couldn’t get his mic/camera to work in the priority queue, so he got dumped back out to the general queue (346 minutes to go) so YMMV.
I don’t regret booking the local test (non-refundable) just for the peace of mind it offered. Would definitely go that route and not count on the self test if you have imminent travel needs. This doesn’t feel reliable enough to chance it right now.
It unfortunately did not work for my friend who couldn’t get his mic/camera to work in the priority queue, so he got dumped back out to the general queue (346 minutes to go) so YMMV.
I don’t regret booking the local test (non-refundable) just for the peace of mind it offered. Would definitely go that route and not count on the self test if you have imminent travel needs. This doesn’t feel reliable enough to chance it right now.
Last edited by Hammerklavier; Aug 9, 2021 at 2:32 pm Reason: Typo
Aug 6, 2021, 10:51 pm
#14
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: MDW/ORD and the late lamented Meigs Field...
Programs: UA 1MM Premier 1K, Hilton Gold, Marriott Titanium/ LT
Posts: 1,229
Waited over 3.5 hours (3 pm -6:30 pm Central, 10 pm - 1:30 am local) - it went to "...will be with you shortly" for over 30 min but having been driving 8 hours earlier in the day, had to get some sleep. Just logged in and the wait time is 390 minutes!
So much for bringing the kits (including a spare) with me. At least there are local tests readily available, family members here report - guess what I am doing today.
Oh, and after sitting on hold with the customer service number (30 minutes and counting), agent offers me an apology, understands my "frustration", it's first-come first-served, her advice is just to log in and sit on the computer! Off to get that local alternative.
Considering reporting them to the FTC and my local state's attorney as a COVD-related scam. (At least I am not flying American!)
So much for bringing the kits (including a spare) with me. At least there are local tests readily available, family members here report - guess what I am doing today.
Oh, and after sitting on hold with the customer service number (30 minutes and counting), agent offers me an apology, understands my "frustration", it's first-come first-served, her advice is just to log in and sit on the computer! Off to get that local alternative.
Considering reporting them to the FTC and my local state's attorney as a COVD-related scam. (At least I am not flying American!)
Last edited by lskohn; Aug 6, 2021 at 11:15 pm Reason: update
Aug 6, 2021, 11:00 pm
#15
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: MDW/ORD and the late lamented Meigs Field...
Programs: UA 1MM Premier 1K, Hilton Gold, Marriott Titanium/ LT
Posts: 1,229
"Priority queue"?
What's this priority queue? My mic and camera connected fine, but I never got a link to a priority queue, even after the 178 minutes that I was told I'd have to wait 8 hours ago. Now of course it's 377 minutes.