To test or not to test.
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: CVG
Programs: DL 3MM, US 972k (AA 0.0k), Marriott Lifetime Gold, Hertz G, Nurburgring in 8:29
Posts: 2,162
To test or not to test.
It looks like as of last week things became a lot easier for US travelers heading to Europe. All the countries I'm visiting or transiting next week allow for vaccinated travelers to travel without testing; but what's DL's take? Since France allows vaccinated travelers, I _shouldn't_ need a negative test for ATL-CDG, but when heading back home FRA-ATL; I will need a test (as of 10/13/21).
This is my international trip since the rules were relaxed. Previously you needed to show the GA the forms for the destination country to board, so will I need my vaccine card for boarding or should i be expecting an email from DL in the coming days that will explain all that?
This is my international trip since the rules were relaxed. Previously you needed to show the GA the forms for the destination country to board, so will I need my vaccine card for boarding or should i be expecting an email from DL in the coming days that will explain all that?
#2
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: SJC/YUL
Programs: DL PM, Marriott Gold
Posts: 3,698
I read that a couple of times but I can't figure out what you're trying to ask. So let me break it down for you:
If a country you are going to requires proof of vaccine, then you will need to bring proof of vaccine.
If a country you are going to requires a negative test result, then you will need to bring a negative test result.
If a country you are going to requires proof of vaccine, then you will need to bring proof of vaccine.
If a country you are going to requires a negative test result, then you will need to bring a negative test result.
#3
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: FRA/SXB
Programs: AF/KLM FB Gold, AccorHotels Gold
Posts: 1,189
The rules for entry into countries are set by the relevant regulatory authorites, not the airlines. The airlines are just the ones carrying out the document checks, and thus liable to validate them before accepting you on board.
If the rules for entry into France from the US dictate no PCR test is required, then DL will not ask you for them. Just proof of vaccination.
When travelling to the US, an antigenic or PCR test is required. The good news for you is that it is quite easy to get tests in Europe at relatively low cost and no hassle (around 30 € for an antigenic test) which will be fine for travel to the US.
You're responsible for keeping up-to-date on the entry requirements ; don't expect the airlines to send reminders.
If the rules for entry into France from the US dictate no PCR test is required, then DL will not ask you for them. Just proof of vaccination.
When travelling to the US, an antigenic or PCR test is required. The good news for you is that it is quite easy to get tests in Europe at relatively low cost and no hassle (around 30 € for an antigenic test) which will be fine for travel to the US.
You're responsible for keeping up-to-date on the entry requirements ; don't expect the airlines to send reminders.
#4
FlyerTalk Evangelist

Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: San Antonio
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One suggestion. Start the French process if getting an EU vaccination certificate now. The process they use is painfully slow. Alternatively if in Germany for any reason, simply stop at pharmacy and they can issue one, very easy/quick. Once issued it's valid in all EU countries.
You will need the EU vaccination certificate to be able to enter most places.
You will need the EU vaccination certificate to be able to enter most places.
#5
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: FRA/SXB
Programs: AF/KLM FB Gold, AccorHotels Gold
Posts: 1,189
One suggestion. Start the French process if getting an EU vaccination certificate now. The process they use is painfully slow. Alternatively if in Germany for any reason, simply stop at pharmacy and they can issue one, very easy/quick. Once issued it's valid in all EU countries.
You will need the EU vaccination certificate to be able to enter most places.
You will need the EU vaccination certificate to be able to enter most places.
#6
FlyerTalk Evangelist

Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: San Antonio
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Not true. Proof of vaccination is required for numerous spots, but it does not need to be the EU QR Code. It's nice to have, but when my mother came from the US to visit, no one cared that she was using a CDC card, even for a domestic French flight. And in Germany, they do not even scan it.
I used Germany only as example where getting an EU compliant certificate is easy.
Last edited by flyerCO; Oct 13, 21 at 6:44 am
#8
FlyerTalk Evangelist

Join Date: Sep 2003
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Regardless the airline should've asked to see the result and collected the attestation form. CBP has nothing to do with US testing requirement. The testing requirement is a CDC mandate. Unless flight is selected for random compliance check by CDC staff (highly unlikely) you don't show anything.
#10
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: MSP, MPL
Programs: DL Platinum, 1 MM
Posts: 1,237
I read that a couple of times but I can't figure out what you're trying to ask. So let me break it down for you:
If a country you are going to requires proof of vaccine, then you will need to bring proof of vaccine.
If a country you are going to requires a negative test result, then you will need to bring a negative test result.
If a country you are going to requires proof of vaccine, then you will need to bring proof of vaccine.
If a country you are going to requires a negative test result, then you will need to bring a negative test result.
Once you are in the country, you need proof of vaccination to go to restaurants, museums, and to take a plane, maybe more. All kinds of proof are acceptable, the US CDC card works almost everywhere in Germany, in France they ask for QR code.
#11
FlyerTalk Evangelist

Join Date: Sep 2003
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It is actually worse than that, at least in theory. In Germany for example there are state specific rules, so when entering you have to follow the national rules and then the state rules. And to add insult to injury, things change frequently. In practice, nobody seems to care, i.e. ask for anything, when you enter the country. So what you need is really what Delta asks you to provide/ lets you get away with.
Once you are in the country, you need proof of vaccination to go to restaurants, museums, and to take a plane, maybe more. All kinds of proof are acceptable, the US CDC card works almost everywhere in Germany, in France they ask for QR code.
Once you are in the country, you need proof of vaccination to go to restaurants, museums, and to take a plane, maybe more. All kinds of proof are acceptable, the US CDC card works almost everywhere in Germany, in France they ask for QR code.
#12
#13
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: STL
Programs: DL DM; HH gold
Posts: 430
On-topic: at the time, France did not require an entry test. But at check-in in STL the agents were clueless about what was needed to get into France beyond a vax record. They tried to get me to sign an attestation which literally said "for unvaccinated persons". Ultimately I convinced them i'd sort it at the gate in ATL and they gave me my boarding pass.
#14
Join Date: Sep 2015
Programs: Delta Gold, Marriot Gold
Posts: 299
We went to France in July and got tested just in case but no one asked to see them. DL did ask for our vaccine cards at check in and when we landed at CDG, they checked them as well. At the time unvaccinated people could go in with a test, a friend of mine was able to enter with just the test.
#15
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: CVG
Programs: DL 3MM, US 972k (AA 0.0k), Marriott Lifetime Gold, Hertz G, Nurburgring in 8:29
Posts: 2,162
I read that a couple of times but I can't figure out what you're trying to ask. So let me break it down for you:
If a country you are going to requires proof of vaccine, then you will need to bring proof of vaccine.
If a country you are going to requires a negative test result, then you will need to bring a negative test result.
If a country you are going to requires proof of vaccine, then you will need to bring proof of vaccine.
If a country you are going to requires a negative test result, then you will need to bring a negative test result.
The key point I was trying to ask about was: If the countries need proof of vaccine rather than negative tests, I should take my CDC card yea? I mean, I'll need it anyway once I get to Germany so it's a moot question really.