Emirates COVID test and other questions
#406
Ambassador, Emirates
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: LGW / AMS / CPT
Programs: SA KL BA EK
Posts: 4,252
The saliva test is not a proper PCR test, so not acceptable for most destinations.
#407
Join Date: Dec 2015
Location: YYZ / HKG / DXB
Programs: Emirates Silver, Marriott Platinum... Previously AC*SE100K, Star Alliance Gold, Bonvoy Ambassador
Posts: 127
Feeling a little anxious about this proof of insurance thing - is there any official website that states that this is required?
#408
Join Date: Aug 2017
Posts: 844
Since DXB reopened I've only been asked on paper questionnaire at European airport at EK check in to tick box if I had health insurance. No one verbally asked me at any check in nor at DXB on arrival, nor did they give me the impression that they ever would. Had they asked me I would have told them my virtual credit card includes the travel insurance.. khalas.
#409
Suspended
Join Date: Dec 2019
Location: EK1 ML5A ;-)
Programs: EK iO
Posts: 699
Since DXB reopened I've only been asked on paper questionnaire at European airport at EK check in to tick box if I had health insurance. No one verbally asked me at any check in nor at DXB on arrival, nor did they give me the impression that they ever would. Had they asked me I would have told them my virtual credit card includes the travel insurance.. khalas.
#410
Moderator, Emirates
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: Where My Heart Is
Programs: BAEC Silver, FB Platinum, KQ Asante Gold, Shebamiles Blue, Emirates Blue
Posts: 3,380
For a nominal fee, you could be saving hundreds of thousands in medical bills if something were to go wrong, not only catching Covid and having to be hospitalised. RTCs, severe food poisoning, unknown medical conditions just to name a few.
If you took ill on a flight and the aircraft had to divert to a third country you would probably be expected to pay those bills.
Yes, the majority of passengers globally do travel without incident and many without travel insurance but it only takes one thing for it all to go wrong.
An ex colleague of mine many years ago was travelling for business and mid flight collapsed and started fitting. He was only a young man, very fit and led a healthy lifestyle. The plane diverted to Istanbul and met by paramedics on the tarmac. Took him to hospital where he had a whole raft of tests and treatment. Eventual bill was in excess of 50,000. Unfortunately they diagnosed a malignant brain tumour. Thankfully he was working at the time and covered by our employers insurance but he was the type of person (and Im not slighting him in any way) that would go on a personal trip and not bother getting insurance because he was young, fit and healthy. You never know what life is going to throw at you. Be prepared as best you can.
Some people are more risk averse than others but I would urge you to think about getting some travel insurance and that will at least take the worry away about being asked at check in.
#411
Join Date: Aug 2017
Posts: 844
I just read.. announced today Monday that its not mandatory for tourists travelling from UK or Germany to DXB to have covid tests before departure "who have the option to have a covid 19 PCR test on arrival in DXB". I'm not exactly sure if that's a free or pay for test in arrival in DXB and wishful thinking maybe a free test would include a certificate so one can make quick trip and not have to go to hospital and spend time and money. In any case when I fly ex Germany the test there is free, quick result AND one receives a certificate. Anyhow step in right direction, obviously EK are watching the situation and hopefully will add to those 2 countries.
#412
Join Date: Jun 2014
Posts: 866
I just read.. announced today Monday that its not mandatory for tourists travelling from UK or Germany to DXB to have covid tests before departure "who have the option to have a covid 19 PCR test on arrival in DXB". I'm not exactly sure if that's a free or pay for test in arrival in DXB and wishful thinking maybe a free test would include a certificate so one can make quick trip and not have to go to hospital and spend time and money. In any case when I fly ex Germany the test there is free, quick result AND one receives a certificate. Anyhow step in right direction, obviously EK are watching the situation and hopefully will add to those 2 countries.
#413
Join Date: Aug 2017
Posts: 844
Most of the major decisions with EK and indeed UAE are well thought out, very often by advisory companies in the west. Usually they are successful but of course nothing foolproof.
May not seem as sense to us, but there would have been a careful study about this.
#414
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Springfield, VA
Programs: Hyatt Diamond, Hilton Diamond, AA EXP, Alaska MVP 75
Posts: 436
On the other hand, if the passenger makes a transit during the journey, the initial PCR test will be valid if the transit time does not exceed 24 hours. Hence, if a passenger makes a transit exceeding 24 hours, the passenger must repeat the PCR test, within 96 hours prior to embarkation at the port of transit.
The PCR test document containing the test result should state the name of the passenger (name as in passport), name and address of the testing laboratory, type of test stated as PCR test, date of sampling and test result.
The PCR test document containing the test result should state the name of the passenger (name as in passport), name and address of the testing laboratory, type of test stated as PCR test, date of sampling and test result.
#415
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Springfield, VA
Programs: Hyatt Diamond, Hilton Diamond, AA EXP, Alaska MVP 75
Posts: 436
#416
Suspended
Join Date: Dec 2019
Location: EK1 ML5A ;-)
Programs: EK iO
Posts: 699
Personally I think it is a bit risky undertaking any international travel without having at least some sort of medical insurance. You can also get insurance that has COVID-19 coverage.
For a nominal fee, you could be saving hundreds of thousands in medical bills if something were to go wrong, not only catching Covid and having to be hospitalised. RTCs, severe food poisoning, unknown medical conditions just to name a few.
If you took ill on a flight and the aircraft had to divert to a third country you would probably be expected to pay those bills.
Yes, the majority of passengers globally do travel without incident and many without travel insurance but it only takes one thing for it all to go wrong.
An ex colleague of mine many years ago was travelling for business and mid flight collapsed and started fitting. He was only a young man, very fit and led a healthy lifestyle. The plane diverted to Istanbul and met by paramedics on the tarmac. Took him to hospital where he had a whole raft of tests and treatment. Eventual bill was in excess of 50,000. Unfortunately they diagnosed a malignant brain tumour. Thankfully he was working at the time and covered by our employers insurance but he was the type of person (and Im not slighting him in any way) that would go on a personal trip and not bother getting insurance because he was young, fit and healthy. You never know what life is going to throw at you. Be prepared as best you can.
Some people are more risk averse than others but I would urge you to think about getting some travel insurance and that will at least take the worry away about being asked at check in.
For a nominal fee, you could be saving hundreds of thousands in medical bills if something were to go wrong, not only catching Covid and having to be hospitalised. RTCs, severe food poisoning, unknown medical conditions just to name a few.
If you took ill on a flight and the aircraft had to divert to a third country you would probably be expected to pay those bills.
Yes, the majority of passengers globally do travel without incident and many without travel insurance but it only takes one thing for it all to go wrong.
An ex colleague of mine many years ago was travelling for business and mid flight collapsed and started fitting. He was only a young man, very fit and led a healthy lifestyle. The plane diverted to Istanbul and met by paramedics on the tarmac. Took him to hospital where he had a whole raft of tests and treatment. Eventual bill was in excess of 50,000. Unfortunately they diagnosed a malignant brain tumour. Thankfully he was working at the time and covered by our employers insurance but he was the type of person (and Im not slighting him in any way) that would go on a personal trip and not bother getting insurance because he was young, fit and healthy. You never know what life is going to throw at you. Be prepared as best you can.
Some people are more risk averse than others but I would urge you to think about getting some travel insurance and that will at least take the worry away about being asked at check in.
#417
Join Date: May 2020
Location: DXB and JNB
Programs: EK Plat; QR Gold
Posts: 487
yes, but probability theory wont factor in the cost of said insurance. Allianz have just given me a quote for one months travel, for three destinations at AED56. The one place travel insurance doesnt make sense is the US.
#418
Suspended
Join Date: Dec 2019
Location: EK1 ML5A ;-)
Programs: EK iO
Posts: 699
It does through the expected value. The expected value of your medical bills is lower than the rate you pay (56AED) and therefore you're better off not taking it.
#419
Ambassador: Emirates Airlines
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Manchester, UK
Posts: 18,556
Don't forget, you get Covid19 insurance with Emirates anyway, so don't pay extra to get that included.
https://www.emirates.com/uk/english/...ovid-19-cover/
https://www.emirates.com/uk/english/...ovid-19-cover/
#420
Ambassador: Emirates Airlines
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Manchester, UK
Posts: 18,556
Surely the US is the one place that insurance is a must? Or am I mis-understanding?