Test to Return to the USA? Pharmacy Test?
Jun 25, 2021 | 2:34 am
#16
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Paris, France
Programs: Flying Blue Platinum
Posts: 927
Results are received around 15 minutes after the swab. They can send you the results via SMS or just ask the pharmacy to print out the certificate for you.
For the record, since this morning results come in a new EU format which is bilingual French/English, and with a QR Code that can be read by any authority in Europe (the previous QR Code could only be read using the French key).
For the record, since this morning results come in a new EU format which is bilingual French/English, and with a QR Code that can be read by any authority in Europe (the previous QR Code could only be read using the French key).
Jun 25, 2021 | 12:09 pm
#17
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Paris, France
Programs: AF/KL Flying Blue Ultimate/Platinum for life/Club2000, Accor ALL Diamond
Posts: 25,151
just did our return to USA tests at a pharmacy in Paris. Can confirm the antigen test was no big deal. Easier than the PCR nose test, but worse than the saliva tests at home. Kids whined, but thats their primary function.
We did have to pay. I understand that is not how it is supposed to work, but with the language barrier and ease of transaction, it was easier to just pay and be done.
We did have to pay. I understand that is not how it is supposed to work, but with the language barrier and ease of transaction, it was easier to just pay and be done.
Jul 2, 2021 | 8:40 am
#18
Join Date: Jul 2021
Posts: 1
just did our return to USA tests at a pharmacy in Paris. Can confirm the antigen test was no big deal. Easier than the PCR nose test, but worse than the saliva tests at home. Kids whined, but thats their primary function.
We did have to pay. I understand that is not how it is supposed to work, but with the language barrier and ease of transaction, it was easier to just pay and be done.
We did have to pay. I understand that is not how it is supposed to work, but with the language barrier and ease of transaction, it was easier to just pay and be done.
Jul 2, 2021 | 1:16 pm
#20
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Paris, France
Programs: AF/KL Flying Blue Ultimate/Platinum for life/Club2000, Accor ALL Diamond
Posts: 25,151
It's just been announced that tests will not be free anymore from July 7 for foreigners. Price will be 29 for antigen test and 49 for PCR test.
Jul 2, 2021 | 1:17 pm
#21
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Paris, France
Programs: AF/KL Flying Blue Ultimate/Platinum for life/Club2000, Accor ALL Diamond
Posts: 25,151
Jul 4, 2021 | 3:21 pm
#22
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: New York City/NY22
Programs: AA Platinum 2.3MM (Lifetime PLT)
Posts: 5,291
just did our return to USA tests at a pharmacy in Paris. Can confirm the antigen test was no big deal. Easier than the PCR nose test, but worse than the saliva tests at home. Kids whined, but thats their primary function.
We did have to pay. I understand that is not how it is supposed to work, but with the language barrier and ease of transaction, it was easier to just pay and be done.
We did have to pay. I understand that is not how it is supposed to work, but with the language barrier and ease of transaction, it was easier to just pay and be done.
Jul 5, 2021 | 6:08 am
#24
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Switzerland
Programs: Bonvoy Titanium (LTG), IHG Amb, OW Sapphire
Posts: 1,674
Funny how Macron first announced that it would be free for all, to encourage tourists to return, then he tried to ask other EU countries to do the same and now he did a 180? 
I got luck in June then....
I got luck in June then....
Jul 7, 2021 | 2:19 pm
#25
Join Date: Mar 2015
Posts: 269
At the end of the day the fault is on the USA for requiring a test for vaccinated individuals. Really the 29 is a US entry tax that must be paid to the departing country.
Jul 7, 2021 | 2:21 pm
#26
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Paris, France
Programs: AF/KL Flying Blue Ultimate/Platinum for life/Club2000, Accor ALL Diamond
Posts: 25,151
I confirm it was clearly said by French officials back in May or June that tests would be free for foreigners. But they changed their mind...
Jul 7, 2021 | 2:28 pm
#27
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Switzerland
Programs: Bonvoy Titanium (LTG), IHG Amb, OW Sapphire
Posts: 1,674
Ah Goldorak was faster than me
It was not Macron though, my bad. It was Clment Beaune the European affairs state secretary who announced it back in May.
https://www.thelocal.fr/20210517/fra...s-this-summer/
But a week ago it was canceled...
But I confirm that I didn't pay mine: pcr + antigenic when I did them in Paris on June 13. I asked for a pcr but they still insisted in doing both.
It was not Macron though, my bad. It was Clment Beaune the European affairs state secretary who announced it back in May.
https://www.thelocal.fr/20210517/fra...s-this-summer/
But a week ago it was canceled...
But I confirm that I didn't pay mine: pcr + antigenic when I did them in Paris on June 13. I asked for a pcr but they still insisted in doing both.
Jul 24, 2021 | 7:41 pm
#29
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Redwood City, CA USA (SFO/SJC)
Programs: Various between 2p & 1K, currently Gold
Posts: 8,889
I would suggest that the fee (just 29 Euro for the antigen test) is a pretty trivial matter compared to the angst of finding time to get the test done during the appropriate time frame prior to leaving.
Please remember it's 72 hours from when you board the plane. And if your flight is delayed or cancelled, that cuts into your 72 hours. The flip side is that some think it's 72 hours from when you land in the US, which would really cut into things. If you're staying in Paris, no problem, but if you're flying out of Paris but coming back from elsewhere (say, Lourdes) then it can be a bit more problematic.
Please remember it's 72 hours from when you board the plane. And if your flight is delayed or cancelled, that cuts into your 72 hours. The flip side is that some think it's 72 hours from when you land in the US, which would really cut into things. If you're staying in Paris, no problem, but if you're flying out of Paris but coming back from elsewhere (say, Lourdes) then it can be a bit more problematic.
Jul 25, 2021 | 3:45 pm
#30
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: New York City/NY22
Programs: AA Platinum 2.3MM (Lifetime PLT)
Posts: 5,291