Dec 9, 2020, 4:41 am
Last edit by: weezl
The purpose of this thread is outlined in the first post; "I was thinking it might be helpful for any of us going to the islands to share our experiences getting tested.
... I'm curious to hear about others getting tested by airlines, at airports, etc. and being able to get the test done within the correct time frame. Monday/Tuesday departures seem particularly challenging due to the weekend within the 72-hour period."
Please limit posts to ones directly related to the above; general "does this test qualify?" and "where can I get tested?" questions are best asked (and answered) in the master thread: https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/hawaii/2013922-covid-19-10-day-arrivals-quarantine-pre-post-arrival-test-out-policies.html
Q. Are the COVID tests for leisure travel to Hawaii covered by medical insurance?
A. https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/coronavirus-travel/2011906-covid-19-travel-medical-insurance.html
FYI-Flight delays don’t count against the T-72 cutoff, they go by the original scheduled departure time not the delayed departure time.
... I'm curious to hear about others getting tested by airlines, at airports, etc. and being able to get the test done within the correct time frame. Monday/Tuesday departures seem particularly challenging due to the weekend within the 72-hour period."
Please limit posts to ones directly related to the above; general "does this test qualify?" and "where can I get tested?" questions are best asked (and answered) in the master thread: https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/hawaii/2013922-covid-19-10-day-arrivals-quarantine-pre-post-arrival-test-out-policies.html
Q. Are the COVID tests for leisure travel to Hawaii covered by medical insurance?
A. https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/coronavirus-travel/2011906-covid-19-travel-medical-insurance.html
FYI-Flight delays don’t count against the T-72 cutoff, they go by the original scheduled departure time not the delayed departure time.
72-Hour Pre-Departure Covid Testing (Experiences Only)
Dec 19, 2020, 11:46 am
#286
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: SAN
Programs: AS 100K, DL MM, AA PLT
Posts: 2,934
FYI that UC San Diego Health's on-again-off-again participation as a Hawaii Trusted Partner is off again. Existing appointments will be honored, but as of yesterday they are no longer accepting new Hawaii testing requests (last I checked appointments were booked until the new year anyway). No word on whether they will reopen or not.
Dec 19, 2020, 3:51 pm
#287
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: Southern Cali
Programs: AA ExPlat, Marriott Titanium, HH Diamond
Posts: 2,022
Did my clarity test at LAX today. In and out in 20min. They said results will be sent in 24-36hrs via email.
I've done several PCR tests and this was the most uncomfortable. They really go far up your nose
Asked about terminal 6 rapid tests. They said they had to shut it down because they didn't have enough technicians to operate it properly.
Overall it was a pretty seamless experience
I've done several PCR tests and this was the most uncomfortable. They really go far up your nose
Asked about terminal 6 rapid tests. They said they had to shut it down because they didn't have enough technicians to operate it properly.
Overall it was a pretty seamless experience
Dec 19, 2020, 4:05 pm
#288
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: LAX
Posts: 97
Did my clarity test at LAX today. In and out in 20min. They said results will be sent in 24-36hrs via email.
I've done several PCR tests and this was the most uncomfortable. They really go far up your nose
Asked about terminal 6 rapid tests. They said they had to shut it down because they didn't have enough technicians to operate it properly.
Overall it was a pretty seamless experience
I've done several PCR tests and this was the most uncomfortable. They really go far up your nose
Asked about terminal 6 rapid tests. They said they had to shut it down because they didn't have enough technicians to operate it properly.
Overall it was a pretty seamless experience
Dec 19, 2020, 4:19 pm
#289
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: Southern Cali
Programs: AA ExPlat, Marriott Titanium, HH Diamond
Posts: 2,022
Dec 19, 2020, 5:56 pm
#290
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: RBKC
Programs: AA EXP and Eurostar Carte Blanche
Posts: 3,848
At DFW, the swab is short and comfortable, and the results are available in 15 minutes.
Why isn't anyone else offering this?
Dec 19, 2020, 6:30 pm
#291
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: Southern Cali
Programs: AA ExPlat, Marriott Titanium, HH Diamond
Posts: 2,022
Dec 19, 2020, 6:39 pm
#292
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: RBKC
Programs: AA EXP and Eurostar Carte Blanche
Posts: 3,848
Dec 19, 2020, 7:07 pm
#294
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: Southern Cali
Programs: AA ExPlat, Marriott Titanium, HH Diamond
Posts: 2,022
Wow that's pretty crazy. $249 per test is pretty steep though.
Dec 19, 2020, 7:31 pm
#295
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: South Florida, USA
Programs: AA PPRO (OW Emerarld), BA Silver, DL PM
Posts: 491
Any recent data points from Walgreens in Florida? Or Walgreens in general lately? There are a few locations (like 5-6 in the whole state) that offer a rapid PCR (Abbott ID NOW NAAT) test, but the other non-rapid PCR all say results in 3-4 days. As one of the Hawaii state partners I would hope for different language, but I realize any testing site is constrained by their lab's volume.
Dec 19, 2020, 10:58 pm
#297
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Everywhere
Programs: AA EXP - 3.7MM, Bonv LIFETIME Titan, HH Dmd, Hyatt Glob., Priority Clb Dmd, Ntnl Exec El., Sixt PLT
Posts: 1,680
After reading all the stories, we decided to do Rapid Diagnostic Test (ID Now) offered by Walgreens.
"ID Now" is the PCR test developed by Abbott. It requires a special PCR machine made by Abbott (this is how they make $$) and the results could be ready in 13 min according to Abbott. To sign up, check the Walgreens websites for locations. I have noticed that more locations are available now then even a week ago. We did the testing in North Carolina and last week the only location in Research Triangle offering "ID Now" was in Durham, which was just 40 min drive away. All the Covid testing is free in North Carolina. To sign up, check appointments at about 7 pm - this is the time when the next day is loaded into the system. Double check the birth date and name - should be the same as in your state ID - otherwise you are in trouble and you will be not able to correct it. The test was done by driving to Pharmacy window on the day of your appointment. You are given q-tip that you put and rotate 5 times in each of your nostrils. Typically, your results are emailed to you in 1 h or so. Walgreens lost the results of my wife and she spent a few hrs on the phone with Walgreen and the company which reports the test. Next day about 1 pm the results were found and properly reported. So if you are flying to HI, I suggest to schedule the test at least a day before preferably no later than in the morning - then you will have time to solve issues if any. Two other tests arrived in 50 min and another in 1 h 20 min with now problem. We made it to Kona and enjoying the island quarantine - free.
Another tip: you can get tested at an early time than you scheduled appointment is but it must be on the same day. At least we did this in North Carolina.
"ID Now" is the PCR test developed by Abbott. It requires a special PCR machine made by Abbott (this is how they make $$) and the results could be ready in 13 min according to Abbott. To sign up, check the Walgreens websites for locations. I have noticed that more locations are available now then even a week ago. We did the testing in North Carolina and last week the only location in Research Triangle offering "ID Now" was in Durham, which was just 40 min drive away. All the Covid testing is free in North Carolina. To sign up, check appointments at about 7 pm - this is the time when the next day is loaded into the system. Double check the birth date and name - should be the same as in your state ID - otherwise you are in trouble and you will be not able to correct it. The test was done by driving to Pharmacy window on the day of your appointment. You are given q-tip that you put and rotate 5 times in each of your nostrils. Typically, your results are emailed to you in 1 h or so. Walgreens lost the results of my wife and she spent a few hrs on the phone with Walgreen and the company which reports the test. Next day about 1 pm the results were found and properly reported. So if you are flying to HI, I suggest to schedule the test at least a day before preferably no later than in the morning - then you will have time to solve issues if any. Two other tests arrived in 50 min and another in 1 h 20 min with now problem. We made it to Kona and enjoying the island quarantine - free.
Another tip: you can get tested at an early time than you scheduled appointment is but it must be on the same day. At least we did this in North Carolina.
Dec 19, 2020, 11:13 pm
#298
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: U.S. (sometimes)
Programs: UA 1k 1MM, AA Exec Plat, Hyatt Diamond, SPG Plat, Marriott Plat, Hilton Gold, IHG Plat, Accor ?????
Posts: 1,398
I believe they test until 8 PM. Are the packages mailed to Florida at 8 PM, then? I'm asking because I'm arriving at LAX at about 6:40 PM.
Dec 19, 2020, 11:34 pm
#299
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: LAX
Posts: 10,906
We got there around 7 tested around 7 30 and they said ours were the last ones to go out that day; several people behind would have their samples sent out next day - dont know if next evening or if there is another shipment before...
So if time sensitive try to get there early with everything filled out and paid online - who knows how busy it will get pre-holidays...
Dec 20, 2020, 3:26 am
#300
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: RBKC
Programs: AA EXP and Eurostar Carte Blanche
Posts: 3,848
Ya looks like around that time - don't know for sure if to FL or not - there was a big box addressed to Florida yesterday but maybe it was smth else...
We got there around 7 tested around 7 30 and they said ours were the last ones to go out that day; several people behind would have their samples sent out next day - dont know if next evening or if there is another shipment before... So if time sensitive try to get there early with everything filled out and paid online - who knows how busy it will get pre-holidays...
We got there around 7 tested around 7 30 and they said ours were the last ones to go out that day; several people behind would have their samples sent out next day - dont know if next evening or if there is another shipment before... So if time sensitive try to get there early with everything filled out and paid online - who knows how busy it will get pre-holidays...
Thanks for this. Makes sense -- Clarity sends the daily samples to Florida at the end of the day, so anyone testing near to the shipping deadline will not have their samples sent until the following day. No doubt this is the reason for the new 24-36 hour results timeline.
