[PREM FARE GONE] AA A/F Fare: CMN-MIA - $741/$1159
#602
Join Date: Feb 2016
Location: YVR/LAX/PVG/TPE
Posts: 738
I just flew this. IB only checks you in till LHR. You do need to fill out the Spanish health form even though you technically do not have to. The local agent is pretty, uhhh, how do I say it nicely, rigid and unwilling to verify my personal experience.
#603
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Global
Posts: 5,974
Sorry... what does that mean?
#604
Join Date: Feb 2016
Location: YVR/LAX/PVG/TPE
Posts: 738
#605
I think each airline verifies the test and other requirements at check-in, that is, when issuing boarding passes. So IB will probably want to verify that you are OK to fly to LHR (assuming MAD is just an airside connection), since they will probably not be able to check you in for your AA flight. and AA will want to see a test no earlier than the day before your flight. You might have luck convincing an AA agent in LHR that an earlier test is OK since it's transit, but I wouldn't want to risk it. I think the UK has removed any requirement for a test for fully-vaccinated travelers, but I think you'll need to fill out a Passenger Locator Form and use the transit exemption to avoid needing to book a Day Two test. That still leaves AA at LHR. If you'd been able to get some eMed/Binax tests ahead of time, that would have been great, but I'm sure you'll be able to get tested in MAD or LHR, especially since an antigen test is sufficient.
A quick search turned up two options in MAD (T2 and T4): https://flycovidtestcenter.com/en/madrid-t4/ It says "Departures Area," which sounds like it's airside, but it would be worth verifying with them.
LHR has a page with testing options: https://www.heathrow.com/at-the-airport/fly-safe/covid-19-test
A quick search turned up two options in MAD (T2 and T4): https://flycovidtestcenter.com/en/madrid-t4/ It says "Departures Area," which sounds like it's airside, but it would be worth verifying with them.
LHR has a page with testing options: https://www.heathrow.com/at-the-airport/fly-safe/covid-19-test
I had seen that Heathrow page but thought none were suitable for my US-bound circumstances. The PCR test is only returned by 10pm the next day which is far too late. However, on reading the CDC guidelines again, "lateral" tests are acceptable. Do you think the GBP25 "Lateral Flow/Rapid Antigen" test falls into that category? All the testing terminology confuses the hell out of me.
I will be in the US for one night, then returning to Spain before heading to the US again three days later. I may see if I can get one of these eMed/Binax tests you mentioned on my 24 hours in the US that I can then use for that second entry to the US.
So IB didn't require you to present a US-compliant test, given the overnight at LHR? Is the Spanish form provided at check-in? May I ask how you managed your US test?
#606
Join Date: Feb 2016
Location: YVR/LAX/PVG/TPE
Posts: 738
I agree 90 minutes at MAD is not sufficient to go landside for a test.
I had seen that Heathrow page but thought none were suitable for my US-bound circumstances. The PCR test is only returned by 10pm the next day which is far too late. However, on reading the CDC guidelines again, "lateral" tests are acceptable. Do you think the GBP25 "Lateral Flow/Rapid Antigen" test falls into that category? All the testing terminology confuses the hell out of me.
I will be in the US for one night, then returning to Spain before heading to the US again three days later. I may see if I can get one of these eMed/Binax tests you mentioned on my 24 hours in the US that I can then use for that second entry to the US.
So IB didn't require you to present a US-compliant test, given the overnight at LHR? Is the Spanish form provided at check-in? May I ask how you managed your US test?
I had seen that Heathrow page but thought none were suitable for my US-bound circumstances. The PCR test is only returned by 10pm the next day which is far too late. However, on reading the CDC guidelines again, "lateral" tests are acceptable. Do you think the GBP25 "Lateral Flow/Rapid Antigen" test falls into that category? All the testing terminology confuses the hell out of me.
I will be in the US for one night, then returning to Spain before heading to the US again three days later. I may see if I can get one of these eMed/Binax tests you mentioned on my 24 hours in the US that I can then use for that second entry to the US.
So IB didn't require you to present a US-compliant test, given the overnight at LHR? Is the Spanish form provided at check-in? May I ask how you managed your US test?
I brought a emed test with me, and did it after landing at LHR, easy peasy.
#607
Join Date: Aug 2004
Programs: AA (EP), Hilton (Diamond), Marriott Bonvoy (Titanium)
Posts: 8,927
It says it's "Departures Area," which to me sounds like airside. I'd suggest calling them to check. If so, they have a rapid antigen test with results in 15-20 minutes for 30 euro. Presumably they will email you the results, so no need to wait for them.
For the U.S., even an antigen test is sufficient, so any of the offered tests would be fine. You could do the test on your way to your hotel, presumably receive the email results that evening, giving you plenty of time to have the hotel print them for you (I usually email the front desk to have a page printed) and also load them into VeriFLY if you use that (which AA supports).
Order them ahead of time and have them sent to your U.S. address. If you order from eMed or an airline, it's $150 for six tests. If you order from Optum you can get two or three instead of six, but at a higher cost per test. It's always good to travel with at least two, just in case one is inconclusive or spoiled somehow.
I had seen that Heathrow page but thought none were suitable for my US-bound circumstances. The PCR test is only returned by 10pm the next day which is far too late. However, on reading the CDC guidelines again, "lateral" tests are acceptable. Do you think the GBP25 "Lateral Flow/Rapid Antigen" test falls into that category? All the testing terminology confuses the hell out of me.
Order them ahead of time and have them sent to your U.S. address. If you order from eMed or an airline, it's $150 for six tests. If you order from Optum you can get two or three instead of six, but at a higher cost per test. It's always good to travel with at least two, just in case one is inconclusive or spoiled somehow.
#608
[QUOTE=anabolism;34004714]For the U.S., even an antigen test is sufficient, so any of the offered tests would be fine. You could do the test on your way to your hotel, presumably receive the email results that evening, giving you plenty of time to have the hotel print them for you (I usually email the front desk to have a page printed) and also load them into VeriFLY if you use that (which AA supports).
That's very helpful. Instead of rushing at MAD, I think I'll do the GBP25 pound lateral/RAT at LHR on arrival, the night before flying to the US.
#609
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: London
Programs: BA Gold
Posts: 834
#610
#611
Join Date: Mar 2014
Posts: 108
It says it's "Departures Area," which to me sounds like airside. I'd suggest calling them to check. If so, they have a rapid antigen test with results in 15-20 minutes for 30 euro. Presumably they will email you the results, so no need to wait for them.
For the U.S., even an antigen test is sufficient, so any of the offered tests would be fine. You could do the test on your way to your hotel, presumably receive the email results that evening, giving you plenty of time to have the hotel print them for you (I usually email the front desk to have a page printed) and also load them into VeriFLY if you use that (which AA supports).
Order them ahead of time and have them sent to your U.S. address. If you order from eMed or an airline, it's $150 for six tests. If you order from Optum you can get two or three instead of six, but at a higher cost per test. It's always good to travel with at least two, just in case one is inconclusive or spoiled somehow.
For the U.S., even an antigen test is sufficient, so any of the offered tests would be fine. You could do the test on your way to your hotel, presumably receive the email results that evening, giving you plenty of time to have the hotel print them for you (I usually email the front desk to have a page printed) and also load them into VeriFLY if you use that (which AA supports).
Order them ahead of time and have them sent to your U.S. address. If you order from eMed or an airline, it's $150 for six tests. If you order from Optum you can get two or three instead of six, but at a higher cost per test. It's always good to travel with at least two, just in case one is inconclusive or spoiled somehow.
#612
Join Date: Aug 2004
Programs: AA (EP), Hilton (Diamond), Marriott Bonvoy (Titanium)
Posts: 8,927
You no longer need to buy the eMed/Optum tests. This site offers an supervised test add-on for $20 to your existing at-home antigen test kits: https://www.azova.com/travelvideo
#613
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: AMS
Programs: KL PFL; BA Gold; A3 Silver; EY Silver; SU Silver
Posts: 2,483
i was able to cancel and get full refund for one of my tickets (that i do not want to fly) where CMN-MAD was cancelled 'without reprotection' despite the flight was actually available for sale 10 minutes earlier or later than the originally ticketed flight. Booked via Priceline. Probably what helped is that CMN-MAD was AA codeshare.
#614
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Global
Posts: 5,974
Arrival / Departure from CMN in Feb...
Question about the middle flights. (Correct me if anything else is wrong.)
1. Arrival into CMN (USA to MAD to CMN)... need a PCR test within 48 hours of departure to CMN. I will be positioning from the USA, so I think I will be fine if I do the PCR test the day before departure in the USA, fly the redeye USA to Madrid and then continue (separate ticket) to CMN. Fill out health forms for Spain and Morocco.
2. Overnight near CMN.
3. CMN to MAD to LHR. I am a little unsure what testing I need before flying? Antigen morning of?
4. Overnight near LHR.
5. LHR to MIA. If I test the day before in CMN, I think I can use the same test to go to the USA.
So really, the question is... as a US citizen what test do I need before CMN to MAD to LHR flights with an overnight in the UK?
thanks in advance
Question about the middle flights. (Correct me if anything else is wrong.)
1. Arrival into CMN (USA to MAD to CMN)... need a PCR test within 48 hours of departure to CMN. I will be positioning from the USA, so I think I will be fine if I do the PCR test the day before departure in the USA, fly the redeye USA to Madrid and then continue (separate ticket) to CMN. Fill out health forms for Spain and Morocco.
2. Overnight near CMN.
3. CMN to MAD to LHR. I am a little unsure what testing I need before flying? Antigen morning of?
4. Overnight near LHR.
5. LHR to MIA. If I test the day before in CMN, I think I can use the same test to go to the USA.
So really, the question is... as a US citizen what test do I need before CMN to MAD to LHR flights with an overnight in the UK?
thanks in advance
Last edited by Global321; Feb 22, 2022 at 7:01 am Reason: updated inbound routing