eMed/Abbot BinaxNOW for US entry
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: SAN
Programs: AS 100K, DL MM, AA PLT
Posts: 2,934
eMed/Abbot BinaxNOW for US entry
Has anyone tried to use the Abbot BinaxNOW "at-home" test kit to fly to the US on Qatar? Both American and United have partnered with eMed, and the US government has approved the test, but of course it is up to Qatar to accept the app-provided test results at boarding. While it seems clear it should be accepted, I would feel a lot more comfortable about not being denied boarding for my (only twice-a-week) flight with reports of others successfully using these tests on Qatar.
#3
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Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: PHX
Programs: AS 75K; UA 1MM; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott LTP; Hilton Diamond (Aspire)
Posts: 56,454
Has anyone tried to use the Abbot BinaxNOW "at-home" test kit to fly to the US on Qatar? Both American and United have partnered with eMed, and the US government has approved the test, but of course it is up to Qatar to accept the app-provided test results at boarding. While it seems clear it should be accepted, I would feel a lot more comfortable about not being denied boarding for my (only twice-a-week) flight with reports of others successfully using these tests on Qatar.
#4
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: SAN
Programs: AS 100K, DL MM, AA PLT
Posts: 2,934
#5
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Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: PHX
Programs: AS 75K; UA 1MM; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott LTP; Hilton Diamond (Aspire)
Posts: 56,454
If it's a matter of serious concern for you, I'd just go with a local lab and avoid the anxiety.
#6
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: SAN
Programs: AS 100K, DL MM, AA PLT
Posts: 2,934
Yes, I get it. But I don't see why the printed results you will get from eMed/Abbot will be treated any differently from the random clinic in Bangkok we just used to return to the US. And if the concern is a cranky QR agent making up a reason to deny boarding, a different passenger's experience with a different agent at a different station is really not going to help you.
If it's a matter of serious concern for you, I'd just go with a local lab and avoid the anxiety.
If it's a matter of serious concern for you, I'd just go with a local lab and avoid the anxiety.
#8
Join Date: Nov 2013
Programs: UA 1k 1mil. Marriott Titanium
Posts: 202
#10
Join Date: Jul 2004
Posts: 4,536
That said, flying QR in a week with BinaxNOW and a PCR (which I won’t mention unless eMed is refused).
jamie
#11
Join Date: Apr 2021
Posts: 13
Does anyone know if the BinaxNOW product has a shelf life that can survive a few months? I'll be flying to the EU in a few weeks and staying for two months - I'd like to just bring the kit with me so I don't need to worry about finding a testing center in Budapest. However, before buying I want to make sure the tests will still be good in September.
#12
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: SAN
Programs: AS 100K, DL MM, AA PLT
Posts: 2,934
I know of cases where QR has denied boarding to ATH-bound passengers in USA because they don’t have the Greek entry email…which arrives DAY OF LANDING and Greek rules clearly state that an email confirming one has applied is sufficient for boarding the day before arrival. If QR can’t get this right, I’m worried about BinaxNOW.
That said, flying QR in a week with BinaxNOW and a PCR (which I won’t mention unless eMed is refused).
jamie
That said, flying QR in a week with BinaxNOW and a PCR (which I won’t mention unless eMed is refused).
jamie
#13
Join Date: Jul 2004
Posts: 4,536
Yes, QR accepted BinaxNOW. Sort of a mixed bag. Originated in Baghdad where you need PCR (antigen not accepted) just to enter the airport, AND to clear immigration. But for QR I used BinaxNOW. That said, first test was defective, luckily I brought several. Might have been heat related. But don’t carry just one! Interestingly, VeriFLY rejected BinaxNOW but accepted Iraqi PCR. Apparently VeriFLY needs the name of the administering doctor, which BinaxNOW doesn’t supply. VeriFLY simply makes LHR transfers easier, so it’s not like I would have gotten stuck. Good luck to all, hassle factors have never been greater but it sure is great to be back on the road.
#14
Join Date: Jul 2021
Posts: 3
BinaxNow eMed
My family and I purchased 4x from eMed for QR return to US from Tanzania. I did a test-run in the US and it was super easy. Worried about QR accepting the test results? From the stream above I see maybe one person has had the test accepted? Anyone else heard of BinaxNOW eMed or used it successfully with QR for re-entry to US? Super stressed out arriving at the DAR airport for the QR return and it now working. 🙏🏼😬😳😂
Last edited by Flying family; Jul 9, 2021 at 8:45 am
#15
Join Date: Mar 2018
Posts: 26
Yes, but the question is can a 6 pack of tests be used for multiple people? According to this post, it is supposedly not allowed, though others have said they actually shared the tests in the 6 pack among other people.