Leesa Hudak

Graciecatt,

Did you end up using BinaxNow from BOS to LIS? If so did you have any issues?

ReachELS

I am not Gracicatt but she has not left yet. I leave this Thursday and she indicated in an earlier post that she leaves "shortly" after me.

I will not be able to answer your question as I do not plan to use the Binax Now test to enter Portugal. I do plan to submit my Swiss Covid Certificate to United later this evening. If accepted, great. if not, I have an IDNow test at Walgreens scheduled on Wednesday.

Leesa Hudak

Thanks very much! I am guessing you are a US Citizen? I will be curious to know if the Swiss Cert works - I have one from France that I got when traveling last month and think I may try to use that. Unfortunately, TAP does not have a way to submit in advance (that I am aware of) so any more info greatly appreciated!!

ReachELS

I am indeed a US citizen and am expecting the Swiss Covid Certificate to work - let you know in 90 minutes!

Fingers crossed.

Leesa Hudak

Good luck - and thanks so much!

ReachELS

All green check marks on the United Travel Ready site - I think that I am good to go. Next hurdle...the gate agent.

Graciecatt

Hi - sorry I didn't see this earlier. I really wish TAP had some sort of advance check to make sure we'll be ok. We are expecting that the Swiss Cert will be OK but just to be absolutely sure that the Gate Agent doesn't wonder about the validity of our Swiss cert, we downloaded the German Corona-Warn app and loaded our Swiss cert into it. The reason for doing this was pointed out to me that Germany is part of the Schengen countries and it even says EU Digital Covid Certificate right on the top so there's no possibility that a Gate Agent will think it's not an actual EUDCC.

I guess it remains to be seen if a Gate Agent will take it upon themselves to wonder how US citizens can get a valid EUDCC but hopefully we won't encounter an agent who feels powerful/challenging. I'm STILL wondering if we should test before we leave just to be 110% sure.

ReachELS

I should be able to provide you with some insights in about 8 hours. I will post after reaching the gate at IAD.

PS - Thanks for the German Corona-Warn tip - have followed your lead.

Graciecatt

Thank you - good luck and keep me posted!

Editing to add - did you test as a backup?

ReachELS

No - according to both the United Travel Ready center and Portugal, we don't need them. The whole purpose of the Swiss Certificate was so that we didn't have to test.

My backup is:
1. I am carrying the rules with me in case there is pushback. It is indisputable that we meet the entry requirements.
2. I have a pair of Binax Now tests in my backpack (even though their acceptance is not guaranteed).

We have 3 hours between arrival at IAD and boarding.

ReachELS

I am in the United Club lounge at IAD. All the United personnel looked at was my boarding pass which showed “Travel Ready” based on the documentation I submitted Monday night:

- Swiss Covid Certificate
- Portugal PLF
- But NO TEST

The gate agent told me that they would not need to see anything besides my boarding pass and passport prior to boarding.

graciecatt - obviously, I am dealing with United. Unfortunately, I cannot opine in how TAP will handle things.

Graciecatt

Thanks ReachELS . I am paranoid b/c all we need to do is get on the plane and we are golden after that. It sounds like you are all set - have a wonderful trip!!

ReachELS

Graciecatt...2 things:

1. Lisbon is simply spectacular - I would recommend a visit here someday. We will return.
2. As you are transiting here, I hope that you are not required to clear customs. The line at passport control was 2 hours long for us and I have heard from other travelers that they had a 3-4 hour queue. I have never experienced anything like that before..

Graciecatt

ReachELS UGH yes I think we have to clear customs as we are entering Schengen for the first time. I will do some research and ask some questions to be sure. If all goes well, we have a 5 hour layover which sounds like it might just be enough time with no time to relax in the lounge.

work2fly

Just passed through LIS en route to MAD. Yes, the line for Shengen passport control was at least 90 minutes. Thankfully our connection was tight enough that we got pulled out of the line halfway through. The TP lounge was packed to the brim, no open seats.

AC relied on our CDC cards for Portugal transit. Portugal definitely checked the cards upon arrival and my EU DCC courtesy of Panama worked just fine.