Jan 27, 2021, 9:38 am
Last edit by: FlyinHawaiian
The Hawaii "Safe Travels" program ends on March 25, 2022. For more information, please see: https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/hawaii/2044877-state-hawaii-safe-travels-program-ends-march-25-2022-a.html
Wristband access
Most UCs
EWR: C104
IAD:
ORD: 7/17 UC@B16, gate@C16 || 7/29 not avail at UC@B6, yes avail at gate@B16
IAH: E7
DEN: online screening/verification then B34 or club
LAX: T7 customer service desk, around the corner from 70A
SFO: F15/16; Designated desk pre-security at Door 3.
SNA: Opposite Gate10
COVID-19 testing for United travelers
Wristband access
Most UCs
EWR: C104
IAD:
ORD: 7/17 UC@B16, gate@C16 || 7/29 not avail at UC@B6, yes avail at gate@B16
IAH: E7
DEN: online screening/verification then B34 or club
LAX: T7 customer service desk, around the corner from 70A
SFO: F15/16; Designated desk pre-security at Door 3.
SNA: Opposite Gate10
United Makes Hawaii Travel Easier with Expanded COVID Testing and Pre-Clearance Program
Customers traveling to the islands can save time by showing proof of negative tests at United's hub airports and skip document screening process in Hawaii
CHICAGO, Jan. 27, 2021
Beginning February 1, United customers traveling to Hawaii who have a valid negative COVID-19 test can show their results before boarding to save time and skip document screening lines upon arrival. The new pre-clearance process will be in place for customers traveling on 110 of United's weekly flights to Hawaii.
United is also making it easier to get the right tests to avoid Hawaii's 14-day quarantine by making approved COVID-19 tests available to all customers traveling to the islands no matter where in the U.S. their travel begins.
"We're making it easier for customers traveling to Hawaii to spend more time enjoying their trip and less time waiting in lines," said Toby Enqvist, chief customer officer at United. "Testing is the key to opening domestic and international travel so we'll continue to lead the way in rolling out solutions that are simple and safe so our customers have what they need when they take their next trip with us."
To begin the pre-clearance program, customers will enroll in Hawaii's Safe Travels program and complete Hawaii's COVID-19 questionnaire within 24 hours from departure. Next, customers will use the Safe Travels website to upload their negative test results from one of Hawaii's trusted testing partners which must be taken within 72 hours of their departure. At the airport, customers will see a United team member at the gate for their flight to Hawaii where they will receive a wristband if they qualify to bypass airport screening in Hawaii. Customers who have been pre-cleared will be able to skip test screenings in Hawaii and begin their trip as soon as they land.
For images of United's pre-clearance program click here.
Customers traveling to the islands can save time by showing proof of negative tests at United's hub airports and skip document screening process in Hawaii
CHICAGO, Jan. 27, 2021
Beginning February 1, United customers traveling to Hawaii who have a valid negative COVID-19 test can show their results before boarding to save time and skip document screening lines upon arrival. The new pre-clearance process will be in place for customers traveling on 110 of United's weekly flights to Hawaii.
United is also making it easier to get the right tests to avoid Hawaii's 14-day quarantine by making approved COVID-19 tests available to all customers traveling to the islands no matter where in the U.S. their travel begins.
"We're making it easier for customers traveling to Hawaii to spend more time enjoying their trip and less time waiting in lines," said Toby Enqvist, chief customer officer at United. "Testing is the key to opening domestic and international travel so we'll continue to lead the way in rolling out solutions that are simple and safe so our customers have what they need when they take their next trip with us."
To begin the pre-clearance program, customers will enroll in Hawaii's Safe Travels program and complete Hawaii's COVID-19 questionnaire within 24 hours from departure. Next, customers will use the Safe Travels website to upload their negative test results from one of Hawaii's trusted testing partners which must be taken within 72 hours of their departure. At the airport, customers will see a United team member at the gate for their flight to Hawaii where they will receive a wristband if they qualify to bypass airport screening in Hawaii. Customers who have been pre-cleared will be able to skip test screenings in Hawaii and begin their trip as soon as they land.
For images of United's pre-clearance program click here.
UA's Hawaii preclearance at all UA hubs: questions, experiences, ... New Process DEN?
May 2, 2021, 11:17 pm
#46
Join Date: Mar 2014
Programs: Mileage Plus Global Services 2MM
Posts: 1,200
Normally it's 90 minutes before departure, but I've seen it 2 hours in advance since they try to group their Hawaii departure gates and departure times vary. The UC is still easiest if you have access...... and they have space.
May 25, 2021, 4:50 am
#47
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Houston
Programs: Continental, UA
Posts: 40
At SFO, two changes to pre-clearance since last time I was through.
1) there’s a Premier Access lane at the F16 pre-clearance area now, for those entitled. Neither time I’ve been thru was there a wait, so don’t know if it’s handy at other times.
2) those with UC access have option to go through the pre-clearance at help desk in Club. Handy if one doesn’t want to go to F16 to clear and then backtrack to Club.
on the latter, I had already gone to the F16 area, and the UC agent subsequently noted my destination and told me about Club option.
1) there’s a Premier Access lane at the F16 pre-clearance area now, for those entitled. Neither time I’ve been thru was there a wait, so don’t know if it’s handy at other times.
2) those with UC access have option to go through the pre-clearance at help desk in Club. Handy if one doesn’t want to go to F16 to clear and then backtrack to Club.
on the latter, I had already gone to the F16 area, and the UC agent subsequently noted my destination and told me about Club option.
May 25, 2021, 10:14 am
#48
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Honolulu Harbor
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 15,023
They do.
I had an unexpectedly good experience w/o pre-clearance wristband yesterday. IAH-LAX Houston was delayed over 1 1/4 hours yesterday, but UA held LAX-OGG for 8 connecting passengers. Didn't have time to pre-clear, but arrival at OGG 4pm didn't coincide w/ any other carriers' arrivals, so I was able to get QR code scanned there and down escalator before some had even gotten off plane.
IAH-LAX FAs were also supposed to work LAX-OGG, but they were sent to a DEN flight instead and a substitute crew was already aboard LAX-OGG. NIce IRROPs handling by UA. Even received a text on way to LAX that the Maui plane was being held for us.
I had an unexpectedly good experience w/o pre-clearance wristband yesterday. IAH-LAX Houston was delayed over 1 1/4 hours yesterday, but UA held LAX-OGG for 8 connecting passengers. Didn't have time to pre-clear, but arrival at OGG 4pm didn't coincide w/ any other carriers' arrivals, so I was able to get QR code scanned there and down escalator before some had even gotten off plane.
IAH-LAX FAs were also supposed to work LAX-OGG, but they were sent to a DEN flight instead and a substitute crew was already aboard LAX-OGG. NIce IRROPs handling by UA. Even received a text on way to LAX that the Maui plane was being held for us.
Last edited by IAH-OIL-TRASH; May 25, 2021 at 2:08 pm Reason: "sent">"received"
May 26, 2021, 4:35 pm
#50
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: USA
Programs: UA Gold, Marriott Gold
Posts: 1,195
Heading back later next week with a 90 minute layover in DEN. Is there a particular place or procedure at DEN for getting the bracelet? I'm good with just keeping the QR code on my phone (and a paper backup in my carry-on) but anything that speeds me past the gatekeepers at HNL is welcome.
May 26, 2021, 11:24 pm
#51
Join Date: Mar 2014
Programs: Mileage Plus Global Services 2MM
Posts: 1,200
Heading back later next week with a 90 minute layover in DEN. Is there a particular place or procedure at DEN for getting the bracelet? I'm good with just keeping the QR code on my phone (and a paper backup in my carry-on) but anything that speeds me past the gatekeepers at HNL is welcome.
Jun 4, 2021, 5:54 pm
#52
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Honolulu Harbor
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 15,023
Governor just announced people who received vaccinations in Hawaii can skip pre-arrival testing beginning June 15th. I'll be returning to Hawaii July 1 w/o having to test. Already have vax card uploaded for interisland travel, so pre-clearance will be a breeze.
Once Hawaii gets to 60% fully-vaccinated (2 shots plus two weeks), all fully-vaccinated travelers can skip pre-travel test.
Once Hawaii gets to 70%, all travel restrictions off.
Once Hawaii gets to 60% fully-vaccinated (2 shots plus two weeks), all fully-vaccinated travelers can skip pre-travel test.
Once Hawaii gets to 70%, all travel restrictions off.
Last edited by IAH-OIL-TRASH; Jun 4, 2021 at 6:00 pm
Jun 4, 2021, 5:58 pm
#53
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: HNL
Programs: UA GS4MM, MR LT Plat, Hilton Gold
Posts: 6,447
Governor just announced people who received vaccinations in Hawaii can skip pre-arrival testing beginning June 15th. I'll be returning to Hawaii July 1 w/o having to test. Already have card loaded for interisland travel, so pre-clearance will be a breeze.
Once Hawaii gets to 60% vaccinated, all travellers w/ vaccinations will be allowed to skip pre-travel test.
Once Hawaii gets to 70%, all travel restrictions off.
Once Hawaii gets to 60% vaccinated, all travellers w/ vaccinations will be allowed to skip pre-travel test.
Once Hawaii gets to 70%, all travel restrictions off.
FINALLY
I'll add - for those wondering, how far off is Hawaii from 60% and 70%. The state forecasts we will be at 55% as of June 15.
Jun 4, 2021, 6:07 pm
#54
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Honolulu Harbor
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 15,023
There's a light at the end of the tunnel...
Jun 5, 2021, 8:04 pm
#55
Join Date: Aug 2019
Location: Honolulu
Programs: Mileage Plus
Posts: 19
My next trip is June 16-22 - I'm incredibly thrilled. I have previously taken eight $90 tests + rental car cost so this basically saves me $150/trip and sleep in.
FINALLY
I'll add - for those wondering, how far off is Hawaii from 60% and 70%. The state forecasts we will be at 55% as of June 15.
FINALLY
I'll add - for those wondering, how far off is Hawaii from 60% and 70%. The state forecasts we will be at 55% as of June 15.
I'm a fully vaccinated kamaaina who is also very thrilled with the Guv's updated policy. I'll be returning from ORD in late July and would be very interested in hearing how you deal with the Hawaii Safe Travels website. This will be my first encounter with the Safe Travels program.
Please share your experience.
Jun 5, 2021, 10:12 pm
#56
Join Date: Mar 2014
Programs: Mileage Plus Global Services 2MM
Posts: 1,200
I'm a fully vaccinated kamaaina who is also very thrilled with the Guv's updated policy. I'll be returning from ORD in late July and would be very interested in hearing how you deal with the Hawaii Safe Travels website. This will be my first encounter with the Safe Travels program.
Please share your experience.
Please share your experience.
Jun 5, 2021, 10:31 pm
#57
Moderator: United Airlines
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: SFO
Programs: UA Plat 1.995MM, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott Plat/LT Gold, Hilton Silver, IHG Plat
Posts: 66,854
The best place for discussing Hawai'i changes in COVID requirements is in the Hawai'i forum
such as
https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/hawa...-policies.html
We discuss how UA handles those requirements in this thread
WineCountryUA
UA coModeator
such as
https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/hawa...-policies.html
We discuss how UA handles those requirements in this thread
WineCountryUA
UA coModeator
Jun 5, 2021, 10:41 pm
#58
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Honolulu Harbor
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 15,023
I'm pretty sure it will be the same as travelling (for example) from Honolulu to Maui now, except with QR code pre-clearance on the mainland. 1) add your inbound Hawaii flight info, 2) upload PDF of your CDC vax card showing HI vaccinations. I assume once this is done, the QR one receives shows the no test needed / no quarantine needed determination, just like travel HNL-OGG now. The only difference is one can get the QR scanned on the mainland and receive the wristband, unlike the HNL-OGG flights, where the QR code is scanned for everyone on arrival to Maui.
Jun 5, 2021, 11:06 pm
#59
Join Date: Mar 2014
Programs: Mileage Plus Global Services 2MM
Posts: 1,200
I'm pretty sure it will be the same as travelling (for example) from Honolulu to Maui now, except with QR code pre-clearance on the mainland. 1) add your inbound Hawaii flight info, 2) upload PDF of your CDC vax card showing HI vaccinations. I assume once this is done, the QR one receives shows the no test needed / no quarantine needed determination, just like travel HNL-OGG now. The only difference is one can get the QR scanned on the mainland and receive the wristband, unlike the HNL-OGG flights, where the QR code is scanned for everyone on arrival to Maui.
Jun 7, 2021, 9:32 am
#60
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: USA
Programs: UA Gold, Marriott Gold
Posts: 1,195
Flew back to HNL Saturday but had to change my scheduled flights due to a mechanical problem with my originating flight. Got into DEN with a little over an hour to catch the 1345 flight (UA 1801) and went to the GA podium to change my seat (the CSR I spoke to over the phone when my original flight was delayed was good enough to get me an aisle seat but it was bulkhead and I like having underseat storage). I had forgotten about the wristbands and the GA for UA 1801 didn't mention them. As it turned, it really didn't matter -- I dawdled coming off the flight so everyone else rushed through the wristband and document checks which meant I just walked up to an open desk in the non-wristband section, showed my ID and QR code, then was ushered through. Got down to baggage claim just in time to see my bags coming around to me so it was grab-and-go.
I'll be glad to forego the pre-arrival testing for future visits home.
I'll be glad to forego the pre-arrival testing for future visits home.