As October 15 gets closer to Hawaii travel reopening, people and airlines are scrambling over how to test.
62 thoughts on “$250 COVID Airline Scam or Free + What About Kids?”
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As October 15 gets closer to Hawaii travel reopening, people and airlines are scrambling over how to test.
Comments are closed.
We had to cancel our yearly trip to Hawaii. The Covid tests are so inaccurate, I would never book a trip to Hawaii with the stipulation that I had to take a Covid test before I arrive. I guess we will have to wait until the madness is over.
With the inactivity in this area from Governments around the world and everyone kicking the can down the street, it could be 2022 or 2023 at this rate. You know the naysayers will try and rubbish vaccines and testing to damage things further. No one wants to be blamed so it is easier just to do nothing and look serious.
Aloha all – I’m all for pre-travel testing but this feels like the vultures are out in full force. We’ll just wait and see when we can safely travel to our beloved islands. We miss you and can’t wait to be back!
Thank you BOH for your detailed updates as always. I would love to go back to HI and visit friends this year but I’m concerned the date will be pushed back again. And it’s ridiculous for UA to charge $250 for testing! I’d rather do the $5 rapid test myself.
Hi Inah.
Yes we were in sticker shock too. Two people – $500. Ugg. Thanks.
Aloha.
Hello again, it’s the Canadian from Toronto who wants to spend 6 weeks on Maui. I can get a test here but when I saw the mail from the Points Guy today, I am seriously considering changing my flight from Toronto to SFO, do the Test there, cough up the $500 for my wife and me and take the direct flight to Maui. DOH did answer my email but had no clue what to do with international visitors and no binding comnments regarding the acceptance of a test approved by Health Canada. Another issue, does changing planes in Honolulu constitute inter island travel.
I think the October 15 opening may be kicked again. My flight on Hawaiian on 10/23 from San Jose to Maui has disappeared from their system and their schedule does not show anything other than minimal flights from the mainland to Honolulu for the rest of October. Perhaps this is just a schedule thing with them, or something else is amiss. Josh Green said that an announcement was supposed to be made today regarding the logistics for the testing.
Hey David, I had a nonstop flight booked on HA as well to OGG. They moved me to a 2 leg connection (HNL) without telling me. When I inquired, the agent said that all mainland flights were getting rerouted to HNL and a connection to the outer islands. Not sure if this is just a October thing because non-stop outer island flights ‘appear’ to again resume in November. I wouldn’t bank on that tho. I am guessing they are trying to temporarily reduce flights and keep them at capacity.
Thanks
IATA has the right idea. After-all, the test is only $5 from the suppliers. United’s proposal is ridiculous, IMO.
Jim B
I hate to be a Debbie downer here, but even if there is a test, free or otherwise, that is done before boarding, the question remains as to will the airline guarantee you get your ticket money refunded in full? Will they also refund in full everyone else in your party or do they have to go on without you or lose their money? What about refunds from the hotels, condos, and car rentals when given less than 24 hours notice of cancellation? Is the airline going to guarantee that the results of the test are correct? If the test results were a false positive I would think the airline could be looking at a lawsuit. If the test was negative when it should have been positive, you have just exposed everyone on that plane to COVID. I am sorry, but this, at least for me, is far from the answer to the problem.
The testing is just one layer of what’s needed to reduce the chances of people unwittingly spreading the virus. Not 100% but very helpful.
Just like masks, not 100% effective, but effective enough that if everyone wears masks there will be far fewer cases and of course far fewer deaths. The whole point is we can sit home and wait for the economy to totally collapse or figure a way to move forward and keep the cases to a manageable level rather then letting it get out of hand like NYC was.
The combination of everyone having been tested and wearing a mask would make coming to Hawaii extremely safe.
I agree.
Hi!
As much as I want to visit my family on Kauai and hopefully be able to in October, I am waiting for the dust to settle and the ever-present Gov. Ige last minute cancellation. On top of that the testing debacle is now becoming hilarious. Maybe in 2021.
Thanks for your great news.
Hi Dale.
Look forward to your returning to Kauai. Thanks.
Aloha.
I appreciate these updates. I am trying to plan a trip to Hawaii but it seems like the rules change daily. I want to be safe and also keep the Islands safe for islanders. What about the hotel information , can you advise us with their rules too please ? Hilton Hawaiian Village .TIA
Hi Patricia.
We may cover some of the hotel updates, but there are too many for it to be truly comprehensive. Best to check with your property as we get closer.
Aloha.
I just don’t understand-no testing for kids?? Aren’t families the exact group Hawaii wants to visit? I have 3 children-13, 11, and 9. All we want to do is socially distance ourselves on a beautiful beach, eat some amazing cuisine and repeat the next day. At $250 a pop and not even testing children, Hawaii is asking for single people or young couples who are more likely to go out at night and not socially distance. I certainly hope this changes as I want my children to experience the islands and see why their parents chose to get married there 20 years ago. I’m so glad I found the BOH newsletter. Great resource for the quickly changing times. Thank you!!
Hi Cherie.
We get it. Hopefully, the Lt. Gov. will have some answers soon since he’s the one who, contradicting the governor, said there would be mail-in testing for children. Thanks.
Aloha.
Aloha,
It’s not Lt Gov. Green that is against the testing of kids (twelve and under) It’s the actual labs that do the testing that will not test kids.