When Oakland Airport said it would offer free tests to all Hawaii-bound passengers back in September, we said that would be the beginning of more widespread free Covid tests for travel. And, while Oakland later couched that deal, yet another offer just appeared today. Here’s what’s going on, why it’s important, and what we think may be coming next to Hawaii travel.
A new free testing program arrives while Oakland modifies its program.
Sacramento Airport is hosting the latest free testing program. It began today and is provided in conjunction with City Health Urgent Care. In the announcement, Sacramento’s airport director said it is “Partnering with City Health to provide convenient, no-cost COVID-19 testing for passengers…” These tests are provided by a Hawaii “trusted partner,” although the state’s website has not yet been updated to reflect their Sacramento location.
Testing, which is on-airport, is by appointment, with priority given to travelers. While there is no cost for the testing itself, travelers to Hawaii will be assessed a $20 administrative fee. The time to receive results is from 48 to 72 hours. Of course, that leaves the question of whether that time frame can be counted on.
Oakland Airport is still offering free tests to Hawaii bound travelers (plus the $20 Hawaii administrative fee). However, last month the airport said it would no longer offer its free “Rapid” Molecular COVID tests due to limited supplies. The free tests are now the 48-72 hour variety, whereas the approved fast tests cost $120.
Beat of Hawaii: In our recent post about following Hawaii Rules for a good outcome, we mentioned the best travel insurance right now is paying for a test with guaranteed results. With that in mind, we are more likely to go with the sure bet, which is the $120 test.
Hawaii travel industry in collapse: will airlines step forward?
We have been wondering for months if any Hawaii airline might step forward and provide free or virtually free COVID tests to all its passengers. The plethora of benefits is obvious, especially in light of the myriad of problems Hawaii-bound travelers encounter with obtaining test results in the specified time. This could significantly help to curtail the widespread cancellations that Hawaii is currently experiencing, as confirmed in your thousands of comments across many articles we’ve published.
Hawaiian Airlines: warning and potential.
Hawaiian said recently, “There can be no assurance that guests will not be exposed to COVID-19 while traveling, or that our employees will not be exposed to COVID-19 while working. Should such exposure be determined to have been caused while traveling or working, notwithstanding the steps we take to protect our guests and employees, we may be subject to civil lawsuits or employee grievances that give rise to legal liability.” However, a new bill in Congress may offer protection for employers like Hawaiian, and eliminate lawsuits regarding COVID, unless the company (airline in this case) was reckless.
Hawaiian Airlines could still become a global pre-travel testing leader. Will they go first with airline-wide free COVID tests for Hawaii passengers? We think you already know that’s our guess.
United Airlines’ month-long free test pilot program: All flight passengers pre-tested for using Abbott ID Now test.
In the first airline-provided free testing trial we’re aware of (not in Hawaii), United for the past month sought to help remove quarantine restrictions and increase traffic on otherwise empty flights. The company said, “The pilot program will guarantee that essentially everyone on board just tested negative for Covid-19…We firmly believe that testing is a key component of a multi-layered approach to safely opening travel across the globe.”
The pilot program ends this week, which took place on one flight between London and New York. We are awaiting word from United on how that went and its plans going forward.
Passengers arrived three hours before flight departure and received the IDNow test, with results delivered in 20 minutes. Every passenger was tested, and those that chose not to test or who tested positive were not allowed to board, and were accommodated on other flights. In the program, it was “A requirement for everyone on board to have that negative test result prior to flight.” Now on to Hawaii…
Photo Credit – Honopu Bay off the Island of Lanai, © Beat of Hawaii.
Updated 12/17/20.
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We are traveling in two weeks to Maui. I am desperately trying to find a COVID test from a “trusted partner” listed on the state of Hawaii website that will offer a free test or at least take my Medi Cal state insurance. I called and spoke to someone at safe travels Hawaii and they were unable to help or offer any information. You must go with their trusted partners and you must pay. The cheapest is through cvs at $130 a person! It seems like these companies are giving the state of Hawaii a kick back so that they can make extra money off of travelers? It’s very unscrupulous and really sad that these companies and the state of Hawaii are making money off of the pandemic, tavelers, family visitors etc.
If anyone had any luck recently with an affordable, free test or covered test in Southern California please let me know.
we have 15 people traveling in july. we didn’t know of the additional cost of covid testing and are considering canceling the trip. Unless free testing is offered we can’t afford to go. I feel this is gouging people by not informing people before booking a trip. We we’re told all covid test are free so this isn’t right.
@Steve Y: Did you take the 24h or 48h test? Were you charged by your insurance for testing since its purpose is not medically necessary?
I signed up my family of 4 for the 48h one, and wonder how the insurance will treat it.
Thanks.
We just used the free testing at the Sacramento airport and were relieved to get our test results in less than 28 hours. We originally scheduled our tests at Walgreens and were nervous about the turnaround times. Luckily I saw on the news that CityHealth was now testing at SMF (Sac airport) and we were able to get appointments for all 5 of us. We are so relieved that we get to enjoy this special vacation in Hawaii after such a difficult year!
It appears that your Trusted Partners for Safe Travel are almost all on the West Coast or in the islands themselves. People do travel from the East Coast, too, you realize….just saying. we only had two choices – CVS and Walgreens. With very limited locations. We got it done but not as easily as someone traveling from the West Coast could……seems a bit unfair to us. Mahalo for listening….
Hi Melinda.
There is also the Vault mail-in testing which is available from throughout the US.
Aloha.
I am a frequent visitor Hawaii but I have cancelled 3 trips to the Big Island,in part,due to the post arrival test and the possibility of a false positive putting me in quarantine. Another reason for my cancellations is lack of available testing with a guarantee of meeting Hawaii’s deadlines
As soon as Kim announced the post arrival testing I was pretty sure that I would cancel, and after reading some predictable bad reports by some travelers about being put into quarantine, or told to leave I did cancel.
The trusted partner program is not as efficient as I expected. I, along with many others assumed that the partners were chosen because they would be able to guarantee results in time. We were all told about spikes in the virus early on and yet a # of the partners were not ready and left many tourists unable to meet Hawaii’s requirements.
I have not cancelled a 4th trip yet because I’m hoping that once the vaccines are available to all, that those vaccinated will be able to avoid post arrival testing, and enjoy an uninterrupted visit, and that any pretesting problems will be resolved.
Note: I believe in science, that the virus is real and can be deadly and that appropriate testing is necessary. However,I won’t chance losing up to $20,000. Insurance may not cover pandemics and if they do will not cover false positives, or quarantines.
I was told by a travel agent that January is very busy with people making travel plans for spring and summer. I hope that the Hawaiian Gov’t makes a decision on how they will regulate tourism in 2021 by then. If not, or it is too restrictive then I believe that many tourists will go elsewhere and the economy of Hawaii will suffer more.
WARNING: I just got confirmation from City Health Urgent Care that the test they give at the Oakland Airport is NOT THE NAAT TEST AS REQUIRED BY THE STATE OF HAWAII!!!
I’m running out of options…….
CORRECTION — They have the NAAT test…..but don’t know the turn around time. I have asked.
Ok…I have been advised by City Health I can pay $120 per test and get results in 24 hours. So now add the cost of two tests, and an extra night in a hotel (we will need to fly in a day early just to do the testing) and maybe, just maybe we will get to come to Hawaii….Still 58 days for lots of changes….UGH!
That is not true. Maybe you signed up for an antigen test but I drove all the way down the airport an hour ago and the 24 hour test ($120) and the slower test for $20 are both for Hawaii. Both are PCR tests which is the same as NAAT. She pointed to all the cars in line and said they are all here for Hawaii travel. Thats almost all they do. They also said if you don’t have an appt you can drive up and wait.
I got the test at the Oakland airport. It was free and got the results back the same evening. Make sure you tell them you are going to Hawaii. No appt only 1 person in front of me. They ask you if you want to spend $120 for the expediated test. The testing lab is in Hayward and they pick up the test 3 times a day at 12 noon 3pm and 6pm
so you should be ok if you test 3 days before the actual time starts at the time the lab tests it not the time you get swabbed.
Hi Guys!
Thank you so much for the tip on Alaska Airlines! I was able to cancel flights for next year and immediately rebook at the discounted price.
Thank you for all of your blogs. Beat of Hawaii is the best source for current news on the Hawaiian Islands.
Mele Kalikimaka, Guys! Not sure which version I like better– the one by Bing Crosby or Jimmy Buffett. Both are great! 🙂 Take care.
Hi Cheri.
So glad that worked out. We appreciate you letting us know. Happy holidays!
Aloha.
I’m confused…this is directly from the City Health website:
Those traveling to Hawaii will now have two options for testing by CityHealth Urgent Care at Oakland International Airport:
Those departing in less than 72 hours are advised to book a Same-Day Molecular PCR Test, with results typically returned within 24 hours.
CityHealth Urgent Care will administer the test for free, but there is a $120 lab fee for the expedited test, which will be collected by the lab (not CityHealth).
But the Hawaii site says: The state of Hawaii will ONLY accept Nucleic Acid Amplification Test (NAAT) from a certified Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendment (CLIA) lab test results from TRUSTED TESTING AND TRAVEL PARTNERS (as of 12/9/20)
So is City Health offering a test that won’t be accepted upon arrival in Hawaii?
Both BOH and others have said “just follow the rules and you will have no problems.” But what rules? I’ve yet to reach out to Vault as an option here in Georiga. We fly into Hawaii on a Monday so I fear that will complicate the testing.
More and more, I’m looking to spend my vacation money on new patio furniture! LOL…but we will still be out $2000 maintenance fee on a condo we can’t get to and $400 worth of plane tickets (those cane be used someplace else).
Frustration is not the word for this…..
Mahalo!
its worth noting that the airport testing in sacramento is under the same organization (city health urgent care), so hopefully, the same level of service will be offered
Please change timeline. 72 hours is very hard to do. More time needed maybe 84-96 hours. I’m going nuts trying to comply. But I want to see my Mother. The test that you want is 2-3days some places 4 days. I change flights once…in Phoenix and they say the test had to be with 72 hours too at check in. Help!!!!!!
Hi Kathleen,
As you well know this site isn’t the state of Hawai’i safe travel program. There isn’t much for them to be able to help you.
I understand you want to see your mother. The best advice that can be given is find a safe travels partner lab that is doing same day testing with guaranteed results or to travel to Hawaii and complete a 10-day post travel quarantine.
The Governor isn’t interested in expanding the testing window.
Aloha! I appreciate all the updates!!
FYI, for travelers from Reno Nevada, it is very frustrating to find a place for testing. Both Cvs and Walgreens have no available appointments. I check daily. The Oakland airport has the first available testing appointment on January 24! Vault says it’ll take 48-72 hours after they receive it in the mail. To risky. I just may have to cancel my planned trip this month. I’ll check with the new Sacramento option and fly out of Sacramento instead of Oakland.
Mahalo for all the tips though!!
Hi Lisa.
If it is after the holidays, and you follow Vault’s website guidelines for days of the week, we have heard very good results in many comments.
Aloha.
If I fly to Kauai and do the 14 day quarantine, do I have to get a Covid test before boarding the plane?
Hi Kristi,
The incoming travel quarantine is now 10 days for Kauai.
You aren’t required in that case to take a pre- travel test if you are quarantine but it is encouraged by both Kauai’s local health officials and the CDC.
Have you heard of any program that would be started in the future that would offer a way for travelers to confirm they have received both doses of the Covid vaccine and be allowed to travel to Hawaii without testing or requiring 14 day quarantine?
With 110 days (Apr 6) until our thrice rescheduled extended stay in Hawaii begins, we can only wonder what the testing landscape will look like at that time? Currently there are two ‘trusted partners’ offering rapid tests here in MemTN, as well as numerous CVS & Walgreens if one wants to gamble on the 72 hour rule. Our flights are routed through DFW where AA offers rapid tests at the airport thru CareNow at $249 per person 😲 . Yeah, no. We will continue to follow what ongoing changes occur by following BoH, and take the necessary steps to prepare for six weeks uninterrupted 808 time. Mahalo for keeping us informed!
Hi Al.
Thanks. That is like an eternity in the current situation. A lot will change. So please stand by for more information.
Aloha.
The United ID Now test is a rapid NON-NAAT test. How do they get to be different and why is it valid? Makes no sense.
Aloha Kauai Guys,
Mahalo nui for always being on top of travel news. Good news about Sacramento Airport covid testing, since that is where I go in and out of when I visit the Mainland. God only knows how the travel industry in Hawai’i will fare in 2021, but here’s hoping everybody will step up to do their part in tourism’s recovery. Although now that I’ve been stuck at home on Maui for approaching a year, I think I’d just rather visit Kauai once I get vaccinated. But then I think of In-n-Out cheeseburgers and it’s kinda a tie.
Hi Nancy.
That for that levity – vacation based on In-N-Out.
Aloha.
We are traveling from Kansas City in late January. Does anyone have good testing options from here?
Thanks for the article.
Too little, too late. The governor’s continued mishandling of this pandemic has taken Hawaii off the table for us for 2021. We’re spending our tourism money in Florida next year.
Good job, Gov. Ige, in destroying the one remaining industry that was the lifeblood of the state.
Any discussion regarding vaccine recipients? I will be receiving my 1st dose tomorrow with the 2nd scheduled for January, and have a trip planned for Maui in February for a conference.
Thanks!
Jennifer
Hi Jennifer.
Thanks for asking. We answered in today’s post.
Aloha.
Hi, If you get the COVID vaccine do you still have to test before going to Hawaii, Thanks
Hi Frank.
So far the state has said nothing about what if anything will be required of those who have been vaccinated.
Aloha.
Just a few words of warning about getting an appointment for the OAK location. I have tickets for Jan 16 (fingers crossed for the 3rd time). I went online more than one month before and there were no appts available until January 23. I drove down the testing site and got an appt for the 14th. So if you live close to the OAK airport your best bet is to drive down and make an appointment and not do it online. Mahalo!
Hi Joan.
Thanks for that update on availability.
Aloha.
I ran into the same problem when trying to book on line — first available test January 21. My Southwest flight from Oakland was December 15. Thank you for the suggestion to drive to Oakland Airport to get a test appointment
Joan…are you able to get a NAAT test as listed on the Hawaii Safe Travel Site? I’ve looked at City Health and it says it’s a PCR test. I don’t think that is accepted. I’m so close to just giving up on any Hawaii travel this year and have a blow out trip in 2022…..
Your article (helpful as always) has a Dec 17 2020 date, but all the comments have October dates. Are they actually comments submitted in October, or is there a calendar glitch?
Hi Margaret.
Thanks. The last words in today’s article are “Updated 12/17/20.”
Aloha.
So the ID Now test is approved for Hawaii travel correct?
Sadly, within 1 day of SMF opening up an airport testing site, appts are already booked up. They aren’t offeeing the 24hr rapid test, just the reg PCR test with CityHealth. No appts available in time if you have a Weds 12/30 departure date.
We had no idea when we booked our flight pre-Covid that Weds would be the worst day to travel from a testing standpoint. In person testing options in the Sacramento area with a 72hr turnaround are severely limited now that CVS & Kaiser warn results can 4-5days. If you aren’t travelling til mid-Jan there are airporr appts open, but book ASAP! We have fingers crossed with kaiser for now. Please wish us luck! Thank you!
Hi Suzanna.
Thanks for the up-to-date info on their testing availability. Let us know how it goes.
What the Sacramento announcement says is that they are also offering the rapid test, albeit at a cost of $120. The free/$20 admin fee test is the 48-72 hour results variety.
Aloha.
That announcement is not correct. When you click the $120 option it defaults back to the regular test, with a note that the other isnt available yet at the SMF location. Other tough issue might be testing is open to the general public too. I dont know if that’s the case at other airports. It says there are 2 seperate portals but there aren’t. I was able to sign us up for a 1/30 tests for our Feb visir to the Big island. So it does look like you can schedule about 3p days out. Thanks again! Aloha!
Hi Suzanna.
Thanks for the update on the Sacramento location testing option, or lack thereof. Since it just started this week, hopefully it will get sorted out.
Aloha.
But the rapid test is PCR not NAAT?
Aloha All,
Just wanted to let you know that I was just in touch (today 12/18) with Samantha Mott who is the SMF contact person with the Sacramento County Public Information Office. She has stated that at this time, only the PCR test is being offered at SMF. They do not offer a rapid antigen test. Further, on the City Urgent Health Care website, it specifically states that their rapid antigen test is not approved for Hawaii bound travelers. I hope this helps eliminate some confusion.
norcalcovid19testing.com/
Mahalo and Mele Kalikimaka!!
Hi Tina.
Thanks for that clarifications. I think their biggest issue is going to be testing availability, based on comments since yesterday.
Aloha.
Why can’t we get our test results from our own medical provider (who we trust)and feel more confident about the whole processing than Walgreens/Cvs
We should have a choice of where we go and of course our records will be validated
I agree with some of the posters, there is no such thing as a “free lunch” or a “free test”.
Can anyone recommend a COVID testing site in the Newport/Laguna/Dana Point area with results within the required 72 hour timeframe?
Thanks!
Cheri
Hi Cheri.
Lots of OC people around here so likely we’ll hear from them on your question. We’ve had the most positive feedback in comments regarding Vault mail-in tests for what that’s worth.
Aloha.
Hi Guys!
Thank you for the tip. I appreciate everything you do! 🙂
Aloha!
Cheri
Our experience with Vault, and from what others have been posting on online travel forums, is that you receive your results in your inbox in about 30 hours after you spit in the test tube on Zoom. One caveat: Vault is warning that those traveling to Hawaii on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, they cannot advise you will receive your results prior to your flight. This is due to the fact that UPS does not have overnight air on Sundays.
Hawaiian Air is a pain. I held a fare but they would not let me use my credit on a held fare. Then they said I could only rebook main cabin basic. After arguing with her she said as a “courtesy” they would allow main cabin this time. I also could not use the credit for baggage. Be careful and read the fine print!
Aloha! It is my understanding that one still needs to have a negative COVID test within 72Hrs with verification in order to avoid the 14 day quarantine. I also read that Hawaii is only accepting PCR Covid test results. This would rule out the free tests offered by some airlines for flights to Hawaii to avoid quarantine. This may change however. A friend of mine who recently flew to Honolulu due to traveling with her dog, and lives on Kauai, had two different PCR negative tests with documentation. She cleared Honolulu and flew to Kauai. At Lihue airport she was told she needed to be quarantined because they only accept tests from Walgreens and CVS. Being a resident of Kauai, she is furious! How stupid was that! Like others who have commented on your site, she called the 800 # given to her for four days and never heard back. Airport personnel need to get their facts consistent and accurate.
Will Hawaiiaccept the IDNow test? What about the NAAT requirement? Plus, United Airlines is not a Trusted Partner.
yes, they are. They’re using a lab called Color. Scroll down to the Domestic Trans-Pacific Trusted Testing Partners. hawaiicovid19.com/travel-partners/
It has to be out of the SFO airport, though.
If I’m visiting Maui and a friend who lives on Oahu wants to visit, does she have to test?
southwest.com/Coronavirus/?clk=CORONAVIRUS_TA&cbid=5446032#destination-hawaii
Scroll down to Inter-Island travel. According to the SW site, yes–your friend will need to be tested 72 hours before traveling to Maui.
United is still packing flights to Hawaii and across the US. I just returned from the mainland and with the exception of the flight to LAX, all other flights were packed/full flights. So social distancing is kind of a joke when boarding/deboarding the plane after having been on a 4 hour flight packed like sardines.
When is the free covid testing to Hawaii going to start
There is no such thing as Free. That cost will be transferred to the consumer. Abbot Labs rapid test have 14.8% false negative rate and 5% false positive. 1 out of 20 COVID free flyers will be denied access to flight, while 1 out of 8 people with COVID may be allowed on your flight. I would definitely not book a flight to Hawaii with those odds, and risk losing money or getting COVID.
Without out a doubt, I would fly on the carrier that would pre-test everyone prior to the flight, and insure that everyone on board tested negative. It would give me enormous comfort.
How enormously comfortable will you be with that mandatory three hour wait at the airport prior to that long oversea flight? Just wondering.
I understand that all of this is new and confusing
However I am curious the airline may rebook you on a future flight but if you’ve put down money for accommodations and or a car you may be screwed!
I am anxious to go back to Hawaii but not with all the hassle and confusion. We miss Maui but not at the cost of hassle factor
Still nothing for us Canucks. Any idea when?
Ask your Government and airlines to get on board. I understand Westjet will do a trial program in November but I don’t know if it includes Hawaii.
I believe the Westjet trial will be for domestic flights only unfortunately 🙁
So, if everyone were tested negative at the airport prior to being allowed to board a flight, would that then mean face masks would not be necessary during flight?
As you saw in the White House a “Negative” test does not guarantee you are not infected…I personally would want an absolute Mask Mandate as stands today on all flights testing or not…or I would not fly.
Pre-testing should be making tests mandatory. If you want to get on a plane to Hawaii, you have to have the test. Period. That is the best way to keep the island safe as well as airline employees. Forget the option of a two week quarantine once you land.
Realizing that things are constantly changing, still wondering this… For the Airlines that are offering testing and your assumption that when HA could eventually start free testing, will the tests be available only for their own passengers or will it be made available or anyone flying that day to Hawaii on any airline?
Your thoughts?