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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Marie S says
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.
Camille B says
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.
Pete says
@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.
Julie T. says
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!
Melinda P says
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….
Beat of Hawaii says
Hi Melinda.
There is also the Vault mail-in testing which is available from throughout the US.
Aloha.
Lopaka1 says
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.
ThomA says
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…….
ThomA says
CORRECTION — They have the NAAT test…..but don’t know the turn around time. I have asked.
ThomA says
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!
joan b says
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.
stev y. says
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.
Cheri F. says
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.
Beat of Hawaii says
Hi Cheri.
So glad that worked out. We appreciate you letting us know. Happy holidays!
Aloha.
ThomA says
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…..
Jamie L. says
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
Kathleen S. says
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!!!!!!
Sarah R says
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.
Lisa C says
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!!
Beat of Hawaii says
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.
Kristi s says
If I fly to Kauai and do the 14 day quarantine, do I have to get a Covid test before boarding the plane?
Sarah R says
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.
Mike Z. says
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?
Al G says
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!
Beat of Hawaii says
Hi Al.
Thanks. That is like an eternity in the current situation. A lot will change. So please stand by for more information.
Aloha.
Deborah L. says
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.
Nancy R says
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.
Beat of Hawaii says
Hi Nancy.
That for that levity – vacation based on In-N-Out.
Aloha.
STeve M says
We are traveling from Kansas City in late January. Does anyone have good testing options from here?
Scott C says
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.
Jennifer B says
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
Beat of Hawaii says
Hi Jennifer.
Thanks for asking. We answered in today’s post.
Aloha.