A new partnership will provide an innovative in-the-terminal testing option for no-nonsense, no-waiting COVID testing for Hawaii bound passengers.
Locations.
XpresCheck is to begin offering in-the-terminal testing starting today. Initially, it will be for Hawaiian Airlines flights from Boston, New York, and Phoenix. The company is a trusted testing partner for the State of Hawaii.
XpresCheck says it also offers its tests at Denver and Newark, not in conjunction with Hawaiian. Salt Lake City is in the process of being added. We don’t know if they have plans for other airports, although that seems very likely. In that regard, the company said, ” Our expansion of COVID-19 testing within airports also supports our long-term goal to become the leading brand in the rapidly emerging travel health and wellness category.”
Check each location for operating days and hours.
The good news.
Immediate results mean no more stress. You are guaranteed immediate results from the in-the-terminal service. In hundreds and hundreds of comments, you’ve expressed concerns and reported failures in other forms of testing. It saves you a ton of time too. Plus, you can upload your results to the Hawaii Safe Travels website before departure, as is required.
Beat of Hawaii editor, Jeff, said he would do this test instead of the 72-hour one. Rob disagreed and said this would be a last resort if the 72-hour test results were not delivered in time. What do you think you would do?
The not so good news.
At present, the testing fee is $200.
XpresCheck’s CEO said:
“We are very pleased to be welcomed as a trusted partner of Hawaiian Airlines and the State of Hawai’i so more travelers can safely return to vacation travel during the COVID-19 pandemic.”
This is pre-travel testing on-site with results provided while you wait. Hawaii bound travelers may access the walk-up testing by purchasing the $200 state-approved rapid test at the following airport locations:
JFK: Terminal 4
BOS: Terminal E
PHX: Terminal 4
The company also that those who test positive would be informed that they must “leave the airport and self-isolate per CDC guidelines. Any travel companions will also not be permitted to travel. As more destinations mandate testing requirements, partnerships between airport testing facilities and airlines will continue to pave the way to restoring traveler confidence and safety in 2021.”
Hawaiian Airlines.
Hawaiian Airlines’ Senior Vice-President, Avi Mannis, said, “Our collaboration with XpresCheck furthers our commitment to making pre-travel testing seamless and accessible for our guests returning home or taking a long-awaited Hawai’i vacation from Phoenix, New York City and Boston while also doing our part to maintain Hawaiʻi track-record as a safe destination.”
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Dn says
So. Ya think Obama and fam had to do 72-hour COVID tests before their visit this week? Somehow I bet not.
Dan M says
Thanks for all the up to date info about testing and quarantine. We are due to fly AUS – DFW – OGG (Maui) on 12/30. Last Wednesday evening (about 6 PM CST) we got online with Walgreens and got appointments for Sunday test times for their rapid NAAT test. They have more locations for the 2 to 3 day response NAAT and also have an antigen test (not approved for HI travel). Took our test in our car (self administered shallow nasal swab) around noon and received our Negative results email at 2:07 PM with .pdf attached. Uploaded to the Safe Travel site along with a recent photo. Waiting for email, 24 hours before flight, to fill out health check info and get QR Code. So far so good for a free test. Plan C was paying $250 each for quick response test at DFW.
Beat of Hawaii says
Hi Dan.
Thanks for letting us know. That Walgreen timing was pretty amazing.
Aloha.
KL says
I did the same thing in Orlando. Had my results in 33 minutes! Everything worked as it should! Following the guidelines and the rules work! Been in Hawaii for 7 weeks, 4 more to go! The beauty never changes.
Tammy T. says
Aloha! I’m traveling to Maui on February 2. I’m flying out of Chicago. So much confusion on the testing. I just read that Ohare is testing on site for a fee😞. My question is is that an acceptable test if negative to enter Maui? Only certain labs and tests are allowed. I understand the need for sago but it’s really confusing and limited information and testing within a 72hour window. Hawaii needs to expand the turnaround time. Thoughts and advice welcome! Thank you!
Beat of Hawaii says
Hi Tammy.
It needs to be a test with one of the trusted partners found on this page: https://hawaiicovid19.com/travel/travel-partners/. There’s been much talk about changing to 96 hours, but so far it’s just conjecture.
Aloha.
Glenn S says
What good was the Safe Hawaii travel portal when we took the test at 10am Dec 24th by Xpress out of Phoenix and uploaded everything necessary and flew out on the 26th, results of upload was still pending even when we arrived at Honolulu 7 hrs later- good thing we had the hard copy results!
Adam says
So they let you go on about your trip by showing them the hard copy?
Greg M. says
I would test for free at 72 hours, then hope I received my results in time.
I could fly to my connecting airport, if I do not have a non-stop to the islands, and then if my results are not back from the 72-hour test window, which is quite common actually, I would then test at the airport using this new rapid test program and pay the $200 so I can continue on my way to Hawaii.
When I was returning to Hawaii in November, I made three different attempts to test at Walgreens for free, and all three tests came back more than 72 hours later, and since I was testing in the Las Vegas area, I had to get flights to Oakland before connecting to my Hawaii flight. My experience was, I had to test in Oakland at the terminal and wait about 12 hours for my result which forced me to get a hotel and take a flight to Hawaii the next day.
The free testing from Walgreens was useless because they cannot return it in time, especially if I have a connecting flight in another airport or state. I can’t comfortably depart Las Vegas knowing that might arrive to my collecting airport with no negative test in hand.
It’s a huge problem for travelers heading to Hawaii, this is why I suggest removing the testing time up to 96 hours.
Ted says
Do you have any update on how those who have been vaccinated will be treated. Seems like we need some type of certification. It seems like overkill to get vaccinated and then require a COVID test.
Cynthia K says
Just because you have been vaccinated, doesn’t mean that you cannot get Covid.
Anik B says
Then why get vaccinated? Not that it’s available be to the general public yet anyway. HI has the right to do what it wants in regards to testing…I understand that, what has turned me off from traveling there is the the ugly nasty comments against tourists from locals. If they dont want me to visit, fine, i will go someplace where they do. Part of the Laure was the aloha…it has left the state apparently.
Scott says
When I flew to Kauai in November, Kauai was still in the Safe Travels program. I was surprised that my negative test result wasn’t checked until I arrived in Hawaii. There were not checks or screening done at the point of departure.
It would be safer for travelers and reduce the potential spread if airlines would check the safe travels negative test results BEFORE allowing passengers to board flights to Hawaii (or anywhere for that matter). As far as I know, now travelers can choose to not take a test and to quarantine in Hawaii for 10 days. That means that potentially infected people can get on a plane and infect others. Why is this allowed?
Lori N. says
I’m assuming this rapid test is the antigen test? This is probably the best, up to the minute test option available for air travelers.
It’s too bad about the cost, particularly when the FDA recently approved a $30/15 minute at home test.
Glenn S says
This is Not the Antigen test, it’s the PCR (NAAT) test.
Christine N says
So can you use the airport testing facility if you fly an airline other than Hawaiian?
Glenn S says
Yes, doesn’t matter who you fly with. XpressCheck does it for anyone and it’s imperative to make an appointment with them as they actually take appts at least a week or 2 out unlike CVS or Walgreens which is no more than 3 days out.
Stacy J. says
Hawaiians have made it clear they’d rather starve than have tourists. We’ll be going elsewhere..no covid test required.
Barbara M says
Justifiable comment but you can now add New York to that list of “rather starve than have tourists”! Hawaii isn’t the only one anymore using that approach!
Anik M says
Yes finding other options….lots of places actually like having tourism.
JANW says
Stacy, just curious where you are going to vacation instead of HI? I need options too.
Bob B says
$200….. If Hawaii wants my money they will need to pay for the test! Especially when they can close businesses at will. I will go elsewhere.
Kim P says
Here is the problem. I take 2 weeks off from work. Pay for the accommodations car etc. Pay for the flight put my bags on the plane checkin. All set to go. Stop by the booth and pay my extra $1000 for myself and family. One of the 5 gets a false positive! No what I just blew $10,000 and now have nowhere to go. Safer to just wait till the madness is over and go to the islands or Mexico with no risk. My opinion but for those that like to gamble with their time and money good luck and have a nice time. 90 and sunny in Mexico year round
Barbara M says
Feel your pain (even though there’s only two of us!). Just a suggestion… Many folks are opting to take a “not-sanctioned by Hawaii” Covid test a few days earlier and then isolating until they take the “sanctioned” test. Most Covid testing is done FREE. Just a suggestion but I know it’s a b..ch! We were going to have to go to our departure city 4 days in advance because we couldn’t get tested here at home. Now our state is offering free testing thru Vault symptomatic or not. Check to see what might be available in your area.
Beverly F says
Went to Mexico and had a blast. No masks , open eating at all restaurants. Swam in pool and made new friends and a lot cheaper to enjoy a fun filled vacation In July of 2020.
Anik M says
Mexico bound in 2 weeks..they actually WANT tourism…and arent bad mouthing them
Donald M says
We used to go to Mexico years ago. Loved it. Then my wife got nervous about the cartel and violence and we stopped going. We would go to the West coast north of Peurto Vallarta. How are things there now?
Tommy S. says
If they offer this in San Francisco I will be buying tickets immediately
Barbara M says
They don’t! Boston, JFK, Newark, Phoenix and now Denver.
Donald M. says
$200 !?!?!? … When there is opportunity to rip people off and make a lot of money, we here in America are the best at that. Compassion for fellow citizens? There some of that. But it soon gets buried for the almighty buck! What exactly justifies this cost? Because they can? And the well to do can afford it. And well, hell’s bells, we here at XpresCheck want to be well to do and as soon as possible! Break out the jams brothers and sisters. There’s a Lamborghini I’ve been meaning to buy!
Barbara M says
Check XPRESCHECK’s availability before counting on them! Rapid Testing was not available at the Phoenix airport until recently but XpresCheck never posted that piece of information and after making appointments, when we ultimately found that out, we had to cancel our January trip as that was our only option. Checking XpresCheck’s website today Rapid Testing is now available at the Phoenix location. However, the Phoenix location is not open on Tuesdays/Wednesdays so if you are traveling morning of a Thursday you shouldn’t plan on using that facility. Check your location for the days they are open as the last I looked, each of the locations was only open 5 days a week and those 5 days differed between locations. In Phoenix, for instance there is only one physician and they give him two days off a week! XpresCheck has now added Denver Airport to their list of locations.
Lynn s. says
The in terminal test is safer for Hawaii. You have 72 hours to get infected with the other test protocol. Neither is perfect of course because you can be exposed and get it and still have a negative result for a few days.
Lori N. says
It’s safer for hawaii and for us too!
Mel B says
Just know that there are residents choosing not to take any test, but rather to quarantine once they arrive in Hawaii, so there are folks on your flightthat have not tested at all … they were on my flight to Maui as I overheard them telling the people that checked our paperwork when we arrived. So many different scenarios
David B says
Mel B – Air fares are as cheap as they ever will be. Some Hawaii residents (e.g., kids visiting grandparents) are travelling to the mainland. That doesn’t mean they have an extra $200 per person lying around to come home. They can quarantine in the comfort of their own homes/yards; not locked in a room. Unlike tourists, returning residents do not need to be monitored to ensure they are not cheating on the 10 day quarantine. Because.
Except Kauai, of course, in which case there is no upside to being pre-fly tested, beyond virtue signaling, since you have to do the 10 days either way.
Scott says
“there is no upside to being pre-fly tested.”
If you want to be a bubble resort traveler in Kauai, you still. Eed to get tested to participate. The hotels require it.
In my opinion, Kauai is smart to take these precautions. Sure, their economy is taking a big hit, but there are upsides for the people who live there. Kids can go to school, restaurants are open, etc. If they have a big outbreak, everything will eventually shut down anyway. Then they will have outbreak and a bad economy.
David B says
Kawakami’s “resort bubble” option to reduce quarantine has not yet (if it ever will be) been approved by Gov. Ige.
If Ige approves said plan, then there will be an incentive to test pre-flight, but between the two tests and 3 nights a hotel, plus taxes and expensive food options, the added expense even if Hilton Garden Inn is used will be $1K. This is not an option for many/most residents. They will just do the ten days at home.
For the time being, the resort bubble plan is just a brain fart.
Wendy P says
I appreciate the comment/information provided by Mel B that residents coming home do not have to be pre-flight tested because I was not aware of that and THAT piece of information does certainly change our thought of travel plans to Hawaii, as much as we love to visit.
Why would we/visitors want the expense & hassle to do all the testing to get on a plane with potential carriers of Covid because they are exempt just because “they live there & don’t have the extra money lying around to get tested” — that comment seems selfish.
1. So, as a tourist WE must follow requirements & hassle,pay for tests & then risk possibly getting sick because of a resident being contagious on the trip over because they don’t have to be tested – as strict as Hawaii has been on visitors, please let me know how this makes sense…
2. Many of us that travel there & thus supporting the economy & tourism in Hawaii, come from areas that do not even offer the expensive testing to begin with & the limited schedule on the ones that do could very well impact the cost of even getting to Hawaii…and again the risk of traveling with residents that could be contagious
3. Your comment of: “because they have the benefit to quarantine at home does not justify this “rule” & honestly, can you really be serious & KNOW FOR A FACT that EVERYONE does stay at home & not break the rules. I seriously doubt it.
For these reasons, I would choose not to even take the risk.
We’ve been to Hawaii several times, not because we are rich, we just save our money & follow this site to get airfare deals & that’s how we do it. If a resident wants to go back & forth they should have the SAME RULES as tourists because they could be contagious & THAT very reason could impact the lives of others – resident or tourist, a persons life should not matter based on what they are classified as when flying to anywhere.
Jamie L. says
$200 is too much. I did my free test with cityhealth at SMF yesterday and had results that same evening
mahalo
Beat of Hawaii says
Hi Jamie.
Thanks for letting us know. Yes, that is a huge expense. But if you don’t get your results in time, as so many have reported, it could save a lot of other expenses, like a last-minute cancellation.
Aloha.
Dick A says
Aloha guys, thanks for this great source of information. Does anyone know why there is no trusted testing partners for Hawaii near the San Diego airport. Three major airlines serve Hawaii out of San Diego but nearly impossible to get tested nearby. Thanks for any info you can find.
Beat of Hawaii says
Hi Dick.
Thanks. San Diego Airport does plan to have on-site travel testing starting soon, although we haven’t heard a date.
Aloha.
Joan b says
$200 for a rapid test to avoid the stress of wondering if your Vault test comes back in time is totally worth the extra money. All airports where Hawaiian flies should have this option. It’s in the best interest of the airlines and island’s recovery. Thanks for keeping us up on the latest.
Beat of Hawaii says
Hi Joan.
Good to hear from you and thanks for that input. LOL since the last comment suggested it was ridiculous.
Aloha.
kauaidoug says
The most important is how accurate is this test proven to be? That should have been included under good news or bad news. MAhalo
Barbara M says
That test is as reliable as the “regular” test as it tests for the same chemical (for want of a better word) in your system. It is an NAAT Test which is what Hawaii requires.
Tahd says
Covid is bad enough but using it to overcharge such a ridiculous cost for testing? We can get it done free here at a lot of places obviously this is greed capitalizing on an already bad situation- shame on them! So yeah, the 72-hour from where I’m flying from is definitely the only course of action.
paulette w. says
Aloha. Are there plans to add Oakland outbound flights to the list? The family and I have plans to travel to Oahu I’m March