Southwest Hawaii leads the pack with a $20 COVID test for Hawaii bound passengers.
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84 thoughts on “New $20 COVID Tests Add to Hawaii Airline Competition”
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Southwest Hawaii leads the pack with a $20 COVID test for Hawaii bound passengers.
Get Breaking Hawaii Travel News
Comments are closed.
We are flying with Southwest to Hawaii on May 5th. Walgreens was recommended for correct test for Hawaii, but I cannot get any answers from Walgreens because the website will not accept any appointments in May yet. I am very concerned about not being assured of an appointment when I need it if I have to wait almost a month from now to book the appointment. I also cannot find any answers anywhere on their website or even in person at the Walgreens listed as the location for the Hawaii required test. Any suggestions on how I can find some peace of mind?
Walgreens doesn’t guarantee turn around times. We’ve used them with success and failure~ my son didn’t get his results and has to postpone his flight. I’m going to pay for the Costco one for our trip in May.
If I fly on Hawaiian Airlines, can I use City Health???
Yes! We are flying in May on Hawaiian and have an appointment with city health. I just did a dry run with them on testing this week and had my results in 34 hours! That was the Dublin CA location. And I also confirmed with Hawaiian that they are accepted.
Is Alaskan Airlines offering in airport or at gate testing just prior to a flight anywhere in the continental US???
Mahalo for the information. Too bad these $20 tests are only for locals because IF I am flying into Oakland from the East coast, how can I get these test results back in time?
Hi Steven.
True. Those tests are for those who live near the testing sites or are playing a stopover.
Aloha.
This whole ever-changing testing requirements has been a nightmare to navigate. I was in Hawaii last March to help my daughter with childcare. I live ion cape cod in Massachusetts and even trying to figure out the timing to get the test and it’s results 72 hours before my nonstop flight from Boston was confusing ..add to that was the fact that the labs approved by the state of Hawaii changed between the time I got the test and the time I flew. When I arrived my test was not valid and I was told that I had to quarantine even though my results were negative and I couldn’t just get another test in Hawaii. I’m flying to Honolulu at the end of March for the birth of my grandchild and there are very few labs listed on the websites that are on the east coast. My best bet is Walgreens, CVS isn’t even on the approved list anymore and trying to get results before your flight is almost impossible. They need to recognize that people don’t just travel to Hawaii from the west coast
Current physician opinion is that you shouldn’t get a COVID test for 90 days after you get vaccinated. The test can give a false positive. So testing before or after air travel anywhere is unnecessary & unscientific
Receiving the COVID-19 vaccine will not affect the PCR or antigen test results since these tests check for active disease, not immunity. There is no virus present in the mRNA COVID-19 vaccine.
Source: Nebraska Medicine
have to disagree – brother in law got the vaccine and tested positive 2 weeks later.
Can’t you get tested at any testing site approved by the state of Hawaii regardless of your airline? We are flying Hawaiian and I booked the $20 test through city urgent care in Dublin, ca.
Yes Amy B as long as it is on the approved testing site for Hawaii. Hawaiian, Alaskan, United etc were providing a test option because there was so much confusion. When people first started coming back here there were many that did not have the right test or didn’t have results by the time they landed.
BOH: Are you aware of any concrete scientific data concerning this? I’m traveling to Honolulu on March 3rd and I’m scheduled for my 1st Covid shot tomorrow. I sure wouldn’t want the shot to interfere with my long-planned trip. Thank you.
Hi Michael.
We aren’t aware of any such data beyond what we have shared. Hope all goes well and please let us know.
Aloha.
We will be flying out of Orlando in June on a direct flight to Honolulu with Hawaiian. I know things will most likely have changed and expanded by that time, but I have not read anything concerning approved, more convenient, or less expensive COVID-19 testing options for MCO. When I looked up departure airports through Hawaiians website for approved testing sites, Florida is not listed. Any information would be appreciated.
Since we are departing from the east coast in June we will have a time difference of 6 hours. When taking a COVID test, at what point does the clock start for the test against the 72 hours? Does it start once you receive the results, or from when you take the test itself?
Mahalo
Hi Law.
It is required that you get tested within 72 hours of departure. It is also likely that Hawaiian will help with Orlando testing options once we get closer to those flights starting.
Aloha.
When my husband used them, he had results the same day within a couple of hours…faster than his CVS results 3 days earlier. Maybe check to see turn around time. You might be able to get tested as you leave the airport. I know this is a big issue with timing from the east and midwest, this would be a big help if they are still same day.
Are rapid (antigen) tests acceptable or does it have to be PCR and sent to lab? CVS health is listed as a trusted site. Just want to be sure on correct test. Traveling to Honolulu in March.
This is great if you live in California. We have to fly to Oakland on Southwest to connect to our flight to Maui, so we’re stuck with trying to get a timely approved test result in Wisconsin even though we’re both vaccinated. We’re hoping that Hawaii does something to recognize vaccinations before our trip in April.
@Craig R
GREAT reason to schedule a couple of days stopover in the San Francisco Bay Area. Get off the plane, get the test at the airport (make sure you schedule it now), play a couple of days like a wine country tour, etc, get your results, continue your trip to the Islands 3 days later (from landing in the SF Bay Area)!!!
Thank you for the information about the SWA testing at SMF. I was going to use the Costco option, but I just booked appointments at the SMF location for our Spring Break trip to Maui. We’ve been unable to visit Hawaii since February 2020, but we just got our vaccinations and feel it is safer now to visit again without potentially and unknowingly contributing to any Covid surges on the islands.
Hi Todd.
Happy to hear that worked out to test at SMF.
Aloha.
Have you heard if Southwest will expand their pre-flight testing option to other airports? We are scheduled from Long Beach, CA to Maui on SWA at the end of May. Their partner sure sounds convenient and reasonable. Thanks!
Hi Sandra.
We haven’t heard but will post whatever we learn on new testing.
Aloha.
City Health is at Long Beach now! I think they opened up in March. You can schedule your appt online. Best of luck. Pls keep us posted! Thank you.
That is absolutely enticing!! American charges $249 and there are 5 of us, do the math. It’s horrible. I wish I would have known about this price that Southwest is offering. That’s a game changer! I wish I’d known how restrictive Hawaii is on their inbound travel before booking tickets. There are other places I could have gone that are nearly as difficult!
Mahalo for this important news! Only problem. What do folks like us who are flying INTO SFO/OAK the night before our outbound flight to OGG from the East Coast do about this test? We still have to get the test taken from our “home port” prior to our departure. There’s not enough time to take the test in California. Yes, we are planning to take the test in NJ about 48 hours from our departure as the test is a rapid results NAAT test (24-hour results). Yes, we are also scheduled to have our SECOND vaccine 2 weeks prior to our departure flight. The only concern though (a lot can change between now and April), the State of California has issued a quarantine for all arrivals into CA (via airports too?) and IF that isn’t lifted by our trip date, we may be forced to cancel our SWA flights and fly into Maui from another State other than California.
Hi Steven.
Yes it is definitely trickier for those connecting. Hope it all works out for you.
Aloha.
If you test positive for covid on the day, or days before departure will travel insurance reimburse your hotel(condo), rental car and airfare.
What if it’s a false positive ? If it’s a false positive you are not too ill to travel, but have to cancel your trip.
If you can’t get reimbursed you can lose ALOT of money.
Southwest has great rates, 2 free checked bags and a $20 covid test. I wouldn’t fly with anyone else!!!!!!!! And they’re really sweet too!!!!!
Do you need a test if you’ve had a vaccine ?
Thank you
Hi Ward.
At least at this point, yes you do.
Aloha.
This is the same entity that has been testing all passengers flying to Hawaii since last fall. No big deal. In reality the sites listed for Southwest are fewer than what is available. If you go to the link at the Oakland Airport site you will see additional sites in the East Bay like Dublin, Livermore, and Pleasanton. Better availability, same pricing, same turn around, and closer than driving to the Oakland Airport, if you live in the East Bay. Same $20 document as for all passengers to Hawaii.
We noticed for the Dublin,CA site, the verbiage states it is not guaranteed to get the test you request. Because of that, we scheduled our testing at the OAK site. We couldn’t find a phone # to clarify
I prefer to fly Southwest whenever possible so I’m thrilled with the $20 option through City Health. Just scheduled our appointments for April 2 at SMF. As a backup we are also going to test at Kaiser after that just to ensure we get results so we can fly to Maui on April 5. We postponed our trip last April and can’t wait to get back to the islands to celebrate our anniversary. Mahalo for all the great information you provide to your subscribers!
Hi Kim.
Thanks. We hope you have a great time on Maui.
Aloha.
Thanks ALOT for another tool to help us in our trip !!!
So, we leave for Maui Sunday at noon, what is the optimal day and time to schedule this test?
Mahalo
Hi JW.
Just after noon on Thursday would seem best if you can swing that. Just so long as it is within 72 hours of the scheduled departure.
Aloha.
I would recommend after 4pm in case the flight is delayed
@Hwy. This is actually a very smart idea since airlines have been known to delay flights. Always try to build some contingencies into the plans, and with a trip to Hawaii, this testing requirement, aside from actually contracting the virus, is one of the “weakest links” in the chain of things that need to go right to make the rep happen.
I hope this becomes a full on contest between all the airlines! Right now for Hawaiian Air out of Las Vegas, the cheapest test option is $90 even though it is a heavily traveled route. Also should mention that $90 test is with Xpress Lab and there are comments on Reddit from locals using that service and having some real issues getting results on time. Right now , I’m booked with another partner and it’s $130…..however comments say it’s reliable. I still have some time before my Hawaii trip so hopefully some things will change and I’ll get a less expensive or more guaranteed testing option! Southwest is showing their Aloha!
$20 Covid tests don’t entice me to fly Southwest, but they do make me wish Alaska’s testing options were cheaper than they are. That said, it seems I might be able to chance using my healthcare provider (Kaiser) and pay nothing, they are averaging 28 hours for results. However, it’d be even more awesome if the tests to be released from the bubble resorts were similarly priced. A lot of other tourist locations (Mexico, Bahamas, etc.) are offering onsite testing for less than $20/test compared to Marriott’s $200/per test. Even $100/test would be more easily swallowed. I’ve got my fingers crossed that testing out becomes a little cheaper before our arrival late next month, if not done away with.
A pre test helps but it is the post arrival test 3-5 days after that keeps Kauai’s covid numbers down.
When the airlines can make their customers take that test 3-5 days after arrival I am all on board. The airlines are ONLY interested in selling seats period. We here on Kaua’i must deal with the rest.
I had reservations SJC to LIH to SJC non-stop each way on Alaska. But I just got notice that I now have to fly via LAX I texted Alaska and said I did NOT want to go through LAX going and returning. (I am a resident of Kauai) They said it’s a temporary thing and I can wait to see if they go back to non-stop service SJC to LIH. (I was scheduled to fly out April 28) If they DO NOT go back to the original service I will have to cancel. FYI.
Thank you and aloha
Eddie
Hi Eddie.
That is the norm at present with Kauai travel policies.
Aloha.
Hi, Eddie. Very similar situation for me: I booked non-stop flights from San Diego to Honolulu, and back; Alaska canceled those flights, and rebooked me through Seattle! Four additional hours of travel time in each direction, plus the added exposure risk.
I’m hoping that this changes, but it’s not likely before my flights next Friday.
I’m supposed to fly from Phoenix to Kona in March. I have been looking at the approved testing locations, and unless they offer rapid results within an hour, there is no guarantee your results will return within 72 hours (when they’re sent off to a lab). So I will have to pay $200 for a rapid test for the security of getting my results ASAP.
Stephanie
Walgreens has 10 locations in the Phoenix area for the Rapid test. Results usually come back in 2/3 hours. Go to the Walgreens sight and start with the city state you live in. Use only the Rapid test sights, not the PCR test sights. You will need to signup 72 hours before you need the test and time your test so as it’s within 72 hours of your flight departure time to the Big Island.
Good luck.
Does Hawaii accept Rapid test result? I live in Phoenix and will fly to OGG in March. If Hawaii accept Rapid ID NOW result, I will definitely do that since my other option is the $200 rapid test at the airport to make sure that we have the result back on time. My family of 5 would cost $1000 if we do the test at the airport.
Phil,
If your referring to Walgreens, the answer is yes. Walgreens is an accepted partner for Hawaiian covid testing. You want use only the Rapid ID Now test,it’s a NAAT test,do not use the PCR. Yes Hawaii will take Rapid test, I’ve used myself and it’s the accepted test used by the airlines and the state of Hawaii. Walgreens also has an 800 number.
Best of luck
Stephanie and Roy H…
Stephanie didn’t say where she lived just that she is flying out of Phoenix. We fly out of Phoenix as well and in our state, including our Metro Area of 900,000 folks, there isn’t a single Walgreens in the state that offers Rapid Testing. So it is possible that to follow your GOOD advice, she might have to travel to Phoenix day(s) before her flight to Hawaii.
BARBARA M
Roy H was just giving advice. Because, Stephanie D only mentioned Phoenix, Roy H did a quick search of Phoenix THEN gave her the instructions on searching for her city. I did a quick search as well and found quick result sites in Flagstaff, Tucson and Phoenix. Stephanie may choose to go out of state if she lives closer to the boarder. Stephanie D…I hope you found a test close to where you live. Me, I had to travel 55 minutes to get my test to return to Hawaii. The peace of mind that the results were in hand along with being able to schedule it closer to my flight made it worth the drive.
Thank you sooo much for the links to testing, I was able to get my appointments booked in Long Beach and feel very relieved! One step closer!
Hi Tracy.
That’s great. Thanks for your comments.
Aloha.
Just read that CDC says no need to quarantine if one has had full course of vaccine.
That could be a real gamechanger IF Kauai goes along with the rest of the universe….
No, not really. I get mine for free at Walgreens in the city where I live. I know when I get on the airplane that I’m good to go with a QR code already on Safe Travels. What would I do if I flew from Boise to one of SW gateway cities and tested positive?
As always, BOH updates like this are greatly appreciated.
Having to prove negative test results so close to departure means that a lot of pre-paid costs/deposits may be lost with a positive test. I know that travel insurance is important for large vacation expenditures, but I wonder how many policies will actually cover the loss if due to Covid (since it has been declared as a pandemic). Does BOH have any insight into travel insurance policy questions like this?
Without adequate protection for money paid up front, there is no way I would book a trip that required pre-travel testing of any kind, and to any destination.
p.s. I still firmly believe that pre-travel tests are a waste of time and resources, and provide little extra protection to Hawaii residents who fear tourists bringing disease to the islands.
Hi David.
Thanks. Good question. We don’t know the answer, and suggest you check directly with one of the trip insurance providers. We question whether cancel for any reason would be abused since it requires a 48-hour advance cancellation.
Aloha
Hi! Thank you for your excellent, helpful articles on my favorite place on Earth. We tested negative for Covid a month ago and are getting vaccinated soon. Can we travel to Hawaii after our 2 shots without a test?
Thank you!
Hi Michael.
Thanks. Not so far. We’ll be updating as soon as we learn more.
Aloha.
Following
Yes, that’s a good thing. I also noticed that the CDC has said, there will be no quarantine for those who are fully vaccinated against Covid and hopefully that will be a good thing too.
Aloha Guys, very nice to have the updates.
Hi Roy.
Thanks. We hope to hear something from the state of Hawaii about that soon.
Aloha.
IF Hawai’i’s BOH follows CDC guidelines. No word on that yet, darn it!
Any updates on Kauai travel restrictions? Thank you.
Hi JC.
Nothing yet. Will let you know as soon as we hear anything.
Aloha.
Yes, I would much rather pay $20, rather than $90 to $200! However, I do note that it appears that they submit the cost to your insurance company to pay the rest. So, each person should check with their health insurer to see if they will pay for it completely (or will there be co-pays, coinsurance, deductible, etc.).
Aloha
Not sure what this has to do with SWA. City health has been offering $20 tests on appointment basis at these sites (and other off-airport) for months, regardless of airline carrier. My last one in sacramento was turned around in 11 hours, so im not sure how much value ‘prioritizing SWA passengers’ will add.
As of now all these locations still offer appointments for anyone regardless of carrier
norcalcovid19testing.com/
What about a LAX solution?!? $20/person for guaranteed results even doable, even for family travel. But the mid-trip RE-test is going to be an issue. No other states have set this precedence. Maybe evidence of a vaccine gets you out of a mid-trip RE-test?
Will proof of vaccine take the place of the covid test for travel to Hawaii?
That would be nice since I’m already vaccinated. It could save me $200.
Luv me some Southwest! Free checked bags and now 20.00 tests…best customer led industry hands down.
It would if I could find a way to get Southwest to Hawaii without it costing me a bundle! From where we are, they literally are within $$$ of Hawaiian out of Phoenix and their schedule from here and back is horrendous!