Southwest Hawaii leads the pack with a $20 COVID test for Hawaii bound passengers.
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.
Comments are closed.
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