Which covid tests are valid for USA entry

[A.j. 12]

Hello,

 

Can anyone confirm which covid test is valid for entry into the USA?

 

I have read that the antigen test or NAAT test will be accepted by the airlines.  Since one is significantly cheaper, I'm just worried the airlines might decline 1 or the other.

[top_secret 2,421]

Basically either negative PCR or antigen test within 3 days of departure.   In 'most' places the antigen test would be by far the fastest, most convenient and cheapest option.

 

The very specific details are here.

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/pdf/Airline_Testing_Order_Checklist-p.pdf

[Lil bear 4,201]

USA will accept a rapid antigen test .. but check the brand if you are doing it yourself. 
 

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/testing-international-air-travelers.html

Edited August 3, 2021 by Lil bear

[Lil bear 4,201]

Moved to COVID forum as question is regarding travel and COVID, not K1 related 

[Babu Frik 1,162]

your airline should have this information, some of they may also have prearranged discounts with local labs.

[Babu Frik 1,162]

2 hours ago, Lil bear said:

USA will accept a rapid antigen test .. but check the brand of you are doing it yourself. 
 

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/testing-international-air-travelers.html

the do it yourself part is a bit misleading, you still need a telehealth provider which seems more of a pain to organize all of that.

 

[Lil bear 4,201]

4 minutes ago, Babu Frik said:

the do it yourself part is a bit misleading, you still need a telehealth provider which seems more of a pain to organize all of that.

 

Easy enough to do using the provided telehealth app.. and way cheaper 

[Babu Frik 1,162]

2 minutes ago, Lil bear said:

Easy enough to do using the provided telehealth app.. and way cheaper 

how much do you pay for a test?

I can probably get my insurance to cover the telehealth but for the cost of buying a test, there's not much difference.

But I should also look into if they'd cover me buying a test directly.

[Joe Kano 327]

16 hours ago, A.j. said:

Hello,

 

Can anyone confirm which covid test is valid for entry into the USA?

 

I have read that the antigen test or NAAT test will be accepted by the airlines.  Since one is significantly cheaper, I'm just worried the airlines might decline 1 or the other.

How would they know if your test was authentic or not?

 

There is no forum or official paperwork for the test giver to fill out.

 

You do sign some type of document where you affirm you took the test and it was negative.

 

You airline if going to the USA will accept the cheaper antigen test, if not change airlines.

 

I have been flying back from Cancun a couple of times and we are dong the antigen test, it free if you stay at the all inclusive hotel, if not I read it was $15 per test and results back in 30 minutes via email.

 

 

 

 

Edited August 3, 2021 by Joe Kano

[Babu Frik 1,162]

13 minutes ago, Joe Kano said:

How would they know if your test was authentic or not?

 

There is no forum or official paperwork for the test giver to fill out.

 

You do sign some type of document where you affirm you took the test and it was negative.

 

You airline if going to the USA will accept the cheaper antigen test, if not change airlines.

 

I have been flying back from Cancun a couple of times and we are dong the antigen test, it free if you stay at the all inclusive hotel, if not I read it was $15 per test and results back in 30 minutes via email.

 

 

 

 

lol, just change the airline? it doesn't exactly work like that.

 

the price varies by where I am, I've paid $10 to $35, I'm sure it's cheaper in resort areas because they want more tourists.

[pm5k 129]

Most of the time the airline has a specific requirement for the test and even which lab they will accept it from

[Joe Kano 327]

25 minutes ago, pm5k said:

Most of the time the airline has a specific requirement for the test and even which lab they will accept it from

Which airlines is this that has a specific requirement?

 

I have been flying American Airlines from Cancun Mexico to Dallas,  if you do self check at the kiosk they don't check anything you just give them the form you fill out saying you had the test and it was negative.

 

If you check in luggage they want to see you test results which is given to you my email, There is no way they know those are legit or not.  

 

 

Edited August 3, 2021 by Joe Kano

[Joe Kano 327]

1 hour ago, Babu Frik said:

lol, just change the airline? it doesn't exactly work like that.

 

the price varies by where I am, I've paid $10 to $35, I'm sure it's cheaper in resort areas because they want more tourists.

Yes, it does work exactly like that. If you have some person who works for an airlines and they want to make their own rules, then you switch airlines.  

 

Why wouldn't one be allowed to switch airlines?

[Babu Frik 1,162]

28 minutes ago, Joe Kano said:

Yes, it does work exactly like that. If you have some person who works for an airlines and they want to make their own rules, then you switch airlines.  

 

Why wouldn't one be allowed to switch airlines?

In fantasy land maybe, in reality, no. 

Show me terms from any airline that say you can just switch to another. 

 

 

[Joe Kano 327]

3 minutes ago, Babu Frik said:

In fantasy land maybe, in reality, no. 

Show me terms from any airline that say you can just switch to another. 

 

 

If I am in Cancun airport and flying say for example Jet BLue and they start saying you need this and this which isn't correct, I tell them to pack sand and go to the American Airlines and buy a ticket and fly with them, or Southwest.

 

What kind of world do you live in where you have to fly a certain carrier?