You can get a COVID-19 test for travel from the comfort of your couch
Earlier this month, I took a COVID-19 PCR test at a pop-up tent in my New York City neighborhood, with results promised between five to seven days. I finally received my results 10 days after being swabbed.
These turnaround times already pose significant problems for public health, but the long waits for results won’t work for virtually any destination with a pre-travel testing requirement.
Many testing facilities say they can provide results between 48 and 72 hours, but that isn’t always true, especially now that the omicron variant has exploded worldwide. Now, travelers have to be more resourceful in finding a COVID-19 test and are using options such as at-home tests or paying extra for results that can arrive in as little as an hour.
But did you know there’s another way to get a COVID-19 test with expedited results? Even better, you don’t have to leave the comfort of your couch. Here’s what you need to know about in-home COVID-19 testing.
What is in-home COVID-19 testing?
Before we dive in, it’s important to note that at-home and in-home COVID-19 tests are not the same, even if they sound similar.
At-home COVID-19 tests, such as Abbott’s BinaxNow COVID-19 Home Test and Qured’s video-supervised rapid antigen test, are approved for travel to the United States. At-home tests are extremely popular for travel purposes but can be challenging to find in some parts of the U.S. right now due to the omicron surge as well as increased demand in testing for travel. They're tests you can purchase and administer to yourself.
In-home COVID-19 testing is different.
This is a concierge service where a testing provider comes to your house, apartment or hotel and swabs your nose. In-home testing offers travelers the convenience of not having to wait in a line to get tested. We're calling it in-home testing, but some facilities also provide testing at your office for large groups.
How can I get an in-home COVID-19 test?
Generally, you can make an appointment with a facility that provides in-home COVID-19 testing. But if you’re in a rush to get a negative result before your trip, you may want to make an appointment a few days in advance as some facilities also tack on an extra fee for same-day or last-minute testing.
Some in-home COVID-19 testing options include:
- DMCovid-19 Test: Offers travel PCR testing by house call nationwide in all states except Alaska and Hawaii. It also has nine physical locations. Cost: Price varies by location and whether it’s in-home or in the office.
- LabDX: Offers in-home COVID-19 testing generally with same-day results in Miami Gardens, Florida. Cost: $129 for a home visit. Mention the discount code LABDX10PTSGUY for an exclusive $10 discount from TPG.
- OnSite Safe: Offers home or office visits for groups of five people or more in New York City. Cost: $184 with next-day results available with expedited processing for an extra fee.
- Quality Health Care Concierge: Offers a concierge in-home testing service in South Florida. Cost: Varies by the test taken and turnaround time.
- Welz: Offers same-day in-home rapid testing in New York, Philadelphia and Los Angeles with a 15-minute turnaround. Welz also offers PCR testing with a one- to five-day turnaround time in New York only. Cost is free with insurance, but the federal uninsured program will cover the fee if you're uninsured.
- Zeel: Offers COVID-19 swab PCR testing in homes and offices administered by LPNs and RNs to the New York metro area. Available in New York City, Westchester County, Nassau County, North Jersey and Lower Fairfield County, Connecticut. Cost: $249 for the first person tested plus $50 per additional person with results within 48 hours.
Can I use an in-home COVID-19 test for travel?
The U.S. requires all incoming air travelers 2 and older to show proof of a negative COVID-19 test taken within one day of departure. To ensure you get test results in time for travel, you may want to consider using an in-home COVID-19, particularly if at-home tests are unavailable.
Generally, in-home tests should be approved for travel purposes, as long as they meet the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s requirements and you get a physical or digital copy of your results. But you’ll want to double-check you’re taking an in-home COVID-19 test approved by your destination. That means you don't want to take a rapid antigen test if you’re flying to countries such as Canada or St. Lucia, which only accept PCR results.
For instance, TPG public relations manager Grace Farley recently used the in-home concierge Welz testing service to visit Paris. She said she found the test easy to schedule and plans to use it again for other international trips.
"[I] needed a negative test to enter [France] and found a place that will come to your home for free, making it ... super easy and convenient," Farley said. "I received my rapid antigen test results within 10 minutes and uploaded it to Air France."
TPG travel editor Madison Blancaflor also used Welz to get a free rapid antigen test for a recent last-minute trip to Jamaica. "It was an incredibly simple process," she said.
"I signed up through the website for a same-day test (you can’t book days in advance, so log on early in the day if you need to book a test), someone contacted me via text when they were on their way during my selected two-hour window and then they administered the test and had me fill out paperwork once they arrived ... You can also request a PCR test, but my test administrator did give me a heads up before they arrived that the labs are backed up by up to a week ... Thankfully, my destination accepted antigen test results, so it all worked out. I’d definitely recommend the service if you live in one of the cities where they operate — I certainly plan to use them again."
When TPG senior writer Katie Genter attended a work conference in Scottsdale, Arizona, and needed a PCR test for international travel, her "best option" was to pay a testing service from a local lab to come to her hotel room. While other testing options in the area were a little cheaper, they required a drive to the facility, and she didn't have a car during the trip. A technician came to Genter's hotel room at the JW Marriott Scottsdale Camelback Inn Resort & Spa for an extra $50 fee, and she received her test results in under 16 hours.
"It was convenient and modestly priced at $200, so not only would I do it again if circumstances required it -- I wish more destinations had similar services available for travelers," Genter said.
TPG featured card
Rewards
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro offer
Annual Fee
Recommended Credit
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.
Rewards Rate
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro Offer
You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.Excellent to Good
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.