Oneworld carriers American, British Airways to trial testing regime for US-UK flights
Flyers on select American Airlines and British Airways flights to London will soon have the option to participate in a COVID-19 testing trial that aims to do away with quarantines when they land on either side of the Atlantic.
Beginning Nov. 25, travelers on three flights operated by the two Oneworld carriers departing the U.S. for London Heathrow (LHR) can join the three-test trial organized by the alliance. Eligible flights include American-operated AA50 from Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW) and British Airways-operated BA268 from Los Angeles (LAX) and BA114 from New York JFK.
The trial will expand to American flight AA106 from New York to London at a later date.
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"We think that what the study will demonstrate is that a single PCR test 72-hours prior to departure provides a significant level of risk mitigation for governments to consider removal of quarantine," Oneworld CEO Rob Gurney told TPG in an interview.
Trade group the International Air Transport Association (IATA) has called mandatory quarantines tantamount to a "full travel ban" when it comes to international travel. International flyer volumes were down nearly 89% year-over-year in September with the organization not expecting a full recovery until at least 2024.
This prognosis has prompted airlines and governments to look to coronavirus testing regimes as a way to begin reopening international travel. Hong Kong and Singapore plan to introduce a quarantine-free "travel bubble" between them built around negative COVID-19 tests on Nov. 22. And U.S. airlines have jumped to offer flyers pre-flight testing options in order to restart travel to places like Hawaii.
However, testing that reopens international travel — especially on busy and lucrative routes between the U.S. and UK — remains the goal of most U.S. carriers. For example, United Airlines is trialing free pre-flight testing for its London flight departing Newark (EWR).
Related: United Airlines tests potential travel bubble solution on London-Newark flight
All adult flyers on the participating American and British Airways flights will be invited to join the trial before departure. If they opt to participate, they will undergo three COVID-19 tests: one at home 72-hours before they fly, one at Heathrow after they land and a final test three-days after they arrive in London.
The tests will be free to participants. Oneworld aims to wrap up the trial in early December, once around 500 travelers have participated.
Gurney cautions that participants will not be able to avoid the UK's mandatory 14-day quarantine once they arrive in London. However, non-personal data from the trial will be shared with both the U.S. and UK governments in an effort to "produce a body of evidence" where testing can scientifically replace quarantines. Neither government is directly involved in the trial.
Related: American Airlines further expands preflight COVID testing options
Asked how the trial by American and British Airways compares to the others already underway, Gurney reiterated that the alliance's program aims to establish scientific proof that testing can eliminate the risk of spreading COVID.
Other trials underway, for example with The Commons Projects' CommonPass app, are focused more on transmitting testing data to airlines and governments as part of reopening international travel, said Gurney.
Oneworld is overseeing the trial as part of a larger aim to use the results to help restart travel across markets for its member airlines. While the U.S.-UK is the first market involved, the alliance hopes to use the data to help set up testing regimes in other international markets.
“We certainly want to see the removal of quarantine[s], and we certainly want to see [them] removed safely," said Gurney.
Related: Alaska Airlines sets new date for full Oneworld membership
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- 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.
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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. |
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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
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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.