Airlines are rushing to add preflight COVID testing. Here’s why it matters.
Editor's Note
If you're planning to travel internationally, odds are that you're going to need to pack a negative COVID test.
As countries begin to reopen to tourists, they want to ensure that visitors aren't bringing the virus with them. That's why nearly every country currently open to U.S. citizens requires a recent negative test.
Over the past few weeks, preflight testing initiatives have stolen the limelight. As Hawaii geared up to say aloha to interstate travelers sans 14-day quarantine on Oct. 15, travelers seeking to avoid the two-week isolation period are now required to show a negative COVID result from no later than 72 hours before flight departure.
Getting a fast and reliable COVID test remains a challenge for many across the country. Airlines recognize that — and in many cases, accessing preflight testing is a major roadblock to getting would-be travelers in the skies.
Sign up for TPG’s free new biweekly Aviation newsletter for more airline-specific news!
The solution? Offer passengers an easy and convenient preflight testing option. That way, flyers know that they have access to a reliable test and airlines can stimulate some demand.
Henry Harteveldt, president at Atmosphere Research Group, said it best in an interview with TPG: "it all boils down to one word — confidence. If people are confident that they can get tested, then they will be more confident to travel."
In the weeks leading up to Hawaii's reopening, United Airlines became the first U.S. carrier to offer preflight testing options for travelers from San Francisco headed to the 50th state. In partnership with GoHealth Urgent Care and Dignity Health, United opened an on-site rapid testing center that promises to deliver results in about 15 minutes. This means that flyers won't have to worry about making appointments or turnaround times at other clinics. (There's also a cheaper, at-home option as well.)
United partnered with Hawaii officials to ensure that if you test negative on one of these COVID tests, you won't need to quarantine upon arrival.
Having the peace of mind that you won't need to spend two weeks in your hotel room is likely enough to convince some flyers to book flights to Hawaii — and fly United, too. According to Harteveldt, "airlines offering this convenience are hoping they will get bookings and capture more of the market."
But, of course, UA's competitors responded quickly. Within a week, Alaska, American and Hawaiian all announced similar preflight testing initiatives. Though JetBlue doesn't fly to Hawaii, the carrier partnered with a Vault Health to offer a discounted at-home test to its flyers.
In this hyper-competitive industry, airlines rarely let a competitor have an advantage. The latest airline to get in on the action is Lufthansa, which is trialing "COVID free" flights that would require passengers to take a rapid test (and produce negative test results) before boarding.
Related: 5 things to know about testing and visiting a reopened Hawaii
In fact, Harteveldt compared the recent flurry of preflight testing news releases to the bevy of cleanliness programs announced back in March and April. "We saw at the beginning of the pandemic that airlines used hygiene and cleanliness as a marketing tool. Now, they will use rapid preflight testing as a marketing tool," he explained.
It's not just airlines that are making preflight testing readily available to passengers. Airports are jumping on the bandwagon too.
Over the past few months, we've seen select U.S. airports open preflight testing centers. Tampa was one of the first, but Hartford, Newark, New York-JFK and others joined the party more recently.
Oakland Airport also offers preflight testing. But OAK is unique in that testing for Hawaii travel won't have out-of-pocket costs. For now, United's on-site rapid offering at SFO costs $250 per test. Consider a family of four — even if flights from Oakland are slightly more expensive than from San Francisco, saving $1,000 could easily be worth the more expensive flight and drive across the bay.
As airlines and airports start competing on preflight testing, it's clear that this "optional customer convenience" is well on its way to becoming part of the new normal — and perhaps the future of travel.
Take a look at American Airlines' preflight testing program. When the Fort Worth-based carrier first announced it, the carrier went well beyond its U.S.-based competitors. In addition to offering it for Hawaii-bound passengers, American outlined plans to use in-airport testing as a way to open international markets.
At first, the carrier announced that it's partnering with Jamaica, the Bahamas and the greater CARICOM (Caribbean Community) countries to offer convenient preflight testing options. Just three days later, AA added Costa Rica to its growing list of destinations.
As more and more countries seek to safely reopen, expect to see more pre-travel testing partnerships. "It's a good way to help spur travel to international destinations," remarked Harteveldt.
Related: American becomes latest carrier to offer preflight COVID testing
These initiatives aren't just about reducing the barriers to leisure travel, though.
In a way, they're sowing the seeds for the future of business travel. Harteveldt reasoned that offering preflight testing is a "subtle message" to business travelers: "If you need to travel for business, you can come to the airport and get an on-site test." With the "autumn of discontent" just beginning, carriers are looking for anything to help stimulate business demand.
Either way, the airlines win by making it easier for customers to take to the skies. States and countries benefit from being able to safely reopen and bring in tourism dollars. Perhaps most importantly, customers enjoy a convenient testing option. Plus, as competition increases, hopefully the cost of testing decreases over time.
And perhaps one day, a rapid COVID test might even be included with your booking.
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.