Are you planning an international vacation or business trip and wondering about the latest changes to pandemic travel requirements? Do you know what you must do to fly into the United States? Then you won’t want to miss this post, as well as my latest pandemic travel video, in which I explain the latest changes to COVID-19 test requirements for travelers flying into the United States.
I’ve experienced some major complications on my past two trips to Mexico, and in both cases I almost wasn’t allowed to board my flight back to the United States. Just two days ago, as a matter of fact, an airline ticket agent in Mexico wouldn’t give me a boarding pass to fly to New York City because of one thing that was wrong with my COVID-19 test result form. And my results were negative!
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It was a very stressful trip as I struggled to correct the problem in time to board my flight (I did make it, but only after two frantic phone calls and a text message).
This was actually the SECOND time in two months that I’ve had problems with COVID tests while traveling — and both times I’ve almost missed my flight home (although I did ultimately make both flights, but only after multiple last-minute phone calls, text messages and sweating). But as a result of those problems, I’ve learned some valuable travel tips — so you’ll know what to do when flying from Mexico back to the USA (or from anywhere else to the USA, for that matter).
So how can you avoid the headache I just went through? And what do you need to do to be able to fly into the United States? What are the latest pandemic travel guidelines for COVID-19 tests before travel to the United States? Do you need a COVID-19 test to enter the United States?
Well, I’m here to tell you right now!
One thing to keep in mind: pandemic travel requirements have already changed several times, and they’ll probably change again. My pandemic travel tips are based on current requirements, but you should always double check the latest guidelines with your airline or government website before you travel.
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Here are my tips on how to avoid problems with Covid-19 tests when you’re flying to the USA from abroad:
1. The first thing is to be aware of the new rules for international travel to the USA (as of December 2021): you’ve got to get your COVID test within 24 hours of your flight to the USA. So be sure to find out where to get tested and schedule your test in the right time frame. Remember, the antigen test is the fastest and it’s accepted for entry to the United States (if you’re headed to Canada, that’s a different story).
2. Bring your passport when you go to take the test. You’ll need to present ID when you visit the lab or wherever test taking takes place. That tip is simple!
3. Number three is where we get into the trickier things that have given me trouble recently. First, make sure that the people who give you the covid-19 test put your BIRTHDATE on the test results. I learned how important this is the hard way.
Last month, I got tested before flying home and they put my age but not my birthdate. When I tried to check in online, the results were rejected for that reason so I had to frantically text and call the lab just before my departure to get a corrected version sent to me. I couldn’t check in or get a boarding pass until I resolved the situation, and it was hectic. So take a lesson from my little nightmare and make sure your birthdate is on there before it’s time to check in.
4. Number 4 is also a lesson learned from my own problems: make sure that the TEST DATE is correct on your COVID-19 test result form. In fact, I almost wasn’t allowed on a plane in Mexico just a few days ago because I didn’t notice that the lab had put the wrong date. I’d already learned to double check and make sure my BIRTHDATE was on the form. So I thought I was in perfect shape.
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PANDEMIC TRAVEL TIPS: How & Where to Get a COVID-19 Test in Mexico City
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But then, when I arrived at the airport at 4am (so I was already grumpy), the ticket agent wouldn’t give me a boarding pass to New York City, because the lab that did my COVID-19 test had put the WRONG DATE on my test result form. The form said the test had been performed two days before my departure instead of one day. If I couldn’t get the corrected form, he said, I’d have to take the first leg of my trip, to Mexico City, and then run to an onsite testing facility, with the hope I could still make my next connection. Luckily, as soon as the plane landed in Mexico City I was able to call the lab and they sent a corrected form via WhatsApp. So Make sure the test date is correct from the start!
These are little details that you can make sure that the lab enters correctly at the time of your test, for sure. But you need to also check the form as soon as you receive the results, whether it’s by email, WhatsApp or in person. That way you’ll have more time to correct any mistakes.
5. Number 5 is to take a screenshot of your test results, since you may not have good access to a signal at the airport. You might want to print it out too, If possible. You need to be able to easily show your results to the airport ticket agent.
6. Use VeriFly if the airline you’re flying offers it. It’s an app that allows you to upload test results so then you can check in online or via the airline app and skip the ticket counter line at the airport. To be honest, VeriFly is kind of a pain to use, but it can smooth your departure. Not every airline offers it, though.
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7. Speaking of which, number 7 is to check in online or via the airline’s app. It will save you time. I believe when you do that, you can also fill out an attestation form that you’ll need to hand in at the airport if you’re flying from anywhere in Mexico (Mexico keeps changing its pandemic travel rules, too, so that may not be the case when you fly). You may find you’re not able to check in early, but it’s worth a try.
8. Have your vaccination card handy. You’ll need to present it at some point in the airport (they asked for it during check-in when I flew from Mexico City this week).
9. And speaking of airports, number nine is to arrive earlier than usual for your international flight to the USA. The process is more complicated than ever so you need extra time. In addition to showing them your COVID-19 test results and vaccine card, in Mexico you’ll need to fill out a health questionnaire (accessible by a QR code they provide near the security checkpoint) and a printed attestation about your health.
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Travel isn’t what it used to be, to be sure. But when you stay informed about what’s required, you’ll be in better shape to have an easier trip.
How Do Pandemic Travel Complications Make You Feel?
My two consecutive bad experiences made me rethink whether I want to put myself through the complications of travel. Let me tell you, when you’re standing in an airport at 4am and being told that you can’t travel, it makes you want to just stop taking trips. I was standing there fuming at no one in particular and thinking, why does this have to happen to me? What did I do to deserve this? Why can’t I just fly where I want without the headaches?
But then I realized, ok, this sucks. But maybe it’s good that it’s happening to me, because I’m a travel writer and I can share what I’ve learned with other people, so they won’t have to go through the same thing. And even as I was stomping through the airport terminal with my face all pink with frustration (well, my face is always kind of pink, actually), I also reminded myself that yes, it IS worth it. We are lucky to be able to travel. A lot of people only dream about doing it. So if you are able to travel, make the most of it, enjoy it as much as you can, appreciate the fact that you can do so. Just take the precautions to you can to make sure it goes as smoothly as possible, and stay safe — remember, all these annoying regulations are in place to protect us.
I THINK that, eventually, travel will get a bit easier again. But even now, I’m going to keep flying.
I’m a travel writer, travel blogger and Mexico travel specialist, and I love sharing travel tips to make your next vacation or business trip better. Please feel free to share your comments, experiences and questions about Mexico travel and Latin America travel and vacations!
Please also be sure to follow my travels on Instagram and on my YouTube channel, so you don’t miss any of my travel tips or travel videos. ¡Buen viaje!