Air Canada selling Rapid Antigen tests - are they accepted

[BlancheNeige7]

No, my sister used it yesterday and just hopped on her WestJet flight today.

Thank you for the report. We've just received our kits. This seems like the most convenient option for many!

 

[wdwmom3]

Thank you for the report. We've just received our kits. This seems like the most convenient option for many!

They were very convenient . If we travel again and need testing I would use them again.

 

[bababear_50]

My son just ordered this test yesterday. He is going to Arizona and says what a great
way to test when on vacation.

Hugs
Mel

 

[FigmentSpark]

For anyone that wants to compare pricing, I just checked...

the Air Canada RAT is $79.00 for each two pack if you're an Aeroplan member. It's $129 if you're not. Seems worth it to join the program for that alone.

If you want to use points, to buy 2 2-packs (didn't price out one) is 28,200 points or $98 and 14100 points.

These need to be bought at home.

Now, if you want to use the Port Canaveral RAT testing after the cruise, it's $41.40 (USD) per test. I don't know about any other options, such as the MCO airport or other ports.

The kicker is if you'd planned a day or two in Orlando or you're driving home, you can't use the Inspire RAT to get you home. You'd need the Switch Health test, which you'd take with you from Canada, or you'd have to take the $98 PCR test at the port or find something along the way.

We have opted for the PCR test at the port after the cruise, as we are driving home (I think we're the only ones on our sailing!), but I've bought these as a back up. The reason? Because none of us want to get within a day of re-entering Canada only to find out we will be denied. I might change my mind about the PCR test, in which case, I can get my money back. The Canadian Switch Health test kits are final sale (but can also be saved for a late trip you might take.)

 

[dancin Disney style]

For anyone that wants to compare pricing, I just checked...

the Air Canada RAT is $79.00 for each two pack if you're an Aeroplan member. It's $129 if you're not. Seems worth it to join the program for that alone.

If you want to use points, to buy 2 2-packs (didn't price out one) is 28,200 points or $98 and 14100 points.

These need to be bought at home.

Now, if you want to use the Port Canaveral RAT testing after the cruise, it's $41.40 (USD) per test. I don't know about any other options, such as the MCO airport or other ports.

The kicker is if you'd planned a day or two in Orlando or you're driving home, you can't use the Inspire RAT to get you home. You'd need the Switch Health test, which you'd take with you from Canada, or you'd have to take the $98 PCR test at the port or find something along the way.

We have opted for the PCR test at the port after the cruise, as we are driving home (I think we're the only ones on our sailing!), but I've bought these as a back up. The reason? Because none of us want to get within a day of re-entering Canada only to find out we will be denied. I might change my mind about the PCR test, in which case, I can get my money back. The Canadian Switch Health test kits are final sale (but can also be saved for a late trip you might take.)

Tests are super easy to get/find pretty much anywhere in the US. A lot of pharmacies offer them and there are other companies that do them in pop up locations. Walgreens and CVS offer free PCR tests that get you results same day and are accepted by Canada. The private companies also give free tests. Basically, they ask you if you have insurance and if you do the insurance will pay for the test...if you do not, the test is free.

At MCO they only do testing until around 11am. The PCR is $175 USD with results in 1 hour. I don't recall the price of a RAT but probably in the $40-60 range.

 

[spewey]

Tests are super easy to get/find pretty much anywhere in the US. A lot of pharmacies offer them and there are other companies that do them in pop up locations. Walgreens and CVS offer free PCR tests that get you results same day and are accepted by Canada. The private companies also give free tests. Basically, they ask you if you have insurance and if you do the insurance will pay for the test...if you do not, the test is free.

At MCO they only do testing until around 11am. The PCR is $175 USD with results in 1 hour. I don't recall the price of a RAT but probably in the $40-60 range.

Sorry, but just to be clear, as there is a LOT of confusion around terms, but when you mention the Walgreens test with same day results I assume you are not actually referring to their PCR tests, but instead their Rapid ID Now NAAT test. That's the one that gives results in a couple of hours; their site says "results times vary" with the PCR, and in the past they said 48-72 hours.
Both are free, both are molecular - therefore accepted to return to Canada and good for 72 hours - but the NAAT is much faster.

 

[wdwmom3]

Tests are super easy to get/find pretty much anywhere in the US. A lot of pharmacies offer them and there are other companies that do them in pop up locations. Walgreens and CVS offer free PCR tests that get you results same day and are accepted by Canada. The private companies also give free tests. Basically, they ask you if you have insurance and if you do the insurance will pay for the test...if you do not, the test is free.

At MCO they only do testing until around 11am. The PCR is $175 USD with results in 1 hour. I don't recall the price of a RAT but probably in the $40-60 range.

The nice thing about the switch health tests is you don’t need to organize anything or go anywhere. You can do it when you want.

We did ours at night after returning from the park. So no wasted time going anywhere.

 

[LisaDKG]

The nice thing about the switch health tests is you don’t need to organize anything or go anywhere. You can do it when you want.

We did ours at night after returning from the park. So no wasted time going anywhere.

Am I right that you do not need to schedule your teleconference call with them in advance and just call them when you are ready to do the test?

 

[wdwmom3]

Am I right that you do not need to schedule your teleconference call with them in advance and just call them when you are ready to do the test?

Yep. You don’t need to schedule anything. Both times we waited about 20 mins for us to be connected, but we were travelling during a busy time. And waiting that amount of time at home or in your hotel isn’t a big deal.

We used the antigen tests when we went down to the US. And they were really quick. After doing the test you wait 15 mins then upload a photo of your test. We got our official results in just a few minutes after that.

 

[dancin Disney style]

Sorry, but just to be clear, as there is a LOT of confusion around terms, but when you mention the Walgreens test with same day results I assume you are not actually referring to their PCR tests, but instead their Rapid ID Now NAAT test. That's the one that gives results in a couple of hours; their site says "results times vary" with the PCR, and in the past they said 48-72 hours.
Both are free, both are molecular - therefore accepted to return to Canada and good for 72 hours - but the NAAT is much faster.

Yes…the NAAT test results are typically within 6 hours now.

 

[FigmentSpark]

Question about the Switch Health 2-pack RAT... we received ours and the first instruction is to scan the QR code on the box. Then proceed to the testing and it's instructions.

Does anyone know what the box QR code is for? Is it unique to each box?

In the event we need them, I wanted to peel one out to give to my sister, who is travelling separately to the other 3 of us. I hope I don't have to buy another test just to have a QR code on a box.

 

[CanucksRock]

Question about the Switch Health 2-pack RAT... we received ours and the first instruction is to scan the QR code on the box. Then proceed to the testing and it's instructions.

Does anyone know what the box QR code is for? Is it unique to each box?

In the event we need them, I wanted to peel one out to give to my sister, who is travelling separately to the other 3 of us. I hope I don't have to buy another test just to have a QR code on a box.

There are two sets of everything in the box, you would need to give her one of everything that is in there, including the QR Code and Backup QR Code for a single test. (there are 4 stickers in total in the box)

 

[FigmentSpark]

There are two sets of everything in the box, you would need to give her one of everything that is in there, including the QR Code and Backup QR Code for a single test. (there are 4 stickers in total in the box)

Right. That, I know. But on the inside lid of the box is a giant QR code and it says "step 1" to scan that code. Is that just to connect with Switch Health, or is it unique to each box?

 

[CanucksRock]

Right. That, I know. But on the inside lid of the box is a giant QR code and it says "step 1" to scan that code. Is that just to connect with Switch Health, or is it unique to each box?

That just takes you to the Switch Health website. Not needed for the test itself. You initiate the test from within your account.