United Airlines says no to BinaxNOW test for entry into Italy

I used the Binax NOW on Delta when I flew to Italy on 9/1. I had no problems when I showed this to the Delta agent in Atlanta.

That totally makes sense. Another person indicated that American accepted it as well. For some reason, United said is saying no to it. What irks me is that United was pushing BinaxNOW, and I bought a six pack with the intention of using 2 of them for travel to Italy.

How do American airlines decide what the country of Italy will accept?

agrotz34: 9//1 was nearly a month ago....
kenlwagn: Your info will be helpful for those about to fly United to Italy. But while your frustration is understandable, anyone traveling these days should expect changes--last minute or not--given the ever-changing COVID-related info. Countries, airlines, travelers ... flexibility for all is mandatory. Those of us who don't have the stomach (or patience) for it would do well to postpone travel. Otherwise, go with the flow and, perhaps, incur additional expenses and logistical hassles.

Note that Italy regulations are effective up to October 25.

That’s what we have and are taking it tomorrow for our flight to Venice on the 28th. We are flying Delta and on Deltas website have Binax and Ellume test as options. I mean if they are accepting it to enter the USA from Europe why wouldn’t they accept it flying to. As long as it’s a monitored test I think it should be fine

Yes, our proctored Abbott Binax test was what got us into Italy the week on American Airlines. They specified submitting a VeriFLY app for each passenger, and while the non-proctored test wasn’t allowable, the proctored one was ideal. I believe the airlines may be working closely with each government to ensure smooth compliance and business. I think the VeriFLY and p reliance is for all One World partner airlines, including British Airways and Iberia, too. Maybe the Star Alliance airlines are taking a totally different approach. Odd, though, that United has such a different policy.

Landing in Rome this past Wednesday morning, a United place was taxiing near ours.

Kenlwagn:,That might be a misunderstanding, so you might call United again. We’re in Italy now and certainly flew in with on our proctored Binax test and vaccination cards.. no problem. It’s the proof of vaccine that matters most! And that card will get you in anywhere you want to where the Green Pass is required. There is a fine feeling of security knowing that everyone on the flight/in the theater/in the room with you has been vaccinated. We can learn a lot from Italy’s system!

@Stan The airline is responsible for returning the passenger back if they are denied entry. This motivates the company's bureaucrats to cover their butts with extremes of documentation, real and imagined.

@Mike, yes, I understand that. But what I was looking for was a statement from the Italian gov't saying they weren't allowing specific American brand-names, or they were considered invalid, otherwise it seems like a capricious decision by the airline themselves. Which is what this sounds like:

. . . they haven’t received a memo saying they can accept BiNax, so they won’t. . . .

I’m happy to hear the BiNax proctored test worked for traveling to Italy, even on United. I didn’t mean to alarm anyone, but I just wanted to let people know of a potential issue. I was, however, very clear about the test I would be taking and he was adamant that United would not accept it, citing a memo United had distributed some time ago denying its use for foreign travel. Maybe I just got got someone on the late Saturday “C” team, but if you are going to rely on it when flying United, you might want to call United and ask for the Travel-Ready desk to confirm its acceptability. They’re also the people behind the curtain who review the forms you upload for travel on the United site, so your travel fate is in their hands. Fortunately, those hurdles have been cleared and we’re off to Italy tomorrow for 2 weeks of fun.

Glad as I am taking Binax tests with me to test in Italy hotel on way back. Just doing CVS rapid this week as flying Thursday evening.
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