There has been uncertainties in regards to traveling during the coronavirus outbreak, let alone traveling overseas during COVID-19. I have heard a lot of conflicting information, so I decided to share my experience.
My dream trip
My husband and I are celebrating our 20th anniversary this summer, so we planned a trip to French Polynesia. I remember seeing pictures of French Polynesia more than ten years ago, but it seemed out of the question due to cost. Seven years ago, I decided to make this dream a reality. Our 20th anniversary seemed an appropriate occasion for our grand trip. I began tucking money away from every paycheck, and putting it into a dedicated savings account.
During these years I have scoured the internet in search of tips and ideas for our trip. I have a Pinterest board dedicated to all things French Polynesia: when is the best time to go, which islands to visit, and must-do activities and adventures. I signed up for newsletters and subscribed to websites.
Finally it was time to make my dream a reality! When I saw a sale on airfare, I bought my tickets almost a year in advance. I reserved places to stay. I planned everything out…except I did not plan on COVID-19.
Traveling during COVID-19
When COVID hit in March, 2020, I did not expect the pandemic to continue to impact the world as much, or as long, as it has. French Polynesia closed its borders indefinitely, although there were rumors it would open again the first of July. My trip was scheduled on July 7, 2020.
I began getting emails from the VRBO owners in mid-April, wondering if we were still coming. Fortunately all of the owners were understanding, and willing to work with me, and modified their cancellation policies for me. One of the owner expressly said that the French Polynesian government realized that its economy relied on tourism to survive. The government updated their travel guidelines in mid-June, allowing for tourism without quarantine starting July 15, 2020.
Changes
I decided to still try to make this dream a reality. I called my airlines (Delta) to try to make changes to my reservation. Multiple times. Finally was able to leave my information for a call back. Delta called me back 13 hours later. I was able to make the changes I wanted, and would now be flying out on July 14 (but arriving on July 15). The VRBO owners were all able to accommodate my changes, although a few needed me to cancel the reservation and rebook. That was a little inconvenient because of refunds and charges on my credit card.
Toward the end of May, I received emails from the Tahiti island hopping airline (Air Tahiti) saying that they changed the times of two of my flights and canceled two other flights. They provided a link so I could request changes. I emailed them the changes I need, but no luck in anything happening. I emailed them again. And again. I tried calling, but only got a recording and it would hang up on me. Finally I called, and was able to leave a message. Still no response. One of the VRBO owners offered to try to contact them, but she also was unsuccessful. Finally, one week before I was to fly out, I called and talked to a human, and they made the changes I needed.
COVID testing and other problems
I found out that my husband and I would need the COVID swab test within 72 hours before we could travel. My doctor told me that they did not perform the test and recommended clinics that could perform the test. When I called the clinic, I was told that we could only get the test if we were actively having symptoms….the tests were like gold, and we were way down on the totem pole. Finally our doctor’s office said that they were able to get access to two tests for us, but it would be impossible to take the test and get the results back all within 72 hours prior to our flight.
Almost two weeks before our trip, I called Delta to get more information about the COVID test. I received another call back, but this one was only 3 hours later. They didn’t have any extra information for the COVID test, or any suggestions on how to make it happen. Instead, they told me that our international flight had been canceled. Their partner, Air France, was not allowed to fly to the United States. I could rebook that flight with Air Tahiti Nui. I was hesitant to book the flight if we wouldn’t be allowed to fly without having the COVID test. They suggested calling Air Tahiti Nui or Tahiti tourism. I called (the evening of July 2), but they were closed for the 4th of July holidays, and would re-open on July 6.
On July 6, I called Tahiti tourism, who confirmed that we had to take the COVID PCR swab and have the results in all within 72 hours of boarding the flight. They did not have suggestions on how to make that happen. I called Air Tahiti Nui, although I didn’t officially have a reservation with them. They told me that they had an agreement with an urgent care by LAX airport, and the urgent care would be able to perform the test and get the results back within the needed 72 hour time frame.
More airline problems
I called Delta back, and after an hour and half callback, I talked with someone to rebook me on an Air Tahiti flight, and change my flight to LAX so I could be there three days early in order to get the COVID PCR swab test. After a half-hour plus on the phone, as the representative confirmed the reservation, he said that he couldn’t confirm the Air Tahiti Nui flight. He suggested I call Air Tahiti Nui to find out what the problem was. So I did. The problem was that they no longer had that flight. A flight was available for the day after I was planning on flying.
Armed with this information, I called Delta back. The call back came about an hour later. The person I spoke with at Delta told me that they were not authorized to rebook a ticket on Air Tahiti Nui, as it was not a partner airline. I told them that I had just talked to someone earlier in the day that assured me I could. He put me on hold, but when he came back he told me that I had been misinformed. It was not possible. I asked to speak to his supervisor, and he transferred me. The supervisor was much more helpful, and made the reservation for me.
Building patience
On Sunday, July 12, we took the first leg of our flight from San Fransisco to Los Angeles. The following morning, at 8:30 am, we had our COVID test performed. Just over 24 hours later, at 1:00 pm, my husband’s test results came back—negative for COVID! I impatiently waited to get my results. I checked my email regularly for my test results. Nothing. Finally, at 6:00 pm I called the clinic (it is open 24 hours), but no one would answer the phone. After checking my email multiple more times, I gave up at 10:00 pm and went to bed.
First thing the next morning, I checked my email again, and still nothing! Talk about stress! I decided to wait until 9:00 am to call, as it would officially be 48 hours since the test was completed. My husband ended up making the call, but again no one answered. I called again at 11:00 am. Success! Someone answered, and they were helpful. My results came back negative as well! Our flight would leave in 12 hours.
12 hours before the flight
Now that it appeared definite that we could go to Tahiti, I worked on the final details of the trip. One of the hotels (my stay in an overwater bungalow) canceled my stay a few days before, so I worked to find another place. I then filled out the forms that French Polynesia is now requiring, called Electronic Travel Information System (ETIS) https://www.etis.pf/. This form documents our negative COVID tests, our compliance with health regulations, and our itinerary. Fortunately our hotel had a work center so we could print off copies of the needed paperwork.
Airport check-in
We arrived at the airport about 3 hours before our flight. Before we could check in, they took our temperatures, checked our negative COVID reports, and looked at our copies of the ETIS. No one was in line ahead of us. No one was in line at security either.
That brings me to now. It is required to wear masks at the airport, and on the plane. The majority of people followed these requirements. Quite a few people are waiting at the gate, and it looks like it will be a relatively full flight. We will be boarding in a few minutes!
Update: We are nearing the end of our trip to French Polynesia. Some restaurants and activities were closed, however most places were open and very welcoming to tourists. Most stores and businesses request that you wear a mask. For outside activities, masks were not required. The French Polynesia government required all tourists four days after arrival to do a self-test for COVID consisting of a nasal and oral swab. They included instructions in the kit, provided a link for how-to video, and gave information of where to drop off the kit.
Check out my post about general recommendations for traveling in French Polynesia. Also, check out more specific posts regarding our time on Tahiti, Bora Bora and Moorea!