Hyatt has announced that it will offer free COVID-19 testing at all Latin America resorts (Caribbean, Mexico, Central America, and South America). These properties will provide at least two COVID-19 tests per room and additional tests can be purchased. Each individual property is able to set their own minimum stay requirements. Not a huge surprise given the requirement to have a negative COVID-19 result within 3 days of departure for passengers entering the U.S.
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Note that many properties have a minimum stay requirement. Andaz Costa Rica is 6 nights.
Where do you find the minimum stay requirements for the property you're looking at? Thanks.
It is nice that Hyatt is doing this, but honestly many hotels have already made a similar announcement. In fact, Hyatt is a bit behind in terms of total response to this new requirement from US Govt.
I've been looking into travel to Cancun/Riviera Maya area specifically, and many hotels are offering one of two things in addition to free covid test:
1) guests who test positive can stay free until they recover, or
2) insurance (costing ~ $10 per night) to cover the cost of extending the stay with a positive test
Hyatt has only said guests can stay at 50% off if they test positive. The normal going rates are already more than 50% off the quoted "standard" pricing. So this isn't really much of an offer from Hyatt. They need to do more to financially protect guests who test positive if they want to see an uptick in business for higher end and/or more savvy travelers. No one wants to risk paying big $$ to be isolated in a room even if they perceive the risk to their health to be low.
And Sandals is including Travel insurance: https://www.sandals.com/book-with-confidence/, not as good as AMResorts and Palace resorts, but a bit of peace of mind.
Why would you expect a hotel chain to give you a free 10 nights if you test positive? The sense of entitlement is a bit much.
Which hotels are offering free stays if you test positive, and is there a referral thread
AMResorts and Palace Resorts are both offering up to 14 day free stays if you test positive for Covid.
https://www.travelweekly.com/Travel-News/Hotel-News/Caribbean-and-Mexico-resorts-roll-out-Covid-programs
If I had to pick a resort, I would definitely go with one offering a free stay, rather than pay 50% off the rack rate at the Hyatt.
Wow, going to Quito in two weeks was going to stay a Hilton this might get me to change my mind...
It is only the few high-priced Hyatt resorts that are included, so it's likely hotels in Quito do not offer free test. I am staying in Colombia and all the Hyatt here charges a fee for the test
Antigen test only cost $50 almost anywhere.
I want to add that I've read that Cancun airport has started rapid testing. I'm sure we will hear more on that soon.
Good stuff. I need a vacation.
And, best of all, all tests will be negative, so you don't have to worry about a thing. No problemos, amigos! The pandemic she is nothing! Let the good times roll!!!
Great to hear it's nothing. My dad died of nothing then.
I think Bupkiss forgot the /s to indicate sarcasm. I looked over past posts and it doesn't seem like it was intended maliciously. Sorry for your loss though, hopefully things get controlled a bit better now that it's being taken seriously at the highest levels.
Indeed, the post was sarcastic. Very sorry for your loss, the pandemic is a disaster on so many levels.
Anyone who is considering flying off for a vacation right now has completely lost their minds. The worst of this pandemic is still ahead of us. Yet idiots are still gaming the system, trying to save a few bucks on free covid tests as a perk, ignoring that those handing them their "test results" have every incentive to just get them on their plane home. The always-pimping blogs deserve a share of the shame for the deaths that will result from promoting such "deals". But, the ethics of credit card bloggers... 'nuff said.
Good. This is how we get beyond this Pandemic I think.
But then again . . . the traveler would have the expense of being stranded in place, and having to Quarantine for several weeks at least if tested positive. And the expense of medical care if showing symptoms.
There is money to be gained from a positive test - hopefully an accurate positive test.
Stay home until the vaccine is proven effective?
Effective against what? Right now they are NOT showing good immunity against the South Africa or Brazilian strains. As the months go on and even more mutations occur more hardier strains will appear making the present vaccinations not so useful. That's why a 3rd booster shot is in the making.
yeah, if you end up being positive, stranded...it might get expensive (specially if you need medical attention)