We're aware that some users are experiencing technical issues which the team are working to resolve. See the Community Noticeboard for more info. Thank you for your patience.
📨 Have you signed up to the Forum's new Email Digest yet? Get a selection of trending threads sent straight to your inbox daily, weekly or monthly!

Lateral flow or PCR does it matter

Options
jay1964
jay1964 Posts: 26 Forumite
Part of the Furniture 10 Posts Combo Breaker
edited 19 May at 4:58PM in Coronavirus Board
I flew back last month and did a lateral flow test one I had at home and didn’t use the PCR test from randox . Does anyone know if I go,away again in the next few weeks can I use the code on the PCR test that I didn’t use the last time instead of buying one of the recognised lateral flow tests . Just asking as the PCR test was only purchased last month ….
Smile and be happy, things can usually get worse!
«1

Comments

  • Ask the provider of the test.
  • Caz3121
    Caz3121 Posts: 15,830 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper
    jay1964 said:
    I flew back last month and did a lateral flow test one I had at home and didn’t use the PCR test from randox . 
    which reference did you use on your PLF as your day 2 test booking? (was it a lateral flow test that was booked as a day 2 test?)
  • silvercar
    silvercar Posts: 49,477 Ambassador
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Academoney Grad Name Dropper
    You can choose to do a bought PCR rather than a bought LFT. Some people with ongoing travel arrangements do this so that the test covers day2 as well as a fit to fly for a country that requires a test prior to entry.

    If you should have done that PCR test when you arrived back and used a free NHS test instead, particularly when PCR tests were still mandated then you broke the rules. The test and associated code should already have been used and you should therefore be buying a new test. Whether you will be caught out is debatable, but your defence is weaker if you then re-use the code for subsequent travel.
    I'm a Forum Ambassador on the housing, mortgages & student money saving boards. I volunteer to help get your forum questions answered and keep the forum running smoothly. Forum Ambassadors are not moderators and don't read every post. If you spot an illegal or inappropriate post then please report it to forumteam@moneysavingexpert.com (it's not part of my role to deal with this). Any views are mine and not the official line of MoneySavingExpert.com.
  • michael1234
    michael1234 Posts: 668 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 500 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
    edited 11 November 2021 at 8:49PM
    I've done exactly that as my Randox PCR arrived too late the first time. I never registered the kit with Randox so it still available to be registered. I reused the code given to me when I originally bought it to put in the passenger locator form.

    Not sure if you're "allowed" to do an NHS test at home instead. Suspect not which is crazy given how many millions of such tests are available for folk to get "free" for any other activities under the sun except travelling.
  • Robin9
    Robin9 Posts: 12,764 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper

    Not sure if you're "allowed" to do an NHS test at home instead. Suspect not which is crazy given how many millions of such tests are available for folk to get "free" for any other activities under the sun except travelling.
    Yes you can  at a walk in centre. I took a LFT at home then a PCR at a walk in -  result in 18 hours

    Recovering from COVID (absolutely floored - still wobbly -despite double jabbed - need to wait 28 days for Booster


    Never pay on an estimated bill. Always read and understand your bill
  • onashoestring
    onashoestring Posts: 1,631 Forumite
    Tenth Anniversary 1,000 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
    edited 12 November 2021 at 7:44AM
    I've done exactly that as my Randox PCR arrived too late the first time. I never registered the kit with Randox so it still available to be registered. I reused the code given to me when I originally bought it to put in the passenger locator form.

    Not sure if you're "allowed" to do an NHS test at home instead. Suspect not which is crazy given how many millions of such tests are available for folk to get "free" for any other activities under the sun except travelling.
    You can’t use the usual NHS  home test kit as. Day 2 test, but if you have paid for a private Day 2 test and it hasn’t turned up you  can phone 119 and they will send you a  test to do at home, with the details  of how to register it as your Day 2 test result.
  • Caz3121 said:
    jay1964 said:
    I flew back last month and did a lateral flow test one I had at home and didn’t use the PCR test from randox . 
    which reference did you use on your PLF as your day 2 test booking? (was it a lateral flow test that was booked as a day 2 test?)
    No it was the PCR day 2 test that I got from randox 
    Smile and be happy, things can usually get worse!
  • Caz3121
    Caz3121 Posts: 15,830 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper
    was the lateral flow test you took instead a paid day 2 test? 
  • jay1964
    jay1964 Posts: 26 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10 Posts Combo Breaker
    Caz3121 said:
    was the lateral flow test you took instead a paid day 2 test? 
    Yes it was ……I meant to do the PCR and send it off but I didn’t get round to it . I was just wondering can I use the PCR when I go away in 2 weeks …. Would save me buying a lateral flow test . Was wondering has anyone done this 
    Smile and be happy, things can usually get worse!
  • sheramber
    sheramber Posts: 22,281 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts I've been Money Tipped! Name Dropper
    edited 12 November 2021 at 11:31AM
    Does the reference number link  to the flight used at that time ,  so it would be linked to the wrong flight if you used it now.
Meet your Ambassadors

🚀 Getting Started

Hi new member!

Our Getting Started Guide will help you get the most out of the Forum

Categories

  • All Categories
  • 350.7K Banking & Borrowing
  • 253K Reduce Debt & Boost Income
  • 453.4K Spending & Discounts
  • 243.7K Work, Benefits & Business
  • 598.5K Mortgages, Homes & Bills
  • 176.8K Life & Family
  • 256.9K Travel & Transport
  • 1.5M Hobbies & Leisure
  • 16.1K Discuss & Feedback
  • 37.6K Read-Only Boards

Is this how you want to be seen?

We see you are using a default avatar. It takes only a few seconds to pick a picture.