TUI rolls out £20 Covid tests to save Brit holidaymakers hundreds of pounds
TUI has announced special coronavirus testing packages in a bid to attract holidaymakers who might be put off by the extra expense of providing tests.
As international travel begins to start up again, compulsory Covid tests could add over £400 to the price of some foreign holidays, pushing the cost of a summer break out of reach for many Brits.
TUI are trying to take the sting out of that extra summer holiday expense by offering both a pre-departure lateral flow test and a PCR test for £20, to encourage Brits to consider booking packages to green and amber list countries.
Customers will be able to order the tests on a special online booking hub set up by TUI and Government authorised testing providers Chronomics from Monday, May 10.
TUI customers will be able to book their tests an hour after booking their holiday and will need to input their booking reference, departure date and country of travel to enter the site.
Pre-departure lateral flow tests will include test verification and certification to fly back to the UK. As well as the inbound testing packages required by UK regulations, customers can also select kits that include an additional outbound PCR test should that be a requirement of the destination they are travelling to.
TUI says it is also including free Covid-19 Cover protection for all package holiday customers travelling from 17th May to 31st August and allowing free amends up to 14 days before departure.
Andrew Flintham, Managing Director, TUI UK & Ireland said: “We have always believed that cost-effective testing solutions, as well as maximum flexibility, will make travel a possibility this summer and beyond. "
“Our research has shown that customers are looking forward to their much-needed holiday overseas," he added, "but affordable and easy testing solutions was imperative to make this a reality. The four new exclusive testing packages have been developed with our customers in mind; they’re offered at greatly reduced prices, include certification to travel and will be a simple process from start to finish.
“Also, should testing requirements change between purchase and travel, for example if an amber package is purchased and the destination moves onto the green list, we’ll simply refund the difference.
“Whilst we await the imminent announcement of which countries feature on the different lists, we continue to plan our return to the skies from the 17th May."
"We recognise that some customers may need to change their holiday, so any customer due to travel before the end of August can change for free 14 days before travel – and any extra costs associated with Covid-19 that wouldn’t be covered by regular travel insurance will be taken care off with our free Covid-19 Protection.
“We look forward to taking holiday makers away again soon and will continue to work closely with the Government to ensure this is done safely.”
The four packages are priced as follows:
· Green: £20 per person containing 1 x pre-departure Lateral Flow Test and 1x inbound PCR test for day two
· Green+ : £60 per person containing 1 x outbound PCR test with courier costs 7 days a week included, 1 x pre-departure Lateral Flow Test and 1 x inbound PCR test for day two
· Amber: £50 per person containing 1 x pre-departure Lateral Flow Test and 2 x inbound PCR tests for day two and day 8
· Amber+ : £90 per person containing 1 x outbound PCR test with courier costs 7 days a week included, 1 x pre-departure Lateral Flow Test and 2 x inbound PCR tests for day two 2 and day 8
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