TUI is promising to make holidays ‘easy and affordable’ by offering COVID test packages from £20 per person, including delivery and return costs.
Four packages have been created to make inbound and outbound testing affordable for travel to countries on the soon-to-be-confirmed green and amber lists.
The packages have been created by Government-authorised testing company Chronomics and are available to all TUI customers who have booked package holidays departing up to 31 August 2021.
Customers will be able to order tests on a newly created Chronomics and TUI booking hub an hour after booking their holiday and will input their booking reference, departure date and country of travel to enter the site. The new booking hub will go live on Monday 10 May.
The packages are:
- Green: costing £20 per person containing one pre-departure Lateral Flow Test and one inbound PCR test for day two
- Green+: £60 per person containing one outbound PCR test with courier costs seven days a week included, one pre-departure Lateral Flow Test and one inbound PCR test for day two
- Amber: £50 per person containing one pre-departure Lateral Flow Test and two inbound PCR tests for day two and day eight
- Amber+: £90 per person containing one outbound PCR test with courier costs seven days a week included, one pre-departure Lateral Flow Test and two inbound PCR tests for day two and day eight
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 is also including COVID-19 cover protection for all package holiday customers travelling from 17 May to 31 August and allowing free amends up to 14 days before departure.
TUI UK & Ireland Managing Director Andrew Flintham 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, 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 17 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.”
Tom Stubbs, Chief Executive of Chronomics said: “The simplicity of this packaged approach really shows TUI UK to be leading the way when it comes to going the extra mile for their customers and giving them peace of mind – we’re very proud to be helping play a part in that.”
