Jetaway Brits will fall to the floor after learning Covid tests. DOUBLE the cost of your vacation.
Bookings to Portugal have increased since a ‘green list’ of 12 countries for British travelers to travel to was published on Friday.
Excursions can be made for just £ 720 for a family of four.
That was the good news. The bad news – typical before and after Covid testing could add £ 960.
And that could cost thousands of families off the summer vacation – while those abusive testing rules are punished with a solid £ 4,000 fine.
The situation is the same for Greece and Cyprus, which will be on the green list next month.
There are also fears that testing services will be overwhelmed and results delayed, meaning some will be unable to board flights. According to Portuguese rules, anyone over two must prove that they had a negative PCR test in the 72 hours prior to arrival. PCR tests are considered the gold standard swab because they can detect vaccine-resistant variants.
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The Albufeira beach in the Algarve
(Image: Getty)
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On the subject of matching items
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On the subject of matching items
But UK test prices are some of the most expensive in the world, averaging £ 120, says consumer organization Which?
Before returning to the UK from Portugal, another test must be taken up to 72 hours prior to travel.
This can be a cross flow test, available free of charge from the NHS and in most EU countries. However, families must opt ​​for another private PCR test within two days of their return to the UK in case they discovered the disease on their trip.
This element of the UK rule applies to anyone over the age of five.
So a family of four with two children over the age of five would need eight tests.
Tests are expensive in the UK
(Image: Getty)
Martyn James, consumer affairs expert, of the Resolver website, which is operated in partnership with Money Saving Expert, said, “I don’t think people are estimating the cost of testing. For a good, inexpensive package deal, you have to double the cost when you add tests. I’ve seen tests go up to 180 pounds. Insurance won’t cover you if you don’t have the right test. So if you are turned away at the gate for the wrong type, you will not be covered. “
He urged travel agents to reimburse families who cancel because of the cost of testing.
The Sunday Mirror found that family trips to Portugal cost less than the tests in both May halftime and summer vacation.
At the end of July, a family of four can travel to the Vale de Carros resort on the Algarve in Olhos de Agua on Teletext Holidays for £ 720. The company is also offering seven days at the Ourasaol Cheerfulway complex in Albufeira for £ 768. On the Beach had a week at Choro Mar, Albufeira for £ 899 the last week of July – while it was £ 937 at Silchoro Apartments.
The Praia da Marinha on the beautiful coast of Portugal
(Image: Getty)
Travel agents said bookings in Portugal went “through the roof” – in some cases by 600% – after the green list came out.
Under UK regulations, those who need PCR testing for travel must pay privately. The mutual journey with Portugal is expected to resume on May 17th. The remaining EU countries – currently on the Amber List – are expected to give the green light to travel from the UK next month.
However, many, including Greece and Cyprus, are expected to continue to request a negative PCR test prior to their arrival.
We found a number of package tours to these countries which again could cost less than the testing cost.
British will try to book a trip abroad
(Image: Getty)
It is better news in Italy and Spain to currently take travelers who have had cheaper quick tests before boarding flights. But industry leaders are appalled at the added cost to many travelers.
Chris Rowles of the Association of Independent Tour Operators said, “Prices are rising dramatically – when you add the cost of testing, travel will really only be for the rich, not the masses.”
Some providers – such as Tui, British Airways, Jet2 and Easyjet, Thomas Cook – will be offering test kits as part of vacation deals, but they can still cost up to £ 210 per person.
Green list
12 countries including Portugal, Israel, Iceland, Australia and New Zealand
Each country has its own requirements, so the type of pre-flight test you will need will be different.
Portugal requires a negative PCR test 48 hours prior to travel.
Travelers are required to take a test before returning to the UK – however, this can be a (cheaper) cross-river test.
No quarantine, but perform a PCR test on the second day.
Yellow list
Including France, Spain, Greece, Cyprus, Italy and the USA
Each country has its own entry requirements. The type of test you need to take before boarding depends on the destination.
Arrivals must self-isolate for 10 days upon arrival in the UK – however this can be done at home.
Travelers should take PCR tests on the second and eighth days after their return.
Red List
Vacation travel is currently banned in countries such as Turkey, the United Arab Emirates, South Africa, Brazil and the Seychelles
For emergency travel only – and every country has its own rules.
Red List returnees will have to pay £ 1,750 to review their 10-day quarantine at a hotel designated by the UK government.
You will also need to have PCR tests performed on the second and eighth days after you return to the UK.
Easyjet, which has partnered with Randox to offer a £ 60 test, said: “The government must keep its promise to cut test costs or you risk making travel too expensive for many . “
Thomas Cook said, “We are introducing £ 60 testing and we are encouraging the government to consider the need for a PCR test for vaccinated individuals and green list countries. Just let them do a lateral flow test.”
Government sources say officials are working with the private sector to cut costs and are considering testing before departure. Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said “profiteers” will be removed from a list of providers. He said, “The cost should be cheaper. I will shut this down. “
£ 1,200 tests for a family of five
Karen Beddow with her husband Matthew and daughters Lily (10), Isobel (9) and Eve (9)
(Image: Karen Beddow)
Mother Karen Beddow, 43, has to pay £ 1,200 for tests on her break to Portugal with husband Matthew and their three daughters.
Karen from The Wirral, Cheshire runs the family travel blog Mini Travelers and hurried to book after the green list was announced.
She says, “The prices were increasing by the minute, so it was an expensive evening.
“The trip will cost about £ 3,500, but the tests will cost at least another £ 1,200. We just decided to do it.
“We have homeschooled our 10-year-old daughter Lily and nine-year-old twins Isobel and Eve, so a break and some sun are very welcome. But I guess we’re lucky enough to be able to afford it. “
Footie Nut Bill is hammered too
Bill Horgan with wife Danielle, both 30, and children Isabella, five, Oliver, three, and nine-month-old Franklin
(Image: Bill Horgan)
Footie fan Bill Horgan got his teeth kicked after receiving a £ 960 Covid test bill on top of a £ 3,000 all-inclusive vacation in Portugal.
The West Ham fan, 30, wife Danielle, also 30, and children Isabella, five, Oliver, three and baby Franklin are flying out for seven days next month. You need to run eight PCR tests.
Headhunter Bill of Meopham near Gravesend, Kent said, “It’s a lot, but we live for the vacation.
“We usually do six public holidays a year, but we haven’t had any since October 2019. It’s expensive, but we’ve decided to get away as soon as possible.”
Calling on the government to remove VAT on the tests, Bil said, “Surely they could waive taxes like other countries have done.”
Firms hoard £ 500m in refunds
Martyn James of the Resolver Complaint Page
Vacationers are still owed £ 500 million from package tours and flights canceled last year.
Parcel customers are entitled to a full refund within 14 days. But many were offered coupons for future trips. Travel agents used their money to cover overheads and pay for loans when the sector closed.
Tens of thousands of out-of-pocket families owe an average of £ 600 each, according to Resolver, who handles complaints.
Boss Martyn James said, “We had well over 150,000 travel complaints last year, and that’s the tip of the iceberg.
“There are still many refunds outstanding. The vast majority were rolled into vouchers.
“The problem is, a lot of companies don’t allow people to redeem them if they can’t travel.”