Hays Travel has struck a deal enabling it to offer PCR covid tests to customers for £45 and reported its busiest day of trading since the Covid-19 pandemic began.
The exclusive deal with Assuredscreening.com is the cheapest of three testing options Hays Travel, the UK’s largest travel retailer, is offering to its customers.
The £45 postal test can be booked in branch; a second option for an appointment within an hour’s drive is for £55, and a same-day test is available for £140.
More: The Travel Network Group strikes £45 PCR tests deal
‘People only willing to pay £22 for Covid test to travel’
Advantage seals discount deal with Covid-19 PCR test firm
Hays Travel said it is making no profit on the testing service.
The company said the combination of the lockdown easing, the government’s announcement that it is fine to book holidays, the continued vaccine rollout, emerging traffic light system, and offers on domestic cruise holidays from May has led to customers now feeling more assured about booking.
About 45% of bookings are for summer 2022, the agency reported, with half are for this summer and winter 2021 and the rest are for later, including on Hays Travel’s own chartered flights from regional airports to Barbados for a Caribbean cruise in January 2023.
Chief operating officer Jonathon Woodall said: “The cruise holidays have definitely got our customers excited and bookings are really strong. Customers can book now and pay by monthly direct debit which really helps spread the cost too.
“We are working within the government’s guidelines to do all we can to make it possible for people to be able to go on the holiday they want, where and when it’s safe to do so.
“Our arrangement with Assuredscreening.com means we have a more reasonable price for outbound tests, making the prospect of a holiday more real for many people.
“We are delighted we are ready to roll out this for our customers when travel is permitted again.
“This is part of our customer service – and the value of using a reputable travel agent – we will do everything in our power to make sure there are no obstructions to taking a much-needed holiday.”
More: The Travel Network Group strikes £45 PCR tests deal