PCR Testing and holiday refunds

yorkiescot

Hi, I apologise if this has been asked before, i couldn't find anything. We had our original holiday booked last year 2020 but obviously had to cancel, however due to the fact it was a great deal and we had everything we wanted we decided to transfer to this year in the hope we would have the same deal, and, with a little bit extra due to our son aging by a year we got our deal. We were very happy. Now though it looks like we are going to have to shell out another 400 quid or thereabout for PCR tests. We cannot afford this extra cost, however it seems that if we cancel the holiday we will lose our deposit. Does anyone know the real answer to these questions, also do we have to take the airline PCR or can we have our own PCR tests. Why if i and my family are having to take lateral flow tests twice weekly to ensure our and others safety are these tests not deemed good enough for airlines. Finally, will i lose the deposit? Thanks in advance.

epm-84

Who did you book with and is it a package containing travel + a hotel or separate bookings?

There's no automatic right to a refund due to a requirement for PCR tests, so it depends on the T&Cs of the provider(s) you booked with.

Lateral flow tests are only 80% reliable, in you get a positive result on one of them you are supposed to book a PCR to confirm the result. However, they can give false negatives as well. The decision to not allow them for flights was made by Grant Shapps, the Transport Secretary, airlines can't overrule that decision as it's been made law. 

MattMattMattUK

yorkiescot said:

Hi, I apologise if this has been asked before, i couldn't find anything. We had our original holiday booked last year 2020 but obviously had to cancel, however due to the fact it was a great deal and we had everything we wanted we decided to transfer to this year in the hope we would have the same deal, and, with a little bit extra due to our son aging by a year we got our deal. We were very happy. Now though it looks like we are going to have to shell out another 400 quid or thereabout for PCR tests. 

PCR test are usually required by the country that you are entering, if they are required and you do not have them then you will be denied boarding.

yorkiescot said:

We cannot afford this extra cost, however it seems that if we cancel the holiday we will lose our deposit. 

That is correct, it would be a disinclination to travel, tests to enter, visas, a valid passport etc. are not the responsibility of the airline to provide, but they are required to make sure those things are in place. 

yorkiescot said:

Does anyone know the real answer to these questions, also do we have to take the airline PCR or can we have our own PCR tests.

You should be able to use any PCR test from a certified testing centre, there are many options available, if you look at the website for the airport you are flying from they will list all the national and local services.

yorkiescot said:

Why if i and my family are having to take lateral flow tests twice weekly to ensure our and others safety are these tests not deemed good enough for airlines. 

Lateral flow test are a lot less accurate than PCR tests, airlines are not requiring a PCR test, the country you wish to enter is the one that requires a PCR test. 

yorkiescot said:

Finally, will i lose the deposit?

Probably yes, it would be regarded as a disinclination to travel. Depending on when your date of travel is you may also loose the balance as well, that would depend on the cancellation policy in place. 

molerat

And note an NHS PCR test will likely not be accepted, you need one carried out by one of the specified labs https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-57243205