Who Are We?
AH Escapes is an award-winning independent travel company, offering luxurious holidays at unbeatable prices. We are now in our 9th year of dream-making and we help send thousands of clients away every year on holidays and business trips all over the world.
Why Book With Us?
Book with Confidence
We are a Member of ABTA which means you have the benefit of ABTA's assistance and Code of Conduct. We provide financial protection for your money when you buy a package holiday. We also love fairness and if you do find a better deal online we will try and price match wherever possible. And you get our service for free!
Tailor-made Travel Planning
As an independent Travel Agent we have no allegiance to any one supplier and are able to scour the world of travel to offer you the best possible holiday for your budget. We're here to ensure that your travel experience is enjoyable and the one right one that fits your requirements.
Personal Service
Imagine that you have walked into a high street travel agent and are chatting to a friendly knowledgeable assistant who just wants to help. That's us, but online (although face to face is also available to our clients). We provide a friendly end to end service, planning everything with you, and we are there from the moment you book until you put the key in the door. And we are there to help on the odd occasion where things don't go to plan too. We are always available for our clients.
Bringing the World to You
We're part of the Hays Independence Group and that means we're impartial as well as backed by one of the finest travel companies in the travel industry. We've got access to more than 450 suppliers, which means if it can be done, we can do it for you. From fly and flops to climbing mountains, wine-tours to shark diving, exploration to relaxation there's so much world waiting to be explored and we can help bring it to you.
Try Us
FAQ
Still not sure if we can be of help? Check through some frequently asked questions and then send us a message.
How do I get in touch?
Anytime Monday-Saturday from 9-7 on 07985 250789 by Whats App or phone. Or email andy@ahescapes.co.uk and we’ll be in touch at the earliest opportunity.
Are you ABTA bonded?
Yes! We care about you and your holiday so we would never let you travel unprotected. For your peace of mind, please type out membership number ‘P8723’ into the members search box at the top of ABTA’s website.
What deposit is required?
This depends on many factors. Each tour operator sets their own deposit amount. In addition, if you are booking a flight then most airlines will ask for payment in full. On tailor-made packages, the flight element sometimes needs paying in full, along with an additional deposit for the accommodation and any additional travel products.
I will always ask the supplier if they can provide a low cost deposit if you are unable to make the full deposit payment in one transaction, however it is not guaranteed that they will agree to this. If you make your booking less that 14-16 weeks before departure, you would need to pay the balance in full when booking.
When will my balance be due?
In most cases, balances are due 14 weeks prior to your departure date. However, for certain suppliers – including cruises – your balance would be due 16 weeks prior to travel. If you book less that 14 weeks before departure then your balance is due in full when booking. If you are taking advantage of the Direct Debit scheme, then your balance due date could possibly drop to as close as 6 weeks before departure.
Can I make payments towards my holiday each month?
Yes. This is a really good way of budgeting for your holiday. You can give me a ring whenever you would like to make an additional payment. Better still, why not opt for the Direct Debit scheme, then you don’t even need to remember to make the payments, as we will debit them automatically.
Do I need travel insurance?
Yes! It is a requirement of your contract with us that you obtain travel insurance which is suitable for your needs (this includes declaring any pre-existing medical conditions or disabilities). You should always ensure that any existing annual policy has been amended if your situation has changes and that your travel insurance policy is valid for the full duration of your trip. Please don’t travel in the UK or abroad without adequate travel insurance.
You can purchase your travel insurance with us. It is provided by Rush Insurance and underwritten by Allianz.
We cannot be held responsible if you choose to travel without insurance and a situation then arises that would have required an insurance claim. Travel insurance is YOUR responsibility.
Is my destination safe to travel to?
Please check out current travel safety advice from the Foreign Commonwealth & Development Office. We would always recommend following their travel advice over and above any other advice.
It is your responsibility to check advice and to follow it.
https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice
What are the passport requirements for travel?
There are some countries where certain requirements will be in place, but the general advice is to ensure that your passport is applied for well in advance of travel if you require a new one, and that it has at least six months validity remaining on it AFTER the date that you are due to arrive back into the UK. You should also ensure that it has two clear pages for stamps/VISA’s if travelling outside of the EU member countries.
You can check further current details on the government website. IT is your responsibility to ensure that passports are valid and meet the requirements.
Please check the validity of your passport before booking a holiday, here https://www.gov.uk/check-a-passport-travel-europe
Passport applications/renewals/advice – https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/hm-passport-office
Do I need a VISA?
VISA requirements differ from one country to another. We will advise you depending on the destination you are travelling to. You will needs to do your own VISA application via the relevant Consulate, which is usually located in London. The most common VISA applications that clients require are:
USA – https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov/esta/
Australia – https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-finder
Do we need any vaccinations and/or testing to travel?
Always check government advice regarding current requirements for Covid-19 vaccinations and testing, as these change regularly and differ from one destination to the next. Check with your GP or health care professional with regards to general travel vaccination requirements and travel health, especially if you have pre-existing health conditions or take prescribed medication.
Please be aware that for certain health issues, you may be required to obtain a fit to travel certificate from your GP, at your own expense.
What is an EHIC/GHIC card?
The UK Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) lets you get necessary state healthcare in the European Economic Area (EEA), and some other countries, on the same basis as a resident of that country. This may be free or it may require a payment equivalent to that which a local resident would pay. A UK GHIC is free and lasts for up to 5 years. You can apply for your new card through the NHS website. This DOES NOT replace the need to take out travel insurance.
I am disabled or have medical conditions. Can I go on holiday?
Of course you can, providing that your doctor is happy for you to travel. We sell accessible holidays, along with accessible excursions, so you can enjoy your holiday as much as the next person.
In addition, we can also put you in touch with the special assistance team who will arrange assistance for you through the airport and onto the plane, with the same at the other end, providing your destination airport has the capacity to provide special assistance. Please note that depending on your condition(s) and/or medication, the airline and/or tour operator may require a doctors letter prior to travel in order to allow you to travel. Many surgeries do charge for this service.
I would like to get married abroad. Can you help?
Of course, I would be honoured to help! I actually have a wedding planning qualification too, so I can offer more in depth advice than some other Personal Travel Consultants would be able to.
I have a variety of suppliers who specialise in weddings abroad in destinations worldwide. Some suppliers can assign you wedding planner who would liaise with you over all aspects of your big day. I can book your flights and accommodation too, for you and your wedding guests! Please note that some destinations won’t legally allow you to get married there and only offer a blessing or vow renewal ceremony. Equally, there are some destinations where the UK doesn’t recognise their wedding ceremonies to be legal here in the UK. In both of these situations, a civil ceremony would also be required to ensure that your marriage is legal.
We want to book our honeymoon. Can you help?
I would love to help plan the most important holiday of your lifetime! I have a range of suppliers who offer adult only or honeymoon focused resorts. I can book you any kind of honeymoon, so whether you are dreaming of a romantic UK break, a city break, a multi-centre tailor made tour, a quiet beach holiday, an action packed adventure, a safari, a cruise or any other type of honeymoon, I can book it for you and would be honoured to do so.
Can you book holidays for large groups?
No problem! Whether you are travelling for a wedding, hen/stag do, special occasion or just to have an enjoyable time with family/friends, we can accommodate groups of any size, depending on flight and accommodation availability.
What will the weather be like at my destination?
For the most up to date weather information, put the name of your destination (or the closest large town/city to it) into the Holiday Weather website. They also give you weather averages, so you can see well in advance what the weather is likely to be like, based on historical data.
https://www.holiday-weather.com/
Some of Our Trade Partners
Book with Confidence
AH Escapes is a trading name of WorldLuxe Travel, which sells travel services on behalf of Hays Travel Limited and benefits from Hays Travel’s membership of ABTA with membership number P8723. ABTA and ABTA Members help holidaymakers to get the most from their travel and assist them when things do not go according to plan. We are obliged to maintain a high standard of service to you by ABTA’s Code of Conduct.
For further information about ABTA, the Code of Conduct and the arbitration scheme available to you if you have a complaint, contact ABTA, 30 Park Street, London SE1 9EQ. Tel: 020 3117 0599 or www.abta.com
We are a Member of ABTA which means you have the benefit of ABTA’s assistance and Code of Conduct. We provide financial protection for your money when you buy a package holiday. If you buy other travel arrangements such as accommodation only this protection doesn’t apply.