ASK THE EXPERT
Claire Bentley, Managing Director at British Airways Holidays, reveals how to book the perfect getaway, the places she wants to visit once we can travel again, and what she never leaves home without
How to plan your perfect getaway – where to go, what to see, what to take
What makes a holiday with British Airways Holidays unique?
We provide our customers with great value holidays that come with the quality and peace of mind they’d expect from British Airways. The airline’s extensive global network means we are in the unique position to offer convenient flights and secure great deals to the most amazing destinations. Booking their flight and hotel or flight and car together means our customers can save both time and money. Bookings also come with a range of additional flexible options, which is more important now than ever. These include low deposits (from just £60 per person), flexible payments, the ability to defer paying the balance until three weeks before travel, ATOL protection and a 24-hour holiday helpline.
What health and safety measures have British Airways Holidays put in place to help protect guests in resorts?
We work with more than 11,000 carefully selected hotels and villas, and have always expected the highest standards from them. In response to the Covid-19 pandemic, we have updated our requirements to implement new health and safety procedures in line with World Health Organization guidance. These include social distancing, enhanced cleaning processes and additional staff training. The airline also continues to incorporate protective measures on the ground and in the sky to keep customers safe.
What should readers look for when booking a holiday?
I’d recommend customers consider a holiday provider’s flexible booking policies in case Government advice changes or the unexpected happens. With British Airways Holidays, customers can change a booking for free or cancel it for voucher credit, valid until April 2023, with just three weeks’ notice. If we cannot fulfil the holiday, we guarantee a full refund within 14 days.
You never go on holiday without taking...
Our holiday helpline phone number! It is available 24/7, and the team is always helpful and ready to assist. I confess to using it on occasions when perhaps I shouldn’t have – it has made me a lazy traveller!
What is your all-time favourite holiday destination?
Italy, because of its myriad options, from the culture and history of Rome to the glistening Italian lakes, the secluded beaches of Sardinia and the rolling hills of Tuscany. Every time I visit, it feels like a completely different holiday. And, after quite a bit of home cooking in recent months, I’m desperate to get back to indulge in some pizza, pasta and gelato!
What are your top three bucket list destinations and why?
Number one is the Panthera Africa Big Cat Sanctuary in South Africa. British Airways Holidays has a long-term partnership with wildlife charity Born Free and, just over a year ago, we helped facilitate the forever home of two lionesses that were rescued from a failed zoo in Spain. They have settled in really well, and are enjoying their golden years together. It would be so special to see first-hand how content they are in their new surroundings.
Costa Rica is also on the list, for its abundance of wildlife, luscious rainforest and mesmerising beaches. Listening to the wake-up calls of howler monkeys and scarlet macaws while sipping a fresh cup of Costa Rican coffee sounds idyllic!
Finally, there are some European cities I’ve yet to explore, including Dubrovnik in Croatia. Searches on our website for Dubrovnik and Venice holidays have spiked in recent weeks, as people look to take advantage of visiting these tourist hotspots without the crowds.