Hiring Portable oxygen concentrator for travel

[AnthonyLogan]

Were finding that airlines are constantly changing their policies on whether they provide oxygen onboard, if you can bring your own cannisters or you need bring a POC.

We have just booked a flight to USA from the UK. We booked with TUI who stated that they would allow us to bring our own cannisters. We received confirmation via email and their website states we can bring our own but they have since decided that their information is incorrect and when flying to the USA we need a POC.

Can anyone recommend a company to hire a POC for airline travel. We have been quoted £770 for 2 weeks which adds a huge amount to the holiday cost and when searching i can only find 2 companies that can help.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance

[Ian1967]

Hi Anthony,

It really is awful what they charge to hire a POC for your holidays, was that price inclusive of spare batteries for your journey? I really don’t know why you can’t take your NHS POC and pay extra insurance for it, if you are going abroad on a regular basis it might be worth worth biting the bullet and buying your own, either new or second hand with a valid warranty, I did this when I was due to go on holiday in 2018 I bought nearly new Inogen One G3 from someone on this forum for £1500 instead £2.200 it also came with a transferable warranty for two and a half years, unfortunately since Covid you can no longer buy them from this forum.

I hope I have been some help.

Ian.

[AnthonyLogan in reply to Ian1967]

HI Ian,

Thanks for the quick response.

My son currently uses oxygen cannister so we don't have a POC so buying or hiring is a huge extra expense. We can take our own oxygen cannisters on Jet2 flights but as TUI wont now allow this we need a POC. This is why we would prefer to hire one as we would only typically use it once a year for our summer holidays.

[Ian1967 in reply to AnthonyLogan]

Hi Anthony,

Looking at the price you have been quoted for your sons oxygen, that would be around about the price I was originally quoted when I was also looking to hire oxygen for my holiday, before I bought my POC.

Out of curiosity, who were the two companies who quoted you for holiday oxygen?

Ian.

[AnthonyLogan in reply to Ian1967]

Hi Ian,

Quotes i have received are from Health Oxygen & Baro2

[Lexikins in reply to Ian1967]

hi have you any recommendations for travel insurance, my mum has an oxygen concentrator, we are going on a cruise but have been unable to find insurance? Thanks

[Littlechoceclair]

Hi Anthony

wow that is ridiculous what they charge you in the UK to hire a POC. I am in Australia and it costs $150 a week to hire them and that is with a spare battery.

We had it a few years back before covid when you had to use bottles only then it changed to POC only and provide your own and now its back to both its your choice.

Shame its not the same for the UK. I hope you manage to get it sorted for your son Anthony.

Danielle

[gingermusic]

We have given up on holidays abroad for this very reason. Apart from the cost what happens if while away the POC stops working etc? Far to big a risk for me. Think carefully

[wooo]

Yes if your in the uk the oxygen store £275 per week and £ 300 refunded deposit when its returned contact 01785 338133 good luck Tui have a list of recommended POCS on their website or call Tui assistant number 😀

[lyndene]

Sorry to hear your predicament. First can't the airline offer you the chance to hire their own oxygen for the trip. When I travel, I used to hire the companies own on board oxygen cylinders which I paid £200 both ways, I usually used three oxygen cylinders for my 5-hour journey each way to Cyprus. I now have invested in my own POC which is a lot better taking my own. I am on two litres of oxygen, so my battery has 13 hours at two litres so plenty for my trips. the more litres you us the shorter your battery. so, airlines require at least 150% battery in case of unforeseen delays. Bear that in mind also. So, for international travel you will need a lot of Oxygen. you will need a weaver machine letter if you are planning to take your own or hired machine and a fit to fly form signed by doctors and the airline. I wish you luck it's a mine field but possible. By the way you will normally have to hire an oxygen concentrator on the other side for your trip.

[Maureenpearl]

Hi Anthony, I bought an Oxygen Concentrator some years ago to use when I went on Cruises. It was very expensive especially the spare battery, but I’m sure I got my money back from the usage. I use to have a company deviler the cylinders to the ship, which was very expensive.

Remember that if You buy a Concentrator if will need to be able to fit under your seat in the aircraft.

I went with TUI to Jamaica in 2018 and they supplied the oxygen I needed for the flight. I had a fit to fly test done at my Respiratory Centre to know how much oxygen I would need per litre in flight.

Hope it works out for you and your son to be able to travel and have a wonderful holiday.