Holidays are back and we're here to help!
While travel was on hold we've upgraded our service to get you the help you need in lightning-quick time. We're back and faster than ever. Our team is ready to help in any way we can - the easiest way to reach us is by live chat (check our opening times). Or if something has gone wrong and you'd like to give us some feedback, get in touch with our dedicated customer team and we'll look into it for you.
We've worked hard on our flexibility and introduced FLEXTRAS - if you buy your holiday extras from Holiday Extras, you'll be getting the most flexible terms anywhere. We're also investing heavily in our app with a big focus on HEHA! - The Holiday Extras Holiday Assistant which makes it even easier and even faster to search, book and save.
You're welcome to email me about anything at all - ideas, suggestions and feedback. I read every email and will make sure your query is swiftly actioned with the right people. If needed I'll follow up in person too.
Thanks for choosing Holiday Extras. Wishing you safe and happy travels.
Matthew Paxton
Chief Commercial Officer (CCO)
I joined Holiday Extras in 2000. Having already handed my notice in at my previous role at SAGA, I was contemplating the next step in my career when Helen (then girlfriend, now wife) saw the advert for 'ABC Holiday Extras Head of Commercial' in the local paper and phoned me to say "I've found your new job". She was right!
From day one I have considered it an absolute privilege to work at Holiday Extras. The company has grown enormously in that time and I am proud to have played my part. I was part of the team involved in both the 2005 and 2018 management buyouts, played a key role in the launch of our German and Short Breaks businesses, and our acquisitions of Essential Travel and Purple Parking. I became Commercial Director in 2007, Chief Operating Officer in 2009 and Chief Commercial Officer in 2015. I love finding an opportunity to grab, or a problem to solve, and doing so in a way which means all parties win.
Life before Holiday Extras
I studied law at university and fully intended a legal career. However during my university summer holidays I worked as a holiday rep, the first summer for SAGA Holidays running tours of the UK, the next two summers for First Choice in Turkey and Corsica. My love of working in travel was off and running, and I secured a place on Saga Holidays graduate training scheme, a great education which saw me working there for seven years, taking on various roles in contact centre management, yield management and overseas contracting, an amazing job which gave me the opportunity to travel the world. My last job at Saga was contracting in Brazil including visits to Rio, Recife, and taking a boat up the Amazon from Manaus. In fact I was on this trip when I got the call about ABC from Helen!
Life outside Holiday Extras
Helen and I have a beautiful 19 year old daughter called Molly, and for us life is all about spending time together and creating memories. Helen works at SAGA (where we met), and Molly is studying Psychology at Winchester University. We love simple pleasures, our house in Hythe looks out to sea and we try when possible to take ten minutes in the morning to drink our coffee outside and take in the view, we also love to travel. I am also a trustee of the https://theeviedovefoundation.org/ and in the last couple of years I have done two IronMan triathlons, raising funds for a charity that is very close to my heart.
What's your perfect holiday?
Good question. Sunshine, family, laughter, adventure, relaxation, food, drink, culture.
Inspiration
I'm inspired by people who challenge themselves to be the best they can be.