I usually refrain from talking about credit cards, but this looks like a pretty good deal from British Airways for the Visa card new member offer. You can find the offer on the British Airways homepage. I think this is an especially attractive offer if you are planning to go to Europe this summer (if the currency exchange rates haven’t scared you off the Grand Tour!).
“As a new cardmember, you will have access to a companion ticket* for travel in World Traveller (economy) or World Traveller Plus (premium economy) to any worldwide destination on
British Airways. This offer can be used on our lowest available fares. Plus, you’ll earn 20,000 bonus BA Miles after your first purchase or balance transfer.
Apply for your card by April 30, 2008.
See how affordable travel for two can be:
Sample fare for two people with companion ticket
$574 New York – London World Traveller
$739 New York – Paris World Traveller
$756 Los Angeles – London World Traveller
$824 New York – London World Traveller Plus”
Plus you get 20,000 miles after first purchase or balance transfer.
I estimate you should figure about $250 to $300 in taxes and fuel surcharges per person and then you may still have a good deal.
Keep in mind that if your 2-for-1 tickets have fuel surcharges and taxes applied to both passengers, the deal may not be that great compared to regular airfare rates.
In the past month there have been fares as low as $198 from California to London, but the fuel surcharge and taxes add up to another $300 for a $498 total airfare. A companion ticket costing $300 is not that great a deal in the off-season. The value will likely increase for summer travel as airfare rates go higher. If fares go to $600 to $700 for peak summer travel like in recent years past, then this deal could be something like $600 ticket price + $600 taxes and fees for 2 people = $1,200 for two tickets to Europe when the regular fare is $900 per ticket. In this example, two people could fly to Europe for $1,200 compared to the regular fare of $1,800 for two passengers.
The British Airways Visa Card offer could potentially be a $600 savings for summer travel to Europe in 2008, maybe even more in savings, and you will have 20,000+ miles in your British Airways Executive Club account when you get home.
I have flown British Airways several times to Europe and other international flights. I recommend the airline. The companion ticket may have its best value if used for World Traveler Plus which is a significantly better airline cabin than United Economy Plus.
