Flying for Discounts

The European promotions continue to emerge, with Pan Am now offering a new batch of coupon discounts for travelers who fly round-trip on the carrier from the United States to Europe, Israel, India or Africa through Sept. 15. Tickets must be bought by Sept. 1.

Those passengers can get six coupons providing discounts off fares to specific destinations Pan Am serves. Different destinations will be featured in each of six months, starting in October, with the value of the coupons ranging from $50 to $250. For example, in October, you would be able to get $50 off a flight to New York, $100 off Bermuda and $150 off London; in November, $50 off Washington, $150 off Frankfurt and $250 off Nairobi. Some destinations may be repeated from month to month.

The coupons have to be used on flights on Mondays through Thursdays during the specific month, and there are minimum round-trip purchase amounts of $150 for domestic flights and $350 internationally. You’ll also face various black-out periods over holidays.

If you should happen to redeem all six coupons, one for each month, you would then get two free first-class tickets to any Pan Am point in the United States, Caribbean or Mexico.

This promotion is subject to the approval of the various foreign governments involved. Based on past experience, Pan Am indicated it should be able to honor coupons to a destination even if a foreign government turns down the promotion to its area as long as your original trans-Atlantic ticket was purchased before the pertinent cut-off point.

Keep in mind, also, that other carriers will probably devise their own discount promotions in reaction to Pan Am’s latest offer.

Delta Air Lines has also hopped in to the Europe discount market by offering passengers who fly round trip on it to Europe between Aug. 1, 1986 and March 31, 1987 free hotel stays and car rentals.

Under the Delta program, only available through travel agents, two people traveling together by air and sharing a room and car, can get a Kemwel rental car for a week with free mileage. The car has to be returned to the same location you picked it up at to avoid a drop-off charge.

In addition, you can get one free night at any Holiday Inn in Europe.

For more information about the Pan Am or Delta programs, contact travel agents. You can also call Pan Am at (800) 221-1111.