The Bargain Corner : Free Ticket Offered on Europe Fares

Airlines are employing two-for-one and other promotions during the slow winter months.

For example, with complete round-trip flights on American Airlines to Europe before March 31, you get a free ticket for someone on your next American trip.

You can fly any class, but you have to satisfy the requirements of the fare. Keep in mind that promotional fares have advance-purchase and minimum/maximum stay conditions.

Your subsequent flight can be to any American destination in the 48 states, plus Mexico, Canada, Europe or the Caribbean until Nov. 18. Flights to Hawaii, Alaska, Japan and South America are not included.

The person on the free ticket must accompany you in coach. Fly anytime during the week, but check for blackout periods when the gratis ticket can’t be used.

You have to apply for the free companion round-trip ticket by May 1. Be sure to hold on to your ticket receipt and round-trip boarding passes from your European flights, since you have to submit them with your request. Figure at least four weeks before you get your ticket, which is not transferable.

This program, however, is subject to approval by foreign governments. Airlines can promote this kind of program in advance of approval if the ads state that approval is pending.

American will honor its free companion-ticket offer even if a foreign country disapproves its promotion, as long as you’ve already bought your ticket to Europe.

With stops in either Chicago, Dallas/Fort Worth or New York, American flies from Los Angeles to London, Manchester, Munich, Frankfurt, Dusseldorf, Paris, Geneva and Zurich.

On the East Coast, TAP Air Portugal is repeating its 50% companion fare. If you fly full fare, another person with you can fly at half fare. Your round-trip flights have to be completed by March 31, however. Both eastbound and westbound flights have to be midweek, and passengers must fly together each way.

The Portuguese national carrier flies to Lisbon from New York and Boston.

Contact travel agents or American Airlines at (800) 433-7300 and TAP Air Portugal at (800) 221-7370.