As we reported in February, Continental is departing the American Express International Airlines Program, which offers free companion tickets with the purchase of a full-fare ticket. Continental now offers its own version of the program via its branded MasterCard. Here’s our take on the good and the bad.
The Good: It’s a great deal when the fare on a given route is high or if you’ve missed the advance-purchase window. As the chart at right shows, savings can be as high as $9,648 (Chicago to Rio de Janeiro). There’s no charge to get the Continental MasterCard and with your first purchase you receive 20,000 miles, enough for a free one-way upgrade on your next flight to Europe.
The Bad: As with Amex’s IAP, only the paying passenger receives miles. Moreover, if you book in advance, promotional fares are often a much better deal. Currently most international routes offer promotional fares ranging from as low as $1,798 round-trip per-person (14-day advance, New York-London) to $4,632 (50-day advance, Atlanta-Tokyo). Also: unlike its old offer through Amex, the Caribbean and Mexico are not included—only BusinessFirst international routes.
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