Question
I just received an offer for a Citi Gold AAdvantage World Mastercard. The annual fee is $50 and you receive a free companion travel certificate. Ticket purchased must be $358 or more to use the free companion ticket. I thought this might be a good deal for flying from east to west coast. Any ideas? I am new at thie FF thing. I use Delta Amex but still need the Visa/MC backup.
Thanks.
Answer
It's a good deal if you will definitely use the companion ticket.
I have a companion ticket coupon. The companion ticket is $99. You can't transfer the certificate, nor can you use it for Hawaii.
Also, if you plan on trying to upgrade, only the certificate holder can attempt to upgrade, the companion cannot upgrade according to the rules.
Answer
I believe that some of the certificates are free for companions while others are $50 or $99.
Nevertheless, always read the fine print.
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He who dies with the most miles ... is dead.
Answer
No mention of any charge although the card does cost $50.00. Very fine print says "Passenger is responsible for taxes, fees and charges in association with the free travel. Tickets must be booked in V,M, Q or K inventory."
I should probably call the 800 number before going for this one.
Companion ticket expires June 2002.
Answer
IS the free/discounted tix good only for the US, or also for the Carribean and Europe?
Thanx.
Answer
Ticket is for "Anywhere AA flies within the contienental US (including Aaska) though June 30 ,2002"
Also takes 6-8 weeks to get the certificate so you will have less than a year to use it. I fly with husband and two children so would have to buy three tickets at the $358+. I would probably be better to look for other discounts.
Answer
Citi Bank's free companion ticket offers has been going down hill. The min fare requirement was $299 when I first signed up back in '97 but it has been going up since.
UA's free companion ticket offer for its credit card is better. Most of this offer has no min fare requirements.
Lastly, most of offers are restricted to continental US...
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Answer
I have always found these "discount companion certificates" do not offer the best deal--I have used very few of these.
Answer
Just about the only time one of these companion coupons offer some savings is if you are a resident of Hawai'i, and want to fly to the Mainland at peak travel time. At that point, even discounted fares aren't likely to be much lower than the V,M, Q or K inventory which you have to book with this coupons. The last one we used provided us a $200 savings over what we could have spent if we had bought two tix. Considering that the companion gives up the miles and can't upgrade, these coupons are really not that great. The one offered by the UA VISA card is much better, regardless of where you live: it can be used with any fare class and there is no minimum fare. Oh, and I think it used to be also valid for travel to Mexico.
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The United one is definitely pretty good. My parents just used one.
Pluses:
- no minimum fare price or code
- no roundtrip requirement (can do open jaw or circle trip if desired)
- discount coupons apparently can be used (they used the $25 one that came with the 2-1 voucher)
Restrictions:
- continental US only (may be able to fly from Hawaii or Alaska
- no FF miles earned for companion traveler
- some blackout dates (probably standard Mileage Plus ones).
- almost a full year to use
If you had the chance to get voucher (think minimum MP Visa annual fee is $50), I would certainly recommend it. I have the Delta 2-1 certificate for having a Delta Platinum AMEX card, and it's lousy.
Jeff
Answer
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" size="2">Originally posted by jwhite4:
If you had the chance to get voucher (think minimum MP Visa annual fee is $50), I would certainly recommend it. I have the Delta 2-1 certificate for having a Delta Platinum AMEX card, and it's lousy.
Jeff
You can call ths First USA and ask for it; you don't need to wait for the offer in your mail...
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[This message has been edited by DH (edited 06-06-2001).]