2-for-1s to Mexico

April 2008
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New Fare Tweak Makes Them A Good Deal

There’s a common lament among 2-for-1 seekers: “The airline charges me a fare three times higher, just to get a second ticket free!”

That’s true, in many cases, especially since 14- to 50-day advance “excursion” fares to many long-haul destinations have been falling. Through American Express’s International Airline Program (IAP)—the largest free companion ticket program—2-for-1 fares are almost always more expensive than two regular discounted fares.

It has also been true to Mexico. First Class fares were relatively low compared to other destinations that are the same distance from the US. Consequently, airlines offering 2-for-1s only offer them on full, unrestricted fares, which can be 200% to 300% more than heavily discounted fares. In Sept. 2007, for example, Delta’s lowest published Atlanta-Cancun published First Class fare was $978 round-trip, yet its (highest) applicable 2-for-1 fare was $2,322 for two tickets through IAP. Other routes were even worse.

The carrier has now slashed its most expensive “full fares” in many US-Mexico markets, leaving applicable 2-for-1 fares about 50% less than they were only a few months ago. This change at Delta—to seldom-used full fares—means a big 2-for-1 opportunity for you.

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Translation: Instead of losing money on 2-for-1s to Mexico, you can save enough to upgrade your hotel room to a suite. Get them while they last!

In contrast, AeroMexico’s fares via Amex’s free companion fare program usually only save about $100, if anything. In other words, fly with your preferred carrier or the one with the best routing.

Get the Amex Platinum card for occasional 2-for-1 deals on 18 different airlines: https://www124.americanexpress.com/cards/platinum/airprogram.jsp

New Fare Tweak Makes Them A Good Deal

There’s a common lament among 2-for-1 seekers: “The airline charges me a fare three times higher, just to get a second ticket free!”

That’s true, in many cases, especially since 14- to 50-day advance “excursion” fares to many long-haul destinations have been falling. Through American Express’s International Airline Program (IAP)—the largest free companion ticket program—2-for-1 fares are almost always more expensive than two regular discounted fares.

It has also been true to Mexico. First Class fares were relatively low compared to other destinations that are the same distance from the US. Consequently, airlines offering 2-for-1s only offer them on full, unrestricted fares, which can be 200% to 300% more than heavily discounted fares. In Sept. 2007, for example, Delta’s lowest published Atlanta-Cancun published First Class fare was $978 round-trip, yet its (highest) applicable 2-for-1 fare was $2,322 for two tickets through IAP. Other routes were even worse.

The carrier has now slashed its most expensive “full fares” in many US-Mexico markets, leaving applicable 2-for-1 fares about 50% less than they were only a few months ago. This change at Delta—to seldom-used full fares—means a big 2-for-1 opportunity for you.

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[["<strong>Route<\/strong>","<strong>New 2-for-1 Fare<\/strong>","<strong>Two Tickets at Regular Fare* (Per Person Fare, Code)<\/strong>","<strong>Savings with New Fare<\/strong>"],["Atlanta-Acapulco","$1,328 ","$1,616 ($808,I) ","$288"],["Atlanta-Cancun","$1,378 ","$1,796 ($898, I)","$418"],["Atlanta-Cozumel","$1,518 ","$2,236 ($1,118, D)","$718"],["Atlanta-Puerto Vallarta","$1,248 ","$1,536 ($768, I)","$288"],["New York-Acapulco","$1,330 ","$1,620 ($810, I)","$290"],["New York-Cabo San Lucas","$1,504 ","$2,208 ($1,104, D) ","$704"],["New York-Cozumel","$1,474 ","$2,148 ($1,074, D)","$674"],["New York-Puerto Vallarta","$1,268 ","$1,576 ($788, I)","$308"],["Salt Lake City-Cancun","$1,348 ","$1,656 ($828, I) ","$308"],["Salt Lake City-Puerto Vallarta","$1,268 ","$1,576 ($788, I)","$308"]]
<small><em>* Base fare, plus taxes. Ticketing guidelines: Codeshare flights not permitted; Delta frequent flyer mileage will be earned for the full-paying passenger only; 2-for-1 booking code: I; Fare: C or C06. Some service is seasonal.</em></small>
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