Why they’re often anything but

The word “free” has sex appeal, as American Express, which invented the free companion ticket, and its many imitators well know. That’s why even smart businessmen and women will dive headlong for a credit card pitch touting such tickets—even with a $395 annual fee—without asking, “How much does free cost?” Here’s a guide to free companion tickets, with an emphasis on travel to Europe.

The Basics: Free companion tickets were invented for business travelers as a perk for paying full price. The rules require that both people travel on the same itinerary. Only the paying passenger earns miles and mileage upgrades are not permitted.

The One Thing to Know: Two discount Business Class fares (30- to 50-day advance purchase) are often cheaper than a 2-for-1 fare. You can often find such a round-trip Business Class fare for $2,200, while your 2-for-1 program might cost $6,000+. That’s especially true on Iberia, which has no advance-purchase requirement. That actually nullifies the value of its free ticket program in most cases.

The Best Carriers: That’s easy—the ones with the best seats, meaning ones that recline fully. If you’re paying full price, you should be comfortable. Air New Zealand, British Airways, Iberia, and Virgin Atlantic should be at the top of your list. I can’t see paying full fare for a seat such as Delta’s, which reclines only 160 degrees. Make airlines like Continental (B757 flights) and Delta your last resort.

The Gateways: Domestic carriers often limit the available European destinations, and, more importantly, only offer free companion tickets from certain gateways. Three that don’t and also have extensive route networks in Europe: British Airways, Air France, and Lufthansa.

First Class: A great deal on a 2-for-1 because fares are so high and rarely discounted. The downside: Few carriers offer 2-for-1s in First. Two that do: British Airways and SWISS.

First Class + Low-Fare Gateways: Discrepancies abound with First Class fares to Europe, which means you just might net the front cabin for the price of Business, if you play your gateways right. Example: Los Angeles-London is $19,542 with British Airways, while Los Angeles-Zurich is $14,900 with SWISS, about what BA charges for Business. If you’re making a connection anyway, why not do it in Zurich?

Premium Economy: If your corporate travel policy doesn’t allow you to fly Business Class (or if you just want to save about 72%), book this cabin on British Airways. Fares are in the $2,500 to $3,900 range. British Airways is the only airline to offer 2-for-1 fares in Premium Economy.

One-way Tickets: Only Lufthansa and Virgin offer them on 2-for-1s.

Open-jaw Itineraries: Air France and British Airways permit you to book such routings, which means arriving in one city but returning home from another. For example: Fly to Paris from Houston, but return from Rome. Or depart from one city and return to another, for instance Houston-Paris and Paris-Los Angeles.

Stopovers: Most airlines allow them on 2-for-1s, so exploit the opportunity.

Saturday-Night Stay: BA is the lone carrier requiring it on a 2-for-1.

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