Holiday Inn Companion Flies Free

[DJT]

I have seen this advertised in a magazine. Is this a good deal, or is the paid fare much higher than it would be regularly? Is it for a specific airline? I haven't read any details about it and just wondered if anyone here knows anything about it.

 

[travelcoupons]

Here is what they charge you for the first fare (with companion being free):

501 to 750 miles one-way: $299 round-trip fare
751 to 1000 miles one-way: $399 round-trip fare
1001 to 1500 miles one-way: $499 round-trip fare
1501 or more miles one-way: $599 round-trip fare

They will deduct just $25/traveller from the above fare if a lower published fare is available.

Taxes, airport fees, passenger facility charges, and fees are additional and will be applied to both the original ticket and the additional free ticket.

Archer Travel Group has sole discretion of air carrier selected.

The eligible airports are: Albuquerque, Albany, Atlanta, Baltimore, Birmingham, Boston, Buffalo, Cedar Rapids,
Charlotte, Chicago, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Colorado Springs, Columbus, Dallas, Dayton, Denver, Des Moines, Detroit, Ft. Lauderdale, Hartford, Houston, Indianapolis, Jackson, Jacksonville, Kansas City, Knoxville, Las Vegas, Lexington, Little Rock, Los Angeles, Madison, Memphis, Miami, Milwaukee, Minneapolis, Nashville, Newark, New Orleans, New York City, Oklahoma City, Omaha, Orlando, Philadelphia, Phoenix, Pittsburgh, Portland, Providence, Raleigh-Durham, Richmond, Rochester, Salt Lake City, San Antonio, San Diego,
San Francisco, Seattle, St. Louis, Syracuse, Tampa, Tucson, Tulsa, Washington D.C., Wichita.

Is it a good deal?
In some circumstances, it could be...but you can often find lower fares on your own.

EXAMPLE:
MSP - MCO (7/8/01 Depart, 7/16/01 Return)
1304 miles (one way)
Fare nonstop on Northwest with taxes & pfc's:
$241.00 x 2 people = $482.00 Total

Fare using the holiday Inn promo:
$499.00 minus $50 (lower fare published, so - $25/traveller)
$449.00 +28.91 + 28.91 (PFC's & taxes on each passenger)
$506.82 Total

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I think the travel agency running this promo is figuring they can make enough money on people paying too much for trips through this promo to offset the money they loose on the few itineraries that would actually cost less under the promo.