What's the Deal?

· Fly British Airways in first class, business class, premium economy or full-fare economy and get a free companion ticket on your next trip in any class of service to any destination served by the airline. For example, buy a round-trip premium-economy ticket from Washington Dulles to London (priced for October travel at $1,271, including $577 taxes and fuel surcharge) and fly with a friend in the same class of service in February: You will pay $1,358, while your companion pays just taxes and fuel surcharges of $577. Register at http://www.ba.com/eccompanion, and complete qualifying travel by Dec. 31. Book companion travel Jan. 5-June 30 for flights Jan. 15-Dec. 31, 2009.

PACKAGES

· CheapTickets.com is offering discounted packages to beach destinations in Florida, California, the Caribbean and Mexico. Discounts vary by resort, but all packages of four nights or longer receive a discount of $100 by requesting promo code FALLBEACH100. For example, a four-night trip from Reagan National to Puerto Rico, with accommodations at the Gran Melia, starts at $472 per person double (including taxes) in October. Priced separately, the trip would cost $705 per person. Book at http://www.cheaptickets.com by Nov. 23; travel by March 31.

· Ritz Tours is offering an early booking discount of $100 to $400 per couple on its Asia packages departing March-December 2009. For example, save $200 per person on the 10-night escorted Silk Road tour. Price for March 24 departure starts at $3,374 per person double after discount, including taxes and fuel surcharge. Deal includes round-trip airfare from New York to Beijing; airfare from Beijing to Urumqi, China; air from Urumqi to Dunhuang, China; accommodations; daily sightseeing; 26 meals; guide; and motor coach transport. Priced separately, air and hotel alone would cost about $3,000 per couple. Deadline to book and place deposit is Dec. 15. Info: 888-345-7489, http://www.ritztours.com.

-- Carol Sottili

Prices were verified and available on Thursday afternoon when the Travel section went to press. However, deals sell out quickly and are not guaranteed to be available. Restrictions such as day of travel, blackout dates and advance-purchase requirements sometimes apply.