If you are planning a trip to Europe, and you will be traveling with a companion, we have a deal for you. If you apply for a British Airways Visa by April 30, you'll receive a companion ticket offer for travel in World Traveller (economy class) or World Traveller Plus (premium economy class) to Europe, plus you'll earn 20,000 bonus miles after your first purchase or balance transfer. The offer is available only to new applicants.

Tickets must be purchased by June 30 for departure by Dec. 31. Travel is available to any worldwide destination on British Airways flights from 18 U.S. cities, including Dallas. Travel is not available in July or August, but if you apply right away, you may be able to get tickets for June. If not, you'll enjoy lower fares and fewer crowds if you wait until fall or winter to travel.

Travelers should keep in mind that the companion offer covers only the second person's base fare. Taxes and other charges still apply. The fuel surcharge is more than $200 to Europe right now. When we priced flights from Dallas to London for travel in economy class in June, the first ticket cost a total of $1,258. Taxes, fees and surcharges came to $415 for the companion ticket.

In the fall, the first fare would be cheaper, but the taxes, fees and surcharges would stay the same. For travel in October, we priced flights from Dallas to London at $952 total for the first ticket.

Even if you don't use the companion ticket, the bonus miles offer is enticing. Travelers will earn 20,000 bonus miles and if you earn 5,000 more through purchases, or by flying, you'll have enough miles for a round-trip upgrade from economy or premium economy to Europe. Remember that you can earn British Airways miles on American Airlines flights (except trans-Atlantic flights) as long as you give your Executive Club number when booking or at check-in.

British Airways has four tiers of service, so you can upgrade from economy to premium economy, or spend a little more on tickets and buy a premium economy ticket and upgrade to business class. When we looked at sample fares, premium economy flights from Dallas to London in June cost $2,000 with all taxes and fees, while business class flights cost $3,500. Fall flights were $1,398 for premium economy and $4,111 for business.

The annual fee is $75. Applications for the card must be submitted online at www.britishairways.com/travel /visa-signature-card-offer/public /en_us and tickets must be purchased through British Airways by calling 1-800-262-2422.

Tom Parsons is publisher of Bestfares.com.