First Class to Europe for Coach Prices

Most of the time, I try to write about helpful hints related to travel, food, wealth and health. However, sometimes I come across some travel deals that are just too attractive to keep a secret. This travel deal is a deal of a lifetime.

CONTINENTAL AIRLINES IS OFFERING FIRST CLASS SERVICE TO EUROPE THIS SUMMER, STARTING AT $799 ONE WAY.

It is tough enough to find coach tickets to Europe for this price, let alone a first class ticket. This is such a value because first class tickets to Europe in the summertime can be as much as $7,000. Better yet, Continental's first class, entitled BusinessFirst has been the #1 rated international first class amongst all U.S. carriers by the readers of Conde Nast Traveler magazine since 1998.

Here are some great features of Continental's BusinessFirst:

• Access to Continental's concierges before and during your travel dates. These specially trained professionals assist with pre-boarding, greet connecting BusinessFirst customers at the gate and assist them through Customs.
• Continental employs a Congress of Chefs & Sommeliers who provide some of the finest dining experiences above 30,000 feet.
• BusinessFirst passengers get access to Continental's exclusive President's Club lounge or qualified affiliate lounges. At the lounge you can enjoy complimentary beverages, bar service, light snacks, agent assistance, hi-speed wireless internet access, local phone calls, newspapers and periodicals. All while relaxing in a comfortable and inviting atmosphere.
• The seats are amazing. One the Boeing 777, you 22 inch seat reclines to 170 degrees.
• Continental's new audio/video on demand service is also available on many BusinessFirst international flights. This includes over 250 movies, 350 T.V. shows, 1,500 songs and 25 interactive games.

I have had the good fortune of flying in BusinessFirst on a couple of occasions and it is worth every penny. Remember the joy of travelling isn't just the destination, but the journey as well. Nothing starts your vacation off better than spending the first 7 hours in luxury (it sure beats being crammed in like cattle in the back). Below are some sample flights and prices for this exciting deal. Check the link above for restrictions (one of which is 60 days advance notice is required):

For travel beginning July 1, 2007 (July 10, 2007 for France):

One-way, round-trip purchase required:

New York/Newark, NJ (EWR - Liberty)
Belfast International, Northern Ireland (BFS)
$799

New York/Newark, NJ (EWR - Liberty)
Birmingham, England (BHX)
$799

New York/Newark, NJ (EWR - Liberty)
Bristol, England (BRS)
$799

New York/Newark, NJ (EWR - Liberty)
Brussels, Belgium (BRU)
$799

New York/Newark, NJ (EWR - Liberty)
Manchester, England (MAN)
$799

New York/Newark, NJ (EWR - Liberty)
Cologne, Germany (CGN)
$899

New York/Newark, NJ (EWR - Liberty)
Frankfurt, Germany (FRA)
$899

New York/Newark, NJ (EWR - Liberty)
Berlin, Germany (TXL)
$899

New York/Newark, NJ (EWR - Liberty)
Hamburg, Germany (HAM)
$899

New York/Newark, NJ (EWR - Liberty)
Amsterdam, Netherlands (AMS)
$999

New York/Newark, NJ (EWR - Liberty)
Stockholm, Sweden, (ARN)
$999

New York/Newark, NJ (EWR - Liberty)
Paris, France (CDG)
$999

New York/Newark, NJ (EWR - Liberty)
Glasgow, Scotland (GLA)
$999

New York/Newark, NJ (EWR - Liberty)
London, England (LGW)
$999

New York/Newark, NJ (EWR - Liberty)
Madrid, Spain (MAD)
$999

New York/Newark, NJ (EWR - Liberty)
Oslo, Norway (OSL)
$999

New York/Newark, NJ (EWR - Liberty)
Copenhagen, Denmark (CPH)
$1099

New York/Newark, NJ (EWR - Liberty)
Milan, Italy (MXP)
$1099

Cleveland, OH (CLE)
London, England (LGW)
$1049

Houston, TX (IAH – Intercontinental)
London, England (LGW)
$1099

Houston, TX (IAH – Intercontinental)
Paris, France (CDG)
$1099

To get these sale fares:
Purchase your round trip ticket at least 60 days in advance.
Depart July 1 - September 4, 2007. Outbound travel to France is valid July 10 - August 25, 2007.
Include a Saturday-night stay. If departure date is a Saturday, stay at least seven days.
Complete all travel by September 6, 2007. Travel to Belgium and France must be completed by September 1, 2007.
Fare Rules:
Restrictions:
Fares are valid for travel from the contiguous 48 U.S. states to select Europe destinations.
Tickets must be purchased 60 days prior to departure. Other discount rates are available up until 30 days prior to departure.
Travel must originate in the U.S.
Round-trip travel is required.
Outbound travel is valid July 1 - Aug. 31, 2007, outbound travel to France is valid July 10 - Aug. 25, 2007.
A Saturday-night stay is required unless, if outbound departure date is on a Saturday, minimum stay is seven days.
No maximum stay applies.
All travel must be completed by Sept. 6, 2007. Travel to Belgium and France must be completed by Sept. 1, 2007
No restricted travel dates apply.
Stopovers are not permitted.
Fares are valid for travel on Continental and Continental Express only.
Codeshare flights are not permitted.
Seats are limited and may not be available on all flights or in all markets.
Tickets are nonrefundable and nontransferable.
Changes are permitted for $300 plus applicable fare difference for return flights only, provided fare restrictions are met.
All changes must be made prior to departure or the ticket has no value.
Fare basis code RR2SIE.
Taxes/Fees:Quoted fares include all base fare and surcharges and 7.5% U.S. Excise Tax, if applicable.
Quoted fare does not include the following taxes, fees and charges that may apply to your travel itinerary:
U.S. Excise Tax of $14.50 for each international arrival and departure in the U.S.
Passenger Facility Charges (PFCs) of up to $18 per round trip.
Sept. 11 Security Fees of up to $5 each way and $10 per roundtrip.
Each arrival in the U.S. is subject to U.S. inspection fees of up to $17.
Non-U.S. government ticket taxes, fees and airport charges may add up to $160 per ticket.
A $50 fee will be charged for paper tickets issued by Continental.
Fares are subject to change without notice. Continental Express flights are operated by ExpressJet Airlines, Inc. or Chautauqua Airlines.