British Airways offers $268 to many parts of Europe

Now that gas prices are half of what they were just months ago, we tend to look at the current lower prices as a real deal for our wallet.

The same thing can be said of the airline industry. When airfares for winter come down from the lofty heights of nearly $1,000 round-trip, the prices seem extraordinarily affordable.

Case in point is a new and quickie sale from British Airways. The sale is set to end at midnight, Thursday, Nov. 13, but BA has a tendency to extend their sales for an additional week. But this deal is good enough not to gamble and take the chance it will stick around. If the price and travel dates suit your needs, act fast.

One low round-trip rate of $268 has been published for trips to these destinations:

• Amsterdam, Netherlands

• Barcelona, Madrid and other cities served in Spain

• Berlin, Frankfurt, Munich, Stuttgart and other cities served in Germany

• Bologna, Milan, Rome, Venice and other cities served across Italy

• Brussels, Belgium

• Budapest, Hungary

• Copenhagen, Denmark

• Geneva or Zurich, Switzerland

• Lisbon, Portugal

• Oslo, Norway

• Vienna, Austria

If your destination in central Europe isn’t shown here, chances are that BA does indeed serve the destination. Check the Web site for more cities.

That $268 round-trip rate seems like a true bargain, but that is exclusive of taxes, fees and fuel surcharges. Add all of those ‘extras’ in and the average round-trip inclusive price is about $650-$660.

The low rate is valid for trips in each direction on Mondays-Wednesdays. Add another $30 each way on trips taken on other days of the week.

Rates are based on 7-day advance purchased tickets and on departures started on or before Dec. 17 or again from Dec. 24-March 22. The minimum stay is one weekend; max is 11 months.

One important plus of traveling with BA to Europe is its allowance of a free stopover in London. The reason they do this is because it uses two airports in London. Inbound passengers from the U.S. enter Gatwick Airport whereas flights from London to Europe operate from Heathrow.

All of this means that inbound travelers intent on continuing to their final destination in one fell swoop must change airports on arrival. A public motorcoach service runs between the 45-mile route nearly 100 times a day, but travelers must allow three hours between flights for the 90-minute trip (an possible accident or two on the motorways is the reason for the suggested three hours) - and the cost is about $40 one-way and $72 for a round-trip ticket. Before boarding, all arriving passengers into London must collect their baggage and go through customs/immigration areas. If passengers are continuing beyond London, baggage can be checked through at check-in in ATL. See http://www.nationalexpress.com and BA has more on the transfer at this link - http://www.britishairways.com/travel/airpflcnxlhrlgw/public/en_gb

To make your international trip a little less hectic, why not take advantage of the free stopover option and head into the center of London on the Gatwick Express (http://www.gatwickexpress.com)? Spend a night or two and then head out to your final destination. You have the option to stopover in either direction - you choose what might be more convenient. However, you must decide on your stopover at the time you purchase your ticket.

British Airways also offers specials on dozens of fine budget-to-luxury hotels in London and beyond as part of an air/lodging bundled package. The package is always a wise buy for Europe.

Or, consider a stay at a new luxury hotel in one of London’s finest neighborhoods - Kensington. BasetoStay.com is a new type of boutique hotel that’s affordable at prices averaging 93 UKL or pounds per night. Guestrooms feature full-length bunk beds (for sharing families or adult groups); a mini kitchen with microwave, fridge and kettle; in-room complimentary tea and coffee on arrival; oversized showers with complimentary ‘Keiji aromatherapy’ toiletries; LCD flat screen TV with 30 pay per view films; free internet, radio, games and music library all via the TV; A/C; a workstation with power points; an in-room safe and hairdryer. All room can interconnect to create a suite for larger families or groups. http://www.base2stay.com

More savings: More money-saving tips at Your Money.