This oneworld alliance partner (American and BA) is increasing flights from the U.S., which often means an increase in mileage award space. At the end of March it is introducing a new flat-bed Business Class seat on the Miami-Madrid route. Iberia’s Business Class mileage award tickets to Europe start at just 80,000 miles—20,000 fewer than other major European carriers—and the taxes on award redemptions are much lower than those on British Airways.
Iberia’s New Business Class Seat
It will be on new A330s and starting in March, first on Miami-Madrid and by this summer to Madrid from Boston, New York, and Chicago. The A340 fleet will get the new seat starting this summer, with completion slated for 2014. At 26.37 inches wide, the seat is five inches wider than the current seat, and the bed two inches longer (74.8 inches).
Increase in Flights
As the chart below shows, the increase in flights from the U.S. to Madrid from April to October yields an increase in award space availability.
Survey of Business Class Mileage Award Space on Iberia to Madrid
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Mileage Program Details: Fewer Miles, Lower Taxes
Iberia’s mileage program, Iberia Plus, is a flight distance program, meaning that the number of miles required depends upon the distance flown—shorter flights require fewer miles. A free Business Class ticket New York-Madrid costs 80,000 miles, whereas Los Angeles-Madrid is 100,000 miles. The taxes on award tickets are also much lower than those imposed by other European carriers. The New York-Madrid tax is $176.36, while a NY-London ticket on British Airways incurs $1,150 in taxes.
Getting Iberia Miles
Iberia is a point transfer partner with Amex Rewards. My last transfer took four business days to post. But you may not need Iberia miles as award seat availability is almost always similar to that through American. In other words, use American miles to book Iberia to Europe. (Get American miles from Starwood if you need to.)
Good Connections
Iberia flies to 71 cities in Europe, making Madrid a good place to connect. Iberia’s route network extends to Asia (two destinations) and Africa (15 destinations). Madrid itself is often overshadowed as a destination by Barcelona, but it’s a pulsing city with an extensive historical district in the Plaza Mayor, one of the most gorgeous squares in Europe.