- Get two tickets for less than the price of one on Delta, or
- Get Business Class for 11,250 fewer miles than American and United charge for coach.
With an American Express Rewards 40% transfer bonus (through Sept. 17, for details go here), you can knock 28% off a Business Class mileage award on Iberia, Spain's flagship carrier.
How good is the deal? Just compare the Iberia rate against those of the three major U.S. carriers.
Iberia vs. Delta
Delta's lowest NY-Madrid rate is 140,000 miles round-trip (if you can ever find it), whereas the same route costs as few as 48,750 Iberia miles (with the transfer bonus). That means you can get two tickets for less than the price of one on Delta.
However, Delta offers very few seats at this rate. You're likely to pay 155,000 miles and you might pay as much as 312,500. For that you could get three to six New York-Madrid Business Class tickets!
Iberia vs. American and United
American and United charge 115,000 miles in Business Class New York-Madrid. On Iberia, the flight costs as few as 48,750 miles (same transfer amount as above). Economy is 60,000 miles—which amounts to a less-than-free upgrade—11,250 fewer miles than coach.
Iberia’s U.S. gateways to Madrid: Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, Miami, and New York.
Using Iberia Miles to Europe
[aside headline=" Not flying to Spain? No problem." alignment="alignright" width="half" headline_size="default"]Because Iberia uses a flight-distance award chart, flights beyond Madrid cost extra. New York to Barcelona (connecting in Madrid) starts at 86,000 miles—with the bonus that comes to 61,500 points transferred, plus $258 in taxes. New York-Moscow (connecting in Madrid) starts at 108,000 miles—(77,250 points transferred, $262 in taxes). Explore Iberia’s route map here.[/aside]
Iberia uses a flight-distance award chart, so the miles required are based on the distance flown. Boston, Chicago, and New York departures cost 100,000 miles in peak season and 68,000 in low season. Los Angeles and Miami are 125,000 and 85,000 miles, respectively.
Lower Award Taxes
Taxes come to about $207 from East Coast gateways and about $238 from the West Coast, much less than you pay on British Airways and Lufthansa.
The Math Behind Europe for $1,432.42 Business Class Round-Trip
Transfer 48,750 Amex Rewards points (cost to buy: $1,225) and add in about $207.42 for award taxes from Boston, Chicago, and New York. That comes to $1,432.42 for a ticket that otherwise goes for as much as $5,123, a savings of 72%. From Los Angeles and Miami, you’re looking at $1,763 (60,750 points plus about $238 in taxes), or a savings of as much as $5,289 / 75%.
Award Availability with Iberia Flights
See chart below for examples of award space for up to two passengers.
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Things to Know
Iberia's Pricing Calendar: As mentioned, Iberia has a seasonal program, Summer (June through the first week of September), and the holiday seasons (December to mid-January and all of April) constitute peak season. The rest of the year is off-season. See calendar here.
One-Way Awards: Iberia charges 50% of the round-trip miles required, a good fallback if you're having trouble coming up with a round-trip award. It’s also a great way to start FCF’s Leg Stretch Strategy in the May, July, and this months’ report to Europe.
Check Availability and Book: You need an Iberia frequent flyer account in order to search for award space online. Once logged-in, click on the “Book flights with Avios,” or call Iberia at (800) 772-4642. You can also see availability on AA.com.
You don't have to have miles in the account to search for space online, but you do to hold and book. Transfer time from Amex Rewards is often one day.
