A reliable way budget premium travelers can fly Business Class for $1,499 with more routes coming.
Iberia Airlines’ mileage program is among FCF’s favorites because it offers the cheapest Business Class flights between the U.S. and Europe that points can buy – as it is a transfer partner with Amex, Chase and Marriott (and Capital One indirectly; see below). Instead of overpaying on another airline, save your money for a special bottle of Rioja, or a suite upgrade, or use Spain as a stepping stone to your European odyssey.
More U.S. Gateways
Iberia’s current U.S. gateways to Madrid are Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, Miami, and New York. Starting in April next year, Iberia is expanding its service 40%, from Dallas and Washington, DC and expects to add service from San Francisco. We expect mileage availability to open up on the new routes any day now.
Ain’t Got Iberia Miles? Go Get ‘Em!
- Iberia is an Amex, Chase, and Marriott transfer partner (and via Capital One’s British Airways partnership)
- Transfer British Airways Avios to Iberia Avios
- You must be a member of Iberia Plus for 90 days “Combine my Avios.”
- There is no limit to how many or how often you can transfer Avios.
- Transfers are usually instant.
- Details here on transfering British Airways Avios to Iberia
Business Class Cost in Miles
- Buy up to 500,000 British Airways Avios annually via Amex @ 2.5 cents each, plus:
- Amex and British Airways often have offers with up to 40% transfer bonus so you would only need to transfer 49,000 for Boston and New York, 61,000 for Chicago and Miami, and 73,000 for Los Angeles and San Francisco to Madrid.
- If you don’t have an Amex card, of need more than 500,000 annually, buy up to 200,000 miles annually from British Airways @ 2.8 cents each.
Business Class Cost in Miles
We’ll get to the cost in points and dollars in a moment, but first we have to look at miles for a reason. Iberia operates a flight-distance award chart, so the miles required are based on the length of the flight.
More information on round-trip Business Class flights between the U.S. and Madrid for low season and high-season dates can be found here.
68,000 low season / 100,000 high season round-trip:
Madrid to/from Boston, New York, and Washington, DC
85,000 low season / 125,000 high season round-trip:
Madrid to/from Chicago, Dallas, and Miami
102,000 low season / 150,000 high season round-trip:
Madrid to/from Los Angeles and San Francisco
The Math for $1,499
Business Class Round-trips to Europe
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Taxes Muy Low
On their New York-London route, British Airways’ taxes can be $1,200+. Jolly rotten, we say. Iberia is a welcome exception, as taxes run around $274 to $297.
Iberia Deal Perspective Numero Uno
Upgrade from Coach to Business Class for 8,000 Miles or Points
When you earn miles with an American Airlines credit card to book flights to Europe, AA typically charges 60,000 miles round-trip for coach. But you can use an American Express, Capital One, or Chase card that nets points transferable to Iberia for 68,000 miles for Business Class to Madrid from Boston, New York, or Washington, DC. That’s only 8,000 more miles for the upgrade.
Iberia Deal Perspective Numero Dos
Iberia vs. Delta Business Class
Delta charges between 250,000 and 620,000 miles to fly round-trip in Business Class from New York to Madrid. But on Iberia, that flight goes for as low as 68,000 miles – almost four tickets for less than the price of one with Delta! ¡Ay, caramba!
Iberia Deal Perspective Numero Tres
Iberia vs. American Business Class
American charges between 120,000 and 270,000 miles round-trip in Business Class for New York-Madrid, while Iberia charges as few as 68,000 miles. That’s almost a 2-for-1 deal and the chances of getting an award seat are good because Iberia now offers up to 1000% more award space than American.
Iberia Deal Perspective Numero Cuatro
Iberia vs. United Business Class
United charges 60,000 miles for economy and recently 175,400 miles round-trip in Business Class for New York-Madrid, while Iberia charges as few as 68,000. Again, that’s only 8,000 more miles than UA charges for economy. That equals almost a free upgrade. And you’ll likely get it because Iberia now offers 100%+ more award space than United.
See where we’re going with this Iberia thing? It’s time to hop on board.
Iberia’s Business Class
FCF’s Iberia Business Class Availability Treasure Map
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