Iberia recently published a new mileage redemption chart. While economy prices have dropped slightly, business-class pricing has increased significantly. Business-class awards from U.S. Central and East to Madrid will no longer be at 34,000 Avios. The good old days are over. Here are the main changes:
- Business-class awards from the U.S. to Spain have risen sharply, now requiring 40,500 Avios, up from 34,000 Avios, a 19% increase.
- Redeeming the same flights with British Airways requires the same number of Avios, so there is no way to avoid the increase.
- In peak season, business-class award rates from the East and Chicago to Spain have increased to 59,000 Avios, though this is still a reasonable number compared with many dynamic-pricing airlines.
Even at 16,000 Avios, it is still very appealing.
The new chart shows that fares for most U.S.-to-Spain routes have increased, especially in Bands 5 and 6 for both economy and business class. Here is the updated mileage chart:
Although Iberia’s business-class mileage rates increased the most by 19%, the lowest economy price has dropped to 16,000 Avios. Overall, although the premium-cabin hikes are disappointing, Iberia remains an excellent choice for 40,500 Avios compared with other airlines. And Avios are still one of the easiest points to earn.