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Iberia Airlines' Business Class cabin is a great place to relax on a flight to Europe, and now it's available to the American Airlines frequent flyer at an economy class rate.
AAdvantage program members can fly on American's Oneworld alliance partner Iberia from Boston or Washington, DC to Madrid for 60,000 miles. That's American's usual charge for coach to Europe, and trims a third off the usual 90,000-mile Business Class rate. Travel can begin Jan 1, and must be concluded by March 12, 2008.
This is a double bonus, of sorts, because Iberia's Business Class seat trumps American's international Business Class seats in comfort, scoring Premium Service Carrier (PSC) status.
If you're not already a First Class Flyer subscriber, click here to receive a FREE TRIAL ISSUE
Our research found seat availability in January to be excellent from Washington, and good from Boston. Seats from either gateway are few and far between in February and March. For best results, book ASAP.
Need miles? They can be purchased from several sources or transferred from accounts with American's credit card partners, but keep a close eye on transfer times. For detailed info on mileage-purchase strategies, see First Class Flyer.
If your New Year's resolution is to kick off 2008 in Europe, Madrid's a nice place to start and this special will help you get there and back in a great Iberia Business Class seat at a bargain rate.
If you're not already a First Class Flyer subscriber, click here to receive a FREE TRIAL ISSUE
Don't know where you found that - I couldn't find it on the AA website after a quick scan through "Specials." We've thought about trying Iberia Business Class - but have just about given up after trying to work with American to purchase an upgradeable coach fare and do the rest with miles. No can do. "Iberia reserves all its business class upgrades for its own mileage plan members." You have to use the full mileage to get a free ticket - normally 90,000. If 60,000 is true, that's a great deal!
Ah, found it: http://www.aa.com/apps/netSAAver/ViewPromotionsDetail.jhtml?repository Id=16066531&repositoryName=PromotionContentRepository&itemDescriptor =PromotionContent
First of all, there was no info about how to access the AA/Iberia deal. Then when a fellow subscriber found a way to access this deal, the deal had expired. What good is this kind of info? How difficult would it be to show subscribers how to access the deal you are talking about? Or are you knowingly talking about information that you already know is worthless? Shame on you?
The deal hasn't expired. You have to travel between Jan 1 and Mar 12 and all travel must be completed by Mar 12. The award isn't available online - you have to call AA reservations.
Looking to fly to Madrid from San Juan in July . Any ideas on upgrades????
I took advantage of this awesome deal in January from Boston. It was easy booking through AA reservations (though the agent was surprised to see the mileage requirement so low). The business first class seats were great, the food was high quality and the service was what you would expect from a Spanish airline. Also another tip, if you fly out of Boston, and if you are elite on American, be sure to go to the British Airways lounge rather than the lounge that Iberia shares (Northwest, I think). Just show your american elite card and enjoy outstanding pre flight dining, great bar and posh digs.
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