Iberia Plus, loyalty program of Iberia, is a program that allows you to book Iberia flights, Oneworld flights and partner flights. Iberia is owned by the same company that owns British Airways and Aer Lingus.
The best ways for US-based travelers to maximize redemptions are two-fold. One, Oneworld partner flights with American Airlines (meaning you’ll use Iberia Avios to fly on an American Airlines flight). Two, off-peak Iberia business class flights to Madrid from the US.
If you decide to take advantage of the Iberia programs, it’s helpful to keep in mind a few aspects about its program:
- Fuel surcharges should be lower than when booking award flights using British Airways Avios (miles)
- Partner flights must be booked round-trip – no one-way awards
- Partner flights are priced by round-trip mileage not per segment like British Airways
- Iberia uses a distance-based award chart – use Great Circle Mapper to calculate your distance
- Iberia uses a chart for Iberia flights and a different chart for flights on partner airlines
- A peak and off-peak calendar for Iberia flights
- American Airlines partner flights can be booked on iberia.com
You can book Iberia and Oneworld Alliance flights by transferring your Chase Ultimate Rewards directly to your Iberia Avios account.
1. US Domestic 1-600 miles
Iberia prices American Airlines flights that are less than 600 miles round-trip at 11,000 miles. American operates hubs in Charlotte (CLT), Chicago (ORD), Dallas (DFW), Los Angeles (LAX), Miami (MIA), New York (LGA, JFK), Philadelphia (PHL), Phoenix (PHX) and Washington DC (DCA).
Here are examples of American Airlines routes that require 15,000 American miles + $11.20. Booking the exact same American flight through Iberia requires 11,000 Iberia Avios +$20.20.
Los Angeles (LAX) <> Las Vegas (LAS)
Miami (MIA) <> Bahamas (NAS)
New York (JFK) <> Washington (DCA)
2. US Domestic 601-1,000 miles
Iberia prices American Airlines flights between 601-1000 miles round-trip at 12,000 miles. Iberia is only requiring an additional 1,000 Avios for ~400 additional miles in travel.
Here are American Airlines routes that require 15,000 American miles + $11.20. The exact same American flight can be booked on Iberia for 12,000 Iberia Avios + $20.20.
Chicago (ORD) <> Nashville (BNA)
Dallas (DFW) <> New Orleans (MSY)
Charlotte (CLT) <> Philadelphia (PHL)
Miami (GCM) <> Grand Cayman (GCM) *higher taxes and fees
3. US Domestic 1,001-2,000 miles
Iberia prices American Airlines flights between 1,001-2,000 miles round-trip at 17,000 miles. For an additional 5,000 Avios you’re picking up an additional 1,000 miles in travel.
American Airlines requires 25,000 American miles + $11.20. The exact same American flight can be booked on Iberia for 17,000 Iberia Avios + $20.20.
Los Angeles (LAX) <> Seattle (SEA)
Dallas (DFW) <> Salt Lake City (SLC)
Phoenix (PHX) <> Puerto Vallarta (PVR)
4. US Domestic 2,001-4,000 miles
Iberia prices American Airlines flights between 2,001-4,000 miles round-trip at 23,000 miles. For an additional 8,000 Avios, Iberia is letting you travel an additional 2,000 miles.
Here are American Airlines routes that require 25,000 American miles + $11.20 but instead you can book the exact same American flight for 23,000 Iberia Avios +$20.20.
New York (JFK) <> Aruba (AUA)
Phoenix (PHX) <> Miami (MIA)
Phoenix (PHX) <> Washington (DCA)
5. US to Madrid 3,001-4,000 miles
Iberia prices its own flights between 3,001-4,000 miles round-trip off-peak business class at 68,000 miles.
For reference, I recently booked a Delta One business class flight that required 80,000 Korean Air miles (Korean and Delta are both SkyTeam members allowing you to book Delta flights with Korean Air miles).
Here are the US Iberia routes to/from Madrid that require 68,000 Iberia Avios + ~$245 in taxes and fees.
New York (JFK) <> Madrid (MAD)
Boston (BOS) <> Madrid (MAD) *seasonal
Chicago (ORD) <> Madrid (MAD) *footnote in chart puts Chicago in band 5
6. US to Madrid 4,001-5,000 miles
Iberia prices its own flights between 4,001-5,500 miles round-trip off-peak business class at 85,000 miles.
Here are the US Iberia routes to/from Madrid that require 85,000 Iberia Avios + ~$269 in taxes and fees.
Miami (MIA) <> Madrid (MAD)
Los Angeles (LAX) <> Madrid (MAD) *footnote in chart puts LA in band 6
San Francisco (SFO) <> Madrid (MAD) *seasonal; not called out in the award chart
Credit Cards to Book Iberia Flights
If you book Iberia flights, consider using the Chase Sapphire Reserve. The card earns 3x on travel and offers some of the best travel protection from a credit card. The Amex Platinum (Learn More Here) is an alternate card to use for airport lounge access and to earn 5x Amex points on flights booked with the airline.
Business owners should check out the Chase Ink Business Preferred. It earns 3x points on travel expenses. The Amex Business Platinum (Learn More Here) is great for airport lounge access and to earn 5x Amex points on flights booked directly with the airline.
Conclusion
The ability to fly American Airlines domestic flights with Avios and business class flights to/from Madrid from several US cities make this program a great way to use your Chase Ultimate Rewards points.
Business class off-peak from Chicago and New York to Madrid pulled me in as Iberia only requires 68,000 Avios (68,000 Chase Ultimate Rewards points converted to Iberia Avios miles).
