Incredible Deal: 90k Iberia Avios for $350!

Update 7/3/18: There are reports all over the internet of people's bonus Iberia Avios posting from this promotion. If you bought a bunch of cheap Iberia flights to earn 90k Avios, check your account now! 

Iberia is running an insane promotional offer right now that ends today, so act fast if you want to take advantage! My apologies for getting this news up late.

New Iberia Route with Lots of Business Award Space for One

Iberia, flag carrier of Spain, just announced a new seasonal route between Madrid and San Francisco that will operate between April 25 and September 28, 2018.

Iberia currently flies to Boston, Los Angeles, Chicago, Miami, and New York City. Out of those destinations, Boston and Los Angeles are seasonal.

During peak travel season (spring/summer), this is what Iberia's US route map will look like:

Timing of New Route
Iberia's new seasonal San Francisco route will depart Madrid at 12:25 pm and arrive to San Francisco at 4:00 pm local time.

LAST DAY: 40% Avios Transfer Bonus Means 24k Membership Rewards to Madrid in Business Class

Tomorrow is the last day to transfer Membership Rewards to British Airways and Iberia Avios with a 40% transfer bonus. The cutoff is 11:59 p.m. MT on September 17.

At the beginning of July we saw the transfer rate between American Express Membership Rewards and British Airways and Iberia Avios improve from 250:200 to 250:250

In a surprising and awesome turn of events, right after the new transfer rate was announced, a transfer bonus was also announced.

Membership Rewards to Avios Transfer Rate Improves to 1:1

We've got good news for you to begin your Friday with today! American Express Membership Rewards now transfer to British Airways and Iberia Avios at an improved rate of 250:250.

Previously, the transfer rate was 250 Memberships to 200 Avios (1:0.8). Personally I'm quite excited about the change in ratio. I love distance-based Avios for booking short hops that otherwise wouldn't make sense to redeem miles for, but also for sweetspots like Iberia Business Class between Brazil and Spain that I flew at the end of May for just 42,500 points.

Trip Report: Iberia A330 Business Class from São Paulo to Madrid

Very early on May 25 I flew from Buenos Aires, Argentina to São Paulo, Brazil.

Iberia Award Space Now Searchable and Bookable on AA.com

Iberia awards are now searchable and bookable on aa.com!

AA.com has been slowly increasing the number of partners bookable online. You can now search and book on aa.com:

Alaska Airlines
American Airlines
airberlin
British Airways
Finnair
Hawaiian Airlines
Iberia
Qantas
Royal Jordanian

Many other partners are not bookable on aa.com. They must be searched on ba.com or other places and booked by calling in.

American Airlines does collect fuel surcharges on Iberia flights, but they are much smaller than fuel surcharges on British Airways flights.

Anatomy of an Award: São Paulo to Madrid in Iberia Business

I am planning a trip to Europe that begins in Madrid, departing South America when it starts to grow cold down here and warm up in your hemisphere. I recently booked a British Airways Avios award to get myself there from São Paulo, Brazil flying Iberia Business Class on an A330.
Looking at My Options
A flight from South America to Europe is a long one. If I could help it, I decided I wanted a Business Class flight.

25% Off Iberia Awards Means 25.5k Points in Business to Europe

Through April 11, Iberia Avios awards are being priced with a 25% discount in celebration of the company's 25th anniversary. The discounted price applies to travel dates now through June 15, 2017 as well as October 1 through December 15, 2017, flying any routes on Iberia, Iberia Express, and Iberia Regional Air Nostrum planes.

The only points that transfer directly to Iberia are Membership Rewards, but at the crappy rate of 250:200.

Fuel Surcharges No Longer Restricted in Brazil

Update 3/16/17: Looks like TAP made a mistake and is now in the process of retracting their fuel surcharges. I believe the ban on fuel surcharges in Brazil is actually still in place, check out this post written by a lawyer, blogger, and travel consultant for more info (it's in Portuguese so just use a translator).  

The Brazilian government has decided to once again allow fuel surcharges on flights originating in Brazil.

Today Only: 25,500 Mile Flat Beds USA to Europe

Fly a flat bed to Madrid for 25,500 Avios and low fuel surcharges this spring. Economy awards start at 12,750 Avios + $71 or 3,200 Avios and $181 one way.

Iberia is offering a 25% discount on economy and Business Class awards booked by today (2/14/17) between Madrid and:

Miami, New York, Boston, Chicago, Zurich, London, Vienna, Moscow, Bogota, Medellin, Johannesburg, Panama, Shanghai, Mexico City, Lima, Santiago de Chile, Buenos Aires, and Havana

The discounts to/from the USA must be flown by June 14, 2017 with blackouts dates including all of April;