Cheaper starting points for Barbados?

[marks7389]

I often think that a potentially great option for Caribbean Avios redemption trips would be the Iberia service to San Juan, Puerto Rico (assuming it’s still operating). Particularly since its a sweet spot in the Iberia redemption chart at 68K Avios return in business from Madrid, with low taxes & fees. Problem is since the closure of the American Eagle base at San Juan onward connectivity is quite limited (nothing to Barbados for example).

[NickinFrance]

I think Aer Lingus have started a direct service from Manchester maybe in thier new A321LRs. Might be worth a look…

[Mirp]

Thanks yes it looks like Are Lingus flies from Manchester could be a good option.

[Tracey]

May be worth pricing Lon-Madrid-Miami-Barbados.

That was the route BA gave us when they went on strike and had to re route us on AA and IB. Advantage is that IB J is a decent product.

[The Original Nick]

Try flying out of Madrid and use ITA Matrix or Google flights.

[Erico1875]

marks7389 wrote:

I often think that a potentially great option for Caribbean Avios redemption trips would be the Iberia service to San Juan, Puerto Rico (assuming it’s still operating). Particularly since its a sweet spot in the Iberia redemption chart at 68K Avios return in business from Madrid, with low taxes & fees. Problem is since the closure of the American Eagle base at San Juan onward connectivity is quite limited (nothing to Barbados for example).

we have enough for this in our exec club household acc. Using Iberia, would we just book 2 one way trips.
I.e I book the outbound and the wife books inbound, or is there a better way?

[marks7389]

Erico1875 wrote:

marks7389 wrote:

I often think that a potentially great option for Caribbean Avios redemption trips would be the Iberia service to San Juan, Puerto Rico (assuming it’s still operating). Particularly since its a sweet spot in the Iberia redemption chart at 68K Avios return in business from Madrid, with low taxes & fees. Problem is since the closure of the American Eagle base at San Juan onward connectivity is quite limited (nothing to Barbados for example).

we have enough for this in our exec club household acc. Using Iberia, would we just book 2 one way trips.
I.e I book the outbound and the wife books inbound, or is there a better way?

From our experience of doing it (as an open jaw to the mainland US rather than Puerto Rico)….. apologies if you’re already aware of some of this, but for it may help for wider reference.

To minimise taxes and fess, and take advantage of sweet spots in Iberia’s award chart look to book any Iberia redemptions with Iberia, i.e. by using Combine My Avios to transfer them over from your BA account. In order to do that:

*You will obviously need an Iberia Plus frequent flyer account;
*The account must have been active for at least 90 days before you can transfer points.

Unfortunately, as you’re probably aware, Iberia doesn’t offer a household account facility so you’ll need enough Avios for each sector/traveller in one or other of your accounts. The good news is that Iberia doesn’t charge for business class seat selection which may make it a bit easier/cheaper to mix and match as necessary.

One possibility is to do exactly as you suggest (and we’ve done previously), to use Avios from one account for both people on the outbound, and the other account for the return on a separate booking. Unlike BA/Virgin our experience in travelling to the US was that Iberia does not hike the fees on bookings starting from there. I believe they were exactly the same all-in as they would have been on a return booking.

For outbound bookings it may make sense to book the leg to Madrid separately (that is not included in the 68K return figure I gave in any case), to avoid UK long haul Air Passenger Duty. That would however make getting there in time for the onward flight your risk, and it means they almost certainly won’t check through luggage. Air Rooms Madrid Airport is a small in-terminal (T4) hotel that offers one option for an affordable and convenient overnight stay if you need it (albeit in small windowless rooms). Alternatively you can book the ex-UK and onward long haul legs together, but expect to pay extra in taxes for the APD.

For inbound bookings, if you have enough Avios to include the leg back to the UK as a redemption it makes sense to book both flights together, check your luggage all the way through and not have to worry about making the connection. Although we booked the whole thing in business class I think Iberia does allow you to mix and match if you wanted (or only have enough Avios) to do the short haul leg in economy.

Hope that’s helpful.

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