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We are ready to book return flights from LHR to EZE (Buenos Aires) in Business using a BA 2-4-1 voucher.
The AVIOS redemption for 2 business returns with Iberia via Madrid is 180,000 Avios plus £967 in taxes (Peak flights as our travel dates are limited).
I have seen a previous discussion around separating out the LHR to MAD return from the MAD to EZE return. The latter would cost 150,000 Avios plus £481 in taxes. Buying the LHR to MAD return in economy and using AVIOS to upgrade to business would cost £313 plus 9.000 Avios.
So there is a saving of 21,000 and £173 doing this over the combined four flights.
The question is this: I assume Iberia would issue two separate tickets and therefore if one of the flights into MAD was late or cancelled, resulting in a missed onward connection to EZE or LHR, would Iberia have any duty to ensure we reached our destinations ? Or would we have to purchase another ticket of our own accord? Would hold luggage be checked through MAD or would we have to clear customs and collect luggage before checking back in for the EZE and LHR flights.
Sorry for the length of this question. Any help/opinion much appreciated.The downside of the saving is that you do have to book a separate ticket to Madrid, and you are responsible for making the connection. To mitigate this you should leave plenty of time for the connection to allow for delays, as it is also likely that you will have to collect any checked bags and check them in again.
We’ve done it once, and on that occasion spent the night at Madrid airport – there’s a basic hotel in the terminal. If your onward flight is later in the day that may not be necessary.
What you want to do is book the MAD-EZE-LHR on the 2for1. You’ll have to phone to do it, but it will result in additional Avios savings as you’ll get 50% off the Avios required for the MAD-LHR return leg as well. Then just book separate one-ways LHR-MAD.
To be fair, it is unlikely that Iberia will leave you stranded if you fly Iberia on the short haul leg. I wouldn’t risk it with another airline however.
Thank you for the advice and your experience.
As a first timer at this 2-4-1, what is the best number to call to include the MAD to LHR leg too?IB has the same policy as AA and BA not to check through luggage on separate tickets.
To be honest for that level of savings I wouldn’t bother.
If you do want to do this then fly LHR – MAD the night before and use the £173 to pay for a hotel.
To add the MAD- LHR flight (I assume you’ve already booked the MAD- Eze) you need to call executive club and ask them to quote the price of the changed booking,
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