I passed on the recent Iberia Avios promotion. Trust me, I have no source to procure 90,000 miles for cheaper than $300. The price was amazing. But three things kept me from purchasing.
First, I’ve been so busy this year it isn’t funny. I’m not saying this to pat myself on the back…it’s a difficult time and hardly laudable. With the exception of spending a day in Hawaii with my wife and a brief trip to Carmel, I have not taken any vacation this year.
In fact, work is so busy I’ve had to cancel two previously planned award trips…one to Moscow on Aeroflot and another to Australia on Thai Airways. Since these miles expire in December, I don’t even see a viable use for them in the coming months. I have to buy a ticket to FTU in Washington, DC. I could have gambled that space would open on American Airlines…but lately, we know that is about as likely as scoring four seats to Australian in first class for Christmas.
Second, let’s talk about uses for the points. One great use: a round-trip business class ticket from Los Angeles to New York on American Airlines. Surely that is worth $300, right? Indeed, if you can find the space. American Airlines is decent about releasing last-minute award space, but you need a return as well since AA awards must be booked on a round-trip basis. I cannot think of a single round-trip ticket I have booked this year, either revenue or with points. The nature of my travel lends itself to many one-way tickets, which simply don’t work well with Iberia Avios.
Using these points for a fuel-surcharge free redemption to Europe on Iberia metal would also have been a good use. I enjoyed my longhaul flight in Iberia last year. But I checked and saw no space around Christmas from even Chicago or New York, let alone LA. Even Mexico City didn’t have space on my preferred travel dates (usually a great source).
Will Iberia Honor This?
Lastly, I actually don’t think Iberia/IAG will honor this promotion. When British Airways starts cancelling 200GBP “mistake” fares to Israel (even though budget airlines routinely offer even cheaper fares), I have no trust that it will honor this one. I hope I’m wrong, for it has no grounds upon which to skirt the promo, but my gut tells me they won’t honor this. I’ve got enough fires burning right now: I do not need another one.
CONCLUSION
I congratulate those of you who booked 10 cheap throw-away domestic tickets on Iberia in order to take advantage of this promo. If you have a specific redemption in mind, book it sooner rather than later. And while I think Iberia will be hesitant to honor this deal, it has absolutely no legal leg to stand on should it later decide it does not want to honor it.
This is exactly the reason why I passed on it too. No faith it’ll be honored, especially after a no show on the first flight.
I was able to grab a 8 of the PMI-MAD early on for $18.50/ticket which was the lowest price I saw. For me it’s a risk/reward profile I was comfortable with. I’ve got a few immediate uses in mind for them so that impacted my decision as well.
This “promo” will go pear-shaped any day now………
Iberia kept promoting it and answering questions that arose. I do think that they’ll honor this. Let’s wait and see.
Other than the twitter response from an Iberia rep saying the points would be kept even if you miss the flight, did Iberia anywhere else specifically say no-shows were ok?
In referring to the general T&Cs of Iberia Avios, wouldn’t repeated no-shows be considered a violation?
Here’s one:
https://twitter.com/Iberia_en/status/1011204215748866048
“you don’t receive the Avios only if you ask for the refund of the flight, if it’s cancelled, or if you don’t catch the flight you’ll receive the bonus Avios anyway. Kind regards.”
Here’s another example of confirming from Iberia on twitter that no-shows are getting the bonuses:
https://twitter.com/Iberia_en/status/1011203448170336256
“Sorry for the misunderstanding, you actually receive Avios even if you don’t fly, you won’t receive them just in case you ask for the refund of the ticket. Kind regards.”
I understand these twitter responses exist but again how do these replies from a customer rep stack up against 10 flights booked with 10 no-shows…which can be interpreted as intent to deceive or defraud per T&Cs?
Just wondering…
Remember the offer said that Avios are due 10days after booking and not after taking the flights. One could have also booked the flights for 2019. I booked just a few flights for ‘travel’ in 2018 and the rest for flights in 2019.
What fraud are you committing by not showing up for your flights? If anything, the airline will just fly with empty seats and still keep your money. I don’t see any intent to deceive here Pete.
Thousand of people trying to redeem for award space in 10 days will make for an interesting scenario. Get the popcorn ready. Loads saying they will do charge backs if the points don’t post. Good luck with that.
I passed. Even if you get the Points there is no chance you are going to be able to find decent award space before they expire with all the people trying to redeem…
don’t forget about all the insiders who got on this before it went viral by the travel bloggers
I passed because of the fact they are going to expire. I don’t have any Avios holdings at all right now and for me finding a way to use them was going to be problematic.
Then there are the possible complications of having to deal with getting my money back if they decide to cancel the promotion or decide to change the terms by insisting you fly.
Just not worth it given all the factors.
Aside from the opportunity cost of not transporting real passengers who would’ve otherwise also paid and having to give out a bunch of Avios, is there a downside to this for Iberia?
At the end of the day, haven’t they simply sold a bunch of revenue tickets at a price point they were already willing to sell them for? If anything, they’ll save on fuel costs not having to fly all these people, right?