Promo Of The Year: Earn 90,000 Iberia Avios For $330

Do you need to fly the segments or is ok to just book and not cancel?

Yeah, I'd do this in a heartbeat if one could book and no-show.

I’m wondering the same thing as Ben, I’m not sure if I have the time to actually fly all of those segments

33$ / Leg is a lot. Booked at 18,50$ / Leg yesterday.

@ Ben Holz @ GoAmtrak -- Well you'll be issued your Avios within 10 days, the Avios expire on December 1, and you can book travel for next year, so...

Can the avios be transferred to BA? Would that possibly get around the stated year-end expiration of the avios?

@ wes -- We don't know, so that's a risk you'll have to take if you take advantage of this promo. I'd expect to have to redeem them by December, but at a cost of under 0.4 cents per Avios...

Hmm does IB allow you to make a second FF account? I currently hold gold with them (trying to achieve platinum) and I wouldn't want to risk it for some avios... would feel much more comfortable if I could do it with another account

They have confirmed you won't have to fly, both on Twitter and to LoyaltyLobby:
https://loyaltylobby.com/2018/06/22/statement-from-iberia-plus-regarding-the-90000-bonus-avios-promo/

However, it seems like they may have put in place restrictions on the redemptions.
For instance, I can see awards on AY on the BA website, which are not bookable through IB, neither through the website nor online.
They claim that if you transfer the Avios to BA, your IB account will have a negative balance as the Avios won't count as redeemed. Whatever that means...

+1 wes. If transferable to BA Avios to extend life then this deal is pretty darn good.

I'm already in for 10 one ways and I'm not flying them. We'll see if it pays off (I have an immediate use for those Avios so I booked the one ways in early to mid July).

You held off writing about it cause you wanted to get your flights first before they pulled the deal thinking if you waited a day or two you would be safe.

I also did not write about this because I do not believe they will honour it and did not want to give readers false hope. I hope they have already started recruiting to increase their complaints team.

Lucky,

I see that redemption needs to be made by 12/1/2018. Can we assume flights can be booked for after 12/1/2018?

I’m sure you and all your blogger friends got in first before you told anyone else. Your actions are deplorable

Don't forget to keep the lawyers on speed dial because of course you will sue them if things don't go exactly you want them to go, because of course you are entitled to things.

The swiss F fiasco wasn't enough?

Managed to get on this at $18 per segment yesterday. Was willing to take a chance at the cost.

Also, have to say Iberia's site is super easy to book multiple tickets on. I wish other airlines' sites were this swift.

Santander to Madrid in Feb and Mar 2019 still going for $27.73 one way.

@Mark

What routing?

Thanks!

Is it works if I book 5 return trips in dec?

Thanks in advance

@ Tamas -- No, each ticket only counts once, regardless of whether it's a one-way or roundtrip. So whenever possible you'll want to book one-ways.

@Tamas - you only get 9000 per ticket, so you'd have to buy 10 one ways instead of 5 return tickets to get the full 90,000 avios.

@ Flyer94 -- I actually haven't booked tickets myself. Wanted to write about first, and booking my own tickets shortly.

@ mangoceviche -- My assumption is that this is the book by date rather than travel by date.

@lucky @Flyer94 - Haha...Even if what Flyer94 alleges was true, what exactly would make that "deplorable"? LOL.

Don't have travel plan before 12/1. Can we transfer the 90K points to BA to avoid expiring?

I'm more interested in knowing what sort of limits there are on using these Avios. I'd imagine there are going to be a lot more people trying to redeem quickly as soon as they credit

So only Iberia Plus cardholders can keep the promo points if they don't actually fly the segments purchased? Am I reading that correctly?

any idea if there's a charge for no showing these?

@ Meghan -- We're all Iberia Plus cardholders. Iberia Plus is the name of the program, and they're using "cardholder" to refer to someone who is a member.

@ Jerry -- No, apparently not, but you can book travel on a subsequent date.

@Meghan - Iberia Plus is the name of the frequent traveller program. So if you have an Iberia frequent flyer account, you have an Iberia Plus card.

@ david B -- Not if you're just throwing away the ticket.

@ Ben -- I am surprised you will spend time on this. Why not have one of your new writers handle this? Seems like a lot of work below your pay grade.

@ lucky - what if we throw away the segments, and they decide to clawback avios points. Assuming we have used all of them in our Iberia account, do you think they could clawback avios from our BAEC accounts?

Big Ups @T for the Santander to Madrid tip!

On a separate note, here's how I predict this will unfold: Iberia will retroactively claim that they meant for this to only apply to roundtrips, and they will screw everyone who bought one ways.

If I acquire 90,000 Iberia Avios, what will that be redeemable for on Iberia?

@Wes - I kinda agree, but the terms refer to buying a "flight". Flight is singular, so there at least is some level of a "defense" to that argument.

FWIW, I set up my IB+ account and booked 10 one-ways while logged into my account. I selected myself as the passenger and my IB+ number auto-populated into the record. My e-mail ticket receipts also include the IB+ number. However, when I log into MMB, my IB+ number is now missing and I can't add it because the system thinks its incorrect.

Perhaps this is just due to the IB+ number being so new it hasn't 'circulated' throughout IB's system yet...I'm really hoping this doesn't cause issues with the points posting.

T&C is really specific about being identified as an IB+ member at the time of booking.

Ah thanks y'all. For whatever reason I was thinking about the Iberia credit card! Looking forward to the weekend. 🙂

@ aba_bab65 -- A spokesperson has said you don't have to take the flights to get the Avios, so I wouldn't worry about that. I also don't think they'd reasonably claw back BA Avios, even if they hadn't said that.

@Wes - I thought about that, too, but if you look at the example they provide, they say:

"For example, if a customer purchases tickets on Iberia.com for three people to fly from Seville to Madrid and two of the people are identified as Iberia Plus members during the purchase process, 9,000 Avios will be credited to both of these people within 10 days of the purchase."

"Seville to Madrid" implies a one-way flight from Seville to Madrid. They do not say "Seville to Madrid to Seville" or "Seville to Madrid roundtrip" thus I think that explanation would have little ground for validity.

Am I the only one who is not impressed by this deal? This promo is too restrictive and just sort of weird. Which makes you doubt they will honor it without any qualifiers. Too much bother for dubious results.

@beachfan - the $18 was PMI-MAD, but has gone now.

As mentioned above, Santander-MAD is still $28.

@Wes - at that point you just pull up this twitter reply (may want to get a screenshot): https://twitter.com/Iberia_en/status/1010193190706733057

AGP-MAD is still available for $29 many dates.

Wait, so we can book travel that takes place after December 1st 2018, still get the Avios, and have them not expire until the next year?

Has anyone who only created their IB accounts yesterday got this to work?

Like work2fly, I created my account, made 5 bookings, logged out, logged back in, and can’t seem to attach my IB+ number anymore.

MAD-SVQ-MAD 2 return trips a day pretty easy in FEB19. Can be BA1 booked from IB?

Did 10 OWs yesterday averaging $19 each. Was worth the gamble and we will see if and when they show up in our new IB Avios accounts

@Ethan and @Colin, I agree with both of you when it comes to parsing the terms. My prediction, however, is based upon my personal belief and perception that IB is unafraid to go against its own terms when it is convenient for them. I doubt that they are as good at other carriers at both making and abiding by T&C. But I hope time proves me wrong!

Got 10 one-way flights (3x PMI-MAD & 7x SDR-MAD) for a total of $300. Hoping for my 90,000 Avios in 10 days!

@work2fly
Pretty easy to show that you're already a IB+ member at time of booking since they do send you a e-mail (with time and date) when you first finish registering as an IB+ member.

CAN I BOOK HOTEL USING THE AVIOS

@work2fly- I also just set up the account yesterday and did my bookings the same way. I was seeing the same thing (no pending trips) when I logged into my Iberia account this morning. However, when I logged into the Spanish site and entered by record locators, the bookings are showing as "ticketed".

@ Cullan -- The Avios expire on December 1 no matter what. You earn the Avios before you fly, so you can earn them for flights you book next year.

Hope all of you Americans with no-show get in troubles for that.

Some of the bitterness in this comment section is hilarious. The OMAAT team didn’t want to lead everyone into a deal that they didn’t know would be completely legitimate and useable.

Just snagged 10 of $28 fares. Just wondering if this isn't working well, will Amex dispute get the money back after 10 days?

Will I get the avios if I book on Vueling or do they have to be Iberia operated flights?

You missed out the most important part of the terms and conditions in the post as I was ready to book this until I read this from Iberia on loyalty lobbys website "The promotion is available when the tickets are bought on iberia.com in the following countries: Spain, France, Italy, Germany, Portugal, Russia, United Kingdom, Switzerland, the Netherlands, Brazil, Argentina, Colombia, Chile, Peru, Mexico and USA, regardless of the origin of the flight" Lucky you should really mention that as I live in Australia and was ready to book them.

@ Morgan -- Interesting, do you have a link? I don't see that in the terms and conditions when I visit Iberia's site.

@ Robert D -- Has to be operated by Iberia, Iberia Express, and Air Nostrum.

@ Carl -- In the event that they don't honor this (for whatever reason) I think they'd offer a proactive refund. I don't think a credit card dispute would be necessary. If it is, it is a bit complicated, since technically they're not violating any part of the ticket contract by not honoring.

@ Morgan — I think country restrictions may have been added later. At least, that’s what I’ve seen on FT or one of the blogs.

Hi Lucky. Can I redeem these Avios for BA or one world? Thank you 🙂

not finding anything under 43 euro now.

@ Dan -- You sure can, see here:
https://onemileatatime.com/so-how-can-you-use-those-90000-iberia-avios/

@ rob -- Check early June.

Hi Lucky, thanks for the reply. I'll see how Iberia deals with this situation if they don't honor the promotion, as I believe quite a few people already took advantage of it.

Anyway, my maximum loss would be ~$300 which is affordable compared to the potential avios I'll be getting.

I bought 80 tickets yesterday and today. Let's hope they'll honor this.

Just booked 10 one way flights as well! I didn't book it through the 9,000 promo page but rather the flight search on Iberia main page- think it will matter?

Took the plunge on 10 x SDR-MAD at $27.73 a piece. Loads of availability on most dates at that price. Amazingly was able to book all without any website glitches.

Now to figure out what to do with those avios if and when they post.

Same...just did 10 x SDR-MAD

I also tried a booking and my frequent flyer number is missing from the booking. Is this something to be concerned about?

I should add that I was logged in and that the number showed during the booking process. Now it's gone from the reservation (which I can pull up using the record locator...)

@Morgan, what if you use VPN and opt an IP address from any of the countries listed?

I'm just waiting for Iberia to cancel and refund all these tix - or not honor the terms of retaining avios. The excitement around this is very reminiscent of the Match.com or the eharmony.com (i forget which dating site) promotional bonus every nerd flocked to a few years ago.

This post alone means they won't honor it. Anyone who books is a sucker and deserves to lose $$.

I just book Santander to Madrid $27.73 ansn all dates seem open from May on

Hope this works..

I also just did 10x Santander to Madrid $27.73 on every Tuesday starting on February 5 2019. What a great potential benefit, thanks Lucky and James!

"The promotion is available when the tickets are bought on iberia.com in the following countries: Spain, France, Italy, Germany, Portugal, Russia, United Kingdom, Switzerland, the Netherlands, Brazil, Argentina, Colombia, Chile, Peru, Mexico and USA, regardless of the origin of the flight. So, you will get the 9,000 Avios, if you book a flight from Athens to Madrid, or from Johannesburg to Madrid, etc… operated by Iberia, on any of the iberia.com sites mentioned above."

This information is nowhere to be found on the Iberia page? I just purchased 10 one-ways from Norway...

I am having an interesting error now. Have booked 5 tix on hold. Trying to book the 6th, and now it keeps giving the error that the iberia plus number does not match the name. Though I can log in and out of the account with out any problems, and the name is automatically added when I am logged on.

It is interesting reading the comments after the fact. I still get the sense of blood in the water/feeding frenzy.

I booked 4 of them. Now it gives me an error saying my IB number doesn't match my name...
I'll wait until tomorrow and see what happens.

Looking a the terms, I'm certain that everybody who does this gets at least 9000 avios and there doesn't seem to be a good reason not to do so. however perhaps the multiple avios are meant for other people you book tickets for and it was lost in translation? I would be surprised if people actually get 90k avios. I figure booking 4 tickets is kind of hedging my bets.

Was about to book them, but realize I'm not in one of the listed countries. Fired up a VPN for the US and now Iberia's website is giving me the Access Denied message. Not sure if it is worth booking anyway.

I’m wondering if transferring to BAEC would still allow the points to show up in your BAEC account while, in turn, showing a negative balance in IB+.

@lucky When I try to make the booking, I get an error saying my account number doesn't match the name (due to the account being less than 72 hours old). Do you know if the bonus miles will still go through if I add my Iberia Plus number after the promo ends?

Ha, they are screwing people by not letting you attach your Iberia number, worked on tickets 1-3 but not any more. Ha. Well played.

Iberia Plus numbers are not showing while checking the reservations I made online. They do show on the confirmation emails sent by Iberia.

@gus- Right now, I am getting the same "name doesn't match..." error message when I go look at the passenger information section of the PNR (both on the US and Spain web-sites). However, it does show me ticketed. More importantly, the ticket purchase receipt which they emailed me for a confirmation shows my newly created IB+ FFN on the receipt. So, I am going to hang my hat on that and wish for the best (or be in small claims court).

I imagine this may be a tough one for Iberia to claw back. It's not like a traditional error fare. The terms are pretty solid and I'm not sure how they could reasonably weasel out of it. That sad, with 2 days left to book, I'm not even sure how they're publish the 'end' of the promotion should they want to stop this...

technically Iberia can “overbook” these flights. they could just search for people who booked 10 flights between June 21 and June 24 and pretty much know that these people wont be flying

I created my Iberia Plus number this morning and had the same issue adding my number to reservations 4-10. I receive the "surname doesn't match" error. I called Iberia and the agent said they can "see my Iberia Plus number in one system but it has not yet made it's way to the other". He said to add it online using the confirmation number or call back in 48-72 hours. Iberia claims this is normal for a new account and that it will not impact the promotion. I am concerned that the Ts and Cs mention that the Avios will be issued to reservations identified as members of Iberia Plus during the "purchase process". Yet if there is an issue, I think there is an argument to be made due to a valid Iberia Plus account and a system error attaching to legit bookings during the promo period. And by legit bookings I mean some dude from Chicago and his fiance that are going to no-show for 20 flights in Santander. But let's not focus on the details...

I too got the "Name doesn't match..." error after 4 successfully bought tickets w/ iberia account #s on the ticket. After seeing the error I continued to buy 2 more but left the account number blank in hopes of adding at a later time. However after reading comments here and at other blogs decided to stop and call Iberia to make sure this would actually work. The rep I spoke to seemed to know the error well and basically said that since my account was opened today, it would take 48 hours for my account to "show up" in their system, even though I could login online. In the end I gave her all my booking #s, the ones with and without my account number, and she said that I would get the reward points for all the bookings. She wasn't able to provide a confirmation email though... Given that all this is a bit dodgy I'm going to stop @ 6 and just see how it turns out. lets hope for the best

I too got the "Name doesn't match..." error after 4 successfully bought tickets w/ iberia account #s on the ticket. After seeing the error I continued to buy 2 more but left the account number blank in hopes of adding at a later time. However after reading comments here and at other blogs decided to stop and call Iberia to make sure this would actually work. The rep I spoke to seemed to know the error well and basically said that since my account was opened today, it would take 48 hours for my account to "show up" in their system, even though I could login online. In the end I gave her all my booking #s, the ones with and without my account number, and she said that I would get the reward points for books. She wasn't able to provide a confirmation email though... Given that all this a bit dodgy gonna stop @ 6 and just see how it turns out.

Still plenty of $28 fares left . . .

Which one world airlines can you book directly from their website, and which ones do you have to call?

Can you designate an airline when you book an award?

Also got no FF number on the booking page after pulling up with PNR, however the number is on my confirmation emails.

When I try to add it to the booking on the website, I get "Please check your Iberia Plus number XXXXXXX because it does not match the name and family name on the booking.". Hah, this ain't gonna happen.

Any reason not to do 2-player mode for this? Figured I'd sign my wife up for Avios Iberia Plus number also and have her book 10 tix on her own for an extra 90k.

Looks like Iberia.com has crashed

https://www.iberia.com/es/offer/iberia-plus/win-a-trip-with-avios/?BV_UseBVCookie=no&utm_medium=afilia&utm_source=cj&utm_campaign=cj.gene&CJEVENT=ae92b467768c11e8831101300a1c0e0c

This is the link to the Iberia website and it doesn't actually mention it (the country restriction) though Loyalty lobbys website mentioned it as well as TPG
https://thepointsguy.com/news/iberia-90k-avios-promotion/

@Walle. I am also getting the same error message as many of you. I created an account today. Which number did you call to talk to the CSR to have added your Iberia Plus # to add to your bookings?

Was getting the name match error for my wife's account, created yesterday, all night last night. Couldn't sleep so I figured I'd give it a try now and all seems to work fine. Finished booking the remaining tickets I needed, still plenty of $27 USD fares.

I am concerned that the charge isn't showing up as pending on my AmEx though. I booked both my wife's and my tickets with my Platinum.

Hey @lucky,
Any information on whether no shows would be credited with the 9000 bonus avios?
Yours,
Alfred

Can’t find it on Iberia’s webiste though both TPG and loyalty lobby mentioned it

You can't find what on the website? The promo is on the front page, it's impossible to miss it.

what are the best city pairs? PS I'm putting a few on my Hilton AMEX, got offer for $5 back on up to 3x purchases of $25 each.

ok, i just bought 10 one-ways, sdr to mad, april 2019, for $28 each.

do you know if we need to check in? is there a penalty for no-show? no-show and no check-in? ugh, i'm so nervous about how this will play out!

fingers crossed!

@ Alpa Pandya -- Absolutely no need to check in, just throw away the tickets. Once you get your Avios and redeem them you're all good.

So, those of us in Canada cannot book?

you think there may be a devaluation of avios? It is the big question

Is anyone concerned Iberia will try to limit these bonus Avios to Iberia/maybe BA redemptions only, and make the ineligible for use on partner airlines? That would make it almost useless for many.

How can you get australian cities to show up to book awards?

Is this deal still valid? Because I just called Iberia call center and asked them if I can avail the promotion if I book now. They asked me what the local time was in the city I’m in and “guaranteed” that it will be honored until 24th June local time.

After booking each flight separately with my IBregistration number on the "offer" page of Iberia, I don't see any indication
In my booking confirmation that (even down the road the ten days) I will get 9000 Avios points? Anybody else have any notification?or do I just have to wait and in 10 days it will pop up in my IberiaAvios account!?

Just looking for some clarity here if anyone knows. Was this deal dead as of 12:01am this morning (6/24/18) or is it good till end of day today (11:59pm)? Thanks!

@ Chris -- Should be 11:59PM Spain time tonight.

@Div I called the UK number +44 20 3684 3774

Has anyone had the avios credited to their account yet?

My avios posted on July 3rd

Got mine today after many email refusals, I persisted!

Any idea similar promotion of 9000 avios will come up this June?

@ ArtNigel -- Unfortunately I highly doubt it, given that this ended up being way more popular than they were expecting.

Hey. What happens if I got a ticket using the promotion miles and I would like to cancel (and pay the 25 Euro fee), will the point dispensary or transfer back?
Thanks

@Shlomo: According to the terms of the promotion, your points will not be returned. But it's Iberia, so who knows, maybe they will return them after all. Their IT and staff aren't that great. But most likely you won't get them back, no.