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The Iberia Plus website was down for maintenance on Saturday, May 8th, 2021. When it came back, a few surprises were found…

This is breaking news, so we will continue to update as we discover new information. However some Iberia destinations (from/to Madrid) are now going to cost you more Avios. Historically, we have regarded these redemptions as the best value use of Avios.

Chicago

Chicago has been moved from Award Zone 5 to Zone 6.  This means that you will now pay:

Off-Peak Date Pricing (One Way)

• 21,250 Avios – Economy
• 31,750 Avios – Premium Economy
• 42,500 Avios – Business Class

Peak Date Pricing (One Way)

• 25,000 Avios – Economy
• 43,750 Avios – Premium Economy
• 62,500 Avios – Business Class

Los Angeles

Los Angeles has been moved from Award Zone 6 to 7. This means that you will now pay:

Off-Peak Date Pricing (One Way)

• 25,500 Avios – Economy
• 38,250 Avios – Premium Economy
• 51,000 Avios – Business Class

Peak Date Pricing (One Way)

• 30,000 Avios – Economy
• 52,500 Avios – Premium Economy
• 75,000 Avios – Business Class

Update:

It looks like Lima has been moved up to Award Zone 6, Mexico City has been moved up to Award Zone 7 and that Santiago (Chile) has been moved up to Award Zone 8.

For context, here are the previous Award Zones:

Zone 5 Destinations

• Boston
• Chicago
• New York
• San Juan (Puerto Rico)

Off-Peak Date Pricing (One Way)

• 17,000 Avios – Economy
• 25,500 Avios – Premium Economy
• 34,000 Avios – Business Class

Peak Date Pricing (One Way)

• 20,000 Avios – Economy
• 35,000 Avios – Premium Economy
• 50,000 Avios – Business Class

Zone 6 Destinations

• Bogota, Cali, Medellin (Colombia)
• Caracas (Venezuela)
• El Salvador
• Guayaquil, Quito (Ecuador)
• Havana
• Johannesburg
• Lima
• Los Angeles, Miami (USA)
• Mexico City
• Panama City
• Rio de Janeiro, Sao Paolo (Brazil)
• San Jose (Costa Rica)
• Santo Domingo

Off-Peak Date Pricing (One Way)

• 21,250 Avios – Economy
• 31,750 Avios – Premium Economy
• 42,500 Avios – Business Class

Peak Date Pricing (One Way)

• 25,000 Avios – Economy
• 43,750 Avios – Premium Economy
• 62,500 Avios – Business Class

Zone 7 Destinations

• Buenos Aires
• Montevideo
• Santiago (Chile)

Off-Peak Date Pricing (One Way)

• 25,500 Avios – Economy
• 38,250 Avios – Premium Economy
• 51,000 Avios – Business Class

Peak Date Pricing (One Way)

• 30,000 Avios – Economy
• 52,500 Avios – Premium Economy
• 75,000 Avios – Business Class

Zone 8 Destinations

• Shanghai
• Tokyo

Off-Peak Date Pricing (One Way)

• 29,750 Avios – Economy
• 44,250 Avios – Premium Economy
• 59,500 Avios – Business Class

Peak Date Pricing (One Way)

• 35,000 Avios – Economy
• 61,250 Avios – Premium Economy
• 87,500 Avios – Business Class

Anything Else?

Boston, New York and Miami all seem to be unchanged. So for now, the changes appear to be the removal of definite sweetspots – Chicago and Los Angeles were costing fewer Avios than their distance (from Madrid) would otherwise warrant.

Not great news, especially with the complete lack of advance warning, but to be fair you will still struggle to find a cheaper way to cross the Atlantic Ocean in Business Class…