Originally Posted by
schley
It doesn't sound like you generate that many RDM miles to be burning them so much.
How many BIS miles do you earn in a year? Do you fly Business or Coach when you fly?
I'm not familiar with Spain and Portugal flights but my first look is telling me it is a PITA to fly star alliance from SVQ with connections in Lisbon or Barcelona a must.
I earn just around 40k in the air, with flight bonuses I pick up another 10K or so. With my job I am currently limited to coach, but it can be upgradeable, and my company occasionally would let me purchase a reduced price biz ticket USA-EU for less than $1400, if available. I am a disciple of Gary, so I have earned around 200K each year for the past five years with his advice outside of flying.
I prefer to take the high-speed train to Madrid and fly out of MAD.