IBERIA

In a couple of weeks, I will be flying with Iberia from Amsterdam to Almeria v.v.:

AMS-BCN Economy
BCN-ALMERIA First

Which FFP should I actually join for these flights. Are there good promo's?
I will probably fly Iberia not often again. So I am thinking of joining another programme than IBERIA PLUS, which is a good alternative to my KLM account.
Are there oneworld programmes worth it? Or is Qualiflyer than the deal for me?

And how is Iberia Domestic First Class? Do you have lounge acces in Barcelona?

Thanks!

[This message has been edited by Europe Flyer (edited 06-24-2002).]

Are you sure that you are travelling 1st class? There only seems to be business and economy classes on that route.

if you are not likely to be flying airlines in the OW Alliance much, is it actually worth joining any frequent flyer scheme?

If you are, if you are going to be travelling economy, then I would suggest the AA scheme, if travelling business/1st then either the QF or BA schemes.

Dave

Sorry, my travel plans changed. Now the routing is to Almeria.
And the TA said it's First Class operated by Air Nostrum.
I want to use this account as an altenative for my Europe (Leisure) Travel. Normally I would fly KLM&Partners, but KLM is sometimes quite expensive ex-AMS/MST for leisure travel.

[This message has been edited by Europe Flyer (edited 06-24-2002).]

Hi again.

Are you sure about the 1st class. I did a browse on ITN and saw than AMS-MAd and AMS-BCN have business and economy while MAD-LEI and BCN-LEI are both economy only on Air Nostrum

Which is the best scheme to join depends on your travel patterns. The BA scheme in Europe gives miles on most fares but if in cheap economy you have no chance of getting status. They do have the most flights to use your points on in Europe ( you wont get credit for any AA transatlantic flights). Alternatively AA may work and if you do 25,000 miles with them you will get status with them. Drawbacks are no credit on BA transatlantic flights and, if you are going to be using Iberia economy, a great drawback that they only give 35% miles for IB flights. Qantas will give you full points on all the OW carriers but their long haul redemption costs are higher than BA. If you are going to be doing travel in business/first then join BA since you will attain status in a short time. Assuming you are doing a return trip This trip would probably net you 15(for the economy flight)+30(for the business flight) tier credits each way giving a total of 90 tier credits. You need 400 credits to reach silver status. If you are likely to do any more flights in business class on BA or IB in the next year, join them since you will have lounge access et al very quickly for your pleasure trips.

It's hard to just say which is the best to join since which is best for you will depend on what you travel will be

Dave

[This message has been edited by Dave Noble (edited 06-24-2002).]

I won't wade into the which program to join fray, but I will on IBERIA FC.

I have flown Iberia FC, and have found the only difference between that and coach is the curtain between the cabins. It sucks. Both planes were AB300 series, and the FC cabin was arranged in a 3-3-3 format -- the same as coach was -- and then they allowed smoking as well. UGH

Iberia is the Greyhound of the skies in Europe, apparently.

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Thanks for the replies.

BGTRVLR,

When was that trip and where was it to and from? My experience with Iberia intra-europe has been absolutely first rate in business. Far, far better than the BA cattle cars, for instance. I haven't flown Iberia trans-atlantic since 1972 so I can't comment but seats, food, service have all been excellent in my 4 business class trips (all different routes but beginning or ending in BCN) this year. All no-smoking by the way.