AA Business Class To Madrid, Up To 8 Seats
During an Instagram Q&A, a reader struggling to use their American miles for business class asked how they could get good value out of their miles.
Well, here's some business class space to Madrid on American from several US airports. When you'll find availability varies by route and you'll find more on the return than on the outbound.
Points Wire Highlights
Now, let's get into it!
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Straight To The Points
Routes: CLT/DFW/JFK/PHL-MAD
Operating airline: American Airlines
Class of service: Business class
Dates: June-August 2024, January - March 2025
Seats available: 2 (up to 8)
Cabin layout: 1-2-1
Book with (per person, one-way):
- *American AAdvantage: From 55,500 miles
Some award space is available via partner programs:
- *Alaska Mileage Plan: 55,000 miles
- British Airways Executive Club:
- JFK/PHL: 62,000 Avios
- CLT/DFW: 77,260 Avios
- Cathay Pacific Asia Miles: 63,000 miles
- Etihad Guest:
- JFK/PHL: 80,000 miles
- CLT/DFW: 100,000 miles
- Qantas Frequent Flyer:
- JFK: 57,000 points
- CLT/PHL: 68,400 points
- DFW: 82,000
*No surcharges
Taxes/fees (per person):
- From US: $5.60
- From MAD: ~$43
- Surcharges: $950 each direction
Alaska has a $12.50 partner award fee per person per direction. Qantas doesn't pass on all of the surcharges. I don't believe Cathay does either.
Bank transfer partners:
- Alaska: Bilt, Marriott
- American: Bilt, Marriott
- British Airways: Amex, Bilt, Capital One, Chase, Marriott
- Cathay Pacific: Amex, Bilt, Capital One, Citi, Marriott
- Qantas: Amex, Capital One, Citi, Marriott
- Qatar Airways: Citi, Marriott
Current Airline Transfer Bonuses
Best Card Offers
Let me know if you book!
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JFK-MAD
April: 26, 29
May-Dec: N/A
January: 1, 13, 18, 26, 27
February: 3, 10, 17
MAD-JFK
June: 6-8, 14, 21
Jul-Aug: N/A
September: 19
Oct-Nov: N/A
December: 24
January: 10, 16, 17, 22-26, 28, 29, 31
February: 1, 2, 4, 6-11, 13-21, 25-28
March: 4, 5, 18
DFW-MAD
April: 28, 29
May: N/A
June: 17
July: N/A
August: 11
MAD-DFW
June: 6, 14, 18, 19, 21
Jul-Nov: N/A
December: 24
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PHL-MAD
April: 28, 29
May-Jul: N/A
August: 6, 7, 13
Sep-Dec: N/A
January: 13, 20, 27
February: 10
MAD-PHL
May: 2
June: 5, 7
July: N/A
August: 23, 24
December; 23, 24, 28
January: 28, 29
February: 4, 5, 12, 19, 26
March: 5
CLT-MAD
April: 28
May-Jun: N/A
July: 15, 19, 22, 23, 28, 29
August: 3-5, 10-12, 17, 18
Sep-Nov: N/A
December: 30
MAD-CLT
December: 23, 24
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Flight Experience
American operates aircraft with two different business class cabin layouts. The best option is a 1-2-1 reverse herringbone cabin layout so each seat is lie-flat and has direct aisle access. All things considered, it's nice seat.
The other business class layout is also 1-2-1. However, it incorporates rear-facing seats in alternating rows. It's still private, but some complain that you feel your neighbor get in/out of their seat.
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Best Ways To Book
Alaska: Great Rate, No Surcharges
Alaska offers at great rate at 55,000 miles one-way with no surcharges. Now that they're a transfer partner of Bilt, you can transfer points to Alaska.
Qantas: Great Rate, Reduced Surcharges, Multiple Transfer Partners
It's rare that Qantas is a great option, but at 57,000 miles one-way on the JFK route + ~$227 taxes/fees (~$265 for the return flight), it's a great option for those with Amex, Capital One, Citi points.
American: Great Rates, No Surcharges, Additional Award Space
American's rates vary a bit, but you can find one-way rates starting at 55,500 miles. On the higher end, you'll see dates that require 70,000 miles one-way. You can still transfer Bilt points to American, but this option ends in June.
Cathay: Solid Rate, Reduced Surcharges, Multiple Transfer Partners
If you have Amex, Capital One, or Citi points, Cathay is a solid option from Charlotte, Dallas, and Philadelphia at 63,000 miles one-way. Similar to Qantas, you won't be on the hook for all of the carrier-imposed surcharges.
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How To Book
- Go to AA's site
- Select Advanced / Multi-city search (just click this link)
- Select Redeem miles
- Select One way or Round trip
- Enter From & To cities
- Select departure date(s)
- Choose the number of passengers
- Select Class as Business/First
- Click Search
- Select Calendar to see other dates
Call to book with:
- Cathay Pacific: 833-933-2244
- Etihad Guest: 877-690-0767
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Final Thoughts
It's great to see American releasing business class award space to Spain. It's a country that has so much to offer. Whether you stay in Madrid or continue onto Barcelona or another city, you won't be disappointed.
Happy booking!
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