Alaska Airlines awards are now available on Iberia. After Alaska Airlines joined the OneWorld alliance, earning miles have been available on all 13 OneWorld members. Yet, award travel has not been introduced across the alliance. Alaska Airlines has been very slow to add new partners awards. Now, nearly 8 months after joining OneWorld, Alaska Airlines has quietly introduced Iberia awards. Award prices are higher than other partners, but do open up new award opportunity for travel.
Alaska Airlines Iberia Award Costs
Alaska Airline Mileage plan awards on Iberia start at 35,000 miles between the United States and Europe. Business class awards are shockingly high at 75,000 miles. Alaska Airlines still does not allow for mixing partners. Iberia awards can only include Alaska Airlines and Iberia flights. Stopovers at hubs are still available. Thus meaning, one could fly between the United States and Europe with a stop in Madrid for several days or weeks. Currently, awards are only available in business class and economy. Iberia awards do not have fuel surcharges, which is a differentiator from Avios awards or AAdvantage tickets. Taxes and Fees between the US and Europe are as low as $19.
| Origin | Destination | Economy | Business |
| North America | Europe | 35k | 75k |
| USA/Canada | Africa | 50k | 100k |
| USA/Canada | Middle East | 50k | 110k |
| Europe | Middle East | 25k | 55k |
| Europe | Africa | 17.5k | 45k |
| South America | Europe | 50k | 90k |
Award are available to book online via Alaska Air’s website. Do note, cheaper options for Alaska Airline award to Europe include American Airlines for just 22.5k miles in economy. In actuality, all of Alaska Airline partners require fewer miles to fly to Europe in economy or business. Only Iceland air awards are also 35,000 miles in economy. Iberia’s business class awards are the most expensive, costing even more miles than British award first class awards. Of course, being surcharge free make these awards somewhat attractive. Then again, other partners also do not have fuel surcharge and charge fewer miles. Finnair is a being prime example.
Bottom Line
Alaska Airline miles can now be redeemed on Iberia. As a partner, Iberia offers some new great rewards redemption routes. These include between South America and Europe. Award costs are higher than other partners and represents a concerning trend at Alaska Airlines. As new partner award options are coming available, Alaska Airline is increasing requiring more award miles for tickets. Alaska Airlines remains the last airline in the United States to reward miles on distance, no revenue. This makes earning miles somewhat easier. Yet, with this comes the downside of higher cost awards. I expect further devaluation of Alaska Airlines awards as more partners and mix partner awards are introduced. It’s only a matter of time until Alaska Airlines sweet spot awards disappear.f
