Aeromexico is currently selling very cheap business class flights to South America from Madrid. The highlight: Flights to Santiago de Chile for only €947! That’s an outstanding price for spending a total of roughly 40 hours in a business class seat (and consequently earning enough miles to get the SkyTeam Elite status). Flight dates are available in September and October 2021.
If you search for a regular roundtrip on AeroMexico’s website, no inbound flights will appear because of the long stopover (14+ hours). You have to book a multi-stop ticket to get the lowest price. You can extend your stay in Mexico up to several days.
Worldwide travel restrictions are in place to slow the spread of Covid-19. We strongly recommend gathering detailed information about the travel and quarantine restrictions that apply to your desired origin and destination.
A good start is the International Air Transport Association (IATA) website. It provides current updates on a country’s immigration policies. Even better, the Covid-19 Travel Regulations Map is one of the most useful tools you can find.
All flights are operated with a Boeing 787-Dreamliner, which offer lie-flat seats.
We expect further shakeups in the airline industry over the following months. Some services might be cancelled, aircraft changed or downgraded. The schedule we describe may very well change.
Search & Book
This deal is valid for trips that are at least 7 days long. No other restrictions are mentioned in the fare rules. There only seems to be availability in October and November.
You can find suiting flights dates on Google Flights. You should book these flights directly on Aeromexico’s website. This only works using their multi stop tool by searching for MAD-SCL, SCL-MEX and MEX-MAD separately, even if you aren’t interested in spending several days in Mexico:
Why is booking with an airline better than with an online travel agency?
More often than not, online travel agencies offer lower fares than airlines do. We still recommend booking with the airlines directly. There are two main reasons for that:
Better Customer Service
In case any problems like delays, cancellations or missed connections arise, you can communicate directly with the airline. The airline has to take care of you because you have a contract with them.
If a travel agency issues your ticket, you may have to reach out to them first. You also depend on your OTA to forward information like flight changes instead of receiving them directly from the airline. In many cases, you may get a prime exhibition of responsibility shifting rather than problem-solving.
This especially applies to premium tickets. You don’t want to spend more than €1,000 to wind up with some budget OTA’s telephone hotline in case anything goes wrong.
Baggage and Other Fees
Economy fares not including hold luggage are industry standard by now. In most cases, travel agencies charge much higher baggage fees than the airlines themselves. If bags are not included in your fare, airlines are often the cheaper alternative.
This also applies to other things like food services, insurances or priority treatment. In almost all cases, you pay less for additional amenities when booking on the airlines’ website.
Mileage
The tickets are all issued in booking class I, meaning that a roundtrip to Santiago de Chile should get you:
- 40,726 Miles on Xiamen Airlines Egret Club
- 38,932 Award Miles + 300 Tier Points on Virgin Atlantic Flying Club
- 38,932 RDM + 5,840 MQD on Delta SkyMiles
- 29,200 Miles on Aerolíneas Argentinas AerolíneasPlus
- 29,200 Miles on Copa ConnectMiles
- 29,200 Miles on MEA Cedar Miles
- 29,200 Miles on CSA OK Plus
- 29,200 Miles on GOL Aéreos Smiles
- 29,200 Miles on LATAM Pass
- 24,334 Award Miles + 132 XP on Flying Blue
- 24,334 Miles on Air Europa Suma
- 24,334 Miles on Korean Air Skypass
- 24,334 Miles on Saudia Alfursan
- 24,334 Miles on China Airlines Dynasty Flyer
- 24,334 Miles on Vietnam Airlines Lotusmiles
- 19,466 Miles on Garuda Indonesia GarudaMiles
The best options are probably either Aerolíneas Argentinas Plus, or Aeromexico Club Premier. Other programs that will also directly give you the SkyTeam Elite status for this booking are Vietnam Golden Lotus Plus, Alitalia MileMiglia, Aeroflot Bonus, MEA Cedar Miles, Flying Blue, and Delta SkyMiles.
Source: Luxury Flight Club – Thanks!
Cover Picture: © Aeromexico