Oneworld member Iberia, as well as Aeromexico, are currently selling tickets for non-stop flights between Madrid and Mexico City at very reasonable prices. You can purchase tickets for your round-trip starting at only €305. If you don’t mind a layover on your way back, you can reduce this amount even more to €294 for Oneworld flights.
If you opt for the non-stop connection, the flight time will be between 11 and 12 hours onboard an Iberia Airbus A340 or an Aeromexico Boeing 787 Dreamliner. Cheaper trips that include a layover are operated by British Airways on the long-haul segment and will take you from Mexico to Marid via London.
Search & Book
The fare rules for this deal state that tickets for Oneworld flights should be sold until January 31st. Those for trips with Aeromexico until January 21st. But as always, the cheap seats might sell out way earlier. So don’t hesitate too long if you’re interested in the deal. Reservations with Iberia have to be made at least 10 days in advance.
Minimum stay requirements are for five days (Oneworld) or seven days (SkyTeam), and your latest return flight has to take place 3 months after your departure from Europe. Aeromexico is more generous and allows for a stay of up to 12 months
Since Google Flights (instructions) is the easiest way to search for the best connections, we recommend you use the tool to see if dates that work for you are available. Then, either book on the carrier’s website or use our Travel Dealz flight search to compare prices – and maybe save money.
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
Oneworld
All tickets will be issued in booking class O. Even though the tickets are highly discounted, the earning rate is still 25% on most Oneworld frequent flyer programs. Here’s what a direct flight will get you:
- 3,380 Miles on SriLankan FlySmiLes
- 2,818 Avios + 40 Tier Points on British Airways Executive Club
- 2,818 Avios + 26 Qpoints on Qatar Privilege Club
- 2,818 Avios + 180 Elite Points on Iberia Plus
- 2,818 Miles on American AAdvantage
- 2,818 Miles on Alaska Mileage Plan
- 2,818 Points on Finnair Plus
- 2,818 Miles on Japan Airlines Mileage Bank
- 2,818 Points + 16 Elite Points on Malaysia Airlines Enrich
- 2,818 Award Miles on Royal Air Maroc Safar Flyer
- 2,818 Miles on Royal Jordanian Royal Club
- 2,818 Award Miles on LATAM Pass
SkyTeam
If you’re flying with Aeromexico, your booking class will be V. This can get you up 50% of the distance miles with many SkyTeam frequent flyer programs:
- 8,452 Miles on Saudia Alfursan
- 5,634 Miles on Garuda Indonesia GarudaMiles
- 5,634 Miles on China Airlines Dynasty Flyer
- 4,534 Miles on Xiamen Airlines Egret Club
- 2,818 Award Miles + 24 XP on Flying Blue
- 2,818 Miles on Aerolíneas Argentinas AerolíneasPlus
- 2,818 Miles on Air Europa Suma
- 2,818 Miles on Copa ConnectMiles
- 2,818 Miles on Korean Air Skypass
- 2,818 Miles on MEA Cedar Miles
- 2,818 Miles on CSA OK Plus
- 2,818 Miles on GOL Aéreos Smiles
- 2,818 Miles on Vietnam Airlines Lotusmiles
- 2,818 Award Miles + 50 Tier Points on Virgin Atlantic Flying Club
- 2,818 Miles on LATAM Pass
- 2,818 RDM + 564 MQD on Delta SkyMiles
Information & Tips for Mexico
Mayan pyramids, dreamy beaches and tacos – Mexico is an incredibly diverse country. If you want to experience the Spanish-speaking country to its fullest, you should definitely stay somewhere other than the tourist hotspots and seaside resorts.
The Best Time to Travel
The perfect travel time is from December to April, during this time it hardly rains and the temperatures are pleasant. Unsurprisingly, during the rainy season from May to October there is more rainfall. Beware of some extreme weather phenomenons that might be unknown to Europeans: Hurricane season lasts from June to November! Those who want to travel to typical holiday areas like Cancún and do not want to spend lots of money should travel in the off season. Areas with less touristic relevance such as Mexico City, on the other hand, are relatively constant throughout the year from a price perspective.
Currency, Credit Cards & Tipping
The official currency of the country is the Mexican Peso. 1 EUR equals about MX$18. The acceptance of credit cards is comparable to or even slightly better than Germany. In almost all shops, even small kiosks, it is possible and quite normal to pay by card. The same applies to restaurants. For street vendors, street snack bars and the like, it is advisable to have a few pesos in cash with you. It is unusual to tip taxis or cab drivers. At a restaurant, 10-15 percent are normal, as long as the tip is not already listed on the bill as a line item. When paying by card, you can usually choose how much you want to tip at the card terminal before entering the pin. Housekeeping at a hotel should usually be tipped 20-40 Pesos per day, small favours have a going tip rate of 5 Pesos.
Immigration & Visa Requirements
Most EU citizens do not need a visa to enter Mexico. All you need to do is fill out the tourist card that is handed out onboard the plane. For touristic and business purposes, a visa-free stay of 180 days is possible.
→ All Dealz for Mexico
Information & Tips for Mexico City
3 Tips for Mexico City
Mexico City is not quite as touristic as, for example, the seaside resort city and party destination Cancun. This means that hardly anybody speaks English, but you also don’t have to be afraid of being ripped off because you look like a tourist. My 3 tips for Mexico City:
- Torre Latinoamericana: The office tower – which looks a bit ugly from the outside – offers a fantastic view over the city, especially at dusk. The ticket is valid for several visits over the course of a whole day and costs 110 Pesos (= 4,50€).
- Chapultepec Park: There is a free zoo in Chapultepec Park. Even though admission is free, you can admire a total of 252 different animal species.
- Teotihuacán: A little outside of town are the impressive pyramids of Teotihuacán. I recommend that you get there early, otherwise you’ll have to wait in line for a long time. I came by public bus (not through an organized tour), I found the instructions on how to do that in this blog. I would also recommend checking out the cave restaurant there!
For getting around Mexico City I recommend using Uber. The countless taco stands are also great and extremely cheap. However, make sure that the meat is adequately cooled. Unfortunately, you often see that raw meat is lying somewhere in the blazing sun.
→ All Dealz for Mexico City
Cover Picture: CC0-Licence, Pixabay-User johnybegoog