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 three main reasons for that:
- The Covid-19 Pandemic
During the worldwide outbreak of Covid-19, planning international travel got more and more risky because of ever-changing restrictions. In contrast to many online travel agencies, most airlines modified their terms & conditions to become more customer friendly. Rebooking conditions are eased, change fees are waived and cancellations are much easier when there is no third party involved.
Further, by adding an OTA to your plans, you increase the risk of one service provider involved going bankrupt. Now, the airline and the online travel agency involved could vanish along with your money. - Better Customer Service
In case any problems like delays, cancellations or missed connections arise, you can communicate directly with the airline. The airlines 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 you information like flight changes instead receiving them directly from the airline. You may get a prime exhibition of responsibility shifting rather than problem solving.
This especially applies for 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 Fees
Economy fares not including hold luggage are more and more common. 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.
Mileage
The tickets are all issued in booking class I, meaning that a roundtrip to Santiago de Chile should get you:
- 62,654 Miles on Aeromexico Club Premier
- 40,726 Miles on China Eastern Eastern Miles
- 38,932 Award Miles + 29,200 MQM on Delta SkyMiles
- 29,200 Miles on MEA Cedar Miles
- 29,200 Miles on Aerolineas Argentinas Plus
- 29,200 Miles on Czech Airlines OK Plus
- 29,200 Miles on Aeroflot Bonus
- 29,200 Miles on GOL Aéreos Smiles
- 29,200 Miles on Copa ConnectMiles
- 29,200 Miles on Alitalia MileMiglia
- 25,306 Miles on Xiamen Airlines Egret Club
- 24,334 Award Miles + 132 XP on FlyingBlue
- 24,332 Miles on Saudia Alfursan
- 24,332 Miles on Air Europa Club
- 24,332 Miles on Vietnam Golden Lotus Plus
- 24,332 Miles on China Airlines Dynasty Flyer
- 24,332 Miles on Korean Air Skypass
- 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!