trip report – Traveling Franklins https://travelingfranklins.com Travel Inspiration, Tips and Tricks learned along the way! Tue, 25 Mar 2025 15:59:08 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.8.3 https://travelingfranklins.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/cropped-2-32x32.jpg trip report – Traveling Franklins https://travelingfranklins.com 32 32 Hyatt Centric Madrid Review https://travelingfranklins.com/hyatt-centric-madrid-review/ Mon, 27 Jan 2025 20:18:49 +0000 https://travelingfranklins.com/?p=13483 Looking for a stylish and central spot to stay in Madrid? In this post, I’m sharing my experience at the Hyatt Centric Madrid, a hotel...

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]]> Looking for a stylish and central spot to stay in Madrid?

In this post, I’m sharing my experience at the Hyatt Centric Madrid, a hotel that perfectly blends comfort, convenience, and a bit of luxury.

From the vibrant location to the top-notch amenities, I’ll walk you through what you can expect during your stay—from check-in to checkout.

The best part? It’s super easy to book this hotel with points and pay very little out of pocket!

Whether you’re visiting Madrid for the first time or just looking for a new hotel option, this review will give you all the details you need!

Overview

  • Hotel Name: Hyatt Centric Madrid
  • Hotel Chain: Hyatt
  • Hotel Brand: Hyatt Centric
  • Hyatt Category at Time of Stay: Hyatt Category 6
  • Location: Central Madrid
  • Rating: Google 5 Star Hotel
  • Points Used: 20,000 and $422 (2-night stay). If you have enough points, you can book this stay for $0.
Wide shot of the hotel lobby with a modern bar, marble columns, and red and gray seating arrangements. The design features clean lines and contemporary decor.
Stylish hotel lobby with a central bar, tall mirrored columns, modern lighting, and a mix of seating options including armchairs and sofas. The space combines elegance and comfort.

Why I Chose This Hotel

After 10 days of exploring Spain, I knew our last 2 nights in Madrid needed to be both relaxing and conveniently located near the city’s main attractions.

We’d kept our other hotel stays within budget throughout the trip, so I felt it was the perfect time to treat ourselves a bit with the Hyatt Centric Madrid.

Thanks to points and miles, we kept the costs down—and spoiler alert, it did not disappoint!

Booking Process

Hyatt Hotels is a favorite among points enthusiasts because of its fixed category award chart. To keep things simple, you can book a Hyatt hotel for a lot fewer points than hotel chains like Hilton or Hyatt.

But if you don’t have enough points then you can also book with cash and points which can be nice if you want to give yourself a little discount without using all of your points.

Yeah, it may not be the “best” redemption, but in our world, if you’re saving money then you’re always winning.

I usually love to transfer my points from my favorite bank – Chase, but at the time I was saving my points for another trip.

I already had a small stash of Hyatt points in my account so I decided to use what I had and pay cash for the rest.

Easily earn points for Hyatt stays with these credit cards:

All information about the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card, Chase Sapphire Reserve® and Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card has been collected independently by Traveling Franklins.

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Hotel Location

Hyatt Centric Madrid is located in Central Madrid on Gran Via.

Gran Via is a bustling street lined with high-end stores and restaurants. It’s a great location for some of the most iconic landmarks in Madrid.

A woman in sunglasses and a striped shirt standing on a rooftop terrace with a view of Madrid's cityscape, framed by glass panels.
Hyatt Centric Madrid Rooftop Bar views!

Check-in Process

The Check-in process was super smooth!

The minute our cab pulled up to the hotel, the staff was on us offering assistance in any way they could.

Our cab driver was super grumpy, he didn’t help us with our luggage and didn’t bother to get out of the cab when he dropped us off, but the hotel staff were super helpful.

There was also a beverage station and snacks in the lobby.

Close-up of twin beds in a hotel room with white linens, decorative pillows, and small bedside tables with reading lamps.
Modern hotel room with twin beds, a work desk, and large windows with sheer curtains letting in natural light. Decor includes contemporary lighting and minimalistic wall art.
Modern bathroom with marble walls and floors, a walk-in shower with glass panels, a toilet, and a sink with a large mirror. The design is sleek and minimalistic.

Room Quality

We booked a standard room with 2 twin beds. The room was a good size for us, about 350 square feet.

I had previously asked for an upgrade, we didn’t have elite status, but many times if there is an upgrade available just being a loyalty member and asking for an upgrade works.

Unfortunately, there wasn’t an upgrade available. We were staying Thursday and Friday night.

The room was beautiful and extremely clean.

The bathroom was quite large and bright with marble tile. I love a nice hotel bathroom and this one did not disappoint.

It had everything you’d need, but if you forgot something there was a list of amenities that you could request. Most you could take with you, but some you’d need to return.

We called to order a few items and they were delivered to our room promptly!

Hand holding a bilingual list of items available to hotel guests, including toiletries, personal care items, and borrowable equipment like kettles and yoga mats.
Hotel TV screen displaying a welcome message from Hyatt Centric Gran Via Madrid with an image of the building's dome.

Facilities & Services

This hotel had plenty of amenities to keep us comfortable.

  • Fitness Center
  • Rooftop Bar and Restaurant
  • Room Service
  • Free Internet
  • Laundry Services
  • In-Room Chromecast: my new favorite feature in hotels!
  • Friendly Concierge
  • Complimentary Water Bottle
Open wardrobe with shelves, featuring a secure digital safe, laundry forms, a flashlight, and a lint roller. The wood-paneled door is partially ajar.
Wall-mounted power outlet panel featuring a European-style plug, USB charging ports, and light switches on a wood-textured surface.
Coffee and tea station with a Nespresso machine, coffee pods, tea bags, cups, and bottled water on a black marble counter.

Final Thoughts

Overall, we loved our stay at the Hyatt Centric Madrid so much we didn’t want to leave!

The accommodations for very comfortable and roomy. The bathroom was stunning and the rooftop bar was so nice for a refreshing beverage and late afternoon snack before venturing out on Gran Via for late-night dinner.

You can’t beat the location and the fact that you can book this hotel for $0 on Hyatt points makes this a no-brainer for sure!

pen wardrobe containing hangers, an ironing board, and a slatted shelf with additional storage space below. A decorative poster is visible inside.
Open wardrobe with a hanging rod, several hangers, and a slatted shelf below. A decorative poster is visible on the inner panel.
Tall, empty wardrobe with a hanging rod and bright interior lighting. The door is partially open, revealing a clean and minimalistic design.

Ready to visit Spain on a Budget?

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]]> Iberia Business Class Experience: Madrid to Miami https://travelingfranklins.com/iberia-business-class-madrid-to-miami/ Sun, 01 Sep 2024 17:38:12 +0000 https://travelingfranklins.com/?p=12168 If you’ve always dreamed of flying in Business Class, but the price has been out of reach, you’re in the right place! I had a...

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]]> If you’ve always dreamed of flying in Business Class, but the price has been out of reach, you’re in the right place!

I had a great experience flying Iberia’s Business Class on their Airbus A330-300 from Madrid to Miami.

I have been navigating the world of points and miles since 2015, so when I learned about this award travel sweet spot it was a no-brainer!

If it weren’t for points and miles we would never have been able to afford a roundtrip business class flight for under $300.

In this post, I’ll share my experience about why we chose Iberia Business Class, the pre-departure experience including check-in, security, VAT Refund process, and our airport lounge experience.

You’ll also get insight into my experience onboard in business class from the meals to the entertainment and landing in Miami.

Why Iberia Business Class

Iberia business class has been on my list for a while because of a sweet spot booked between Chase and Iberia Plus loyalty program.

Iberia is one of the many airline transfer partners for Chase Ultimate Rewards® which is my favorite points and miles currency.

I booked a round-trip business class flight for only 85,000 Iberia Avios, and trust me that is a total steal!

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Getting to MAD – Madrid–Barajas Airport

Metro: This is one of the most convenient and economical ways to reach the airport. From central Madrid, the trip typically takes about 45 minutes. Check for routes on Google Maps.

Train (Cercanías): The Cercanías trains (Renfe suburban trains) have lines directly to Terminal 4 of the Madrid airport. The trip from central Madrid would take about 25 minutes.

Bus: The Exprés Aeropuerto bus runs 24/7 most days of the year with direct service to all the major terminals and takes about 30-40 minutes depending on traffic from central Madrid.

Taxi: This is the option we chose mostly because of the convenience of our luggage. It took about 20-30 minutes from the Hyatt Centric Madrid.

Taxis operate at a flat rate to the airport. We spent $31.28. During our time in Spain we used the FREENOW app exclusively to call our taxis. It was great!

Ride-Sharing Services: Services like Uber and Cabify are available in Madrid, but the pricing was so similar to the taxis that we just opted to use the FREENOW app.

The Iberia Business Class check-in area at an airport, with several counters and passengers waiting under a modern, curved wooden ceiling.

Check-in and Security Process in Madrid

Business Class check-in at the Madrid Airport went smoothly even with checking our bags. We always pack carry-on only but after 12 nights in Spain, we had souvenirs and didn’t want to cram it all in a suitcase.

Checking our carry-on luggage was free with our business-class tickets and very little risk since we had a nonstop flight home.

Luckily, we always pack a collapsible backpack when we travel. We took it on the plane as a carry-on item. It’s great for souvenirs or any extra stuff you may need.

For security, we took advantage of the “Fast Track” perk included with our business class tickets.

Fast Track is a separate security checkpoint, similar to TSA Precheck so we didn’t have to go through regular security. And it was empty so we breezed right through!

Close-up of a terminal sign at an airport, indicating gates and directions to Terminal T4s, with symbols for the metro (M) and shuttle (S).

VAT Refund

Before we enjoyed the “Fast Track” through security, we had a very important task – collecting our VAT Refund.

As non-EU citizens, we were eligible for a VAT or Value Added Tax Refund. At the Madrid Airport, there are several kiosks for you to scan your paperwork.

Once we scanned our receipts and were given the green check mark, we were ready to get through security, and off to the airport lounge!

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Iberia VIP Lounge Madrid Airport

We were pretty excited to get to relax and enjoy the food and amenities at the Iberia Premium Lounge – Velázquez. There are two Iberia VIP Lounges at the Madrid Airport, both are located in terminal T4.

The Dalí lounge is the domestic lounge located right when we exited the “Fast Track” security checkpoint. But since our flight was international, our terminal was T4S which is where the Iberia Premium Lounge – Velázquez was located.

T4S is the satellite terminal of T4. This meant that we had to take a train to get there.

That’s why I like getting to the airport well in advance of departure. It took us an extra 30 minutes just to get to T4S.

Two women smiling in front of the red entrance to the Iberia Premium Lounge Velázquez at an airport.

Iberia Premium Lounge – Velázquez Experience

Once we finally arrived at T4S, we were directed through to the Duty-free shop to get to the lounge. Yup, the lounge is literally inside the Duty-free shop!

Once we entered the lounge, it was like we opened the door to another world. We were definitely not in the Duty-free shop anymore.

After presenting our boarding passes, we walked to the right of the check-in counter and noticed a room with several clear lockers to store our luggage.

After lugging it through the airport for what felt like forever, it was a relief to walk around the lounge hands-free.

The view from the lounge was amazing. The tarmac was right in front of us with planes going up and down while some Iberia planes waited at their gates.

The lounge itself was quite narrow and long, but it didn’t matter which direction you chose to hangout in.

I loved how much light came in from the panoramic floor-to-ceiling windows, it was a great way to enjoy the time we had before boarding the flight.

Lounge Food and Beverage

The lounge had a buffet on each end. It was the same food selection, so it didn’t matter which side you chose to hang out in.

Buffet Area: The buffet had a nice selection of hot and cold dishes. For breakfast, they had eggs, bacon, hashbrowns, donuts, pastries, fruit, yogurt, granola, salads and more. They even had several fruit juices and smoothies available.

Snacks: On top of what was available at the buffet, they had a table with a bunch of snacks like popcorn, nuts, granola bars, and even candy. I was so full and regret not grabbing from the snack table.

Beverages: There was a wide range of beverages. I mean if you could think of a beverage they had it.

I made a game of grabbing as many different beverages as I could to try them. Of course, they had your usual coffee, tea, soft drinks, and freshly squeezed orange juice.

  • Hot breakfast options at an airport lounge buffet, including scrambled eggs, sausage, and bacon.
  • Airport lounge dining area with passengers sitting at tables and a buffet in the background.
  • A selection of breakfast items at an airport lounge, including carafes of juice, yogurt cups, and pastries.
  • A food station at an airport lounge with fresh fruits, juice dispensers, and a variety of snacks and cereals.

Lounge Amenities

This lounge had no shortage of amenities. If we had a long layover I could have spent it just in the lounge and would be a happy camper.

Seating Areas: There were so many comfortable seating options available throughout the lounge. There were different types of tables and chairs to accommodate whether you wanted to dine, rest, or work.

Wi-Fi: Complimentary high-speed internet access was available.

Showers: Shower facilities were available.

Resting Areas: There were separate rooms for sleeping.

Flight Information Monitors: Screens displaying flight information help passengers keep track of their flight status.

Rest Zones: Specific areas designed for relaxation and quiet.

Family Rooms: Facilities catering to travelers with children.

  • A quiet seating area in an airport lounge with modern chairs and large windows overlooking the runway.
  • A wall of glass lockers in an airport lounge with a few items stored inside, set against a red background.
  • Entrance to a rest and shower area in an airport lounge, marked by wooden doors and signs.

Boarding Procedure and Departure from Madrid

After about 90 minutes in the business class lounge, we decided to head over to our gate and prepare to board our flight.

Right in front of the gate, was a checkpoint where they asked for our boarding passes and passports. I’d never seen that before and thought it was interesting.

Anyway, when it was time to start boarding we were in the first group as business class passengers. Now, this is where it gets interesting and a little bit frustrating to be honest.

They scanned our boarding passes, we headed down the the breezeway and down two flights of stairs with our bags, which wasn’t fun.

Once we got to the ground, we were packed like sardines into shuttles and driven to the plane on the tarmac. The fumes and enclosed space made things very uncomfortable.

Once we got to our plane, we were told the plane was not ready so we could not get off the shuttle. I needed some fresh air!

Turns out the crew hadn’t even arrived on the plane yet. So we were stuck on a hot shuttle with nowhere to sit breathing in a ton of fumes while holding our bags for 20 mins.

Why they would have us start boarding the shuttles when the crew hadn’t even arrived to prep the plane is beyond me.

Needless to say, being in the first boarding group did not matter at all!

The worst part was the chaos that ensued once they allowed us to board. Everyone was jammed on top of each other trying to go up the stairs to board the plane.

I had to carry my bags and help my mom with hers because it was too much for her to climb up the stairs while being pushed around by people.

Needless to say, it was not a great experience at all. I felt like it could have been executed in a much better way.

Passengers boarding an Iberia airplane on the tarmac under a clear blue sky.

In-Flight Experience

Even though the boarding process was a bit of a nightmare, once we arrived in business class and at our seats it got 100% better.

Immediately upon getting to my seat, I was greeted by one of the flight attendants and given a cold glass of cava!

In this type of situation, I was happy to have my own space in my business class seat.

For more details on the cabin layout, amenity kit, and seat comfortability in-flight entertainment check out my post for our flight from Miami to Madrid in Business Class on Iberia.

Food and Beverage Service

The daytime business class experience was very different from the evening service. Right after take off, I was given a few slices of Spanish cheese and mini bread sticks. Lunch service began shortly after.

Appetizers: I chose marinated octopus served on a bed of sauteed vegetables. It was pretty tasty. They also served bread and olives. I opted for a glass of wine for my beverage.

Main Courses: Options included chicken, shrimp, or pasta.

I went with the pasta because I was afraid the chicken would be dry or the shrimp would be tough and I thought – you can’t mess up ravioli, right?

Well, I was right. The pasta turned out to be a very safe choice.

Desserts: I had 2 options: raspberry ice cream or a hazelnut chocolate cake.

During our previous business class flight, I had chosen the ice cream and loved it. So I decided to go with the chocolate cake and was not disappointed! It was light and not too sweet.

Snacks: For snacks, they had a variety of chips and crackers. At some point during the flight, they came around with cookies and cream white chocolate ice cream bars.

Before Landing: To my surprise, they offered a warm meal about 90 minutes before landing. I chose a vegetable lasagna. It didn’t look appetizing and ended up pretty greasy.

The beverage service had a selection of wines including Cava (Spanish sparkling wine), spirits, soft drinks, juices, coffee, and tea.

Overall, I would say the food was just ok.

I was ready for some real food as soon as we landed. I don’t understand why they can’t offer you a nice hearty sandwich on these types of flights. Those can be fancy!

  • A simple airplane snack of Manchego cheese slices served with packaged crackers and an Iberia napkin.
  • A plate of grilled octopus with a slice of lemon, black olive tapenade, and a side of bread served on an airplane tray.
  • A plate of ravioli served on an airplane, garnished with cherry tomatoes and grilled eggplant.
  • A dish of lasagna served on an airplane tray, accompanied by a packaged cookie and a rolled napkin with the Iberia logo.

Cabin Crew Service

After having such a horrible boarding experience, I thoroughly enjoyed the service provided by the crew on this flight. They were both friendly and attentive.

At the beginning of the flight, the lead flight attendant came to every business class passenger to introduce himself and wish us a pleasant flight.

He then came around again before landing to make sure we didn’t need anything to thank us for flying with them.

I have only flown international business class a handful of times, but I thought this was a nice touch.

Arrival in Miami

And then it was time to land!

We landed in Miami at a gate that appeared to be at a satellite terminal as well. We had to jump on a shuttle to get to the customs and luggage carousel.

We have Global Entry so getting through customs did not take long at all.

Once we were through customs, the luggage carousel was close by. It was definitely a separate area from the main luggage pick-up carousels which was kind of nice.

Final Thoughts

Overall, I’d say that we had a good experience flying on Iberia Business Class Airbus A330-300 from Madrid to Maimi.

Apart from the less-than-pleasant boarding experience, we really enjoyed our Iberia business class lounge experience in Madrid.

During the flight, we were comfortable with plenty of entertainment options and plenty of food, drinks, and snacks. If given the option I would absolutely do it again.

The next time we go to Spain, I will be booking the Iberia business class experience again. The points and miles sweet spot is just too sweet to pass up!

Planning a Trip to Spain?

If you’re planning a trip to Spain, I have several blog posts to help you plan an amazing and affordable trip!

Want to Travel More for Less?

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]]> Iberia Business Class Trip Report: Miami to Madrid (2024) https://travelingfranklins.com/iberia-business-class-miami-to-madrid/ Fri, 23 Aug 2024 16:33:22 +0000 https://travelingfranklins.com/?p=12002 Have you wondered what it’s like to fly Iberia Business Class on their Airbus A330-300? I had the fun experience of enjoying Iberia Business Class...

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]]> Have you wondered what it’s like to fly Iberia Business Class on their Airbus A330-300?

I had the fun experience of enjoying Iberia Business Class on a roundtrip flight from Miami to Madrid.

As someone who has been navigating the world of points and miles since 2015, finding this sweet spot was a great way to start and end our trip in Spain.

I first started researching our next trip to Europe and we chose Spain because of this sweet spot. I followed the deal!

I’ve always wanted to visit Spain, my family is from Puerto Rico but beyond that I have strong ancestry from the Iberian Peninsula.

I thought this would be the perfect opportunity to explore my heritage!

In this post, I’ll share the ins and outs of our trip to Spain in the luxury of business class for less than $300 roundtrip.

You’ll get all the details from the comfort level, service, and overall experience that the Iberia Business Class A330 offers.

Spoiler alert: We really enjoyed this experience and would highly recommend that you take advantage of this business class deal using points and miles!

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Two women standing outside the airport with their luggage, smiling under an Iberia sign. Other travelers and vehicles are visible in the background.
Miami International Airport

Why Iberia Business Class

I didn’t have high expectations for Iberia Business Class. In my research, I read that they were not exactly industry-leading with this product.

But honestly, a lie-flat seat for a 9-hour flight with food and drinks sounded like the perfect way to start our 12-night trip around Spain regardless of how fancy.

Iberia Business Class offered all the amenities that you could expect from this type of ticket class:

  • Comfortable and Lie-Flat Seats
  • 1-2-1 seat configuration
  • In-flight Entertainment
  • In-flight Wifi – complimentary messaging option for business class and loyalty members.
  • High-Quality Meals and Drinks
  • Superior Amenities – noise-canceling headphones, plush bedding.
  • Amenity Kits – skincare products, sleep masks, and other travel essentials.

Booking Process

Iberia Airlines is definitely a sweet spot for Chase Ultimate Rewards®.

I transferred 85,000 points from Chase Ultimate Rewards® and paid under $300 in taxes and fees for this roundtrip Iberia business class flight.

The cash price would have been over $4,000 for the same exact roundtrip flight.

Previously, I had flown business class with Air France (MIA-CDG) which cost me 70,000 points one way, that’s over 60% more!

That’s what I love about the world of points and miles, I earn on purchases that I was going to make anyway and then I turn around and use those points for experiences I would otherwise not be able to afford.

This was a roundtrip flight, so I also have a post about our experience flying from Madrid to Miami with Iberia Business Class.

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Pre-Flight Experience

Our flight from Miami to Madrid departed at 4:45 pm so we arrived at least 3 hours early at Miami International Airport.

I don’t like feeling rushed and knew that even if getting through security was quick, getting there early would pay off because of our complimentary airport lounge access.

Airport Check-In Process

Although we did have 2 complimentary checked bags included in our business class tickets, we are proudly team carry-on so we skipped the check-in counter and checked in online on the Iberia app.

It’s a good thing we did because the check-in counter was not open when we arrived early at the airport.

We would have had to wait 30 minutes which would have cut into our airport lounge time!

We have TSA Pre-check and Global Entry which would normally mean that security was a breeze, but for some reason, TSA Pre-check was not showing up on our boarding passes.

I had read that Iberia recently joined the list of airlines that accept TSA Pre-check but all it said on our boarding pass was “Fast Track” which was not available in the U.S. (it was valid on our way back from Madrid).

So since the check-in desk was not yet open and there weren’t any Iberia staff members in sight, I decided we would just wait in the normal security line.

Thankfully, the regular security line was not yet very long.

So in the time that we would have to wait for the check-in desk to open (with a high chance we’d have to go through the regular checkpoint anyway), we were already well on our way to the airport lounge.

A woman takes a selfie in an airport lounge, smiling with people seated in the background.
The entrance sign for the American Airlines Admirals Club and Flagship Lounge.
A hand holding an invitation card for the American Airlines Flagship Lounge.

Lounge Amenities and Services

Iberia does not have an airport lounge at Miami International Airport.

However, thanks to the One World Alliance we gained access to both the Admirals Club and Flagship Lounge from American Airlines.

We decided to spend our time in the Flagship Lounge which had more amenities and required a special pass to enter.

The Flagship Lounge was great with no shortage of amenities:

Comfortable seating: The lounge had plenty of seating from tables, booths, a workstation area, a movie theatre, and couches. You name it, they had it and a lot of it. The lounge is very spacious and comfortable.

Complimentary food and drinks: As soon as you walk into the lounge, you are greeted with a champagne stand. The perfect way to start the trip!

There was also a buffet of hot and cold dishes, snacks, and all the beverages you could ever want, including alcoholic beverages.

The food was good, but not great. Still, it beats paying for airport fast food.

There was a selection of salads, sandwiches, meats, cheeses, hot dishes, sides and desserts. Later in our stay, they opened a fresh tostada stand as well.

There were also plenty of snacks available, so you would not go hungry!

A meal in an airport lounge, featuring various dishes including a sandwich, vegetables, and chocolate dessert.

Wi-Fi and workspaces: High-speed internet and quiet areas were available for getting some work done or catching up on emails.

Entertainment options: TVs, magazines, and newspapers were also available.

Shower facilities: I love it when a lounge has showers!

Even if we hadn’t had access to these lounges, I get a complimentary Priority Pass membership with my Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card.

Priority Pass gives me access to a network of lounges all over the world.

But, the Priority Pass lounges at MIA (although very nice) don’t hold a candle to the Flagship Lounge.

A woman wearing glasses and headphones is comfortably reclining in a seat on an airplane. She is covered with a light blanket and smiling, enjoying her flight experience.

Boarding Procedure and Departure from Miami

When it was about 30 minutes before boarding, we left the lounge to head to our gate.

The walk took about 10 minutes and people were already lining up.

As business class passengers we were in the first group to board which went pretty smoothly.

However, once we boarded the plane and got settled, I noticed that many people around me were getting menus and pre-departure beverages but no one had come to me yet.

I tried to get the flight attendant’s attention, but they were busy.

It wasn’t until they came to take my meal order right before take-off that they realized no one had given me a menu or asked me if I wanted a pre-departure beverage.

They apologized profusely and remedied the situation immediately.

In-Flight Experience

The in-flight experience in Iberia business class was what I would expect. The cabin itself was small and a bit outdated, but my seat was comfortable and I had a relaxing flight experience.

Cabin Layout and Seating Arrangement

The Iberia Business Class cabin seats are arranged in a 1-2-1 configuration.

I could have chosen the 2 middle seats so we could sit next to each other, but I love waking up to a window view of the sky in a new place.

Plus, the window seat gave me more privacy. My seat felt spacious and airy, with plenty of room to stretch out and relax.

A spacious business class seat with pillows and a blanket, next to airplane windows and an entertainment screen

Seat Comfort and Features

Iberia’s Business Class are fully lie-flat seats, allowing you to adjust them to a position that feels most comfortable.

I found the seat cushion and bedding to be very comfortable.

The seats are equipped with your typical business-class features:

  • Power outlets and USB ports for charging devices.
  • Personal reading lights so you can read without disturbing your neighbors.
  • Adjustable headrests to support your neck and head.
  • Storage compartments to keep personal items.

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Amenity Kit

In Iberia Business Class we all received an amenity kit which contained everything we needed for a comfortable flight!

  • Sleep mask
  • Socks
  • Ear Plugs
  • Toothbrush
  • Toothpaste
  • Lip Balm
  • Moisturizer
  • Hair Comb
An amenity kit in business class, including an eye mask, socks, toothbrush, toothpaste, moisturizer, and a comb, laid out on a tray table.

In-Flight Entertainment Options

Iberia offers an “ok” array of entertainment options.

  • Movies: There were only a handful of movies that interested me, but some recently released options were available.
  • TV Shows: Some popular series and documentaries.
  • Music: I didn’t listen to the music, but it was an option.
  • Games: I didn’t play the games, but it was an option.
  • Digital Newspapers and Magazines

They had English and Spanish available, and many more languages for subtitles.

In the business class cabin, noise-canceling headphones are provided and complimentary. They worked pretty well.

An in-flight entertainment screen on an Iberia flight, welcoming passengers to Madrid.

Food and Beverage Service

Not long into the flight, they began the dinner service. Before meal service, we were given a hot towel for our hands.

They offered a multi-course meal service:

Appetizers: I chose the duck with peaches. It was delicious!

They also serviced bread and olives. I opted for a glass of wine for my beverage. The olives were yummy, but the bread was a bit hard.

Main Courses: Options included meat, fish, and vegetarian dishes.

I chose the fish option which came with a nice sauce, black rice, and vegetables. I thought the fish was a bit dry but mixed in with everything else it wasn’t bad at all.

Desserts: I had the ice cream option which had vanilla, strawberry, and chocolate served with granola and strawberries. I loved it!

The beverage service had a selection of wines including Cava (Spanish sparkling wine), spirits, soft drinks, juices, coffee, and tea.

A gourmet meal served in business class, featuring fish, vegetables, and a glass of white wine.
An in-flight ice cream medley with, granola, strawberries, a cup of coffee, and a glass of white wine.
An appetizer served in business class with ham, vegetables, bread rolls, olives, and a glass of white wine.

Cabin Crew Service

Apart from the minor inconvenience of not receiving a pre-departure beverage once I boarded the plane, I thought the cabin crew service was quite adequate.

The crew came by a few times to clear plates and glasses or offer refills. I did not have to get up to ask for anything.

Can I access Wi-Fi on Iberia Business Class flights?

The Iberia Wifi was not great. Complimentary Wifi is available for messaging if you’re a business class passenger or a member of the Iberia Plus program (which is free). However, it was terrible.

I couldn’t get it to work for iMessage or WhatsApp for most of the flight. Finally, I just gave up and went to sleep.

I did not bother with the paid Iberia Wifi since this was an evening flight and I didn’t need to browse or send emails.

Arrival in Madrid

Touching down in Madrid after a long flight went smoothly!

In the morning, breakfast was served about 90 minutes before arrival.

I chose to have the omelet with sausage and vegetables. The omelet was flavorless, but I ate it with the croissant and bread roll.

The coffee and orange juice were very good.

Once we started our descent, the crew announced our arrival, and we landed right on schedule.

Iberia’s Business Class passengers were the first to de-board and the de-boarding process was straightforward and efficient.

An in-flight breakfast featuring an omelette, sausage, green beans, tomatoes, mushrooms, a croissant, a bread roll, a cup of coffee, and a glass of orange juice.

Customs and Immigration

Once inside the terminal, signs directed us toward customs and immigration. The process was surprisingly quick, but it was pretty early in the morning.

There were dedicated lines for non-EU passport holders, which helped in managing the crowd.

The officers were professional yet friendly, asking standard questions about our stay. With plenty of kiosks available, the wait time was minimal.

A CaixaBank ATM at an airport, featuring a sign that reads 'Hello, this is your ATM' in multiple languages. The ATM is gray with a blue and yellow design around it."
CaixaBank is popular in Spain and their ATMs are available at the Madrid Airport.

Currency Exchange

We rarely exchange currency before an international trip. When traveling to Europe, we always get cash out of a bank ATM at the airport.

In the Madrid airport, we used a CaixaBank ATM. They have several ATMs throughout the airport.

I never let the ATM convert the currency for me.

I took out 50 euros from the ATM. The amount taken out of my account would have been $67 with all their fees and conversion.

Instead, I paid $56.

My bank reimburses me for ATM fees. But if even they had not it still would have been cheaper than letting the ATM do the conversion.

Close-up of a CaixaBank ATM screen displaying currency conversion details, including the exchange rate and the option to use CaixaBank's conversion service, which includes a margin of 9%.
There’s always a fee when using an ATM abroad unless it’s your bank. I always accept the fee, my bank reimburses me.

Do you need cash in Spain?

During our stay, we rarely used cash. In all 3 cities we visited (Madrid, Seville, and Barcelona), it seemed like a cashless society.

We were able to use our credit card and actually I used mobile pay most of the time.

So, I would say that its important to have some cash on you, but you may find that you don’t need to use it most of the time.

Close-up of a CaixaBank ATM screen showing a currency conversion service. The screen displays the message 'Fee applied' with options to cancel or continue

Don’t ever let the ATM do the

conversion for you. I selected “No, continue”.

Transportation to our hotel in Madrid

Our hotel was located in Plaza de España. Normally, I wouldn’t mind taking public transportation.

We were already planning to share a metro pass. But with our luggage, we opted to grab a taxi instead.

The taxi cost was $36 and the most expensive option. Here are your options:

Metro: The easiest and most economical way is to take the metro. The trip would have taken 40-45 minutes. Check Google or CityMapper for routes to your hotel.

Bus: The Express Aeropuerto (Airport Express) bus runs 24 hours a day, but keep in mind that the rest of the buses run from 6.30 a.m. to 11.30 p.m., varying according to the line. Honestly, I’d pick the metro over the bus.

Taxi: Taxis are available outside all airport terminals. The taxi ride during rush hour traffic takes about 25 minutes and has a flat rate to the city center.

Ride-sharing: FREENOW, Uber, and Cabify operate in Madrid. Since the taxis were a flat rate to our destination, I didn’t bother with a ride-share service.

Final Thoughts

Overall, flying business class with Iberia from Miami to Madrid was a wonderful experience.

The comfort, service, and food were awesome for a business-class flight that cost me less than $300.

Yes, the free WiFi sucked. But I didn’t plan to use it anyway so it wasn’t a deal breaker.

If given the opportunity, I would fly Iberia Business Class again.

Planning a Trip to Spain?

If you’re planning a trip to Spain, I have a several blog posts to help you plan an amazing and affordable trip!

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The post Iberia Business Class Trip Report: Miami to Madrid (2024) appeared first on Traveling Franklins.

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