For those using, or considering the use of Air Miles to fly home ... read on ...
I had originally reserved a non-stop from Barcelona to JFK, through American Airlines (AA), departing at 11AM on debarkation day. Since AA had already booked their alotment of seats at the normal reward level of 25,000 miles per person (not segment), one way, we would be required to utilize ANYTIME miles ... which is 60,000 miles, per person (not segment), one way. Since we were using Anytime miles, we qualified for premium seating in coach. This meant we could reserve exit row seats (with more leg room), etc., and ALSO qualified us for TWO CHECKED BAGS - EACH (plus carry on). We had selected an exit row, with a reclining back ... and thought we had it made. With the Christmas Day attempted bombing, I became a little concerned with the AA's 3 hours mandate, prior to departing (no time for error or travel to the airport).
When we spoke with American Airlines, they suggested flying with a partner airline - Iberia. Although there was no direct flight available from Barcelona to JFK, we did exchange our AA flight in favor of Iberia (business class). Barcelona to Madrid (Airbus A320) has 3-3 seating (3 seats on the PORT side, and 3 seats on the STARBOARD side, separated by an aisle. Iberia does not have specific business or 1st class seats on an A320, but rather, Iberia will only sell the aisle and window seats, of the first "x" amount of rows, leaving the middle seat vacant.
There is a 2 hour layover in Madrid - longer than I'd prefer, but plenty of time in case we experience issues with delay. We then fly Iberia Business PLUS to JFK on an Airbus 340-600 / 346. Iberia's Business PLUS is likely what everyone else might think of as 1st class. The seat configuation is 2-2-2, meaning 2 seats on the PORT side, two seats in the center, and two seats on STARBOARD side. These are the reclining seats, which lay 170 degrees (almost flat).
On this particular Iberia flight, we were able to reduce the number of air miles being used (since the flight has plenty of available seats remaining), while upgrading our seating status. Yes, we do have a layover (which I initially did not want), but am glad there is enough time in between flights, in case of delay.
While everyone else's situations will vary, the moral of the story is ... if you are redeeming air miles and have to upgrade (spend more points), consider checking with your Reward Miles airline, to see if they can suggest an alternate partner airline. I did not realize Iberia was a partner of AA.
--Steven Long
That sounds just perfect. 
I love knocking stuff off my to do list for trips. It makes it feel that much closer. 
. We can do the exchange (and some chatting, I hope!) over coffee at the Cove Cafe. I'd like to go along with Woody's great suggestion and do it on days 3, 6, 8, 10 and 13 of the cruise (day 1 being Sat. 4/10).
