Hey {{first name | reader}},
Happy Wednesday! Halfway through the week. Coffee in hand, three things today:
Iberia's new A321XLR to Newark (and why 40,500 Avios is still solid)
Who Points Master is really for (newbies vs already-advanced)
For Mike + the avgeeks: the big airshows to have on your radar
Iberia's new A321XLR to Newark: lie flat seats for 40,500 Avios
Iberia just announced a new route: Madrid (MAD) – Newark (EWR) starting March 29, 2026, operated daily by their brand-new Airbus A321XLR.
Why this is interesting:
The hard product
Iberia's A321XLR is a long-range narrowbody with a surprisingly premium cabin up front:
14 business-class seats in a 1 - 1 layout (only single seats – no neighbors)
Thompson VantageSOLO seats – the same basic platform JetBlue uses in Mint on the A321, customized for Iberia
All seats are lie-flat, with direct aisle access and about 76" bed length
18" 4K screens, USB-A/USB-C + AC power, Bluetooth audio, and the new Airspace cabin lighting that makes the whole thing feel more "wide-body" than "A320 with delusions of grandeur"
Iberia A321XLR business class seats
So yes, it's "just" a narrowbody - but it's 14 lie-flat business class seats and no middle seats anywhere. For an 8-hour hop, that's more than enough if the soft product holds up (does it with Iberia though?...). I honestly prefer wide-bodies, but let's face it, this is not a bad option.
The Avios angle
This route falls in the 3,000–4,000 mile band, which Iberia now prices at 40,500 Avios one-way in business on off-peak dates and 59,000 Avios for peak dates after their 2025 devaluation (it used to be 34k).
It's not the "insane sweet spot" it once was, but:
40,500 Avios + moderate surcharges for a lie-flat throne seat across the Atlantic is still very reasonable. At Points Master pricing strategies, this means you can get this 8-hour flight for around $665 USD, which is a STEAL
You can book it either via Iberia Plus or via BA Executive Club using Avios—just compare taxes/fees, as Iberia often comes out cheaper on their own flights
Bottom line: If you collect Avios and like boutique-style business cabins, Iberia's A321XLR to Newark is a route worth bookmarking.
Still on the fence about Points Master? Let's answer some real questions
A bunch of you have been replying to the newsletter with variations of the same theme: "This sounds great… but is it actually for me?"
So instead of shouting "BUY NOW," let's do a quick FAQ based on what people are genuinely asking.
"I already use points and fly business sometimes. Is this too basic for me?"
No.
If you're already booking the occasional business ticket with points, you're not starting from zero, but most people in that position are still heavily reliant on one or two programs (often Aeroplan, Flying Blue, or a home airline).
Points Master gives you:
A structured way to use 11 different programs
Access to 70+ airlines worldwide through partnerships
Concrete strategies for things like Lufthansa First and Singapore Suites, not just "generic" redemptions
So instead of "I can sometimes make this work," the goal is "I have multiple ways to make this work, across regions and alliances."
"I'm not a total beginner, but I'm nowhere near Dan-level. Is that OK?"
That's actually the sweet spot.
You don't need to be a ninja, and you don't need to be clueless. If you understand the basics but:
Feel like availability is getting worse
Keep running into dead ends with your one favorite program
Want a clearer map of what good value looks like by region
…then you'll get a lot out of the course.
And if you are a beginner, it doesn't matter! The first chapter is all about the basics of Points and Miles, so you can start flying for cheap in business class from scratch.
"I only travel 1 - 2 times a year. Is it still worth it?"
If at least one of those trips includes a long-haul in business or first class flight, then yes, it can absolutely be worth it.
The course is designed to help you save 20 - 80% off regular cash prices on premium cabins. If it helps you get even one international flight at a much lower cost than you'd otherwise pay, it can pay for itself pretty quickly.
If you only ever fly short-haul economy and don't plan on changing that, then it's probably not for you.
"I don't live in the US / I only have local credit cards. Does that matter?"
Nope.
The course is not built around US mega-signup-bonus hacks. A lot of students are in Canada, Europe, Australia, Asia, and everywhere else arround the world.
We focus on:
Buying points smartly, when it makes sense
Using partner programs and alliance tricks
Realistic ways to earn and burn without needing 15 premium credit cards in one country
"Is this about flying for free, or just cheaper?"
Is there actually anything free in this world? Very much "cheaper," not "free."
The realistic goal is:
Fly in business or first while paying far less than cash prices, using points intelligently across multiple programs.
You'll still pay something (taxes, surcharges, sometimes a bit of cash on top), but not $3–6k per ticket if we can help it.
"How do I know if now is the right time for me?"
Good question. A simple test:
Do you see yourself taking at least one long-haul flight in the next few years?
Do you want those to be in business or first, not the back of the plane?
Are you willing to spend a bit of time learning a system once, so you can reuse it again and again?
If yes, then the Black Friday price ($747 instead of $999) is the cheapest entry point we offer.
And if you're still unsure, you can always book a free 30-minute call with me. Tell me where you live, how you travel, and what you want to book in the next 12 - 24 months, and I'll tell you honestly whether I'd join now or wait.
For the avgeeks: the big airshows to plan around
This one's for Mike, who replied to the Dubai Airshow email with: "Wow, the Dubai airshow sounds really amazing! Can you folks give us a few months notice on when the next airshows will be so us wanna-be avgeeks can try to attend?"
So here's a quick hit-list of the major global airshows you might want to build a trip around over the next couple of years:
2025 Dubai Airshow
🇸🇬 Singapore Airshow – Changi Exhibition Centre
Dates: February 3 - 8, 2026
The big Asia-Pacific show: great if you're based in or heading to Southeast Asia. Strong on military, tech, and Asia-based airlines.
🇬🇧 Farnborough International Airshow – UK
Dates: July 20 - 24, 2026
Alternates with Paris. Classic "orders and announcements" show, plus flying displays. Easy to combine with a London trip.
🇫🇷 Paris Air Show – Le Bourget, Paris
Next edition: June 14 - 20, 2027 at Paris–Le Bourget
The largest aerospace show in the world. Trade days first, then public days with flight demos, static displays, and way too many planes to photograph in one visit.
If you're an avgeek, these are the three I'd start with. You can already plug the dates into your calendar and start scheming trips around them, and I'll keep sharing more aviation-nerd content as these get closer.
That's it for today. More deals and strategies coming your way on Friday.
Catch you in the clouds,
Tomi