Royal Air Maroc (RAM) joined oneworld alliance earlier this month. It’s a great addition to the alliance which was missing an African-based carrier.
The airline has a strong West-African network with access to major cities such as Dakar, Conakry, Abidjan, Niamey, Lagos, Yaounde to name a few.
Royal Air Maroc reward flights out of Montreal (YUL)
Reward seats are bookable on British Airways Executive Club using Avios. However, despite a low miles requirement, the fees are disappointingly high:
A Montreal (YUL) to Casablanca (CMN) Economy one-way flight cost 20,750 Avios + $225.23. I was disappointed. I thought RAM total fees would not surpass the $100 mark.
But something change when I checked rewrd flights on BAEC this summer. I discovered the fees went from $225.23 to $62.61!!! This is great news. It makes for an amazing sweet spot.
Royal Air Maroc Reward Domestic Flights
Moroccan domestic flight save the day. They are a sweet spot. With flights averaging 6,000 Avios + $9.90 in taxes & fees. Here are some reward one-way examples in Economy class:
Casablanca (CMN) – Marrakech (RAK) 6,000 Avios + $11.75
Casablanca (CMN) – Agadir (AGA) 6,000 Avios + $11.75
You may have to call BAEC to inquire about availabilities on other secondary destinations such as Oujda and Fes.
Royal Air Maroc African Destinations
Western African cities are available on BAEC. But the fees go up and reach the $166 mark. Again the required amount of Avios is low but that fee is just hard to accept.
But ticket prices on short and medium haul African flights can be very expensive. Therefore, using Avios or AAdvantage miles can be the best alternative against a ticket priced at +$1,100.
Here are some one-way reward tickets:
Casablanca – Abidjan (ABJ) 11,000 Avios + $164.14
Casablanca – Dakar (DSS) 11,000 Avios + $101.26
Casablanca – Luanda (LAD) 20,750 Avios + $85.42
Again you may have to call BAEC/AA to find availability from some destinations that don’t show online.
The AAdvantage Alternative
Some Royal Air Maroc flights can be booked for a more reasonable fee on AA.com. A Montreal-Casablanca on-way flight fees drop to $60.40, but more miles are required: 30K for Economy class and 57,500 for Business class.
If you have a lot of RBC Rewards points you can transfer them to your AAdvantage miles account.
Conclusion
Flying direct to Morocco from Montreal using points is now possible. Despites the high fee, it is worth spending on the overnight flight. it definitely beats any transit itinerary via Europe.
Will you book your next RAM flight wth Avios or AAdvatnage miles in 2021?
its very hard to book air maroc with Avios. I have been trying to book them for a month. From BA site it dissapeared. they show up at iberia and cant book online as it throws an error. When i called them they were very clueless. I called twice and talked to two different agents. One suggested to call air marco. I told them i want to book with Avios. He said you can transfer avios to air maroc. I think he was very confused and clueless.
RAM doesn’t show all of its flights for rewards. Which flight are you trying to book?