After British Airways, Iberia also revolutionizes its loyalty program, but it's not so bad
In late 2024 British Airways had shocked everyone with a revamp of its loyalty program, a change that sparked [...]
Iberia
Oneworld
By the end of 2024, British Airways had shocked everyone with a revamp of its loyalty program, a Change that has sparked controversy and discussion in the U.K. and not only that, Her Majesty's carrier also made a fake backtrack, but on closer inspection she did not move much from her plans.
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And so when a few days later Iberia also announced that its changes to Iberia Plus would arrive in mid-February, many of us expected a change in line with that of BA., but it was not that bad, indeed on closer inspection from early examples and simulations, one might think that IAG decided to run for cover by modifying Iberia's program, but not so drastically leaving open the possibility that many displaced from the executive club would find refuge in the Iberian FF.
Here are the changes to Iberia Plus announced yesterday
The first thing that emerges is that getting to the Emerald oneWorld level, that is, the one that opens the doors to First's lounges in this alliance, will be easier than in the British Airways Club.
The real news, however, is that elite points will also be earned from spending at loyalty program partners, meaning that up to 30% of the points needed to have the status will be accumulated by not flying.
Iberia also chooses to earn status based on spending, but not quite
In theory, it is a system similar to the new British Airways system., however it also borrows a little bit of Volare's FF rules from ITA Airways. What makes the difference, however, is Spanish spending power compared to Britain; if purchasing power is lower, it is logical to expect a less harsh path for those who choose Iberia Plus.
The point is just that, you will get one elite point, every euro you spend (after taxes), but on top of that there will be bonuses tied to class of travel when you fly Iberia, British Airways and American Airlines, while for other oneWorld carriers the accumulation of elite points will be tied to a fixed table.
A new eltite level in the Iberia Plus family.
Keeping out of the game the Infinita and Infinita Prime levels, which require high expenses and are definitely not interesting for us Italians, the new levels are as follows:
- Plata - equivalent to British Airways Bronze - 3,500 elite points or 20 segments
- Gold - equivalent to British Airways Silver - 7,500 elite points or 40 segments
- Platinum - equivalent to British Airways Gold - 20,000 elite points or 90 segments
- Platinum Prime - also equivalent to BA Gold - 30,000 elite points
What I don't understand is the unnecessary complications, for example you become Platinum with 20k elite points, but since when you cross the 18k point mark they give you 1000 points, wasn't it simpler to say you needed 19k points to get to Platinum?
Very positive that the possibility of arrive at status also based on the segments flown, a lack that many Volare users regret, in this case, however, only flights made on Iberia or Iberia Express rail are valid; Vueling or British Airways flights, or other oneWorld carriers are not counted.
The bonuses for "travel class" are interesting
BA has announced bonuses that accelerate the accumulation of elite points only for a restricted period, extended after the controversy, but still operational only in this transitional phase, at Iberia Plus, on the other hand, bonus points are an integral part of the program and especially the keystone to be able to get to the desired status without spending a fortune.
When you fly with Iberia, you will get:
- 75 to 150 bonus elite points per segment based on the type of short-haul economy ticket
- 175 to 275 bonus elite points per segment for short-haul business tickets
- 150 to 250 bonus elite points per segment for long-haul economy tickets
- 275 to 325 bonus elite points per segment for long-haul premium economy tickets
- 350 to 600 bonus elite points per segment For long-haul business tickets (based on route)
In the demonstrations done by Iberia there are some examples where, on balance adding up basic elite points and bonus points, a commuter could get to the Silver level with a real expense of about 3k, certainly not the 10k pounds needed with BA.
The really interesting thing though is the fact that you can accumulate elite points with your daily spending on partners, physical and otherwise. As we have often explained in our articles, accumulating points with car rentals, hotels, online shopping helps to accumulate points and now you will also get 1 elite point for every 10 avios accumulated up to a maximum of 30% of the points needed.
Before you ask, I already tell you that it is not possible to convert points American Express Membership Rewards In elite points. As well as all those activities that did not lead to expenditures with partners.
If the buildup with "non-BA" carriers with BA is a real nightmare, because they are recognized only infrequent percentages of the routes flown, things are much more interesting at Iberia.
They will earn bonus elite points On British Airways flights credited to Club Iberia Plus:
- Short range - 75 elite points in economy, 175 in business
- Long range (3,000+ miles) - 150 elite points in economy, 275 in premium economy, 350 in business, 450 in first class
For all other carriers, however, there is a fixed table, this means that on a Milan/Bangkok business class with Qatar Airways you will get 5000 elite points, 1/4 of those needed to get to Platinum.
In conclusion
Honestly, these changes may shift my plan from Cathay to Iberia., if in the next few days everything is finalized in detail, and this situation is confirmed I think without a doubt I might prefer Iberia, also because of the possibility of continuing to move MR to Avios as I do today.
Then considering that 3000 elite points, thanks to shopping or rentals, should be (almost) a piece of cake, the threshold of Platinum diveanta truly accessible. At this point one wonders, why they made this choice and not to merge the two programs by creating a single FF as is the case with Air France KLM.
