Iberia has today announced similar changes to its Iberia Plus program, which is also renamed as Club Iberia Plus, like what its sister company British Airways announced just before the New Year (read more here) and which it had to partially already sweeten due to unprecedented backlash from its frequent flier community.
Iberia is essentially dismantling the Iberia Plus program, considering that the BA requirements were already high for a market that attracts higher-yielding passengers. I doubt that there are many elite members left with Iberia once these changes have been fully rolled out.
You can access Iberia here.
These changes are effective on April Fool’s Day (April 1, 2025).
1 Euro (excluding actual taxes/fees) = 1 Elite Points
Iberia Plus Tiers & Requirements
Iberia Plus Plata (Oneworld Ruby) = 3,500 Euros (3,500 Elite Points) or 20 segments
Iberia Plus Oro (Oneworld Sapphire) = 7,500 Euros (7,500 Elite Points) or 40 segments
Iberia Plus Platino (Oneworld Emerald) = 20,000 Euros (20,000 Elite Points) or 90 segments
Iberia Plus Platino Prome (Oneworld Emerald) = 30,000 Euros (30,000 Elite Points) & Status valid for 2 years
Iberia Plus Infinita (Oneworld Emerald) – Lifetime = 400,000 Euros (400,000 Elite Points)
Iberia Plus Infinita Prime (Oneworld Emerald) – Lifetime = 640,000 Euros (640,000 Elite Points)
There are bonus Elite Points for certain types of tickets. Club Iberia Plus members can earn up to 30% of the Elite Points from partner transactions, such as credit card and Iberia Plus Store. Elite Points are earned at 10 Avios = 1 Elite Point ratio.
Conclusion
These changes are insane and prove how out of touch the people at the Avios and IAG are.
They don’t appear to understand that passengers have a choice, and if they prioritize price and comfort, they choose to fly on other airlines. However, Iberia is quite strong in traffic between Spain and its ex-colonies in Spanish-speaking Americas.
I am sure that Iberia, IAG, and Avios try very hard to put lipstick on a pig and prove how beneficial these changes are for Club Iberia Plus members, but the only ones who benefit from these are those who fly on very expensive tickets (business travelers). Everyone else is simply a loser.
