Is Club Iberia Plus The Answer To Your Prayers?

Recent changes to British Airways’ Executive Club programme have left many frequent flyers searching for alternatives. Many airlines have stepped in with status matches – in the last month we have probably witnessed a sizeable exodus of “loyalty” from oneworld onto other alliances. 

As widely anticipated, Iberia has finally revealed what it’s revamped loyalty scheme would look like — one that could make it a compelling choice for those looking to stay within the oneworld alliance.

Introducing Club Iberia Plus

Elite Points: Earn Based on Spending

Iberia has now officially shifted to a revenue-based status system, where Elite Points are earned per Euro spent (excluding taxes and fees). However, Iberia stands out by allowing customers to earn Elite Points through spending with programme partners—something British Airways does not offer.

• Elite Points can be earned through purchases with over 90 partner brands, including hotels, car rentals, and retail.
• For every 10 Avios earned through partner spending, you receive 1 Elite Point.
• Up to 30% of the required Elite Points for status can come from partner brand spending.

This structure offers a more transparent and reliable path to earning status, akin to American Airlines’ AAdvantage Loyalty Points system.

Club Iberia Plus Status Tiers

Iberia has introduced a new tier, Platino Prime, alongside its existing levels.

Below is a breakdown of the required Elite Points or flights for each tier, along with their oneworld equivalents:

While these thresholds align with British Airways’ new requirements, Iberia offers better value for spend since a Euro is currently stronger than a British pound.

Additionally, Iberia provides a clear system for earning bonus points, which British Airways’ programme has left somewhat vague.

Note here the Infinita and Infinita Prime are lifetime tiers, which once reached, fliers retain for life, which in previous BA Executive Club had at 35,000 Tier Miles.

Elite Points Fixed Bonuses: Extra Points by Cabin Class

In addition to spend-based earnings, Iberia offers fixed Elite Point bonuses based on flight distance and cabin class.

Iberia Flights Bonus Elite Points Table

BA & AA Extra Elite Points Table

Notably, Iberia Business Class on certain routes earns as much as BA’s First Class—giving Iberia an edge in rewards for its own flights. Which is entirely understantable.

oneworld & Partner Elite Points Earnings

For flights with oneworld and partner airlines, Elite Points are still calculated based on distance and fare class..

This structure is significantly less punitive than BA’s new programme and makes attaining status more feasible.

Why Club Iberia Plus is More Attainable Than BA Executive Club

1. oneworld Partner Flights Are More Rewarding

A Qatar Airways Business Class return trip from London to Southeast Asia earns at least 5,000 Elite Points—66% of the requirement for Iberia Plus Oro (oneworld Sapphire).

The remaining balance can be earned through a single economy return flight (~75 euros) and partner spending.

This example alone is not far off what used to be possible with the Executive Club, where after a similar Qatar trip, you just needed either 4 BA Flights – 2 of which could already come from carefully choosing the Qatar trip with BA codes and then you could just do a Club Europe return to somewhere like Amsterdam.

2. Status is Achievable Through Flight Sectors Alone

With Iberia, it’s possible to attain oneworld Emerald by flying 90 sectors—ideal for frequent short-haul travelers and commuters, particularly those living in Spain but working elsewhere in Europe.

BA has capped this method to being able to achieve Silver/oneworld Sapphire only.

3. No Over-Reliance on Promotional Gimmicks

British Airways’ double Tier Points promotion artificially inflated Executive Club membership, do doubt contributing to the harsh elements of its overhaul.

Iberia’s approach is more sustainable and transparent.

3. No, You cannot earn Elite Points from Amex

Although Iberia lists Amex as a partner, it explicity states Membership Rewards (MR) transfers to Avios do not generate Elite Points. Nor do everyday spend on an Amex card. Only Iberia co-branded credit cards (primarily Mastercard) qualify.

British Airways has indicated you can earn up to 2500 Tier Points from Amex spend, but to this day, we still have no idea how much spend this requires !

Final Thoughts: A Viable Alternative for Disillusioned BA Flyers

Iberia’s new Club Iberia Plus programme presents a credible alternative for those seeking a new oneworld loyalty home come 1st April 2025.

With easier ways to earn status, generous oneworld partner accrual rates, and a clearer rewards structure, it may prove to be a lifeline for frustrated BA Executive Club members looking to stay within the alliance while maximizing their benefits.

Furthermore, Iberia as an airline has improved leaps and bounds comparing to my Iberia Business Class Trip to Santiago in 2019 and my Iberia Business Class trip to New York in 2023, I was genuinely impressed. I have not yet started to review Business Class trips within Europe that have the typical EuroBiz product but as an example, this was my meal from a flight from Madrid back to London in 2024…

This is the level Iberia is at right now, and if I was playing the status game for oneworld – I’d be my pleasure to switch over allegiance to Iberia !

For a full list of partner brands where you can earn Elite Points, visit: Iberia Partner Brands