Iberia, Avios earning regulation change is already in chaos before it even goes into effect
In the past few weeks we told about the change in the regulations on the accumulation of Avios points in the Iberia Plus loyalty program. An announcement [...]
Iberia
Oneworld
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In recent weeks we have reported on the change in the regulation On the accumulation of Avios points in the Iberia Plus loyalty program.
It was an announcement that had hinted that soon British Airways Executive Club members would also have to adapt to the change, i.e., accumulate Avios based on spending and not based on distance flown as is the case today.
However, things are not going as planned
The change has not yet come into operation, but it is clear that the Spanish company has not done the math right; in fact, it has already changed the rules on some routes.
Flights between Madrid and Barcelona will earn you more Avios
As on Milan/Linate, high-speed rail in Spain is very competitive for flights between Madrid and Barcelona. This is despite the fact that Iberia offers a "turn up and go" shuttle service that is not tied to any particular flight: just buy your ticket show up at the gate and board the first flight.
From early rumors many users, who previously chose to fly just to accumulate points and status, have made it clear to the company that with these new rules the choice will fall to the train. As a countermeasure, Iberia Plus will allow users to get more Avios for every euro spent. The new dedicated table explains that you will accumulate 6 to 9 Avios for every euro, almost twice as much as normal.
Flights to Latin America will also earn more Avios
The change to an accumulation of points based on the amount spent, after taxes and surcharges, is likely to result in accumulations of a few hundred points, even flying intercontinental. Logical to think that those who frequently fly to South America, the Spanish airline's main catchment area, might look to the competition (e.g. from Tap Portugal or Air Europa).
As with the Madrid/Barcelona route, routes to Central/South America will also have a dedicated table, even different from the one above.
Flights to Latin America (Central America, South America, Caribbean) will generate an accumulation of 7 to 10 Avios for every euro spent, depending on the status held.
Where are the problems with the new regulation
The problems behind this change of course, which frequent travelers absolutely do not like, is that those who book early and manage to get affordable rates will be penalized in the accumulation of points. The main reason is, for example, the absence of bonuses related to the route or class of travel. Which happens instead with ITA's Volare program. Airways, which has a similar mechanism, but also has three additional multipliers that can also lead to doubling of points.
This is how the Iberia Plus program is designed, however, a business class passenger with status is likely to accumulate fewer points than a new member who buys a last-minute ticket in economy.
Iberia's management must have realized that things are not going as planned. Now we wait to see the next settlements.
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