Avios revolution also touches Iberia, now you can combine "Spanish" miles with Qatar miles

First the announcement that Qatar would adopt avios as currency Of the loyalty program, Then the announcement of the possibility of merging accounts between British Airways and Qatar and now it is the turn of Iberia to make an announcement quite similar.

Iberia flies from Madrid to Doha

Iberia, Qatar Airways and British Airways join forces. Together, Qatar Airways and British Airways already operate the world's largest joint airline business, covering 62 countries. Starting in July, Iberia joins this partnership in a move that will revolutionize connectivity for global travelers.

As a result of this collaboration, Iberia will add a new daily service from its hub, Madrid Barajas International Airport, with flights to Hamad International Airport, starting on December 11, 2023. Passengers will be able to connect to more than 200 destinations via the three global airlines. Together, Iberia and Qatar Airways' expanded service will operate three times a day on this route, providing unparalleled connectivity between the Iberian Peninsula and key markets in the Middle East, Africa, Asia and Australia.

Merging the accounts of three loyalty programs into one piggy bank

This is (probably) the best award ticket I've ever picked up: business + first with Qatar for €290

In a sign of world primacy, members of Iberia Plus, British Airways Executive Club and Qatar Airways Privilege Club will be able to accumulate and use their common currency, Avios. Members of the loyalty programs will be able to transfer Avios between accounts and combine their balances for rewards offered by each program.

As the press release states it is a "first time" no other loyalty program in the world grants this flexibility, because it must be remembered we are not talking about a single company like, for example, Miles&More for the Lufthansa group or Flying Blue for Air France KLM, but two separate groups although it must be remembered Qatar is in the share capital of the IAG group that controls, among others, both British Airways and Iberia.

The statements

Iberia CEO Fernando Candela commented, "Joining QJB with Qatar Airways and British Airways is excellent news for our customers. We are really excited about the launch of our Madrid-Doha route. Through QJB's hubs in London and Doha, we are building the much-desired bridge between Spain and more than 200 destinations in Asia, Australasia, the Middle East and Africa, offering new opportunities for travelers in both directions. Our country is aiming for a new model of high-quality tourism, and with the launch of Madrid-Doha, we are making a breakthrough."

Qatar Airways Group CEO, His Excellency Mr. Akbar Al Baker, said, "At Qatar Airways, we believe in connecting travelers to their destinations of choice, and our recent enhancement of the highly successful joint business with British Airways includes the addition of another oneworld member, Iberia. Our passengers will now have more opportunities than ever before to connect to different destinations across the British Airways, Iberia and Qatar Airways networks. This collaborative effort is part of our commitment to continuously improve the offerings available to our passengers and provide them with the best in the industry."

British Airways President and CEO Sean Doyle said, "Last year we expanded our joint business partnership with Qatar Airways by adding 42 countries, and I am very happy to see it grow further with the entry of Iberia. We are committed to offering our customers as much choice as possible, and working so closely with our partners in Madrid and Doha allows us to connect British Airways to more than 200 destinations around the world."

In conclusion

This was expected and expected news, but it is still good news for all serial accumulators of points and miles. Already BA and IB loyalty program members could move points at will between the two accounts, this news simplifies the transition from Iberia plus to Qatar, eliminating one step. As for the flight from Madrid to Doha, for FFs it is an additional destination reachable with points so this is good news.

• Avios
• New Routes

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