Iberia Cuts Free Checked Baggage on Economy Class Award Flights

In the world of frequent flyer programs, nearly everything seems to be heading in one direction these days: downward. Award charts are regularly devalued, elite status is harder to achieve, and status benefits are being cut. The latest example comes from the Oneworld alliance and, once again, it was implemented without prior notice.

At Iberia, Economy Class award flights are now treated like cheap Light fares. This means checked baggage is no longer included by default and must be paid for separately. So far, this change appears to affect only bookings made through Iberia Plus and the British Airways Executive Club. Only status customers will have a free piece of luggage included.

Changes for Award Flights with Iberia

The change was first reported by Head for Points. According to them, cancellation options have also been removed for Iberia Plus bookings, though this can be avoided by booking through British Airways:

• Booking via Iberia Plus:
  • No cancellation possible; rebooking allowed for a €25 fee
  • No checked baggage included
• Booking via the British Airways Executive Club:
  • Cancellation or rebooking for a €42.50 fee
  • No checked baggage included

This change affects both short-haul routes within Europe and long-haul flights to destinations like North America and Japan.

British Airways displays the new baggage allowance accordingly — at least, when their website is functioning well enough to complete a booking.

Interestingly, other frequent flyer programs appear unaffected so far. For example, bookings through Alaska Mileage Plan still show one piece of included baggage. However, this could simply be a glitch on Alaska’s website.

A Silver Lining for Status Holders

For now, Oneworld elite members can breathe a sigh of relief. Unlike British Airways, Iberia still grants one free checked bag (up to 23 kg) to customers with Oneworld Sapphire status (and Iberia Plus Plata), even on Light fares:

(3) Club Iberia Plus Oro and oneworld Sapphire members are allowed an additional item of luggage (23 kg) when their allowance is 0 to 1 bags.

Baggage in the hold | iberia.com

Frequent flyers with Emerald status from Iberia, British Airways, or American Airlines are even allowed up to 32 kg instead of 23 kg.

The next question:

Will British Airways Follow?

Based on past experience, British Airways and Iberia often coordinate closely on frequent flyer program changes. For example, both airlines moved to revenue-based elite status models in quick succession.

So far, the baggage change applies only to Iberia flights. However, it seems quite likely that British Airways will follow suit soon. If that happens, the value of Avios would take a noticeable hit. After all, BA short-haul redemptions are one of the best sweet spots in the BA Executive Club — but even there, the rule “0 + 1 = 0” would apply: no free baggage, even for elite members, on Light fares.

Translated by Ditmar

Cover Picture: Ditmar Lange