Iberia Plus is the loyalty program of Iberia, Spain's largest airline and a member of the oneworld® alliance. Like its sister airlines British Airways and Aer Lingus, Iberia Plus uses Avios as its currency, but with its own specific program rules, including expiration.

Iberia Plus Avios Expiration Policy

According to the Iberia Plus program terms, Avios expire after 36 months of inactivity. This means you must have at least one transaction involving earning or spending Avios credited to your Iberia Plus account within any three-year period to keep your entire balance active.

If 36 months pass without any qualifying activity, your Avios balance will expire.

How to Keep Your Iberia Plus Avios From Expiring

Preventing your Iberia Plus Avios from expiring requires ensuring qualifying activity occurs at least once every 36 months. Common ways include:

  • Earn Avios:
    • Fly with Iberia, Iberia Express, Iberia Regional Air Nostrum, or its oneworld partners and other airline partners.
    • Use an Iberia co-branded credit card (like the Chase Iberia Visa Signature® Card in the US) for purchases.
    • Transfer points from flexible currency programs like American Express Membership Rewards, Chase Ultimate Rewards, or Bilt Rewards. (Note: Avios can often be transferred between BA, Iberia, Aer Lingus, and Qatar accounts, which can also count as activity).
    • Earn Avios through hotel stays, car rentals, shopping portals, or other non-airline partners linked with Iberia Plus.
  • Spend Avios:
    • Book award flights on Iberia or partner airlines (often good value for transatlantic business class).
    • Use Avios for upgrades on Iberia flights.
    • Redeem Avios for hotel stays, car rentals, or experiences via the Iberia Plus portal.

Any single qualifying earning or spending activity will reset the 36-month expiration clock for your Iberia Plus Avios balance.

How to Earn Iberia Plus Avios

Flying with Iberia

Iberia uses a revenue-based earning system, meaning the number of Avios you earn is tied to the price of your ticket rather than the distance flown. More expensive fares generate more Avios, while discounted long-haul tickets may not be as rewarding.

Earning rates vary by tier within the Iberia Plus program:

  • Iberia Plus Clásica: 5 Avios per euro spent
  • Iberia Plus Plata: 6 Avios per euro spent
  • Iberia Plus Oro: 7 Avios per euro spent
  • Iberia Plus Platino: 8 Avios per euro spent

Flying with Partner Airlines

As a member of the Oneworld alliance, Iberia allows you to earn Avios when flying with partner carriers such as American Airlines, British Airways, Cathay Pacific, and others.

Earning on partner flights is based on distance traveled and fare class, rather than ticket price. For example, when flying with Japan Airlines, premium economy tickets in fare codes W or R earn 1 Avios per mile flown. However, a premium economy ticket in fare code P only earns 0.5 Avios per mile.

Since rules vary significantly by airline and fare class, it is best to consult Iberia’s official earning charts before booking.

Credit Card Transfer Partners

Another major way to build your Iberia Avios balance is through credit card transfers. Iberia is part of the broader Avios ecosystem, which means you can transfer points freely from other Avios programs (such as British Airways or Qatar Airways) and from several flexible points currencies.

Current transfer partners include:

  • American Express Membership Rewards – 1:1
  • Bilt Rewards – 1:1
  • Chase Ultimate Rewards – 1:1
  • Capital One Miles – 1:1
  • Citi ThankYou Points (via Qatar) – 1:1
  • Wells Fargo Rewards – 1:1
  • Marriott Bonvoy – 3:1 (with a 5,000 Avios bonus for every 60,000 points transferred)
  • Ramp Rewards – 1.5:1

Occasionally, credit card issuers run transfer bonuses of up to 30%, most often with British Airways Executive Club. Since Avios can be transferred freely between Iberia, British Airways, and Qatar Airways, these promotions are an easy way to maximize your return.

Several popular rewards cards provide easy access to Iberia Avios through transfer partners. Two of the most versatile options include:

These cards, along with others from Amex, Citi, and Wells Fargo, make it relatively simple to accumulate Avios for your next redemption.

Official Policy

For the most accurate and detailed information, always refer to the official Iberia Plus documentation:

Summary

Iberia Plus Avios expire after 36 months of inactivity, but any qualifying earning or redemption activity resets the clock for your entire balance. The easiest ways to keep Avios active include transferring points from major credit card partners, flying with Iberia or Oneworld carriers, or making redemptions through the Iberia Plus portal.

Earning opportunities are extensive, with Iberia’s revenue-based earning model, partner airlines, hotels, car rentals, and shopping channels all contributing to your balance. Flexible transfer partners like Amex, Chase, Capital One, Citi, and Bilt make it simple to top up your account, especially when transfer bonuses are available.

With multiple pathways to keep your Avios from expiring and strong redemption options for transatlantic flights and upgrades, Iberia Plus remains a valuable program for travelers planning both regional and long-haul trips.

Disclaimer: Always use credit responsibly. Program terms and conditions can change. This guide is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. Verify details directly with Iberia.