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LATAM and Iberia Expand Their Loyalty Alliance: Reciprocal Status Recognition and Benefits Starting in 2026

Dergam Mousa

LATAM Airlines Group and Iberia have decided to deepen an agreement that, although active since 2016, is now entering a new qualitative phase. Starting in early 2026, both airlines will implement the reciprocal recognition of benefits for members of their frequent flyer programs, LATAM Pass and Iberia Club, marking a significant milestone for the intercontinental travel experience between South America and Europe.

The expansion of the agreement is not limited to mileage accrual—a territory already familiar to frequent travelers—but directly targets customer status and how that status translates into tangible benefits throughout the entire journey. All of this, the companies clarify, is subject to local regulatory restrictions and applicable legal priorities in each country.

Benefits Equivalent to One’s Own Status, Even When Flying with the Partner Airline

The core of the new agreement is clear: when a LATAM member flies with Iberia—and vice versa—they will receive benefits similar to those they enjoy with their home airline, according to their category within the corresponding loyalty program.

This recognition materializes in four key areas of the passenger experience:

Priority Throughout the Journey
From check-in to boarding and baggage claim, members will maintain the priorities associated with their status, an aspect particularly valued by corporate travelers and long-haul frequent flyers.

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Comfort and Premium Services
The agreement includes access to VIP lounges and seat selection at no additional cost, bringing the experience closer to a homogeneous standard regardless of whether the flight is operated by LATAM or Iberia.

Operational Flexibility
Members will have extra baggage allowance, no matter which of the two airlines operates the flight, a benefit that is often a differentiator on high-density transatlantic routes.

Dual Reward Accrual
LATAM Pass passengers will continue to accrue miles and qualifying points on Iberia flights, while Iberia Club members will earn Avios and Elite points when flying with LATAM. This point reinforces the logic of cross-loyalty and avoids fragmentation of accumulated value.

LATAM Pass Global Experience: Loyalty Beyond Airline

From LATAM’s perspective, this expansion falls under the benefit called “LATAM Pass Global Experience,” an initiative aimed at extending the program’s value beyond the group’s own operations.

As explained by Cristián Ortiz, CEO of LATAM Pass, the agreement with Iberia inaugurates “a new stage focused directly on the traveler,” with the goal of offering a more consistent experience and expanding access to benefits, services, and mileage accrual when members travel between South America and Europe.

Ortiz also emphasized the strategic dimension of the program: LATAM Pass currently has more than 53 million members globally, and the company aims for its loyalty ecosystem to become part of “every moment of daily life,” beyond the individual flight.

Iberia’s Vision: Rewarding Preference and Strengthening the Europe-Latin America Axis

From Madrid, Iberia interprets this announcement as a direct reinforcement of its value proposition in one of its strategic markets. Beatriz Guillén, Iberia’s Director of Customers, notes that deepening the agreement not only strengthens the relationship with LATAM but also allows them to fulfill a central promise: placing the customer at the heart of the strategy and more effectively rewarding passenger loyalty.

The focus is clearly on travel between Latin America and Europe, a corridor where Iberia and LATAM concentrate a significant portion of their long-haul operations and premium customer base.

An Additional Incentive Starting February 2026

Beyond status recognition, the agreement incorporates a specific incentive with a defined date. Starting February 1, 2026, LATAM Pass members will receive an extra mileage bonus on flights marketed by Iberia under a codeshare arrangement and operated by LATAM Airlines, based on their category within the program.

In this way, LATAM and Iberia are moving towards a model that reduces friction for the frequent flyer and increases the consistency of the experience across complementary networks.

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