Iberia Adds Status Match in the Wake of Air Berlin Shut Down
One of our favorite ways to earn elite status quickly is through a status match. If you're used to being spoiled as an elite on one airline, it can be rough to go back to the ground floor on another airline or alliance. Status matches allow you to jump to a new airline while still retaining key perks like lounge access, free checked luggage and bonus miles. It's a win-win: airlines get a valuable new customer while that customer is able to enjoy perks right off the bat.
So perhaps it's no surprise that in the wake of the pending Air Berlin shut down, Iberia is ready to pick up some valuable new customers orphaned by the soon-to-be-defunct German carrier. It's offering a status match to fellow Oneworld elites at Air Berlin, but it's not stopping there. The same offer is also valid for elites with Star Alliance member Lufthansa.

Unfortunately, this status match doesn't seem to allow you to match to the airline's top-tier "Platino" level, which comes with Oneworld Emerald status. The highest match showing on the website is "Oro," which comes with mid-tier Sapphire status at other Oneworld airlines.
| Current Program | Current Status | Matched Status | Oneworld Status |
|---|---|---|---|
Air Berlin Topbonus | Silver | Iberia Plata | Ruby |
Air Berlin Topbonus | Gold or Platinum | Iberia Oro | Sapphire |
Lufthansa Miles&More | Frequent Traveller | Iberia Plata | Ruby |
Lufthansa Miles&More | Senator or HON Circle | Iberia Oro | Sapphire |
Here's how to complete the Iberia process:
- Download either the Spanish or German PDF. The status match isn't available in English.
- Fill in your details.
- If you have been recommended by another customer, include your Iberia Plus number in the form. Both the referrer and you will get 1,000 Avios each just to match your category.
- Take a picture of your current card.
- Send the form and the photo to ibpcampaign@iberia.es.
- You should receive an email response "in a few days... confirming the registration in Iberia Plus and the assigned level."
Not an Air Berlin or Lufthansa elite? Here's our list of all current status match and status challenge options we know about. It's important to have a game plan to leverage your current elite status, especially if you're not going to be re-qualifying in 2017.
Will you be taking advantage of this status match?
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| 2X miles | 2 miles per dollar on every purchase |
| 5X miles | 5 miles per dollar on flights and vacation rentals booked through Capital One Business Travel |
| 10X miles | 10 miles per dollar on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Business Travel |
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Why We Chose It
The Capital One Venture X Business Card has all the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card has to offer and more. It offers an incredible welcome bonus and requires an equally impressive spend to qualify. In addition, the card comes with premium travel perks like annual travel credit. (Partner offer)Pros
- The Capital One Venture X business card has a very lucrative welcome offer.
- In addition, the card comes with many premium travel perks such as an annual $300 credit for bookings through Capital One Business Travel.
- Business owners are also able to add employee cards for free.
Cons
- The card requires significant spending to earn the welcome offer.
- Another drawback is that the annual travel credit can only be used on bookings made through Capital One Business Travel.
- LIMITED-TIME OFFER: Earn up to 400K bonus miles: 200K miles when you spend $30K in the first 3 months, and an additional 200k miles when you spend $150k in the first 6 months
- Earn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase, everywhere—with no limits or category restrictions
- Earn 10X miles on hotels and rental cars and 5X miles on flights and vacation rentals booked through Capital One Business Travel
- With no preset spending limit, enjoy big purchasing power that adapts so you can spend more and earn more rewards
- Empower your teams to make business purchases while earning rewards on their transactions, with free employee and virtual cards. Plus, automatically sync your transaction data with your accounting software and pay your vendors with ease
- Redeem your miles on flights, hotels and more. Plus, transfer your miles to any of the 15+ travel loyalty programs
- Every year, you'll get 10,000 bonus miles after your account anniversary date. Plus, receive an annual $300 credit for bookings made through Capital One Business Travel
- Receive up to a $120 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®. Enjoy access to 1,300+ airport lounges worldwide, including Capital One Lounge locations and Priority Pass™ lounges, after enrollment
- Enjoy a $100 experience credit and other premium benefits with every hotel and vacation rental booked from the Premier Collection
- This is a pay-in-full card, so your balance is due in full every month

