I recently flew IB Express from MAD-FUE-MAD in economy. Prior to travel, I was struggling to find answers to whether I would receive full Oneworld Emerald benefits as a BAEC GCH as per a standard Iberia flight, so I thought I’d feedback here. I booked my flight on the Iberia Express website and booked a hand baggage only fare.

1) Inputting BAEC card into the system was impossible. Even after a few attempts, it would not stick. I called the help desk and even tried with Iberia when passing through Madrid airport a couple of months ago but they too failed, citing that Iberia Express uses a different system.

2) SEATING- even though the Iberia Express website states that Oneworld Emerald and Sapphire can preallocate seating, the system kept trying to charge me for seats. I wondered if this arose from the fact that my BAEC card was not registered. I therefore waited until check in. Online checkin allocated me a seat that I was then unable to change, despite there being other seats to choose from. At the airport, I was able to change my seat with the agent and also get my BA EC number inputted. My boarding pass showed my BA number and Oneworld Emerald tier level.

3) BAGGAGE AND LOUNGE- no problems getting a free checked bag despite being on a hand baggage only fare and no problems accessing the lounge.

4) For the return flight, now that my BA EC number was showing in the system, I thought I’d be able to choose seats, but alas no, same problem as in 2).

So so in summary, seating appears to be a problem, but otherwise, Emerald benefits as usual.
(Still waiting for the flight tier points and Avios to post 1 week later)