This site is reader-supported. When you buy through our links, we sometimes earn a commission from the provider — at no extra cost to you. In fact, you'll often get an exclusive discount. These partnerships fund our independent work, but never shape our conclusions. Learn more
Iberia has joined forces with Holafly to provide travelers on routes outside the European Union with a complimentary eSIM, ensuring they can stay connected the moment they touch down. If you have an active booking with an origin or destination outside the EU, you can now find a discount code within the 'Manage my booking' section of the Iberia website or app.
Each traveler on the reservation is eligible for their own unique code, which can be redeemed for a free eSIM. While this sounds like the perfect travel companion, there are four catches you should consider before you claim yours.
Four Catches to Consider
There are four things to bear in mind that might be slightly disappointing if you were expecting a completely hassle-free experience.
- It is only valid for 24 hours: While free is free, do not expect Iberia to cover your entire trip. This is a promotional hook; once the day is up, you will have to pay to stay connected. Holafly is relatively expensive, and since most British travelers only need about 10GB for a trip, paying for their "unlimited" premium is often an unnecessary expense.
- The "unlimited" label comes with caveats: While marketed as unlimited, our independent tests across Spain, Norway, the Netherlands, Belgium, Japan, Korea, Qatar, Singapore, Indonesia, and Malaysia suggest that usage is not really unlimited. In our test we often noticed speed throttling or service interruptions. We also found that hotspot support was often restricted. In our performance benchmarks, Holafly consistently ranked among the slower providers we have tested. It's not unfair, but it could be made more transparent.
- You pay with your data: By claiming this offer, you are handing your personal details over to Holafly and entering their marketing funnel. During our testing, we received several promotional emails and surveys within hours of redeeming the code, despite not opting into any marketing communications.
- Iberia Plus membership might be required: The offer seemed to be aimed at Iberia Plus members ("Get an Holafly eSIM with unlimited data for one day, just for being an Iberia Club member."). This is a drawback for British Airways Executive Club members, as it means your Avios and Tier Points for the booking will be credited to Iberia Plus instead of your BA account.
Holafly Fair Use Policy
*On the Holafly website FAQ (under the third tab), a Fair Usage Policy of 90GB per month is mentioned (averaging out to 3GB per day), yet you will not come across this information during the Iberia checkout process.
If you are looking for free data with clearer terms and less hassle, you might be interested in a free Global Eskimo eSIM with 1 GB, or you could explore other alternatives that are simpler to redeem.
How it works: Claiming your free Holafly data
That said, free is free, and there is no harm in taking a freebie if you know what to expect. If 24 hours of connectivity is useful, for example during a layover in Madrid, then why not? For British travelers using this British Airways partner, it is a handy perk, especially when flying to Latin America via Madrid.
We should note that we were unable to find the offer within the Iberia app itself, but it is a straightforward process on the website.
The screenshots below explain the step-by-step process of how to find and redeem your code.
First, head to 'Manage my booking' on the Iberia website. You will be asked to enter your surname and your booking reference, which consists of six characters. Once logged in, click on 'Complete your trip' in the menu on the left-hand side. You will then be presented with the screen below.
After clicking "Get your Code' on the bottom right, a popup will appear containing your unique code or codes. Copy these and then click the "Redeem your code at Holafly" button at the bottom of the page.
After retrieving your code, you will be directed to a dedicated Holafly landing page with Iberia branding: https://brands.holafly.com/iberia-unlimited-data. This page is more basic than the standard site; for instance, the FAQ and Fair Usage Policy are notably absent. Simply search for your destination and follow the prompts to confirm your free eSIM.
Following these steps, we received the free eSIM via WhatsApp and email within minutes. Unfortunately, we also received the first promotional emails despite not signing up for them, which is simply a trade-off you have to accept.
The bottom line
Ultimately, free is free, and there is no harm in taking a freebie if you only need a connection for a few hours. It can be a useful short-term solution while you are in transit, provided you do not have to pay for it.
However, do manage your expectations. Between the 24-hour limit, the likelihood of speed throttling, and the potential loss of Tier Points for British Airways Executive Club members, it is not a perfect solution. If you can live with some promotional mails and a basic service, it is a useful stop-gap. Just do not rely on it for your entire trip.
Disclaimer: This review is based on our independent testing and personal experiences as of December 2025. Third-party promotional offers and their associated terms and conditions are subject to change without notice. We strongly recommend verifying the specific details of your booking with Iberia and Holafly before redeeming any codes.
