IHG One Rewards Premier vs British Airways Visa Signature: Which Is Better In 2025?

British Airways Visa Signature® Breakdown

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Why We Like It

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Here’s a closer look at what makes the British Airways Visa Signature® Card a strong contender for international travelers.

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• You can earn Avios on purchases with British Airways, Aer Lingus, Iberia, and LEVEL, as well as on hotel stays purchased directly with the hotel.
• Cardholders receive a 10% discount on certain British Airways flights and pay no foreign transaction fees, though the card does carry an annual fee.
• The Travel Together Ticket, earned after spending $30,000 in a year, can provide enough value to easily offset the annual fee (publisher-formulated estimate).

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Pros

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• The ability to earn a Travel Together Ticket after meeting an annual spending requirement is a standout perk, offering significant value for companion travel.
• Cardholders receive a discount on British Airways flights originating in the U.S. and are not charged foreign transaction fees on international purchases.
• Accelerated Avios earning on purchases with British Airways and its airline partners, plus bonus rewards on hotel accommodations booked directly.

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Cons

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• The card comes with an annual fee.
• Redemption options are most valuable with British Airways and its partners, and award flights can still come with substantial taxes and fees.
• The Travel Together Ticket requires a high annual spend and has significant restrictions on how it can be used.

British Airways Visa Signature® vs IHG One Rewards Premier

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Categories

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Deciding which is better, the IHG One Rewards Premier or British Airways Visa Signature®, depends entirely on your travel style. One card is tailored for hotel loyalists, while the other is built for those who frequently fly internationally.

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• IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card is designed for frequent travelers who regularly stay at IHG Hotels & Resorts. It is best for those who value hotel rewards, elite status perks, and anniversary free nights.
• British Airways Visa Signature® Card is ideal for travelers who often fly with British Airways or its airline partners. The card's value is maximized by those who can take advantage of its companion travel benefit.

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Redemption

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IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card: Points earned with this card are primarily redeemed for reward nights at any of the properties within the IHG Hotels & Resorts portfolio. This allows cardholders to significantly offset the cost of their accommodations when traveling.

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British Airways Visa Signature® Card: Cardholders redeem their points, called Avios, for flights on British Airways and its Oneworld alliance partners. These redemptions can offer substantial value, especially for international flights or upgrades to premium cabins.

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Travel Perks

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• Travel Ecosystem: The IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card's ecosystem is built around the global portfolio of IHG Hotels & Resorts, whereas the British Airways Visa Signature® Card's ecosystem is centered on the extensive flight network of British Airways and its Oneworld alliance partners.
• Foreign Transaction Fees: Both cards are ideal for international travel as neither charges foreign transaction fees on purchases made outside the United States.
• Lounge Access: Complimentary airport lounge access is not a standard benefit offered by either card.

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Compare Top Rated Credit Cards with Kudos

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For those looking to simplify the comparison process, tools like Kudos offer a data-driven approach to finding the best card for your wallet.

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• Test Drive Feature: A standout feature is the ability to test drive credit cards. By connecting your bank accounts, Kudos analyzes your real spending data to project your potential earnings with a new card, offering a clear picture of its value before you apply.
• Welcome Offer Guarantee: If you find a better welcome offer for a card you got through Kudos within three months of approval, the platform will match it.
• Approval Odds: Members receive a detailed analysis of their approval odds for different cards based on their credit report.
• Kudos Boost & Autofill: The service offers extra rewards at participating stores through Kudos Boost and includes a browser extension that can autofill the best card to use at checkout to maximize rewards.
• Rewards & Perks: Members can earn a $100 Kickstart+ reward for adding select approved cards to their wallet and get access to personalized spending insights and exclusive offers.

Who Should Choose the IHG One Rewards Premier?

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The IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card is tailor-made for travelers who frequently stay at IHG properties like Holiday Inn, Kimpton, or InterContinental. These cardholders will get the most value from its automatic Platinum Elite status and the annual anniversary free night, which can easily offset the annual fee. Furthermore, those who take longer vacations can maximize their points with the fourth-night-free benefit on award stays.

Who Should Choose the British Airways Visa Signature®?

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The British Airways Visa Signature® Card is tailor-made for frequent flyers who are loyal to British Airways and its oneworld® global network partners. It's particularly valuable for those who regularly travel internationally and can spend enough to earn the coveted Travel Together Ticket for a companion. With no foreign transaction fees and accelerated Avios earnings on hotel stays, this card is a strong choice for travelers looking to maximize rewards on their entire journey, as detailed in this complete guide.

Alternatives to Consider

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If our IHG One Rewards Premier vs British Airways Visa Signature® comparison has you concluding that neither card is the right fit, don't worry. The travel rewards card market is full of excellent alternatives that might be better suited to your spending habits and travel aspirations.

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_{Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Enrollment may be required for select American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more. Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions, and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by Amex Assurance Company.}

Tips for Application Success

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Before You Apply

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• Check Your Credit Score: Most travel rewards cards require a good to excellent credit history.
• Review Your Travel Habits: Ensure the card’s benefits, like hotel status or airline perks, align with your typical travel patterns.
• Plan Your Spending: Make sure you can comfortably meet any spending requirements for welcome offers or unique perks without overspending.

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Application Strategy

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• Know the issuer's rules: Some issuers have restrictions on how many cards you can open in a certain period.
• Evaluate high-spend perks: Consider if you can realistically meet spending thresholds for unique benefits like companion passes.
• Consider card-specific loyalty: A card tied to a specific hotel or airline is most valuable if you are loyal to that brand.

Our Methodology

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We evaluate nearly 3,000 credit cards across the U.S. market — far more than the ~150 cards commonly featured on sites that focus only on products tied to affiliate commissions. Our goal is to provide a comprehensive, unbiased view of the credit card landscape so you can make confident, data-driven decisions.

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Our editorial team combines deep industry experience with rigorous verification standards. While our experts surface the most relevant recommendations in our guides, you can also explore the full dataset yourself through our card explorer tool, which includes thousands of cards — more than 95% of which do not provide us with commissions.

Frequently Asked Questions

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Can I have both the IHG One Rewards Premier and British Airways Visa Signature cards?

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Yes, it is possible to hold both cards at the same time. Since they are tied to separate loyalty programs, having both can be beneficial if you frequently stay at IHG hotels and fly with British Airways or its partners.

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Do the rewards from these cards transfer to each other?

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No, you cannot transfer rewards between these two programs. IHG One Rewards points and British Airways Avios are distinct currencies that exist within their respective loyalty ecosystems.

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Are there foreign transaction fees on these cards?

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Neither the IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card nor the British Airways Visa Signature® Card charges foreign transaction fees. This makes both cards suitable choices for purchases made outside of the United States.

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