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IHG One Rewards Premier vs Iberia Visa Signature: Which Is Better In 2025?
July 1, 2025

Editor's Picks
- The IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card is best for frequent guests of IHG properties who want to maximize hotel rewards and enjoy elite status benefits.
- The Iberia Visa Signature® Card is ideal for travelers looking to earn Avios for flights on Iberia and its Oneworld airline partners.
IHG One Rewards Premier Breakdown
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Why We Like It
Here’s a closer look at why the IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card stands out in a crowded field of travel cards.
- Cardholders automatically receive Platinum Elite status, unlocking perks like a fourth reward night free and complimentary room upgrades where available.
- Although it has an annual fee, the card offers an impressive earning rate of up to 26x points on IHG stays and 5x points on travel, gas, and dining.
- The Anniversary Free Night Certificate alone can justify the annual fee, as it’s redeemable at properties valued up to 40,000 points. (publisher-formulated estimate)
Pros
- An annual free night certificate valid at eligible IHG properties.
- Automatic Platinum Elite status, which unlocks benefits like room upgrades and late check-out.
- A fourth reward night free on point redemptions for stays of four or more nights.
Cons
- The rewards program offers limited flexibility, as points have few transfer partners and are best used for IHG stays.
- It lacks some of the premium travel protections that come standard with other top-tier travel cards.
- The anniversary free night certificate is capped, potentially excluding some of IHG’s more aspirational properties.
Iberia Visa Signature Breakdown
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Why We Like It
This section breaks down why we like the Iberia Visa Signature® Card.
- The card offers a solid rewards rate on airline and hotel purchases and has an annual fee, but no foreign transaction fees.
- Cardholders receive a 10% discount on Iberia flights and can earn a valuable discount voucher for companion travel each year.
- To offset the annual fee, you would need to redeem approximately 6,785 Avios annually, assuming a value of 1.4 cents per Avios (publisher-formulated estimate).
Pros
- Cardholders can earn a substantial welcome bonus and accumulate flexible Avios points, which are transferable to several airline partners.
- Offers exclusive discounts on Iberia flights and a yearly discount voucher, making it highly valuable for those who frequently fly with the airline.
- Comes with a suite of travel protections and doesn't charge foreign transaction fees on international purchases.
Cons
- Despite having an annual fee, it lacks common airline card perks like priority boarding or a free checked bag.
- Redeeming rewards can be challenging due to a clunky website and restrictions on partner bookings and the annual discount voucher.
- Points can expire due to inactivity, and strict application rules may make it difficult for some to qualify.
Iberia Visa Signature vs IHG One Rewards Premier
Categories
Deciding which is better, the IHG One Rewards Premier or Iberia Visa Signature, depends entirely on whether your travel loyalty lies with hotels or airlines.
- IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card: This card is best for frequent travelers who regularly stay at IHG Hotels & Resorts and want to maximize hotel-specific benefits like elite status and reward nights.
- Iberia Visa Signature® Card: This card is built for travelers who fly with Iberia or its Oneworld alliance partners and want to earn and redeem Avios for flights.
Redemption
IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card: Points earned with this card are primarily redeemed for reward nights at IHG's extensive portfolio of hotels and resorts worldwide. Cardholders can also use points for other travel-related purchases or transfer them to airline partners.
Iberia Visa Signature® Card: Cardholders redeem Avios, the program's currency, for flights on Iberia and its Oneworld alliance airline partners. Avios can also be used for flight upgrades and other travel rewards.
Travel Perks
- Travel Ecosystem: The IHG Premier Card's ecosystem is hotel-focused, revolving around the extensive IHG Hotels & Resorts portfolio. In contrast, the Iberia Visa Signature Card is airline-centric and integrated with the Oneworld alliance, which includes partners like American Airlines and British Airways.
- Foreign Transaction Fees: Both cards are traveler-friendly, as neither charges foreign transaction fees on international purchases.
- Lounge Access: Neither card offers complimentary airport lounge access as a standard perk.
- Booking Portals: Cardholders use the IHG One Rewards portal to book hotel stays with points, while the Iberia Plus portal is used to redeem Avios for flights.
Compare Top Rated Credit Cards with Kudos
To make the right choice, a tool like Kudos can help you compare top-rated cards using your own spending data for personalized recommendations.
- Test drive credit cards: Use your real transaction history to simulate potential earnings with different cards before applying, without impacting your credit score.
- Detailed approval odds: Get a comprehensive analysis of your chances of being approved for a card based on your credit report.
- Welcome offer guarantee: If you find a better public welcome offer for a card you got through Kudos within three months, Kudos will match it.
- $100 Kudos Kickstart+: Earn $100 in rewards when you add select approved cards to your Kudos Wallet.
- Kudos Boost: Earn extra rewards on top of your regular card rewards when you shop at participating stores.
- Smart wallet autofill: The Kudos browser extension can automatically select and fill in the best card from your wallet at checkout to maximize rewards on every purchase.
Who Should Choose the IHG One Rewards Premier?
The IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card is tailor-made for travelers who frequently stay with IHG Hotels & Resorts, including brands like Holiday Inn, InterContinental, and Kimpton. These cardholders are typically looking to enhance their stays with valuable perks, such as the automatic Platinum Elite status and an annual Anniversary Free Night certificate. Furthermore, the card is most beneficial for those who can maximize its features, like redeeming points for longer trips to take advantage of the fourth-night-free benefit.
Who Should Choose the Iberia Visa Signature?
The Iberia Visa Signature® Card is an excellent choice for U.S.-based travelers who are already invested in the Avios ecosystem and frequently fly with Iberia, British Airways, Aer Lingus, or other Oneworld alliance partners. This cardholder is looking to maximize their rewards through a solid earnings structure, which includes 3 Avios per dollar on partner airline purchases and 2 Avios per dollar on direct hotel bookings. Beyond just earning points, the ideal user will take advantage of practical travel perks like a 10% discount on Iberia flights, a yearly companion voucher, and no foreign transaction fees, as detailed in this Iberia Visa Signature card review.
Alternatives to Consider
If the IHG One Rewards Premier vs. Iberia Visa Signature comparison didn't convince you that either card is the right fit, there are several other excellent travel rewards cards to explore.
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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
Before You Apply
- Check your credit score to ensure you meet the general requirements for approval.
- Review issuer application rules, like Chase's 5/24 rule, which may affect your eligibility.
- Plan your spending to ensure you can meet any welcome offer requirements without overspending.
Application Strategy
- Use trusted platforms - Some services provide streamlined access to the best available offers and can simplify the application process.
- Time your application - Align applying with a large planned purchase to help meet any welcome offer spending requirements.
- Be patient - You can often decline an initial offer with no credit impact and try again later for a better one.
Our Methodology
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.
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
Which card is better for international travel?
The Iberia Visa Signature Card is generally better for international travel, especially to Europe, due to its airline-specific benefits and Avios rewards. The IHG One Rewards Premier Card is more valuable if you frequently stay at IHG properties worldwide.
Can I transfer points between IHG and Iberia?
No, you cannot directly transfer points between the IHG One Rewards program and the Iberia Plus program. They are separate loyalty programs with distinct reward currencies.
Is it worth getting both cards?
For frequent travelers who utilize both Iberia for flights and IHG for hotel stays, holding both cards can be highly beneficial. This strategy allows you to maximize rewards and benefits across both your air travel and accommodations.
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Editorial Disclosure: Opinions expressed here are those of Kudos alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.














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