IHG One Rewards Traveler vs Iberia Visa Signature: Which Is Better In 2025?

Iberia Visa Signature Breakdown

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Why We Like It

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Here’s a breakdown of why we like the Iberia Visa Signature.

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• Cardholders receive valuable travel perks, including a 10% discount on Iberia flights and a $1,000 discount voucher after meeting an annual spending requirement.
• While the card carries an annual fee, it has no foreign transaction fees, making it a solid choice for international travel.
• The card's welcome offer can provide enough value in Avios to easily offset the annual fee for the first year (publisher-formulated estimate).

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Pros

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• Offers accelerated rewards on purchases with partner airlines and for hotel stays booked directly with the property.
• Avios can be transferred to other airline loyalty programs, such as British Airways and Aer Lingus, for greater redemption flexibility.
• Comes with valuable travel protections, including coverage for delayed luggage and rental car insurance.

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Cons

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• Lacks common airline card perks like priority boarding or a free checked bag, despite carrying an annual fee.
• The rewards program has some notable restrictions, including points that can expire and limitations on how travel vouchers can be used.
• Strict application rules can make it difficult for some applicants to get approved.

Iberia Visa Signature vs IHG One Rewards Traveler

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Categories

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Deciding which is better, the IHG One Rewards Traveler or Iberia Visa Signature, depends entirely on your travel style. One card is designed for hotel loyalists, while the other caters to international flyers.

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• IHG One Rewards Traveler Credit Card is an entry-level hotel rewards card best for frequent travelers who stay at IHG properties. It's designed for those who want to earn hotel rewards without committing to a card with an annual fee.
• Iberia Visa Signature® Card is an international airline cobranded credit card. It is ideal for travelers who frequently fly with Iberia or its Oneworld alliance partners and want to maximize Avios earnings.

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Redemption

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IHG One Rewards Traveler Credit Card: Points earned with this card are redeemed primarily for stays across IHG's vast portfolio of hotels and resorts. You can also use points for other travel-related purchases, merchandise, or gift cards.

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Iberia Visa Signature® Card: Avios earned with this card are best used for booking flights on Iberia and its partner airlines within the Oneworld alliance. These points can also be transferred to other partner loyalty programs or used for travel perks like seat upgrades.

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Travel Perks

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• Foreign Transaction Fees: The Iberia Visa Signature® Card has no foreign transaction fees, making it a strong choice for purchases abroad. The IHG One Rewards Traveler Credit Card, however, does charge a foreign transaction fee.
• Travel Ecosystem: The IHG card is tied to the IHG hotel portfolio, offering benefits like automatic Silver Elite status and a reward night when you redeem points for a consecutive four-night stay. In contrast, the Iberia card operates within the Oneworld airline alliance; its main perks are the ability to earn and redeem Avios for flights and receive a flight discount voucher after meeting an annual spending threshold.
• Lounge Access: Neither card offers complimentary airport lounge access.

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Compare Top Rated Credit Cards with Kudos

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To make the decision easier, you can use a tool like Kudos to compare cards based on your own spending habits.

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• Test drive credit cards: Before you apply, you can simulate your potential earnings with a new card by using your actual spending data.
• See your approval odds: Get a detailed analysis based on your credit report to better understand your chances of approval.
• Welcome offer guarantee: If you find a better public welcome offer within three months of getting a card through Kudos, the platform will match it.
• Compare nearly 3,000 cards: Access a comprehensive database for an unbiased comparison, as 95% of the cards listed are not tied to commissions.

Who Should Choose the IHG One Rewards Traveler?

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The IHG One Rewards Traveler card is an excellent choice for budget-conscious travelers and those new to hotel loyalty programs who occasionally stay at IHG properties. It allows cardholders to earn rewards and enjoy perks like the fourth reward night free on point redemptions, all without the commitment of an annual fee. This makes it a compelling entry-level hotel rewards card for anyone looking to dip their toes into the IHG One Rewards ecosystem.

Who Should Choose the Iberia Visa Signature?

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The Iberia Visa Signature® Card is a strong choice for frequent travelers who are already invested in the Avios rewards program or those who often fly to Europe, particularly Spain. Cardholders can maximize value by earning extra Avios on flights with Iberia and its partners, and then redeem them for flights across the extensive Oneworld alliance. The card's flexibility is further enhanced by the ability to transfer points between Avios-earning airlines, making it a solid option for strategic award travelers, according to a review by The Points Guy.

Alternatives to Consider

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If our comparison of the IHG One Rewards Traveler Credit Card vs. the Iberia Visa Signature® Card has left you undecided, don't worry. There are several other excellent travel rewards cards that might better align with your spending habits and travel goals.

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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 good to excellent credit for the best approval odds.
• Review issuer application rules – Some issuers have rules, like Chase's 5/24 rule, that can impact your eligibility based on recently opened accounts.
• Understand the core benefits – Make sure the card’s main perks align with your actual travel and spending habits.

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Application Strategy

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• Time your application – Align your application with a planned large purchase to help meet the welcome offer's spending requirement naturally.
• Know the issuer's rules – Be aware of restrictions like Chase's 5/24 rule, which could affect your approval for cards like the Iberia Visa Signature Card.
• Have a redemption plan – Understand how you'll use the rewards, whether for a fourth night free with a hotel card or for partner flights using airline Avios.

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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Which card is better for earning elite status?

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The IHG One Rewards Traveler Card gives you a head start on elite status by granting you automatic Silver Elite status. The Iberia Visa Signature Card does not offer a comparable shortcut to elite status within the Iberia Plus or Oneworld alliance programs.

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What are Avios and how can I use them?

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Avios are the points currency for several airline loyalty programs, including Iberia Plus, which you earn with the Iberia Visa Signature Card. You can redeem Avios for flights on Iberia and its partners, such as British Airways and American Airlines.

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Which card is better for international travel?

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The Iberia Visa Signature Card is often preferred for international travel, particularly to Europe, thanks to its airline-specific rewards. The IHG One Rewards Traveler Card is a strong contender if your international trips involve frequent stays at IHG's global portfolio of hotels.

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