Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant 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 closer look at why we recommend the Iberia Visa Signature® Card.

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• While the card carries an annual fee, it offers valuable perks like a discount on Iberia flights and no foreign transaction fees.
• Cardholders can earn Avios on purchases with partner airlines, hotel accommodations, and all other spending.
• The card's introductory offer provides enough value to more than cover the annual fee for the first year (publisher-formulated estimate).

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Pros

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• Cardholders can earn an annual discount voucher for companion travel after meeting a spending threshold.
• Avios can be transferred between partner airlines, including British Airways and Aer Lingus, which provides greater redemption flexibility.
• The card includes a variety of travel protections, such as coverage for lost luggage and car rentals.

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Cons

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• The card carries an annual fee but lacks common airline perks like free checked bags or priority boarding.
• Redeeming rewards can be challenging due to points that can expire, a difficult-to-use website, and restrictive rules for both companion travel and partner airline bookings.

Iberia Visa Signature vs Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express®

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Categories

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Deciding which is better, Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant or Iberia Visa Signature, depends entirely on your travel style and loyalty preferences. While one card excels in offering premium hotel benefits, the other is tailored for earning flight rewards.

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• Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card is best for frequent travelers loyal to Marriott properties who seek premium travel benefits and elite hotel status. It is designed for individuals who value luxury perks and high-end travel experiences.
• Iberia Visa Signature® Card is ideal for travelers who want to earn Avios to redeem for flights, particularly those who fly with Iberia or its Oneworld alliance partners. The card offers a way to accumulate rewards for flights, upgrades, and other travel redemptions.

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Redemption

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Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card: Points earned with this card are primarily redeemed for stays across the extensive portfolio of Marriott Bonvoy properties. You can also use points for room upgrades and other travel experiences through the loyalty program.

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Iberia Visa Signature® Card: Cardholders redeem Avios for flights on Iberia and its Oneworld alliance partners. These rewards can also be applied toward flight upgrades, hotel stays, and car rentals.

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Travel Perks

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• Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card:
  • This card does not have foreign transaction fees. Terms apply.
  • Cardmembers receive a Priority Pass Select membership, which grants access to a global network of airport lounges. Terms apply.
  • The card includes an annual Free Night Award and provides statement credits for dining. Terms apply.
  • You automatically receive Marriott Bonvoy Platinum Elite status, which comes with benefits like room upgrades and late checkout. Terms apply.
• Iberia Visa Signature® Card:
  • This card charges a foreign transaction fee on purchases made abroad.
  • Complimentary airport lounge access is not a standard benefit of the card.
  • Cardholders can earn a discount voucher for an Iberia flight after meeting a specific annual spending threshold.
  • The card's ecosystem is built around the Avios program, allowing for flight redemptions and upgrades on Iberia and its Oneworld alliance partners.

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Compare Top Rated Credit Cards with Kudos

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To make an informed decision, you can use a comprehensive financial companion like Kudos, which allows you to compare nearly 3,000 credit cards based on your personal spending habits.

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• Test drive credit cards: Before you apply, you can simulate how much you’d earn with a new card. The feature provides a personalized projection of your annual rewards based on your actual transaction history, with no hard credit pull required.
• Approval odds analysis: Receive a detailed analysis of your approval chances based on your credit report to help you apply with confidence.
• Welcome offer guarantee: If you find a better welcome offer for a card you got through Kudos within three months, they will match it.
• Kudos Boost rewards: Earn extra rewards on top of your credit card rewards when you shop at participating stores.

Who Should Choose the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express®?

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The Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card is tailor-made for frequent travelers who consistently choose Marriott properties for their stays, allowing them to extract significant value from the card's ecosystem. This cardholder is someone who dines out often enough to take full advantage of the monthly dining credits and highly values the automatic Platinum Elite status for its complimentary room upgrades and late checkouts. Ultimately, it's the ideal choice for a Marriott loyalist seeking a premium experience, complete with airport lounge access and other luxury travel perks detailed in this card review.

Who Should Choose the Iberia Visa Signature?

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The Iberia Visa Signature® Card is tailored for travelers who frequently fly with Iberia or its Oneworld alliance partners and want to accumulate Avios. It's particularly valuable for those aiming to redeem points for premium cabin flights to Spain or take advantage of the flexibility offered by transferring Avios to partners like British Airways and Qatar Airways. According to a comprehensive review, this card is also a strong choice for U.S.-based travelers looking to boost their Avios balance for a variety of redemption options.

Alternatives to Consider

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If our Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® vs. Iberia Visa Signature comparison shows that neither card is the right choice for you, there are still plenty of other excellent options to consider. Let's look at a few alternatives that might be a better fit.

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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 premium travel cards require good to excellent credit for approval.
• Review issuer application rules – Be aware of policies like Chase’s 5/24 rule that could affect your eligibility.
• Align the card with your habits – Ensure you can meet spending requirements and that the card’s benefits fit your lifestyle.

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Application Strategy

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• Time your application strategically – Applying before a large planned purchase can help you meet spending requirements for the welcome offer.
• Look for elevated offers – Be patient and try different methods to find the best available Welcome Offer for your desired card.
• Know the issuer’s rules – Some issuers have specific policies, like the Chase 5/24 rule, that can impact your approval odds.

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 transfer points between Marriott Bonvoy and Iberia Plus?

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Yes, Marriott Bonvoy points can be transferred to the Iberia Plus program, typically at a 3:1 ratio. However, transfers are one-way, as you cannot convert Iberia Avios back into Marriott Bonvoy points.

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Which card has a higher annual fee?

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The Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card has a substantially higher annual fee than the Iberia Visa Signature® Card. Its premium travel and dining credits, however, are designed to help offset this yearly cost.

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Are both cards suitable for international travel?

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Both cards are excellent for international use as neither charges foreign transaction fees. The better option depends on whether you prioritize the airline-specific benefits of the Iberia card or the hotel-centric perks of the Marriott card.

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