Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus 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 quick look at the key features that make the Iberia Visa Signature® Card stand out.

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• The card offers a strong rewards rate on airline and hotel purchases, allowing you to earn Avios points quickly on travel spending.
• Cardholders receive valuable perks like a 10% discount on Iberia flights and no foreign transaction fees, though the card does have an annual fee.
• 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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• The card comes with a generous welcome offer and strong earning rates on travel spending.
• Cardholders receive valuable travel perks, including discounts on Iberia flights, a yearly discount voucher, and no foreign transaction fees.
• The rewards program offers excellent redemption flexibility by allowing you to transfer points to several partner airlines.

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Cons

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• The card carries an annual fee but lacks common airline card perks like priority boarding and free checked bags.
• Redeeming rewards can be challenging due to a clunky website and restrictive rules on some award bookings.
• The Avios points you earn can expire after a period of account inactivity.

Iberia Visa Signature vs Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus

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Categories

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Deciding which is better, Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus or Iberia Visa Signature, comes down to your specific travel patterns and airline loyalty.

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• Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card: This card is best for budget-conscious travelers who fly Southwest Airlines a few times a year. It's a great option for those aiming to earn the Southwest Companion Pass and for credit card beginners loyal to the airline.
• Iberia Visa Signature® Card: This card is designed for travelers who want to earn Avios and frequently fly with Iberia or its Oneworld alliance partners. It is most valuable for those who can maximize rewards on international flights within the partner network.

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Redemption

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Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card: Redemption is straightforward, with points used to book flights directly on Southwest Airlines. This is ideal for domestic travelers who can easily apply their rewards to offset the cost of their next trip.

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Iberia Visa Signature® Card: Cardholders redeem Avios for flights on Iberia and its extensive network of Oneworld alliance partners. This provides significant flexibility for international travel, allowing you to book award flights across numerous global airlines.

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Travel Perks

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• Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card: This card’s ecosystem is centered entirely on Southwest Airlines. Cardholders receive anniversary bonus points and two EarlyBird Check-In® vouchers each year. Points earned also count toward the coveted Southwest Companion Pass®. However, it does include a foreign transaction fee, making it less ideal for international travel.
• Iberia Visa Signature® Card: This card is built for international flyers. It typically has no foreign transaction fees, a major benefit for travel abroad. Cardholders receive a discount voucher for a flight purchase each year they meet a specific spending threshold. While it doesn't offer general airport lounge access, its value lies in the ability to use Avios across the extensive Oneworld alliance network.

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Compare Top Rated Credit Cards with Kudos

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To make the decision even easier, you can use a tool like Kudos to compare top-rated cards side-by-side.

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• Test drive credit cards using your real spending data to see potential earnings before you apply.
• Receive a detailed analysis of your approval odds based on your credit report.
• Get a welcome offer guarantee, ensuring Kudos will match a better offer if you find one within three months.
• Unlock personalized card recommendations based on your spending history to maximize rewards.
• Earn extra rewards, called Kudos Boost, when shopping at your favorite stores.
• Use the autofill feature at checkout to automatically select the best card for maximum rewards on each purchase.

Who Should Choose the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus?

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The Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card is an excellent choice for occasional Southwest flyers and budget-conscious travelers who want to earn rewards without committing to a high annual fee. It's particularly valuable for those aiming to earn the coveted Southwest Companion Pass, as all points count toward qualification. Additionally, Southwest loyalists who can leverage the two annual EarlyBird Check-In® credits and the 3,000-point anniversary bonus will find that the card's benefits can easily outweigh its modest annual cost.

Who Should Choose the Iberia Visa Signature?

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The Iberia Visa Signature® Card is an excellent choice for U.S.-based travelers who frequently fly with Iberia, British Airways, or other Oneworld alliance airlines. According to a comprehensive review, it's especially well-suited for those already invested in the Avios ecosystem who want to maximize their rewards on flights and hotel stays. Cardholders who value perks like an annual discount voucher for companion tickets and want to redeem Avios for premium cabin travel to Europe will find this card particularly rewarding.

Alternatives to Consider

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So, our Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card vs. Iberia Visa Signature® Card comparison didn't reveal a clear winner for you? No problem—let's look at a few other travel cards that might be a better fit for your specific needs.

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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 - Good to excellent credit is typically required for approval.
• Review your application history - Some issuers have rules regarding recently opened accounts.
• Create a spending plan - Align your budget with the card’s welcome offer and key benefits.

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Application Strategy

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• Know the issuer's rules before submitting your application.
• Time your application before a large planned purchase.
• Call the reconsideration line if you are not instantly approved.

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 Southwest Rapid Rewards and Iberia Plus?

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No, you cannot directly transfer points between the two loyalty programs. However, since both the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card and the Iberia Visa Signature® Card are issued by Chase, you can transfer points from a Chase Ultimate Rewards card to either airline.

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Which card is better for international travel?

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The Iberia Visa Signature® Card is generally better for international travel, especially to Europe, due to Iberia's extensive route network. The Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card is more focused on domestic U.S. travel and nearby destinations in the Caribbean and Central America.

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Do both cards offer a free checked bag benefit?

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Neither card comes with a specific free checked bag benefit. However, Southwest Airlines provides two free checked bags for all customers, regardless of whether they hold the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card.

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