Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority 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’re fans of the Iberia Visa Signature® Card.

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• You can earn Avios at an accelerated rate on purchases with Iberia, British Airways, Aer Lingus, and Level.
• While the card has an annual fee (See Rates & Fees), it doesn’t charge foreign transaction fees, making it a solid choice for international trips.
• The $1,000 discount voucher, earned after spending $30,000 in a year, can more than cover the card's annual cost for those traveling in pairs (publisher-formulated estimate).

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Pros

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• Valuable travel perks, including a discount on Iberia flights and an annual discount voucher for companion travel after meeting a yearly spending requirement.
• Flexible rewards that allow you to transfer Avios to other airline partners, including British Airways and Aer Lingus.
• Accelerated Avios earning on purchases with partner airlines and on hotel stays booked directly.

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Cons

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• Lacks common airline card benefits like priority boarding or a free checked bag.
• The annual discount voucher has a companion-travel requirement, limiting its use for solo travelers.
• The rewards program has less competitive earning rates, and the airline’s website can make redemptions difficult.

Iberia Visa Signature vs Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority

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Categories

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Deciding which is better, the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority or the Iberia Visa Signature, depends entirely on your personal travel habits and airline loyalty.

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• Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card: This card is built for frequent Southwest Airlines flyers and brand loyalists. It is best for those seeking to maximize rewards and elite-status benefits specifically for domestic travel with Southwest.
• Iberia Visa Signature® Card: As an international airline credit card, this option is ideal for travelers who want to earn Avios. It offers strong value for flights on Iberia and its Oneworld alliance partners, particularly for transatlantic routes.

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Redemption

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Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card: Points are redeemed through the Southwest Rapid Rewards program, primarily for flights on Southwest Airlines. You can also use points for other travel-related purchases like hotels, rental cars, and gift cards.

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Iberia Visa Signature® Card: This card earns Avios, which can be redeemed for flights on Iberia and its Oneworld alliance partners. Avios offer great flexibility for international travel, especially on routes to and from Europe.

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Travel Perks

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• Airline Alliance: The Iberia Visa Signature® Card is part of the Oneworld alliance, giving you access to a vast network of international airlines for earning and redeeming Avios. The Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card is tied exclusively to the Southwest Airlines network, which is extensive within the U.S. and extends to parts of Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean.
• Foreign Transaction Fees: Both cards are excellent companions for trips abroad, as neither charges foreign transaction fees on international purchases.
• Exclusive Perks: The Southwest card focuses on enhancing the travel experience on its flights, offering benefits like an annual travel credit and upgraded boardings. The Iberia card, on the other hand, provides a discount voucher on a flight purchase after meeting a significant annual spending requirement, which is valuable for those who fly with a companion on Iberia.

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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 top-rated credit cards side-by-side.

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• Test drive a credit card: The platform’s Test Drive feature lets you simulate potential earnings with a new card by analyzing your real transaction data, providing personalized projections before you apply.
• Personalized recommendations: Compare nearly 3,000 credit cards and get data-driven recommendations based on your actual spending patterns.
• Welcome offer guarantee: If you find a better welcome offer within three months of getting approved for a card through the platform, Kudos will match it.
• Detailed approval odds: Receive an in-depth analysis of your approval odds for different cards based on your credit report.
• Kudos Boost: Earn extra rewards on top of your regular credit card rewards when you shop at participating stores.

Who Should Choose the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority?

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The Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card is best suited for frequent Southwest flyers who can fully leverage its premium travel benefits. This includes travelers aiming to earn the coveted Companion Pass® or accelerate their path to A-List status through Tier Qualifying Points earned from spending. Ultimately, the card provides maximum value for domestic travelers and families loyal to the airline who fly several times a year and can take advantage of perks like upgraded boardings and the annual travel credit.

Who Should Choose the Iberia Visa Signature?

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The Iberia Visa Signature® Card is a strong choice for travelers who frequently fly with Iberia or its Oneworld alliance partners and want to accumulate Avios. Its rewards structure is geared toward earning Avios on travel and everyday purchases, which can be particularly valuable for booking short-haul trips or business-class flights to Spain. As the only co-branded Iberia card available in the U.S., it also offers unique perks like a 10% discount on Iberia flights, making it a compelling option for dedicated fans of the Avios program, as detailed in a comprehensive review.

Alternatives to Consider

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So, you've read our Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority vs Iberia Visa Signature comparison and decided neither card is the one for you. Let's explore a few other top-tier travel cards that could be a better match.

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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 to ensure you have good to excellent credit for the best approval odds.
• Be aware of issuer-specific rules, like the Chase 5/24 rule, which could affect your application.
• Plan your spending to meet the welcome offer requirement without overextending your budget.

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Application Strategy

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• Align the card with your primary airline or travel alliance to maximize benefits.
• Target specific perks like the Southwest Companion Pass® or elite status qualification when choosing a card.
• Consider an upgrade from an existing card with the same issuer if you're not eligible for a new welcome offer.

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 domestic travel within the U.S.?

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The Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Card is generally the stronger option for domestic travel, particularly for those who live near a Southwest hub, due to the airline's extensive U.S. network.

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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 Southwest Rapid Rewards and Iberia Plus loyalty programs. You earn points specific to each airline's program with their respective cards.

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Does either card offer a companion pass benefit?

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The Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Card helps you earn toward the Southwest Companion Pass, which allows a designated companion to fly with you for only the cost of taxes and fees. The Iberia Visa Signature Card does not offer a comparable benefit.

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