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United Club vs Iberia Visa Signature: Which Is Better In 2025?
July 1, 2025

Editor's Picks
- The United Club℠ Card is ideal for frequent United Airlines flyers who want premium travel perks like lounge access and free checked bags.
- The Iberia Visa Signature® Card is best for travelers who want to earn and redeem Avios for flights on Iberia and its Oneworld alliance partners.
United Club Breakdown
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Why We Like It
This section breaks down the key reasons why we're fans of The United Club℠ Card.
- Cardholders receive complimentary United Club membership, which provides access to over 45 United Club locations and participating Star Alliance lounges worldwide, though it comes with a premium annual fee.
- Beyond lounge access, the card offers valuable travel perks like free first and second checked bags for two people—worth up to $320 per roundtrip—and Premier Access® services for a smoother airport experience.
- The free checked bag benefit for yourself and a companion can save you up to $320 per roundtrip, meaning just two trips a year could nearly offset the annual fee (publisher-formulated estimate).
Pros
- Extensive airport benefits, including complimentary United Club℠ membership for access to United and partner lounges worldwide, plus Premier Access® for priority check-in, security, and boarding.
- Valuable travel perks like free first and second checked bags for the cardholder and a companion, plus no foreign transaction fees.
- Accelerated rewards on United purchases, travel, and dining, along with the ability to earn Premier Qualifying Points (PQPs) through card spending to help you reach elite status faster.
Cons
- The card comes with a high annual fee, which can be hard to justify unless you frequently take advantage of the United Club lounge access.
- Benefits are heavily skewed toward United loyalists, making the card less valuable for those who fly with a variety of airlines.
- Reward-earning potential is limited on everyday purchases, and there are caps on the number of elite-qualifying points you can earn through spending.
Iberia Visa Signature Breakdown
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Why We Like It
Here’s a closer look at what makes the Iberia Visa Signature® Card a compelling choice for travelers.
- Cardholders earn Avios on every purchase, with accelerated earnings on travel with Iberia and its airline partners.
- Despite its annual fee, the card has no foreign transaction fees and offers a 10% discount on Iberia flights.
- Spending $30,000 in a calendar year earns a $1,000 discount voucher, which can more than offset the card's annual cost (publisher-formulated estimate).
Pros
- Avios can be transferred to partners like British Airways and Aer Lingus, providing flexible redemption options across the wider Oneworld alliance.
- The card is well-suited for international travel, featuring no foreign transaction fees and a distance-based award chart that offers exceptional value on key routes.
Cons
- Despite having an annual fee, the card doesn't include common airline card perks like free checked bags or priority boarding.
- The rewards program has some notable restrictions; Avios can expire, and the annual discount voucher requires booking for two, making it unsuitable for solo travelers.
- Redeeming points can be cumbersome due to a website that is not user-friendly and inflexible booking rules for some partner airlines.
Iberia Visa Signature vs United Club
Categories
When deciding which is better United Club or Iberia Visa Signature, it's crucial to understand the distinct traveler each card is designed for.
- The United Club℠ Card - This is a premium travel credit card tailored for loyal United Airlines flyers seeking top-tier benefits like lounge access and priority travel services.
- Iberia Visa Signature® Card - This co-branded airline card is best for international travelers who frequently fly with Iberia or its Oneworld partners and want to accumulate Avios for reward flights.
Redemption
The United Club℠ Card: Rewards are primarily geared towards enhancing the travel experience on United Airlines, allowing cardholders to redeem points for flights, upgrades, and other travel-related benefits within the United network.
Iberia Visa Signature® Card: Cardholders earn Avios, which can be redeemed for flights not only on Iberia but also across its extensive network of Oneworld alliance partners, offering broad international travel options.
Travel Perks
- United Club℠ Card: The travel ecosystem is built exclusively for the frequent United flyer. Cardholders receive a full United Club membership, granting access to their lounges and those of participating partners. The card also comes with Premier Access travel services on United, which includes perks like priority check-in, security screening, boarding, and baggage handling. It does not charge foreign transaction fees.
- Iberia Visa Signature® Card: This card’s ecosystem revolves around earning and redeeming Avios within the Oneworld alliance. While it doesn't typically include complimentary lounge access, its main draw is a discount on Iberia flights purchased through their website and the ability to use Avios across a vast network of partner airlines. Like its counterpart, it also waives foreign transaction fees, making it a strong choice for spending abroad.
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Who Should Choose the United Club?
The United Club℠ Card is tailor-made for loyal United Airlines flyers who travel several times a year and want to elevate their airport experience. Its main draw is the complimentary United Club membership and free checked bags, benefits that can quickly offset the annual fee for the right traveler. Additionally, business travelers who value priority services and individuals chasing MileagePlus Premier status will find significant value in what this premium card offers.
Who Should Choose the Iberia Visa Signature?
The Iberia Visa Signature® Card is an excellent choice for U.S.-based travelers who frequently fly with Iberia or its Oneworld alliance partners. It's particularly valuable for those looking to accumulate Avios for redemptions on short-haul trips or premium cabin flights to Spain. According to a recent card review, the card's benefits are geared towards maximizing the versatile Avios currency across several partner airlines.
Alternatives to Consider
If this United Club vs. Iberia Visa Signature comparison has you concluding that neither card is the right fit, don't fret. Several other excellent travel rewards cards might be a better match for your wallet.
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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 – Most premium cards require excellent credit for approval.
- Know the rules – Be aware of issuer-specific application rules, like the Chase 5/24 rule.
- Plan your spending – Make sure you can naturally meet the minimum spend requirement to earn the welcome bonus.
Application Strategy
- Research the benefits – Ensure the card’s perks, like lounge access or flight discounts, align with your travel habits.
- Time your application – Apply before a large planned purchase to help meet the spending requirement.
- Be patient – If you don't get the best offer initially, you can often decline and try again later.
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
What are the annual fees for the United Club℠ Infinite Card and the Iberia Visa Signature® Card?
The United Club℠ Infinite Card carries a significant annual fee for its premium lounge access and benefits, whereas the Iberia Visa Signature® Card has a much lower annual fee. You should always confirm the exact costs with the card issuers as fees are subject to change.
Can I use points from other credit cards with these airline programs?
Yes, both United MileagePlus and Iberia Plus are transfer partners with major flexible point programs, such as Chase Ultimate Rewards®. This allows you to pool points from different sources to book award flights more easily.
Which card offers better lounge access?
The United Club℠ Infinite Card is the clear winner for lounge access, as it includes a full United Club membership that grants entry to United Clubs and participating Star Alliance partner lounges worldwide. The Iberia Visa Signature® Card does not offer complimentary lounge access as a standard perk.
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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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