United Gateway 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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• It offers a solid rewards structure, allowing you to earn Avios on purchases with Iberia and its airline partners, hotel stays, and all other spending.
• Cardholders receive valuable travel perks like a discount voucher and no foreign transaction fees, though the card does carry an annual fee.
• The 10% discount on Iberia flights can be enough for regular travelers to offset the annual cost of the card (publisher-formulated estimate).

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Pros

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• Cardholders receive a discount on Iberia flights and can earn a valuable discount voucher for future travel.
• The card offers flexible rewards, with the ability to transfer points to several airline partners.
• It features a strong rewards-earning structure with bonus categories for travel purchases and includes useful travel protections.

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Cons

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• Despite its annual fee, the card lacks common airline perks such as priority boarding or a free checked bag.
• The rewards program comes with restrictions, including points that can expire and a discount voucher with rules that may not benefit solo travelers.
• The card is subject to strict application rules, and its earning rates may be less competitive than other flexible travel cards.

Iberia Visa Signature vs United Gateway

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Categories

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When considering which is better United Gateway or Iberia Visa Signature, it's helpful to compare where each card earns the most rewards.

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• United Gateway℠ Card: This card is ideal for earning miles on everyday spending, with bonus rewards on United purchases, at gas stations, and for local transit.
• Iberia Visa Signature® Card: This card is best for earning Avios on purchases made directly with Iberia and its partner airlines, as well as for hotel accommodations.

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Redemption

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United Gateway℠ Card: Miles earned with this card are redeemed through the United MileagePlus program for flights on United and its Star Alliance partner airlines. You can also use miles for other travel, including hotel stays, car rentals, and unique experiences.

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Iberia Visa Signature® Card: This card earns Avios, which can be redeemed for flights on Iberia, British Airways, Aer Lingus, and other Oneworld alliance partners. Avios can also be used to upgrade flights or book other travel rewards like hotel stays and rental cars.

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Travel Perks

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• Foreign Transaction Fees: Both the United Gateway℠ Card and the Iberia Visa Signature® Card waive foreign transaction fees, making them suitable for international travel.
• Airline-Specific Perks: The United Gateway card provides a 25% statement credit back on in-flight purchases on United, such as food and Wi-Fi. The Iberia card offers a discount on Iberia flight purchases and the ability to earn a discount voucher after meeting a significant annual spending goal.
• Lounge Access: Neither of these cards offers complimentary airport lounge access, a perk typically reserved for more premium travel cards.
• Travel Alliance & Portal: The United Gateway card operates within the United MileagePlus program, giving access to the Star Alliance network. The Iberia card uses the Iberia Plus program and its Avios currency, which is part of the Oneworld alliance.

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Compare Top Rated Credit Cards with Kudos

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To simplify the decision-making process, tools like Kudos allow you to compare thousands of credit cards to find the best match for your spending habits.

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• Test drive credit cards using your real spending data to see exactly how much you could earn before applying.
• Receive personalized card recommendations based on your actual transaction history.
• Get a detailed analysis of your approval odds based on your credit report.
• Unlock rewards, including a $20 sign-up incentive and a $100 Kickstart+ reward for adding select approved cards to your Kudos Wallet.
• Benefit from a welcome offer guarantee, where Kudos will match a better public offer if you find one within three months of approval.

Who Should Choose the United Gateway?

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The United Gateway℠ Card is an excellent choice for occasional United Airlines flyers and beginners in the world of travel rewards who want a straightforward way to earn miles. Budget-conscious travelers will appreciate that it has no annual fee and no foreign transaction fees, making it a cost-effective option for both domestic and international trips. It's also a convenient pick for existing Chase customers looking to manage their accounts in one place, solidifying its position as a strong, entry-level option for earning United MileagePlus miles.

Who Should Choose the Iberia Visa Signature?

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The Iberia Visa Signature® Card is best suited for U.S.-based travelers who frequently fly with Iberia or its Oneworld alliance partners and want to maximize their Avios earnings. Cardholders can leverage their points for valuable redemptions, such as booking off-peak business-class flights to Spain or short-haul trips on partner airlines. While it shares a rewards currency with the British Airways Visa Signature® Card, the Iberia card offers unique perks like a 10% discount on Iberia flights, making it a specific choice for fans of the Spanish airline.

Alternatives to Consider

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If you're weighing the United Gateway℠ Card vs. the Iberia Visa Signature® Card and find that neither quite aligns with your travel patterns, don't fret. Several other excellent travel rewards cards could 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

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Before You Apply

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• Check your credit score - Most rewards cards require a good to excellent credit profile.
• Plan your spending - Make sure you can naturally meet the minimum spend for the welcome offer.
• Know the issuer's rules - Some issuers have restrictions based on how many cards you've recently opened.

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Application Strategy

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• Time your application - Apply before a planned large purchase to help meet the spending threshold.
• Know the issuer rules - Be aware of policies like the Chase 5/24 rule, which can affect your approval.
• Start with the right card - If you're new to rewards, an entry-level option with no annual fee can be a great starting point.

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 beginners in the travel rewards space?

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The United Gateway Card is often a better starting point for beginners due to its straightforward rewards structure and no annual fee. The Iberia Visa Signature Card can offer higher value but may require more knowledge of the Avios program to maximize rewards.

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Can I transfer points between United MileagePlus and Iberia Plus?

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No, you cannot directly transfer points or miles between the United MileagePlus and Iberia Plus loyalty programs. They are separate programs belonging to different airline alliances.

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Are there foreign transaction fees on the United Gateway or Iberia Visa Signature cards?

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Neither the United Gateway Card nor the Iberia Visa Signature Card charges foreign transaction fees. This makes both cards suitable options for purchases made outside the United States.

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