Alaska Airlines Visa Signature Credit Card Review: Is It Worth the Annual Fee?
Quick Verdict
With a $95 annual fee, it could be worth getting the Alaska Airlines Visa Signature® credit card largely for its welcome bonus while giving yourself a year to see if the card is a good fit. The annual Companion Fare alone can offset the fee for couples or travel buddies who fly Alaska even once per year. Add in the current welcome offer of 50,000-70,000 bonus miles plus a companion fare, and you're looking at exceptional first-year value.
Card Overview
The Alaska Airlines Visa Signature comes with a $95 annual fee and currently offers 50,000 bonus miles plus buy one ticket, get one for just the taxes and fees ($0 fare plus taxes and fees from $23) after spending $3,000 in the first 90 days. The card earns 3x miles on Alaska Airlines purchases, 2x miles on gas, EV charging, transit, cable, and streaming services, and 1x mile on everything else.
Introduction
Let's address the elephant in the room first: Alaska Airlines isn't for everyone. If you're based in the Northeast or Southeast, this card might not make sense. But here's what's interesting—with Alaska's expanding route network in 2025, including new routes from Seattle to Tokyo and Seoul, more travelers than ever can benefit from this card.
The Alaska Airlines Visa Signature has undergone significant changes recently, and frankly, they're mostly positive. While the annual fee sits at $95, the value proposition has actually improved for strategic users. Whether you're a West Coast resident, a points enthusiast looking to diversify, or someone who values companion travel, this review will help you determine if this card deserves a spot in your wallet.
Key Features & Benefits
The Famous Companion Fare
This is the card's crown jewel, and for good reason. After qualifying, the primary cardholder will receive the Companion Fare code within the first 2 billing cycles after their anniversary, which will be credited to their Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan account. The fare costs just $122 total ($99 base fare plus taxes and fees from $23).
Here's the thing most reviews don't tell you: this isn't just for cheap domestic flights. You can use it on any Alaska-operated flight, including those pricey peak summer routes to Alaska or cross-country flights. I've personally used mine on a $800 Seattle-to-Fort Lauderdale flight, essentially getting two tickets for $922 total.
Pro tip: The companion fare now requires $6,000 in annual spending to earn (grandfathered cardholders excluded). While that might sound steep, it breaks down to just $500 per month—easily achievable if you use this as your primary card.
Free Checked Bags: The Hidden Money Saver
Alaska Airlines charges $35 for the first checked bag. If you and a companion each checked a bag on a round trip, this benefit would more than make up for the annual fee of $95. This benefit extends to up to six companions on the same reservation when you pay with your card.
Let me put this in perspective: A family of four flying round-trip saves $280 on checked bags alone. That's nearly three years of annual fees covered in a single trip.
Earning Structure Analysis
The earning rates recently got a significant boost:
- 3x miles on Alaska Airlines purchases
- 2x miles on gas, EV charging stations, cable, streaming services, and local transit (including rideshare)
- 1x mile on everything else
Throughout 2025, earn one elite-qualifying mile (EQM) for every $3 spent on purchases, up to 30,000 EQMs total. This new elite qualification benefit is huge for status chasers, essentially letting you buy your way to MVP status with regular spending.
The 20% Inflight Discount
Small perk, big impact. Get 20% back on Alaska Airlines inflight purchases when you pay with your card. Those $12 snack boxes become $9.60, and premium drinks get cheaper too. On longer flights, this adds up quickly.
Alaska Lounge+ Membership Discount
While the card doesn't include lounge access (a notable weakness), it does offer $100 off an annual Alaska Lounge+ Membership when you pay with your card. With membership starting at $595 annually, you're still looking at $495 out of pocket—steep, but worth considering if you fly Alaska frequently.
Earning Structure Deep Dive
Let's talk real-world earning potential. Say you spend $2,000 monthly on the card:
- $200 on Alaska flights = 600 miles
- $400 on gas and streaming = 800 miles
- $1,400 on other purchases = 1,400 miles
- Monthly total: 2,800 miles
- Annual total: 33,600 miles
Add in the annual companion fare and welcome bonus, and you're looking at substantial value in year one.
Redemption Options & Value
Alaska miles remain some of the most valuable in the industry. Alaska miles are worth about 1.3 cents each when used for award flights, but savvy redemptions can push that to 2+ cents per mile.
Best uses for Alaska miles:
- Domestic Alaska flights: Often great value on expensive routes
- Partner awards: Cathay Pacific business class to Asia remains a sweet spot
- Stopovers: Alaska still allows free stopovers on one-way awards
- Last-minute bookings: No close-in booking fees
With the merger between Alaska and Hawaiian Airlines, you have more new and exciting flight options, expanding redemption possibilities significantly.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Annual Companion Fare can be worth $300-1,000+
- Free checked bags save families hundreds
- Strong earning rates on everyday categories
- No foreign transaction fees
- Solid welcome bonus with companion fare
- Growing route network enhances value
- Path to elite status through spending
Cons
- $6,000 annual spend requirement for companion fare
- Limited geographic appeal (West Coast-centric)
- No lounge access included
- Cannot transfer points from other programs
- Annual fee not waived first year
Who Should Get This Card?
Perfect For:
- West Coast residents who fly Alaska 2+ times yearly
- Couples or travel buddies who can maximize the companion fare
- Families who benefit from free checked bags
- Points beginners wanting a straightforward airline card
- Seattle/Portland/San Diego residents (Alaska hubs)
Skip If:
- You rarely fly Alaska or live far from their hubs
- You can't meet the $6,000 annual spend for companion fare
- You prioritize flexible points over airline miles
- You want included lounge access
How It Compares
When comparing the Alaska Airlines Visa Signature to other airline cards in the same price range, it stands out primarily for its companion fare benefit. The Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority charges $229 annually without a companion benefit. The Delta Gold Amex costs $150 with no companion fare. The United Explorer Card waives its fee the first year but also lacks a companion benefit.
The Alaska Airlines Visa Signature® credit card's closest competitor may be the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card, which has a nearly identical rewards structure, earning 4X on Southwest purchases, 2X on transit and select categories, and 1X elsewhere. However, Southwest's higher annual fee and lack of companion benefit make Alaska's offering more compelling for many travelers.
How to Maximize Value
- Time Your Application: Apply when you have big purchases coming up to easily hit the minimum spend.
- Strategic Companion Fare Use: Save it for expensive routes. A $800 transcon flight becomes two tickets for $922 total.
- Leverage the Expanding Network: With new international routes to Asia launching in 2025, your miles will have more redemption options.
- Stack With Mileage Plan: Elite status on Alaska automatically matches tier status in oneworld right away and all the benefits that come with it.
- Use Elevated Earning Categories: Put all gas, streaming, and transit purchases on this card for 2x miles.
- Book Award Stopovers: Alaska still allows free stopovers on one-way awards—use this to visit two cities for the price of one.
Application Process & Requirements
According to the issuer, you'll need good credit (generally defined as a score of 690 or higher) to qualify for the Alaska Airlines Visa Signature® credit card. Bank of America also considers your relationship with them—having a checking account can improve approval odds.
Important: Bank of America enforces the 2/3/4 rule—maximum four new cards in 24 months. Plan accordingly if you're working on multiple cards.
The New Premium Card Factor
Here's something to consider: Alaska Mileage Plan will launch a premium credit card with a $395 annual fee coming summer 2025. If you're on the fence about the standard card, you might want to wait and see what the premium version offers, especially the rumored Global Companion Award Certificate that represents a significant step up from existing Alaska cards, particularly for international travelers and those who value premium redemptions.
FAQ Section
Q: Can I use the companion fare on partner airlines? A: No, the companion fare only works on Alaska-operated flights (not codeshares or partners).
Q: Does the card earn elite-qualifying miles? A: Yes! In 2025, you earn 1 EQM per $3 spent, up to 30,000 EQMs annually.
Q: What happens if I cancel within the first year? A: You'll forfeit any unused companion fare, but can keep the miles earned.
Q: Can I downgrade to a no-fee version? A: Bank of America doesn't offer a no-annual-fee Alaska card option.
Q: How soon can I use the welcome bonus companion fare? A: Immediately after meeting the minimum spend requirement and receiving the fare code.
Q: Do authorized users get free checked bags? A: No, only when the primary cardholder is traveling and pays with the card.
The Bottom Line
At $95 annually, the Alaska Airlines Visa Signature delivers exceptional value for the right traveler. The combination of annual companion fare, free checked bags, and solid earning rates can easily deliver $500+ in annual value. The current welcome offer sweetens the deal considerably.
However, geography matters here. This card shines brightest for West Coast residents or anyone living near Alaska's growing hub cities. The expanding route network—especially new Asian destinations—increases the card's appeal for international travelers too.
My take? If you fly Alaska even twice yearly with a companion, this card pays for itself. If you're solo and rarely check bags, look elsewhere. But for couples, families, and anyone who can leverage that companion fare, this remains one of the best airline card values under $100.
Ready to earn your companion fare? Check out the current offer for the Alaska Airlines Visa Signature credit card and start planning your next adventure.
Have experience with the Alaska Airlines credit card? Share your redemption wins in the comments below. For more credit card strategies and reviews, check out our guide to the best travel credit cards of 2025 or learn about maximizing airline miles for beginners.
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