80,000 bonus miles
West Coast travelers who fly Alaska Airlines and can use the annual companion fare certificate.
The Alaska Airlines Visa Signature Card — now sitting within the Atmos Rewards platform following the Alaska and Hawaiian Airlines merger — has one of the most valuable anniversary benefits in the airline card space: a $99 Companion Fare that lets a second person fly with you for nearly nothing on any Alaska or Hawaiian flight within North America. For a couple who takes even one trip a year, that fare alone can be worth $300 to $600 depending on the route, which more than justifies the $95 annual fee.
The 80,000-mile welcome bonus sweetens the deal considerably. Alaska Mileage Plan miles are among the most valuable in the industry, with strong redemption options through Alaska's own route network (now expanded post-merger with Hawaiian) and its diverse partner list that includes both oneworld members like British Airways and Japan Airlines and non-alliance partners like Air France, Korean Air, and Condor. First class redemptions to Japan on Japan Airlines, for example, are a well-known sweet spot.
You should get this card if you live near an Alaska or Hawaiian Airlines hub, if you regularly travel with a partner or family member, or if you want to accumulate miles with broad partner redemption options outside the major loyalty ecosystems. The free first checked bag perk and the travel insurance coverage add everyday value that frequent flyers notice quickly.
Skip it if you primarily fly Delta, United, or American and have no overlap with Alaska's route network. Miles are best used within the Atmos Rewards ecosystem; if you are not flying Alaska or its partners, you will find redemption options limited. The Chase Sapphire Preferred is the closest flexible alternative — lower miles value ceiling but more broadly applicable partners.
The biggest pitfall is the Companion Fare fine print. The annual certificate requires $6,000 in spending in the prior year — you do not just get it for holding the card. Routes are limited to North American nonstop or connecting Alaska and Hawaiian flights; you cannot use it for partner airline awards. Also, the card has been in transition with the Atmos rebrand, so make sure benefits you read about from 2024 or 2025 still reflect the current card terms before relying on them.
Card is now part of the Atmos Rewards platform (rebranded from Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan co-brand). Welcome bonus includes both miles and a Companion Fare. The annual Companion Fare is earned each year after your account anniversary, contingent on spending $6,000 on the card in the prior year — it is not automatic. Companion Fare posts 6–8 weeks after anniversary. Companion fares valid on Alaska and Hawaiian Airlines flights within North America including Hawaii, Mexico, and Costa Rica; round-trip or one-way only, no open-jaw itineraries. $95 annual fee applies from year one.
Cashback Match — all cash back doubled at end of year 1
Annual Fee: $0
175,000 Membership Rewards points
Annual Fee: $895
150,000 bonus points (limited time)
Annual Fee: $795
Cashback Match end of first year
Annual Fee: $0
$150 cash back (15,000 points)
Annual Fee: $0
No welcome bonus
Annual Fee: $0 first year, then $99
Miles Match — all miles doubled at end of year 1
Annual Fee: $0
100,000 Membership Rewards points
Annual Fee: $325
80,000 bonus miles
Annual Fee: $0 intro first year, then $150
70,000 bonus miles
Annual Fee: $0 intro first year, then $150
75,000 American Airlines miles
Annual Fee: $0 intro first year, then $99
80,000 Hilton Honors points
Annual Fee: $0
130,000 Hilton Honors points
Annual Fee: $150
175,000 IHG One Rewards points
Annual Fee: $99
200,000 Membership Rewards points
Annual Fee: $375
Cashback Match at end of first year
Annual Fee: $0
300,000 Membership Rewards points
Annual Fee: $895