SIDE A
A
Bank of America · Visa
Alaska Airlines Visa Signature Credit Card
VS.
×
SIDE B
B
American Express · American Express
Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card
FILING
Head-to-Head · Plastic Quarterly
The Alaska Airlines Visa Signature and Delta SkyMiles Gold Amex are both airline-branded cards targeting frequent flyers, but they serve different traveler types. Alaska's $95 annual fee is substantially lower, and its companion fare benefit is genuinely valuable—offering a second ticket for taxes and fees annually. Delta's $150 fee includes a $200 flight credit (after hitting $10K spend), which theoretically adds value, but only if you actually meet that spending threshold and use it. Alaska rewards Alaska Airlines purchases at 3x miles versus Delta's 2x, and Alaska's free checked bags extend to up to 6 guests versus Delta's single cardholder benefit. Both cards charge high APRs (19-29%), making them unsuitable for carrying balances. The signup bonuses differ significantly: Alaska offers 70,000 miles plus a companion fare versus Delta's 40,000 miles alone.
THE VERDICT
Our ruling.
“Choose the Alaska Airlines card unless you're a heavy Delta-exclusive traveler. The companion fare alone justifies the lower annual fee, and the 3x bonus on Alaska purchases plus extended checked bag benefits make it the superior choice for most travelers. Delta's $200 credit only materializes after $10K annual spend—a requirement many cardholders won't meet.”
CHOOSE A
Side A is for you if…
- 01You fly Alaska Airlines regularly and value the annual companion fare certificate worth $200+ in airfare savings alone
- 02You want to bring guests on flights—Alaska covers checked bags for up to 6 companions versus Delta's cardholder-only benefit
- 03You prefer lower annual fees ($95 versus $150) and don't want to hit a $10K spending threshold to unlock promised benefits
- 04You earn 3x miles on Alaska purchases, not just 2x on Delta purchases, making reward accumulation faster
CHOOSE B
Side B is for you if…
- 01Delta is your exclusive airline and you have the spending volume to reach the $10K threshold that unlocks the $200 annual flight credit
- 02You want 2x miles on US restaurant and supermarket purchases—Alaska offers no dining category bonus
- 03Priority boarding matters to you—Delta includes it while Alaska does not
- 04You're willing to pay $150 annually for the combination of perks, though you should verify the credit actually offsets this cost
THE LEDGER
Side by side.
- ISSUER
- Bank of America
- American Express
- NETWORK
- Visa
- American Express
- ANNUAL FEE
- $95
- $150
- APR RANGE
- 19.24% – 27.24%
- 21.49% – 29.49%
- INTRO APR (PURCHASES)
- None
- None
- INTRO APR (BALANCE TRANSFERS)
- None
- None
- REWARDS TYPE
- miles
- miles
- REWARDS RATE
- 1x miles on all purchases
- 1x miles on all purchases
- SIGN-UP BONUS
- 70,000 miles + companion fare
- 40,000 miles
- BONUS VALUE
- $840
- $480
- MIN. CREDIT SCORE
- 670+
- 670+
- FOREIGN TRANSACTION FEE
- None
- None
A HIGHLIGHTS
Alaska Airlines Visa Signature Credit Card
- —Famous Companion Fare from $122 (taxes and fees) each year
- —Free checked bag for you and up to 6 guests
- —3x miles on Alaska Airlines purchases
- —20% back on Alaska in-flight purchases
- —No foreign transaction fees
B HIGHLIGHTS
Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card
- —First checked bag free on Delta flights
- —Priority boarding on Delta flights
- —20% back on Delta in-flight purchases
- —$200 annual Delta flight credit (after $10K spend)
- —No foreign transaction fees
QUESTIONS · ANSWERS
Frequently filed.
Only if you spend at least $10K annually to unlock it and actually use Delta flights that cost $200 or more. Many cardholders won't clear this threshold, making it a false economy. Alaska's companion fare, by contrast, is immediately available regardless of spending and has clear, tangible value.