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Side-by-side

Alaska Airlines Visa Signature vs Discover it Cash Back

Both are well-respected travel cards. The Alaska Airlines Visa Signature comes from Bank of America at $95/yr; the Discover it Cash Back from Discover at $0/yr. Below: side-by-side specs, an opinionated verdict, and the FAQs people actually ask before applying.

Bottom line

For most people the Alaska Airlines Visa Signature is the stronger pick today, the sign-up bonus is meaningfully larger ($850 more in estimated value) than the Discover it Cash Back's. Get the Alaska Airlines Visa Signature first; revisit the Discover it Cash Back after you've earned that bonus.

FeatureAlaska Airlines Visa SignatureDiscover it Cash Back
Annual fee$95$0
Sign-up bonus70,000 miles + Companion FareCashback Match (first year, unlimited)
Bonus value (est.)$1,050$200
Min spend to unlock bonus$3,000 in 90 mo$0 in 12 mo
IssuerBank of AmericaDiscover
Card categorytravelcashback
Best earning category (Alaska)3x1x
Transfer partnersNoneNone
Headline benefits
  • Companion Fare annually
  • Free checked bag
  • 3x on Alaska
  • No foreign tx fees
  • 5% rotating categories
  • First-year match
  • No annual fee
  • No foreign tx fees
Read the full review
Alaska Airlines Visa Signature
$95/yr · 70,000 miles + Companion Fare
Read the full review
Discover it Cash Back
$0/yr · Cashback Match (first year, unlimited)

Editorial take: Alaska Airlines Visa Signature

The Companion Fare is the hook, $122 + taxes/fees to bring a companion on any Alaska flight, even international business class. If you fly Alaska once a year with a partner, this pays for itself many times over.

Editorial take: Discover it Cash Back

The first-year Cashback Match effectively doubles your earnings, someone who earns $300 in cash back gets $600 total. It's the best no-fee first card for building credit with real rewards.

Common questions

Which card has the bigger sign-up bonus, Alaska Airlines Visa Signature or Discover it Cash Back?
The Alaska Airlines Visa Signature has the bigger bonus, 70,000 miles + Companion Fare, worth roughly $1,050, versus Cashback Match (first year, unlimited) (~$200) on the Discover it Cash Back.
Is the Alaska Airlines Visa Signature's $95 annual fee worth it compared to the Discover it Cash Back?
At $95/yr, the Alaska Airlines Visa Signature is in the mid-fee tier. Compare its specific perks (lounge access, travel credits, primary rental insurance) to the Discover it Cash Back's, pick the one whose perks you'll actually use.
Can I have both the Alaska Airlines Visa Signature and Discover it Cash Back?
Yes, since they're from different issuers (Bank of America and Discover) the application rules don't conflict. Many points enthusiasts hold both, they pair well when one earns flexible bank points and the other earns a different currency.
Should I get the Alaska Airlines Visa Signature or the Discover it Cash Back first?
Get the one whose sign-up bonus you can hit comfortably without overspending. Alaska Airlines Visa Signature: $3,000 spend in 90 months. Discover it Cash Back: $0 in 12 months. Pick the easier minimum spend if you're new to points; pick the larger bonus if you have planned big purchases coming up.

Card details on this page reflect the most recent data we've verified against the issuer's own site. Sign-up bonuses and fees can change at any time, confirm the current offer on the issuer's page before applying.