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Side-by-side

Alaska Airlines Visa Signature vs Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority

Both are well-respected travel cards. The Alaska Airlines Visa Signature comes from Bank of America at $95/yr; the Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority from Chase at $229/yr. Below: side-by-side specs, an opinionated verdict, and the FAQs people actually ask before applying.

Bottom line

These cards are close on the fundamentals (similar bonus value, similar fee). The right pick depends on which category you spend the most in and which transfer partners best fit your travel goals.

FeatureAlaska Airlines Visa SignatureSouthwest Rapid Rewards Priority
Annual fee$95$229
Sign-up bonus70,000 miles + Companion Fare60,000 points
Bonus value (est.)$1,050$840
Min spend to unlock bonus$3,000 in 90 mo$2,000 in 3 mo
IssuerBank of AmericaChase
Card categorytravelairline
Best earning category (Alaska)3x1x
Transfer partnersNoneNone
Headline benefits
  • Companion Fare annually
  • Free checked bag
  • 3x on Alaska
  • No foreign tx fees
  • 7,500 anniversary points
  • $75 annual travel credit
  • 4 upgraded boardings/year
  • 4x on Southwest
Read the full review
Alaska Airlines Visa Signature
$95/yr · 70,000 miles + Companion Fare
Read the full review
Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority
$229/yr · 60,000 points

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: Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority

If Southwest is your airline, this is the card to have. The anniversary points and $75 travel credit help offset the annual fee, and the 4x earning on Southwest is class-leading among airline cards.

Common questions

Which card has the bigger sign-up bonus, Alaska Airlines Visa Signature or Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority?
The Alaska Airlines Visa Signature has the bigger bonus, 70,000 miles + Companion Fare, worth roughly $1,050, versus 60,000 points (~$840) on the Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority.
Is the Alaska Airlines Visa Signature's $95 annual fee worth it compared to the Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority?
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 Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority's, pick the one whose perks you'll actually use.
Can I have both the Alaska Airlines Visa Signature and Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority?
Yes, since they're from different issuers (Bank of America and Chase) 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 Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority first?
Get the one whose sign-up bonus you can hit comfortably without overspending. Alaska Airlines Visa Signature: $3,000 spend in 90 months. Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority: $2,000 in 3 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.