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Side-by-side

Alaska Airlines Visa Signature vs Upgrade Triple Cash Rewards Visa

Both are well-respected travel cards. The Alaska Airlines Visa Signature comes from Bank of America at $95/yr; the Upgrade Triple Cash Rewards Visa from Upgrade 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 Upgrade Triple Cash Rewards Visa's. Get the Alaska Airlines Visa Signature first; revisit the Upgrade Triple Cash Rewards Visa after you've earned that bonus.

FeatureAlaska Airlines Visa SignatureUpgrade Triple Cash Rewards Visa
Annual fee$95$0
Sign-up bonus70,000 miles + Companion Fare$200 statement bonus
Bonus value (est.)$1,050$200
Min spend to unlock bonus$3,000 in 90 mo$0 in 2 mo
IssuerBank of AmericaUpgrade
Card categorytravelcash-back
Best earning category (Alaska)3x1x
Transfer partnersNoneNone
Headline benefits
  • Companion Fare annually
  • Free checked bag
  • 3x on Alaska
  • No foreign tx fees
    Read the full review
    Alaska Airlines Visa Signature
    $95/yr · 70,000 miles + Companion Fare
    Read the full review
    Upgrade Triple Cash Rewards Visa
    $0/yr · $200 statement bonus

    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: Upgrade Triple Cash Rewards Visa

    Common questions

    Which card has the bigger sign-up bonus, Alaska Airlines Visa Signature or Upgrade Triple Cash Rewards Visa?
    The Alaska Airlines Visa Signature has the bigger bonus, 70,000 miles + Companion Fare, worth roughly $1,050, versus $200 statement bonus (~$200) on the Upgrade Triple Cash Rewards Visa.
    Is the Alaska Airlines Visa Signature's $95 annual fee worth it compared to the Upgrade Triple Cash Rewards Visa?
    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 Upgrade Triple Cash Rewards Visa's, pick the one whose perks you'll actually use.
    Can I have both the Alaska Airlines Visa Signature and Upgrade Triple Cash Rewards Visa?
    Yes, since they're from different issuers (Bank of America and Upgrade) 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 Upgrade Triple Cash Rewards Visa first?
    Get the one whose sign-up bonus you can hit comfortably without overspending. Alaska Airlines Visa Signature: $3,000 spend in 90 months. Upgrade Triple Cash Rewards Visa: $0 in 2 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.