Credit Cards » Credit Card Reviews » Alaska Airlines Visa® Credit Card
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Alaska Airlines Visa® Credit Card

The Alaska Airlines Visa card offers benefits such as free checked bags, priority boarding, and reimbursements for in-flight purchases
Author: Baruch Mann (Silvermann)
Baruch Mann (Silvermann)

Writer, Contributor

Experience

Baruch Silvermann is a financial expert, experienced analyst, and founder of The Smart Investor, which helps consumers make better financial decisions.  Silvermann’s areas of expertise include investing, banking, and credit cards. Silvermann has contributed to Yahoo Finance and cited as an authoritative source in financial outlets like Forbes, Business Insider, CNBC Select, CNET, Bankrate, Fox Business, The Street, and more. Aside from being a finance expert, his background includes working as a business and financial analyst. Above all, he is passionate about teaching people how to manage their money and helping millions on their journey to a better financial future.

Review & Fact Check: Baruch Mann (Silvermann)

Baruch Mann (Silvermann)

Financial Expert, The Smart Investor CEO

Experience

Baruch Mann (Silvermann) is a financial expert and founder of The Smart Investor. Above all, he is passionate about teaching people how to manage their money and helping millions on their journey to a better financial future.
Author: Baruch Mann (Silvermann)
Baruch Mann (Silvermann)

Writer, Contributor

Experience

Baruch Silvermann is a financial expert, experienced analyst, and founder of The Smart Investor, which helps consumers make better financial decisions.  Silvermann’s areas of expertise include investing, banking, and credit cards. Silvermann has contributed to Yahoo Finance and cited as an authoritative source in financial outlets like Forbes, Business Insider, CNBC Select, CNET, Bankrate, Fox Business, The Street, and more. Aside from being a finance expert, his background includes working as a business and financial analyst. Above all, he is passionate about teaching people how to manage their money and helping millions on their journey to a better financial future.

Review & Fact Check: Baruch Mann (Silvermann)

Baruch Mann (Silvermann)

Financial Expert, The Smart Investor CEO

Experience

Baruch Mann (Silvermann) is a financial expert and founder of The Smart Investor. Above all, he is passionate about teaching people how to manage their money and helping millions on their journey to a better financial future.

We earn a commission from our partner links on this page. It doesn't affect the integrity of our unbiased, independent editorial staff. Transparency is a core value for us, read our advertiser disclosure and how we make money.

Alaska Airlines Visa Signature® Credit Card

Alaska Airlines Visa®

Rewards Plan

1X – 3X unlimited 3 miles for every $1 spent on eligible Alaska Airlines purchases and unlimited 1 mile for every $1 spent on all other purchases

Welcome Bonus

50,000 miles 50,000 bonus miles if you make purchases of $2,000 or more within the first 90 days of opening your account

Credit Rating

Good – Excellent

0% Intro

N/A

Annual Fee

$95

APR

19.74% – 27.74% variable
Alaska Airlines Visa Signature® Credit Card

Alaska Airlines Visa®

Rewards Plan

1X – 3X unlimited 3 miles for every $1 spent on eligible Alaska Airlines purchases and unlimited 1 mile for every $1 spent on all other purchases

Welcome Bonus

50,000 miles 50,000 bonus miles if you make purchases of $2,000 or more within the first 90 days of opening your account

0% Intro

N/A

PROS

CONS

APR

19.74% - 27.74% variable

Annual Fee

$95

Balance Transfer Fee

3% of each transaction

Credit Requirements

Good - Excellent

The Alaska Airlines Visa Signature® Credit Card is a co-branded airline rewards credit card that is designed for people who frequently travel on Alaska Airlines.

The Alaska card could be an attractive choice for frequent travelers, particularly those who frequently use Alaska Airlines and its partner airlines. This card offers various benefits such as free checked bags, priority boarding, and reimbursements for in-flight purchases, which can enhance your travel experience and save you money. Moreover, you can earn miles by making purchases and booking hotel stays, providing potential long-term rewards.

However, it's important to consider some drawbacks, such as a high spending minimum for the companion ticket and limited options for redeeming rewards. 

  • Higher Rewards Rate On Airline
  • Companion Fare
  • Priority Boarding
  • Free Checked Bag/li>
  • $6,000 For Companion Fare
  • Limited Redemption Options
  • Limited Route Selection

In this Review

Estimating Your Rewards: A Practical Simulation

Displayed in the table below is a rewards simulation that illustrates the advantages of utilizing the Alaska Airlines Credit Card. The table estimates the potential rewards that could be earned by utilizing the card for expenses in different categories.

Alaska Airlines Visa®

Spend Per Category
Alaska Airlines Visa Signature® Credit Card
$10,000 – U.S Supermarkets
10,000
$3,000 – Restaurants
3,000
$5,000 – Airline
15,000
$3,000 – Hotels
3,000
$4,000 – Gas
4,000
Estimated Annual Miles
35,000 Miles

Pros and Cons

While this card offers a number of benefits for frequent Alaska Airlines travelers, it's important to consider both the advantages and disadvantages before deciding if it's the right credit card for you.

Let's take a closer look at some of the key benefits and drawbacks of this card.

Pros
Cons
Higher Rewards Rate On Airline
Limited Redemption Options
Companion Fare
$6,000 For Companion Fare
Priority Boarding
Limited Route Selection
Free Checked Bag

Alaska credit card customers earn unlimited 3 miles for every $1 spent on eligible Alaska Airlines purchases and unlimited 1 mile for every $1 spent on all other purchases. 

Also, new cardholders are eligible for 50,000 bonus miles if you make purchases of $2,000 or more within the first 90 days of opening your account.

Qualified Alaska Airlines credit cardholders who spent $6,000 or more on purchases with their credit card in the previous year are eligible to receive the companion fare on their account anniversary date. The offer's base rate starts at $99, and taxes and fees start at $23, bringing the minimum fare to $122.

If you purchase a flight that costs $1,000 per person (including taxes and fees), the companion fare allows your travel partner on the same reservation to pay only $122, instead of the full price, saving you almost $880.

With an Alaska Airlines credit card, you are entitled to a complimentary checked bag when traveling on Alaska Airlines flights. This perk extends to the primary cardholder as well as up to six passengers who are included on the same reservation.

When you use your Alaska Airlines Visa® credit card to book a flight, you will receive priority boarding. This eliminates the need to search for room in the overhead compartment for your carry-on bags.

Priority boarding allows you to board the plane early and secure your bags before the rest of the passengers.

In order to be eligible for the discounted Companion Fare on your account anniversary, you need to have spent a minimum of $6,000 on purchases using your card within a year.

While this benefit can be advantageous for frequent travelers, it may not be feasible or economical for individuals who do not typically spend enough on their credit card to meet this spending threshold.

 

While the Alaska Airlines credit card does offer rewards points and benefits, they are primarily geared towards Alaska Airlines and its partner airlines.

This means that cardholders may have limited options for redeeming their rewards, especially if they do not travel frequently.

One of the drawbacks is that it may not offer as many flights or destinations compared to some of its competitors.

While Alaska Airlines may be a great option for travellers in the Pacific Northwest, West Coast, or Alaska, it may not be the best choice for those who do not live in or frequently travel to those regions.

Is It The Right Card For You?

The Alaska Airlines Visa® Credit Card is particularly well-suited for individuals who frequently fly with Alaska Airlines or its partners and are interested in earning rewards points and utilizing the card's various benefits.

If you frequently travel to Alaska Airlines destinations, you may find that the rewards program and other incentives that accompany the card are advantageous. Additionally, the card provides benefits such as complimentary checked baggage and priority boarding, which can be beneficial for frequent travelers.

However, if you do not travel regularly or are seeking a credit card with more flexible redemption options, the Alaska Airlines Visa® Credit Card may not be the most suitable choice for you. If you do travel but still want to check other airline cards, here are some:

Card
Rewards
Bonus
Annual Fee

Hawaiian Airlines World Elite Mastercard

Up to 4x miles 4x miles on United Airlines purchases, 2x miles on all other travel purchases, dining and eligible delivery services and 1x miles on all other purchases
80,000 miles 80,000 bonus miles after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening
$525

Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card Review

1X – 2X 2X miles on delta purchases, at restaurants worldwide (including take-out and delivery in the U.S) and at U.S. supermarkets, and 1x miles on all other eligible purchases
40,000 Miles 40,000 bonus miles after you spend $2,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months
$99, $0 intro first year (Rates & Fees)

Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus

1x – 2x 2X points on Southwest purchases, Southwesthotel and car rental partners, local transit and commuting (including ride-shares),internet, cable, phone and select streaming services, and 1X points on all other purchases
60,000 points 60,000 points after spending $3,000 on purchases during the first three months
$69

1X – 2X 2 AAdvantage miles per dollar on grocery stores and eligible American Airlines purchases, and 1 mile per dollar on other purchases
10,000 miles 10,000 miles and $50 statement credit if you spend $500 in first 3 months
$0

JetBlue Plus

1X – 6X 6X points on JetBlue purchases, 2X points at restaurants and grocery stores and 1X points on all other purchases
50,000 points 50,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 on purchases and paying the annual fee in full, both within the first 90 days
$99

1X – 10X 5X total points on air travel and 10X total points on hotels, car rentals when you purchase through Chase Ultimate Rewards®, immediately after earning your $300 annual travel credit. Also, earn 3x points on dining at restaurants and travel (after meeting the $300 travel credit), then 1x points per dollar spent on all other purchases
60,000 points 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening
$550

amex platinum

1X – 5X 5X points on up to $500,000 spent on directly-booked airfare and flights and prepaid hotels booked through American Express Travel (per calendar year), 2X points on prepaid car rentals through American Express Travel and 1X points on all other purchases
80,000 points 80,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $6,000 on purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership
united explorer
1X – 2X 2x per $1 spent on United purchases, hotel accommodations, restaurants & eligible delivery services and 1x per $1 spent on all other purchases
60,000 miles 60,000 miles after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months your account is open
$95 ($0 first year)

How To Get the Most Out of Your Card?

Here are some tips that will help you to maximize the benefits of Alaska Airlines card:

You must check the award chart before booking your trip in case you can get great deals on your trip.

According to the Alaska award chart, you can travel to any destination in Central America for just 17,500 miles one way. Business/first class awards are also available for a slightly higher cost.

Also, business-class awards to Central America on American Airlines require just 27,500 Mileage Plan miles, but you’ll need at least 30,000 miles to fly first class on Alaska Airlines.

If you enjoy airport luxury, you can take advantage of a special deal that provides a $100 discount on an annual membership to the Alaska Lounge+, from a price of $550 per year for elites and $650 per year for non-elites.

To enhance the travel experience of qualified cards, this premium lounge provides a variety of amenities such as comfy sitting, free snacks and drinks, and more.

If you're a frequent Alaska Airlines flyer, you may be able to earn elite status, which comes with additional benefits such as free upgrades, lounge access, and priority boarding.

One of the most crucial aspects of your trip is booking accommodations.

By staying at hotel partners, Alaska Airlines credit cardholders can take full advantage of their perks, allowing them to earn Alaska Airlines miles that can be used towards various travel-related expenses.

You can receive a benefit a 20% rebate on eligible in-flight purchases is available to Alaska Airlines credit cardholders when traveling on Alaska Airlines flights.

This perk can be used to receive discounts on various purchases made onboard the aircraft, For example food, beverages, and Wi-Fi.

How To Apply?

It's easy and quick to apply for the Alaska Card:

Step 1: Visit the Alaska Airlines Card page or you can access the Bank of America Alaska credit card page and click “Apply Now”.

Step 2: After you click on ‘apply now', it takes you to the next page, where you have to fill in your personal information, such as name, email, address, income, etc. With the information to be filled out, you will get the Terms & Conditions, which will include details on the rate, fee, and other cost information. At the end you have to tick right on accept terms and condition box and click save and continue.

Alaska Airlines card review
(screenshot from alaskaair.com)

Step 3: You will get a preview page to check whether the information you filled in is correct or not. Lastly, ensure that you read through the important disclosure page to know about your eligibility, fees, costs, rates, etc. Then, click on “submit” to complete the process.

FAQs

No, the credit card does not offer elite status, but you can earn elite status by flying with Alaska Airlines.

No, there are no blackout dates for using the annual Companion Fare.

The Alaska Airlines Visa® credit card provides several travel protection benefits through Visa Signature, such as lost luggage reimbursement, rental car insurance, and travel and emergency assistance services.

The number of miles needed for a free flight varies depending on the route and time of year, but generally ranges from 5,000 to 40,000 miles.

No, there are no foreign transaction fees for this card.

Baruch Mann (Silvermann)

Baruch Mann (Silvermann)

Baruch Silvermann is a financial expert, experienced analyst, and founder of The Smart Investor, which helps consumers make better financial decisions.  Silvermann's areas of expertise include investing, banking, and credit cards. Silvermann has contributed to Yahoo Finance and cited as an authoritative source in financial outlets like Forbes, Business Insider, CNBC Select, CNET, Bankrate, Fox Business, The Street, and more. Aside from being a finance expert, his background includes working as a business and financial analyst. Above all, he is passionate about teaching people how to manage their money and helping millions on their journey to a better financial future.

Editorial Note: Opinions expressed here are author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.

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In order to determine the best possible credit cards, we look at things like fees, interest rates and rewards. We do this with companies that are associated with us as partners as well as other offerings. From there, we make a decision about what the best card is related to different categories and needs. We focus on interest rate cost & fees, especially the cost of carrying a balance, rewards – cards accumulate rewards in different currencies—points, miles, cash back—and their values vary widely usability – cards that accept a wide range of credit profiles and offer simple solutions for things like checking your credit score or contacting. We also consider customer reviews.

We look at cards related to good or excellent credit ratings that will then provide a range of different benefits and improvements for someone who has these scores. We also look at low fees when it comes to those who have lower credit scores.