Review: Is the Alaska Airlines Visa the best airline credit card for you?
Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan is widely regarded as one of the most valuable frequent flyer programs — and not just for those who like to fly Alaska Airlines. You can often get the best value from Alaska Airlines miles when you redeem them for award flights on partners, including Cathay Pacific, Japan Airlines, and Emirates.
That's why many award travelers focus on Alaska miles, even if they're not near a city served by the carrier. However, Alaska Airlines doesn't partner with any of the major transferable bank points programs (like Amex Membership Rewards or Chase Ultimate Rewards), so the easiest way to earn Alaska miles is with the
The
Alternately, there's a second public offer available online for up to 65,000 miles: 40,000 miles and the Alaska companion fare from $121 ($99 fare plus taxes and fees from just $22) after you spend $2,000 on purchases within the first three months of account opening, and another 25,000 miles after you spend a total of $8,000 on purchases in the first six months.
The card has a
If you're not sure you'll use Alaska miles in the near future, but still want access to Alaska miles, it's worth earning Marriott points from any of the Marriott Bonvoy credit cards instead. You can transfer Marriott points to airline partners like Alaska at a 3:1 ratio (with a 5,000-mile bonus for every 60,000 Marriott points you transfer), so that's an option if you prefer flexibility.
Bottom line: The
Alaska Airlines Visa Credit Card vs other Bank of America cards
| Annual fee | |||
| Rewards rate | 3x miles on Alaska Airlines purchases 1 mile per dollar on all other purchases | 1.5 points per dollar on all purchases
| 2x points on travel and dining 1.5 points per dollar on all other purchases |
| Welcome bonus | 25,000 points (worth $250 in statement credits toward travel purchases) after you spend when you spend $1,000 on purchases within the first 90 days of account opening | 50,000 points (worth $500 in statement credits toward travel purchases) after you spend $3,000 on purchases within the first 90 days of account opening | |
| Travel benefits | Free first checked bag on Alaska flights Alaska companion fare from $121 ($99 fare, plus taxes and fees from $22) on your card anniversary 20% back on Alaska inflight purchases 50% off Alaska lounge day passes | N/A
| Up to $100 in airline incidental fee credits each year Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee credit |
| Foreign transaction fee | No | No | No |
| Review | Bank of America Travel Rewards credit card review | Bank of America Premium Rewards credit card review |
Alaska Airlines Visa Credit Card vs other airline cards
| Annual fee | |||
| Rewards rate | 3x miles on Alaska Airlines purchases 1 mile per dollar on all other purchases | 2x miles on eligible United purchases 2x miles on restaurant/delivery service purchases, and hotel stays booked directly with the hotel 1 mile per dollar on everything else | 2x miles on eligible American Airlines purchases 2x miles at eligible restaurants and gas stations 1 mile per dollar on all other eligible purchases |
| Welcome bonus | |||
| Travel benefits | Free first checked bag on Alaska flights Alaska companion fare from $121 ($99 fare, plus taxes and fees from $22) on your card anniversary 20% back on Alaska inflight purchases 50% off Alaska lounge day passes | Free first checked bag on United flights Priority boarding on United flights 25% back on United inflight purchases 2 one-time United Club passes | Free first checked bag on domestic American Airlines itineraries Preferred boarding on American Airlines flights 25% back on AA inflight food and beverage purchases $125 American Airlines flight discount certificate when you spend $20,000 or more in a card anniversary year |
| Foreign transaction fee | No | No | No |
| Review | United Explorer card review | Citi AAdvantage Platinum Select card review |
How to use miles from the Alaska Airlines Visa Credit Card
Alaska Airlines flyers can get significant value when they redeem miles for award flights on the airline. The award chart for Alaska flights is distance-based, which means it costs more miles for longer flights. For example, short flights 700 miles or less in distance cost just 5,000 Alaska miles in economy class each way.
Here's the Alaska Airlines award chart for flights at the lowest award level:
| Flight distance | Alaska miles required one-way (economy class) | Alaska miles required one-way (first class) |
| 700 miles or less | 5,000 | 15,000 |
| 701 to 1,400 miles | 7,500 | 25,000 |
| 1,401 to 2,100 miles | 10,000 | 25,000 |
| 2,101 miles or more | 12,500 | 30,000 |
Alaska Airlines also allows travelers to use miles toward a 50% discount when they book a ticket, up to certain limits — a 50% discount up to $100 costs 10,000 miles, and up to $200 costs 20,000 miles. Be sure to compare the cost of a full award ticket to what you'd spend on a paid flight because you'll often get a better deal using miles (or cash) outright.
The Alaska Mileage Plan program offers another lucrative benefit: You can add a stopover to award flights, even on partners, at no extra cost. This even applies to one-way flights, which is rarely an option with other frequent flyer programs.
Despite not being part of a major airline alliance (yet — Alaska Airlines will join oneworld on March 31, 2021), Alaska has a broad range of domestic and international partners. You can currently redeem Alaska Airlines miles for award flights on the following airlines:
- Aer Lingus
- American Airlines
- British Airways
- Cathay Pacific
- Condor
- EL AL Israel Airlines
- Emirates
- Fiji Airways
- Finnair
- Hainan Airlines
- Icelandair
- Japan Airlines
- Korean Air
- LATAM Airlines
- Qantas
- Singapore Airlines
Alaska Airlines has separate award charts and pricing for each partner, and there are a number of "sweet spots" that cost fewer miles compared to booking with other airline programs. For example:
- First class from the US to Asia (via Hong Kong) on Cathay Pacific for 70,000 Alaska miles
- First class from the US to the Middle East or Africa (via Hong Kong) on Cathay Pacific for 70,000 Alaska miles
- Business class from the US to Australia (via Fiji) on Fiji Airways for 55,000 Alaska miles
- Business class from the US to South America on LATAM Airlines for 45,000 Alaska miles
- Business class from the US to Australia on Qantas for 55,000 Alaska miles
Some of these flights can cost thousands of dollars, particularly in first class — so if you're looking to squeeze the most value from Alaska miles, premium-cabin partner award flights are your best bet.
Alaska Airlines Visa Credit Card benefits and features
The
Annual companion fare
After meeting the minimum spending requirements on the
This can save you a bundle of cash if you're flying an expensive route. To use the companion fare, you must book online at alaskaair.com and enter your discount code at the time of purchase. Companion fare codes are valid for 12 months from the date of issue, but you can book travel up to 12 months past the expiration date.
Free checked bag
Inflight discounts
When you pay for inflight purchases with the
Alaska Airlines lounge pass discount
Cardholders are eligible for a 50% discount on one-time passes to Alaska Lounges when they pay with their card. Normally, a day pass costs $50, so you'll save $25.
Keep in mind Alaska Airlines only operates lounges in a handful of airports (Anchorage, Los Angeles, New York-JFK, Portland, and Seattle), and some locations are currently closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Visa Signature benefits
Alaska Airlines Visa Credit Card fees and costs
Apart from the
However, it's a good pick for international purchases, because the card doesn't charge foreign transaction fees.
Jasmin Baron is an associate editor at Personal Finance Insider, where she helps readers maximize rewards and find the best credit cards to fit their lifestyles.
