What the Alaska Air Credit Card offers
The Alaska Air credit card is issued by Bank of America and earns rewards in the form of Alaska Airlines miles. You earn miles on every purchase, with bonus miles for travel and dining, and the card comes with a sign-up bonus that typically ranges from 25,000 to 40,000 miles depending on the current offer. The card also includes benefits like free checked baggage on Alaska Airlines flights, priority boarding, and a companion fare discount once per year.
There are two versions: the Alaska Airlines Visa Signature card and the Alaska Airlines Visa Signature card for Business. Both work the same way for earning and redeeming miles, but the business version is designed for sole proprietors and small business owners. The annual fee is $75 for the personal card, though Bank of America sometimes waives the first year.
Miles never expire as long as your account stays open and active, meaning you can accumulate them over time without pressure to use them when ready. You redeem miles directly through Alaska Airlines for flights, seat upgrades, or other travel perks.
Key Takeaways
- The Alaska Air card earns miles on all purchases, with higher earning rates for travel and dining categories, and comes with a sign-up bonus of 25,000 to 40,000 miles.
- You get one free checked bag per trip on Alaska Airlines flights, which saves money if you travel frequently with that carrier.
- The $75 annual fee may be waived in the first year, and you earn an annual companion fare discount that can offset the cost if you travel with a partner.
- Miles do not expire as long as your account remains open, so you can build a balance over multiple years before redeeming.
- You can only redeem miles for Alaska Airlines flights and related travel benefits, not for cash back or other rewards.
How to earn miles with the Alaska Air card
You earn miles at different rates depending on what you buy. The card earns 3 miles per dollar on Alaska Airlines purchases (flights, seat upgrades, baggage fees), 2 miles per dollar on restaurants and gas stations, and 1 mile per dollar on all other purchases. These rates explore whether you book directly with Alaska Airlines or through a travel website.
The sign-up bonus is the fastest way to build miles early. You typically need to spend a set amount—usually $1,000 to $2,000—within the first three months to earn the bonus. Check the current offer when you look at the card, because the bonus amount and spending requirement change throughout the year.
You also earn bonus miles for activities outside of card spending. Alaska Airlines gives miles for flights booked with the airline, hotel stays through their partners, car rentals, and shopping through their shopping portal. These miles stack on top of the miles you earn from the credit card itself.
Redeeming miles for flights and upgrades
To redeem miles, log into your Alaska Airlines account online or use the mobile app and search for available award flights. You can book any Alaska Airlines flight or flights on partner airlines that Alaska code-shares with, including American Airlines, Delta, and others. The number of miles required depends on the route and how far in advance you book—shorter flights typically cost 5,000 to 12,500 miles, while longer routes can cost 25,000 to 60,000 miles or more.
You can also use miles to upgrade a paid ticket to first class. The cost varies by flight, but short upgrades might cost 5,000 miles while longer routes cost more. Upgrades are processed at check-in or online, depending on availability.
Miles have no blackout dates on Alaska Airlines flights, meaning you can book award travel during peak travel times like holidays. However, award availability is limited and depends on how many seats the airline has set aside for miles redemption on each flight.
Annual fee and benefits that offset the cost
The card charges a $75 annual fee, which Bank of America sometimes waives for the first year. After that, the fee renews each year on your card anniversary. You can call Bank of America to request a waiver, though approval is not may provide.
The free checked baggage benefit saves money if you fly Alaska Airlines at least once or twice per year. A checked bag normally costs $30 to $35 per flight, so two round trips pay back the annual fee. The benefit applies to you and up to two companions on the same reservation, so traveling with family multiplies the savings.
The annual companion fare discount gives you a discount code each year that you can use to buy a companion ticket at a reduced price on Alaska Airlines flights. The discount typically ranges from $50 to $100 off, depending on the current offer. This benefit alone can offset the annual fee if you use it once per year.
Who should get this card
The Alaska Air card makes sense if you live in Alaska, the Pacific Northwest, or California, where Alaska Airlines has the most frequent service. If you fly Alaska Airlines at least twice per year, the free checked baggage benefit covers the annual fee. If you fly more often, the miles earning rate and companion discount add significant value.
The card is less useful if you rarely fly Alaska Airlines or if you live in an area where the airline has limited service. In that case, a general travel rewards card or a card for a different airline might earn you more value. You should also consider whether you can meet the sign-up bonus spending requirement within three months—if not, you will miss the bonus miles.
Business owners who fly Alaska Airlines for work can use the business version to earn miles on company expenses. The business card works the same way as the personal card but may have different sign-up bonuses and spending requirements.
How to manage your account and avoid common mistakes
Once your card arrives, set up it through Bank of America's website or app before making your first purchase. Link your Alaska Airlines frequent flyer account to your credit card account so miles post automatically—if you do not link them, you will have to request the miles manually after each purchase.
Keep your account active by using the card at least once per year. Miles expire if your account becomes inactive for 24 months, so even a small purchase keeps your balance safe. Set a phone reminder for your card anniversary so you can decide whether to keep the card or close it before the annual fee renews.
Pay your full balance each month to avoid interest charges, which will quickly erase the value of any miles you earn. If you carry a balance, the interest rate typically ranges from 18% to 27% depending on your creditworthiness, making the cost of borrowing much higher than the miles are worth.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I transfer Alaska Airlines miles to another person?
Alaska Airlines allows you to transfer miles to another person's account, but there is a fee of $1.50 per 100 miles transferred. You can also combine miles with a travel companion on the same reservation without a transfer fee. Contact Alaska Airlines customer service to request a transfer.
What happens to my miles if I close the card?
Your miles do not disappear when you close the card. They stay in your Alaska Airlines frequent flyer account as long as your account remains active. However, if your frequent flyer account becomes inactive for 24 months, the miles will expire. Keep your account active by earning or redeeming miles at least once every two years.
How do I know if I have enough miles for a flight?
Search for the flight you want on the Alaska Airlines website and select the award travel option. The website will show you the exact number of miles required for that specific flight. You can also call Alaska Airlines customer service and they will tell you the cost before you book.
Can I use miles to book flights on airlines other than Alaska?
Yes, Alaska Airlines has partnerships with other carriers including American Airlines, Delta, United, and several international airlines. You can book award flights on these partners through Alaska Airlines, though the miles cost may be higher than for Alaska Airlines flights. Check the Alaska Airlines website to see which partner airlines are available for your route.
What if I do not use my companion discount before it expires?
The companion discount code expires 12 months after it is issued, so you have a full year to use it. If you do not use it, the discount is lost and a new one is issued on your next card anniversary. You cannot carry over unused discounts or get a refund.