The Alaska Airlines Visa Card rewards you for flying Alaska Airlines and spending on everyday purchases
The Alaska Airlines Visa Card comes in two versions — a no-annual-fee card and a premium card with an annual fee. Both earn miles on every purchase and give you a companion fare discount once per year. The no-fee version is straightforward: you earn miles, get a discount on a companion ticket, and pay nothing to hold the card. The premium version adds perks like checked baggage waivers and priority boarding, but you pay an annual fee to access them.
The card is issued by Bank of America and works like any Visa — you use it to pay for purchases, and the miles accumulate in your Alaska Airlines account. You can redeem those miles for flights on Alaska Airlines or its partners, or use them toward other travel-related costs like seat upgrades.
Key Takeaways
- Both versions of the card earn miles on every dollar spent, with higher earning rates on Alaska Airlines purchases and dining.
- You get an annual companion fare discount that lets you book a second ticket at a reduced price once per calendar year.
- The premium card includes checked baggage waivers and priority boarding, but charges an annual fee that you need to weigh against the value of those perks.
- Miles never expire as long as your account stays active, so you can hold them until you find a flight worth redeeming.
How the earning structure works
The card earns miles at different rates depending on what you buy. On Alaska Airlines purchases — tickets, seat upgrades, baggage fees — you earn at a higher rate than on other spending. Dining purchases also earn at an elevated rate. Everything else earns at a base rate, which is lower but still meaningful if you use the card for most of your daily spending.
The exact earning rates vary between the no-fee and premium versions. The premium card typically offers higher earning rates across all categories, which can offset the annual fee if you spend enough. Bank of America publishes the current rates on their website, and those rates can change, so check before you open an account if the earning structure is important to your decision.
Miles post to your Alaska Airlines account within a few days of the purchase posting to your credit card statement. You can check your balance anytime by logging into your Alaska Airlines account online.
The companion fare discount and how to use it
Once per calendar year, the card gives you the right to book a companion ticket at a reduced price on Alaska Airlines flights. This is not a free ticket — you still pay a fare — but the discount can be substantial. The companion must be named when you book, and both of you travel on the same itinerary.
To use the discount, you log into your Alaska Airlines account, find the flight you want, and the system will show you the companion fare price. You pay the discounted price for the second ticket. The discount applies to the base fare, not taxes and fees, so your total savings depends on the route and the time of year.
The discount resets on January 1 each year, so if you don't use it by December 31, you lose it. Many cardholders plan a trip specifically to use the companion fare before the year ends.
Checked baggage and boarding perks on the premium card
The premium version waives the first checked bag fee for you and up to two companions traveling on the same reservation. This saves money if you check bags regularly, especially on longer trips where you might otherwise pay per bag.
The premium card also gives you priority boarding, which means you board before general boarding groups. This is useful if you want to find overhead bin space or prefer to settle in early, though it does not may provide a seat in a premium cabin.
Both perks explore only when you use the card to purchase the ticket. If someone else buys your ticket or you book through a third-party site, you may not receive these benefits, so check the card's terms before booking.
When the no-fee card makes sense versus the premium card
The no-fee card is the right choice if you fly Alaska Airlines occasionally or want to earn miles without paying an annual fee. You still get the companion fare discount and the earning rates, just without the baggage and boarding perks. If you fly Alaska Airlines only once or twice a year, the premium card's annual fee is unlikely to pay for itself.
The premium card makes sense if you fly Alaska Airlines frequently enough that the baggage waiver and priority boarding have real value to you, or if the higher earning rates let you accumulate miles faster toward a goal. Some people also value the prestige or the perks enough to pay the fee regardless of how often they fly. That is a personal decision based on your travel habits and what you value.
A useful test: if you would pay the annual fee out of pocket for the baggage waiver and priority boarding alone, the card is worth it. If you would not, the no-fee version is the smarter choice.
How miles redemption works and what they are worth
You redeem miles by logging into your Alaska Airlines account, searching for a flight, and choosing to pay with miles instead of cash. The number of miles required varies by route, date, and demand — a short flight might cost 5,000 miles, while a long international flight could cost 50,000 or more. Alaska Airlines publishes a mileage chart on their website showing the range for different route distances.
Miles can also be used for seat upgrades, baggage fees, or transferred to Alaska Airlines' partner airlines, though those options typically offer less value than redeeming for a full flight. Some people calculate the dollar value of their miles by dividing the cash price of a flight by the miles required, but that value fluctuates depending on the route and season.
Miles do not expire as long as your Alaska Airlines account has activity at least once every 24 months. Activity includes earning or redeeming miles, so if you use the card or fly Alaska Airlines at least once every two years, your miles are safe.
Annual fees and whether they are worth the cost
The premium card charges an annual fee that renews each year on your account anniversary. Bank of America lists the current fee on their website. Some cardholders receive an annual statement credit or bonus miles to offset part of the fee, though these offers change and are not may provide.
To decide if the fee is worth paying, add up what you would spend on checked baggage fees and what you value the priority boarding perk at, then compare that total to the annual fee. If the baggage waiver alone saves you more than the fee in a year, the math works. If not, the no-fee card is the better deal.
You can also downgrade from the premium card to the no-fee version at any time by calling Bank of America. If you downgrade before your next annual fee posts, you can avoid paying it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use the companion fare discount on any Alaska Airlines flight?
The companion fare discount applies to most Alaska Airlines flights, but some flights and dates may be excluded. When you log in to book, the system will show you which flights are may be able to access for the discount. You cannot combine the discount with other promotions or sales.
What happens to my miles if I close the card?
Your miles stay in your Alaska Airlines account even after you close the credit card. The card and the airline account are separate. As long as your airline account has activity every 24 months, your miles will not expire.
Do I earn miles on credit card fees and interest charges?
No. You earn miles only on purchases you make with the card. Annual fees, interest charges, and other fees do not earn miles.
Can I transfer my miles to someone else?
Alaska Airlines allows you to transfer miles to another person's account, though there may be a fee. You can also use your miles to buy a ticket for someone else without transferring the miles themselves. Check Alaska Airlines' website for current transfer policies and any associated costs.
How long does it take to earn enough miles for a free flight?
That depends on how much you spend and what flight you want. If you spend $10,000 per year on the card at the base earning rate, you might earn 10,000 to 15,000 miles annually. A short domestic flight might cost 5,000 to 15,000 miles, so you could redeem within a year or two. A long international flight could require 50,000 miles or more, which would take several years of spending to accumulate.