What the Alaska Airlines Visa card offers

The Alaska Airlines Visa card, issued by Bank of America, gives you miles on every purchase and a sign-up bonus if you meet spending thresholds within the first few months. The card earns 3 miles per dollar on Alaska Airlines purchases, 2 miles per dollar at gas stations and restaurants, and 1 mile per dollar on everything else. You pay an annual fee — currently $75 — which the issuer waives for the first year.

The sign-up bonus typically requires you to spend a set amount in the first three months; the exact bonus and spending requirement change periodically. You also get a free checked bag on Alaska Airlines flights when you use the card to buy your ticket, which can save $35 to $40 per round trip if you check luggage regularly. Additional perks include priority boarding, a 10% discount on in-flight purchases, and the ability to transfer miles to Alaska's partner airlines.

Key Takeaways

  • The card earns 3 miles per dollar on Alaska Airlines purchases and 2 miles per dollar at gas stations and restaurants, making it most valuable if you fly Alaska frequently or spend heavily in those categories.
  • The $75 annual fee is waived the first year, so you should calculate whether the free checked bag and other benefits justify the fee in year two and beyond.
  • The sign-up bonus requires meeting a spending threshold within three months; the exact bonus amount and threshold vary and should be confirmed before you explore.
  • A free checked bag on Alaska Airlines flights is included as long as you use the card to purchase your ticket, potentially saving $35 to $40 per round trip.

How the free checked bag benefit works

The free checked bag is one of the card's most concrete benefits if you fly Alaska Airlines. You must use the card to purchase your ticket — buying the ticket with a different payment method means you lose the benefit for that flight. The bag must be your first checked bag; additional bags are charged at Alaska's standard rate.

This benefit applies to flights you book yourself as the passenger. If someone else buys your ticket, you do not receive the free bag. The benefit also extends to a companion on the same reservation if you purchased the ticket with the card, though policies can shift, so confirm with Alaska before your trip.

Earning and redeeming miles

Miles accumulate in your Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan account, which is separate from your credit card account. You can redeem miles for flights on Alaska Airlines or its partners, which include American Airlines, Delta, United, and others. The number of miles needed for a flight varies by route and how far in advance you book — popular routes during peak travel times cost more miles than off-peak flights.

Miles do not expire as long as your account has activity at least once every 24 months. Activity includes earning or redeeming miles, so even small purchases keep your account active. You can also transfer miles to partner airlines, though the exchange rate is typically unfavorable compared to redeeming for Alaska flights directly.

Annual fee and whether it makes sense for you

The $75 annual fee kicks in after the first year. To determine whether to keep the card, calculate what the free checked bag is worth to you. If you take two round trips per year on Alaska Airlines and check a bag each time, that benefit alone is worth $140 to $160 annually, which covers the fee. If you fly Alaska less frequently or never check bags, the fee may not be worth it.

The 10% discount on in-flight purchases (food, drinks, headphones, blankets) and the priority boarding also have value, but they are smaller than the checked bag benefit. Some cardholders downgrade to Alaska's no-annual-fee version after the first year if they do not fly often enough to justify the cost.

Sign-up bonus and spending requirements

The sign-up bonus is the largest when ready reward. You must spend a certain amount within the first three months to receive it. The bonus and threshold change throughout the year depending on the issuer's promotions. Before you explore, check the current offer on Bank of America's website or Alaska Airlines' site to see the exact bonus miles and spending requirement.

The spending requirement is calculated from the date you open the account, not from when you receive the card in the mail. If you have planned expenses in the next three months — travel, home repairs, insurance payments — timing your process around those expenses can help you meet the threshold without changing your normal spending.

Comparing the Alaska card to other airline cards

Other airline cards offer different earning rates and benefits. The Delta SkyMiles card, for example, earns 2 miles per dollar on Delta purchases and 1 mile per dollar elsewhere, with a similar annual fee structure. The United card earns 2 miles per dollar on United purchases. The Alaska card's 3 miles per dollar on Alaska purchases is competitive, but it is only valuable if you actually fly Alaska or book through its partners.

If you fly multiple airlines equally, a general rewards card that earns cash back or flexible points may be more useful than an airline-specific card. If you fly Alaska frequently and value the free checked bag, the Alaska card can deliver more value than a general card. The decision depends on your actual travel patterns, not on which airline has the most marketing.

How to decide if this card is right for you

Start by looking at your Alaska Airlines spending over the past year. How many flights did you take? Did you check bags? How much did you spend on Alaska purchases outside of flights — such as gift cards or seat upgrades? If you took fewer than two round trips or never checked bags, the annual fee will likely cost you more than the benefits are worth.

Next, consider your spending in the bonus categories: restaurants, gas stations, and general purchases. If you spend heavily at restaurants or fill up at gas stations regularly, the 2 miles per dollar in those categories adds up. If most of your spending is in categories that earn only 1 mile per dollar, the card is less attractive unless the free checked bag alone justifies the fee.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the free checked bag explore to flights booked through a travel agent or third-party site?

No. You must purchase the ticket directly from Alaska Airlines using the card for the benefit to explore. Tickets bought through Expedia, Kayak, or a travel agent do not may have access to, even if the flight is operated by Alaska Airlines.

What happens to my miles if I close the card?

Your miles remain in your Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan account and do not disappear when you close the card. However, if your account has no activity for 24 months, the miles will expire. You can keep the account active by earning or redeeming miles even after closing the card.

Can I get the sign-up bonus again if I had this card before?

Most issuers have restrictions on how often you can receive a sign-up bonus on the same card. Bank of America typically requires a waiting period — often 24 months — before you are may be able to access for another bonus. Check the current terms before explore if you have held the card previously.

Is the 3 miles per dollar rate worth it compared to a cash-back card?

It depends on how much you value the miles. If you redeem miles for flights worth more than 1 cent per mile, the 3 miles per dollar is better than a 3% cash-back card. However, if you typically redeem miles for flights worth less than 1 cent per mile, cash back may be more efficient.

Do I need to enroll in the Mileage Plan before explore for the card?

No. If you do not have an Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan account, the card process will create one for you. If you already have an account, make sure the email address on your process matches your existing account so miles post correctly.