What the Alaska Airlines Credit Card Does
The Alaska Airlines Visa Card earns miles on every purchase you make, then lets you redeem those miles for flights, seat upgrades, and other travel perks. You get a sign-up bonus of miles after you meet a spending threshold in the first few months. The card charges an annual fee, which you pay once a year whether you use the card or not.
The card is issued by Bank of America and works like any other Visa — you can use it anywhere Visa is accepted. The miles you earn stay in your Alaska Airlines account and don't expire as long as you have account activity at least once every 24 months. If you already fly Alaska Airlines or live in a region where they operate, this card can reduce what you pay for flights over time.
Key Takeaways
- You earn a set number of miles per dollar spent on purchases, with bonus miles on Alaska Airlines tickets and certain other categories.
- The sign-up bonus requires you to spend a specific amount within a set timeframe, usually three months, to receive the bonus miles.
- An annual fee applies each year, and you should compare this cost against the value of miles and perks you expect to use.
- Miles can be redeemed for Alaska Airlines flights, seat upgrades, and partner airline tickets, but availability and pricing vary by route and date.
- You can check your miles balance and redemption options through your Alaska Airlines account online or by calling their customer service line.
How to Earn Miles with This Card
Every dollar you spend on the card earns you miles toward your Alaska Airlines account. The earning rate varies by purchase category. For example, you might earn more miles per dollar on Alaska Airlines tickets than you do on groceries or gas. Some cards offer bonus miles in specific categories like dining or hotels during certain periods.
When you first open the card, you receive a sign-up bonus if you spend a certain amount — typically $1,000 to $3,000 — within the first three months. This bonus is usually the largest chunk of miles you'll receive at once. After that, your miles accumulate with each purchase. You can track your balance by logging into your Alaska Airlines account online or checking your monthly credit card statement.
Miles do not expire as long as you have some account activity with Alaska Airlines every 24 months. Activity includes earning miles, redeeming miles, or even just logging into your account. If you go more than two years without any activity, Alaska Airlines may close your account and you could lose your miles.
Annual Fee and Other Costs
The Alaska Airlines Visa Card charges an annual fee that you pay once per year, usually on your card anniversary. This fee is not waived in the first year — you pay it starting when ready after you open the account. The amount varies depending on which version of the card you choose, as Bank of America offers different tiers with different benefits and different fees.
Beyond the annual fee, you pay interest on any balance you carry from month to month. If you pay your full statement balance by the due date each month, you pay no interest. You also pay a late fee if your payment arrives after the due date, and a foreign transaction fee if you use the card outside the United States.
To decide whether the card makes sense for you, compare the annual fee against the value of miles you expect to earn and redeem in a year. If you fly Alaska Airlines regularly or spend enough to earn miles quickly, the fee may be worth it. If you fly infrequently, the fee might outweigh your benefits.
How to Redeem Miles for Flights and Upgrades
You redeem miles through your Alaska Airlines account online or by calling their reservations team. Log into your account, search for a flight, and select the option to pay with miles instead of cash. The number of miles required depends on the route, the airline, the time of year, and how far in advance you book. A short domestic flight might cost 5,000 to 10,000 miles, while a long international flight could cost 40,000 miles or more.
Miles can also be used to upgrade your seat from economy to premium cabin on Alaska Airlines flights. You can explore miles toward an upgrade at the time you book or after you've already purchased a ticket. Upgrade pricing varies by flight and availability.
You can redeem miles for tickets on partner airlines as well, though the number of miles required and the availability of partner awards vary. Alaska Airlines partners with airlines including American, Delta, United, and others. Partner redemptions sometimes offer better value on certain routes, but availability is often more limited than on Alaska Airlines flights.
Opening an Account and Getting Your Card
To open an Alaska Airlines Visa Card, you start by visiting Bank of America's website or calling their phone line. You'll provide personal information including your name, address, date of birth, and Social Security number. Bank of America will check your credit to decide whether to approve you and what credit limit to offer.
The approval decision usually comes within minutes if you explore online. If approved, your physical card arrives by mail within 7 to 10 business days. You can also request a temporary digital card number to use online before your physical card arrives.
Once your card arrives, you set up it by calling the number on the back or through your online account. Then you link it to your Alaska Airlines account so that miles you earn on the card automatically post to your frequent flyer account. If you don't have an Alaska Airlines account yet, you can create one for free on their website before or after you open the credit card.
Paying Your Bill and Managing Your Account
Your credit card bill is due on the same date each month. You can pay online through your Bank of America account, by phone, by mail, or through automatic payments. If you set up automatic payments, you can choose to pay the full balance, a minimum amount, or a specific dollar amount each month.
Paying your full balance by the due date means you pay no interest. If you carry a balance, interest accrues daily at a rate that depends on your creditworthiness and current market rates. You can see your current interest rate (called the APR) on your account or on your monthly statement.
You can view your account online anytime to check your balance, recent transactions, and available credit. You can also set up alerts to notify you when your bill is due, when a large charge is made, or when your balance reaches a certain amount. If you need to dispute a charge or report fraud, contact Bank of America's customer service line on the back of your card.
Comparing This Card to Other Airline Cards
Other airlines offer their own credit cards through different banks. American Airlines, Delta, United, and Southwest each have cards with their own earning rates, annual fees, and sign-up bonuses. The best card for you depends on which airline you fly most often, how much you spend annually, and which perks matter most to you.
If you fly Alaska Airlines frequently or live in Alaska or the Pacific Northwest where they have strong service, the Alaska Airlines card may offer better value than a competitor's card. If you fly multiple airlines equally, a general travel card that earns points redeemable with many airlines might be more flexible. If you fly one other airline much more than Alaska, that airline's card might earn you miles faster.
Read the terms and earning rates for each card carefully. Some cards earn higher miles per dollar on airline tickets, while others earn more on dining or hotels. Some waive the annual fee for the first year, while others do not. The sign-up bonus also varies — a higher bonus can offset the annual fee if you meet the spending requirement.
Frequently Asked Questions
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. You can still redeem them for flights and upgrades. However, if you don't have any activity in your Alaska Airlines account for 24 months, the account and your miles may be closed. Using the card is one way to keep your account active, but you can also log in online or call Alaska Airlines to maintain activity.
Can I transfer my miles to someone else?
Alaska Airlines allows you to transfer miles to another person's account, but there are limits and fees involved. You can transfer a certain number of miles per year, and Alaska Airlines charges a fee per mile transferred. Check your Alaska Airlines account for current transfer limits and pricing, as these change periodically.
Do I earn miles on my annual fee?
No, the annual fee itself does not earn miles. However, you earn miles on all other purchases you make with the card. Some cardholders use the card enough to earn miles that offset or exceed the annual fee cost, making the card worthwhile despite the yearly charge.
What if my flight is cancelled and I need to rebook?
If you booked a flight with miles and it's cancelled, Alaska Airlines will rebook you on another flight at no additional cost. If no other flights meet your needs, you can request a refund of your miles back to your account. Contact Alaska Airlines directly to rebook or request a refund — the process is the same whether you paid with cash or miles.
How do I know if I'm approved for the card?
If you explore online, you receive a decision within minutes in most cases. Bank of America will tell you when ready whether you're approved, denied, or pending a decision. If pending, they may contact you by phone or email to verify information. You can also call Bank of America's customer service line to check your process status.