What the Alaska Airlines Visa Card offers
The Alaska Airlines Visa Card is issued by Bank of America and earns miles on every purchase you make. You get 3 miles per dollar on Alaska Airlines purchases, 2 miles per dollar at restaurants, gas stations, and transit, and 1 mile per dollar on everything else. The card comes with an annual fee of $75, though new cardholders typically receive a sign-up bonus of 40,000 miles after spending a set amount in the first few months.
The card includes a free checked bag on Alaska Airlines flights for you and up to two companions on the same reservation — a benefit that can offset the annual fee if you fly even once a year. You also get priority boarding, a 20% discount on in-flight purchases, and the ability to transfer miles to Alaska's airline partners at a 1:1 ratio.
Key Takeaways
- The card earns 3 miles per dollar on Alaska Airlines flights and 2 miles per dollar at restaurants, gas stations, and transit.
- The $75 annual fee is offset by the free checked bag benefit, which saves $35 to $40 per round trip on most carriers.
- The sign-up bonus of 40,000 miles is worth roughly $400 to $600 in travel value, depending on how you redeem.
- Miles do not expire as long as you have account activity at least once per year, which includes any card purchase.
- The card works best for people who fly Alaska Airlines at least twice a year or live in a city where Alaska has strong service.
How the rewards structure compares to other airline cards
Most airline cards earn 2 miles per dollar on airline purchases and 1 mile per dollar elsewhere. The Alaska card's 3 miles on Alaska Airlines flights is above average, but only if you actually fly that airline. If you fly multiple carriers, a general travel rewards card like the Chase Sapphire Preferred or American Express Gold may give you more flexibility, since those cards earn points on any airline and let you transfer to dozens of partners.
The free checked bag is a major advantage over cards that charge $75 annually without it. United and American Airlines cards offer similar bag benefits, but the Alaska card's 2-mile earning rate at restaurants and gas stations is higher than what United's card offers in those categories. If you rarely fly Alaska Airlines but live near an airport where they operate, the checked bag benefit alone may not justify the annual fee.
When the annual fee makes financial sense
The $75 annual fee breaks even quickly if you fly Alaska Airlines at least once a year. A single round-trip domestic flight with a checked bag saves you $35 to $40 in baggage fees, and the priority boarding and in-flight discounts add modest value. If you fly Alaska twice a year, the fee is easily covered.
The math changes if you do not fly Alaska Airlines at all. The 2 miles per dollar at restaurants and gas stations is solid, but not exceptional — the American Express Gold earns 4 points per dollar at restaurants, and the Chase Sapphire Preferred earns 3 points per dollar on dining. Unless you are committed to Alaska Airlines travel, the card's rewards structure outside of airline purchases does not justify the annual fee on its own.
How to use Alaska miles for the best value
Alaska miles are most valuable when redeemed for flights, where they typically give you 1 to 1.5 cents per mile. A 40,000-mile sign-up bonus can cover a round-trip domestic flight or a one-way to Hawaii. Redeeming during off-peak travel times — early morning, late evening, or Tuesday through Thursday — often costs fewer miles than peak times.
You can also transfer miles to Alaska's airline partners, which include American Airlines, Delta, United, and several international carriers. Partner transfers are usually less valuable than direct Alaska redemptions, so transfer only if you cannot find a good Alaska flight. Miles do not expire as long as you make at least one purchase on the card or have account activity each year, so you can accumulate them over time without pressure to spend them quickly.
Who should and should not get this card
The Alaska Airlines Visa Card makes sense if you live in Alaska, the Pacific Northwest, or California, where Alaska Airlines has the most frequent service. It also works well if you fly Alaska at least twice a year for work or personal travel. The free checked bag and priority boarding add real value on those flights, and the 3-mile earning rate on Alaska purchases compounds over time.
Skip this card if you rarely fly Alaska Airlines, prefer to fly other carriers, or want maximum flexibility across multiple airlines. If you are new to rewards cards and want to learn how miles work before committing to an airline-specific card, a general travel card is a better starting point. The card also requires good credit — Bank of America typically approves applicants with a credit score of 670 or higher, though approval is not may provide.
Sign-up bonus and how to meet the spending requirement
New cardholders receive 40,000 miles after spending a certain amount (usually $2,000 to $3,000) in the first three months. This bonus is worth roughly $400 to $600 in travel value. To meet the spending requirement without overspending, use the card for regular expenses you already pay for — groceries, utilities, insurance, or subscription services — rather than making new purchases.
The 3-mile earning rate on Alaska Airlines flights means you can also put your first Alaska flight on the card and earn both the miles for the flight itself and progress toward the sign-up bonus. If you have a planned trip within the first three months, timing your card process around that trip can help you hit the spending threshold naturally.
Comparing the Alaska card to the Alaska Airlines Visa Signature card
Bank of America also offers an Alaska Airlines Visa Signature version with a higher annual fee of $95. The Signature card adds benefits like trip delay reimbursement, lost luggage reimbursement, and emergency medical and dental coverage while traveling. It also includes a $100 annual statement credit toward Alaska Airlines purchases, which effectively reduces the net annual fee to negative $5.
The Signature card makes sense if you fly Alaska Airlines frequently (four or more times per year) and value travel insurance. The $100 statement credit is a real advantage for regular Alaska flyers. If you fly Alaska only once or twice a year, the standard card's $75 fee and free checked bag are sufficient, and the extra insurance benefits may not be worth the additional $20 annual cost.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do Alaska miles expire?
Miles do not expire as long as you have account activity at least once per year. Account activity includes any purchase on the card, so even a small transaction keeps your miles active indefinitely. If your account goes inactive for 12 months, miles may be forfeited, but you can reactivate the account by making a purchase.
Can I use Alaska miles on flights booked through third-party websites?
No. Miles can only be redeemed through Alaska Airlines' website or by calling their reservations line. If you book through a third-party site like Kayak or Expedia, you cannot use miles for that flight. Always book directly with Alaska Airlines to redeem miles.
What happens to my miles if I close the card?
Your miles stay in your Alaska Airlines account even after you close the card. You can continue to redeem them for flights as long as your Alaska Airlines account remains active. However, if you close the card and do not make any other Alaska Airlines purchases or account activity for 12 months, your miles may expire.
Is the sign-up bonus worth it if I do not fly Alaska Airlines much?
The 40,000-mile bonus is worth $400 to $600 in travel value, but only if you actually redeem the miles. If you do not fly Alaska Airlines and have no plans to, the bonus does not offset the $75 annual fee. A general travel rewards card with a cash-back bonus would be a better choice.
Can I earn miles on credit card payments?
No. Payments toward your credit card balance do not earn miles. Only new purchases earn rewards. Balance transfers and cash advances also do not earn miles.