What the Alaska Airlines credit card does

The Alaska Airlines credit card is a co-branded rewards card issued by Bank of America that earns miles on every purchase you make. You earn one mile per dollar spent on most purchases, and you earn bonus miles on Alaska Airlines tickets, hotels, rental cars, and other travel partners. The card comes with an annual fee, which varies depending on which version you choose.

The card's main draw is that miles can be redeemed for Alaska Airlines flights at a lower cost than many competing airline cards. Alaska Airlines also allows you to transfer miles to partner airlines and hotels, though redemption rates vary. The card also includes perks like free checked bags on Alaska Airlines flights and priority boarding.

Key Takeaways

  • The Alaska Airlines card earns one mile per dollar on most purchases, with higher earning rates on Alaska Airlines tickets and travel partners.
  • You pay an annual fee to hold the card, and the amount depends on which version you choose—the standard card or the premium card.
  • Miles can be redeemed for Alaska Airlines flights or transferred to partner airlines and hotels, though transfer rates and availability change.
  • Cardholders receive benefits like free checked bags and priority boarding on Alaska Airlines flights.
  • The card is best for people who fly Alaska Airlines regularly or live in a region where Alaska Airlines operates many routes.

How to earn miles with the Alaska Airlines card

You earn miles automatically on every purchase. Most everyday spending—groceries, gas, restaurants, online shopping—earns one mile per dollar. Some categories earn more: you typically earn bonus miles on Alaska Airlines tickets purchased directly from the airline, and on hotels and rental cars booked through Alaska Airlines' travel partners.

New cardholders often receive a sign-up bonus of miles after they meet a minimum spending requirement within the first few months of opening the account. The bonus amount and spending threshold change periodically, so check the current offer when you are considering the card. You do not earn bonus miles on balance transfers or cash advances.

Miles do not expire as long as your account remains open and you use the card at least once every 24 months. If your account closes, any remaining miles are forfeited. Some cardholders keep the card open specifically to preserve their miles balance, even if they do not use it regularly.

Redeeming miles for flights and other rewards

Alaska Airlines uses a dynamic pricing model for flight redemptions, meaning the number of miles required for a ticket varies based on demand, route, and how far in advance you book. A short domestic flight might cost 5,000 to 12,500 miles, while longer routes or peak travel dates can cost significantly more. You can check the exact mile cost for any flight before you complete the redemption.

You can also transfer miles to Alaska Airlines' partner airlines and hotel programs, though the transfer ratio is typically one mile to one point or mile in the partner program. Transfer partners change, so check Alaska Airlines' website for the current list. Some transfers are permanent, while others may be temporary promotions.

Miles can also be used to purchase gift cards, make donations, or book hotels and rental cars through Alaska Airlines' travel portal. These redemptions usually offer lower value per mile than flight redemptions, so redeeming for flights is typically the best use of your miles.

Annual fees and other costs

The Alaska Airlines card charges an annual fee that you pay once per year to keep the card open. The amount depends on which version you hold—the standard card has a lower annual fee than the premium version. The premium card typically includes additional benefits like a statement credit toward Alaska Airlines purchases or free checked bags for companions, which may offset the higher fee if you fly frequently.

There are no foreign transaction fees on the Alaska Airlines card, so you can use it internationally without paying extra per purchase. However, if you carry a balance from month to month, you will pay interest at the card's variable APR, which is disclosed in your card agreement.

If you close the card, you do not get a refund of the annual fee you have already paid. Most cardholders pay the annual fee in full when it posts to their account each year, though some issuers allow you to downgrade to a no-annual-fee version of the card instead of closing it.

Who benefits most from this card

The Alaska Airlines card makes the most sense if you fly Alaska Airlines at least a few times per year or live in a region where Alaska Airlines has significant route coverage—primarily the West Coast, Hawaii, and parts of the Pacific Northwest. If you rarely fly or fly primarily on other airlines, the annual fee and earning rates may not justify holding the card.

The card is also useful if you value the perks that come with it, such as free checked bags and priority boarding. These benefits can save you money on baggage fees alone if you check a bag on every trip. Frequent flyers who use Alaska Airlines as their primary carrier often find that the miles earned and perks included offset the annual fee.

If you have a high annual spending and can meet sign-up bonuses, the card can accumulate miles quickly. However, if most of your travel is on other airlines or you prefer to earn cash back rather than miles, a different rewards card may be a better fit.

How to open an Alaska Airlines card account

You can open an account online through Bank of America's website or through Alaska Airlines' website. The process process typically takes 10 to 15 minutes and asks for your personal information, income, and Social Security number. Bank of America will check your credit report as part of the process.

You will receive a decision on your process when ready or within a few business days. If you are approved, your card will be mailed to you within 7 to 10 business days. Once you receive the card, you will need to set up it before you can use it. set up usually happens online or by phone and takes just a few minutes.

After set up, you can start earning miles right away. Make sure to meet the sign-up bonus spending requirement within the timeframe stated in your offer—usually 90 days—to receive the bonus miles. The bonus miles will post to your account once you meet the requirement, typically within one to two billing cycles.

Managing your account and paying your bill

You can manage your Alaska Airlines card account online through Bank of America's website or mobile app. You can view your balance, recent transactions, available credit, and rewards balance at any time. You can also set up automatic payments or pay your bill manually each month.

Your bill is due on the same date each month. If you pay the full statement balance by the due date, you will not pay interest. If you carry a balance, interest will accrue at your card's APR. Most cardholders set up automatic payments to avoid missing a due date, which can result in late fees and damage to your credit score.

You can also contact Bank of America's customer service by phone, chat, or mail if you have questions about your account, need to report fraud, or want to make changes to your account settings. Customer service representatives can help you understand your rewards balance, redemption options, and account benefits.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do Alaska Airlines miles expire?

Miles do not expire as long as your account is open and you use the card at least once every 24 months. If your account closes or you do not use the card for more than 24 months, your miles may be forfeited. To keep miles active, you can make a small purchase on the card or transfer miles to a partner program.

Can I use Alaska Airlines miles on other airlines?

Yes, you can transfer miles to Alaska Airlines' partner airlines, though the transfer ratio and availability vary. Not all partner airlines accept transfers at all times, so check the current list on Alaska Airlines' website before you transfer. Some transfers may take several business days to process.

What happens to my miles if I close the card?

Your miles will remain in your Alaska Airlines account even after you close the card, as long as your frequent flyer account stays open. However, if you do not use your frequent flyer account for 24 months, Alaska Airlines may close it and forfeit your miles. You can keep your frequent flyer account active by earning or redeeming miles periodically.

Is there a way to avoid paying the annual fee?

You can downgrade to a no-annual-fee version of the Alaska Airlines card instead of closing the account. This allows you to keep your miles and account history while avoiding the annual fee. Contact Bank of America to ask about downgrade options available to you.

How long does it take to receive my card after I open the account?

Your card will typically arrive within 7 to 10 business days after your process is approved. Once you receive it, you will need to set up it before you can use it. set up usually takes a few minutes online or by phone, and you can start earning miles when ready after set up.