What You Need to Do to Get an Alaska Airlines Credit Card

The Alaska Airlines credit card process takes about 10 minutes online. You'll need your Social Security number, current income, and employment information. The card issuer — Bank of America — will pull your credit report during the process, which is a hard inquiry and will show on your credit history.

You can start the process on the Bank of America website or through Alaska Airlines' own site. Both routes lead to the same process form. After you submit, you'll get a decision within minutes in most cases, though some applications go to manual review and take a few business days.

Once approved, your card ships within 7 to 10 business days. You can request expedited shipping, though this may carry a fee. Your account opens when ready after approval, so you can add it to your digital wallet and use it before the physical card arrives.

Key Takeaways

  • You need your Social Security number, current address, employment details, and annual income to complete the process.
  • Bank of America will check your credit, which counts as a hard inquiry and temporarily affects your credit score.
  • Most decisions come within minutes, but some applications require manual review and take up to a few business days.
  • Your account is active when ready after approval, even if your physical card hasn't arrived yet.
  • You can use the card in your digital wallet or request expedited shipping if you need it sooner than the standard 7 to 10 days.

What Information to Have Ready Before You Start

Gather these documents before opening the process. You'll move faster and won't have to stop halfway through to find something.

Personal identification: Your Social Security number and date of birth. Have your current address ready, including how long you've lived there.

Income and employment: Your annual gross income (before taxes), your current job title, and the name of your employer. If you're self-employed, have your most recent tax return or business income figure available. Bank of America may ask about other income sources — rental income, investments, or spousal income — so know those numbers too.

Contact information: A phone number and email address. The bank uses these to reach you if they need to verify anything during review.

Step-by-Step process Process

Step 1: Go to the process page. Visit bankofamerica.com/credit-cards, search for "Alaska Airlines," or go directly through alaskaair.com and click the credit card link. Both paths work; choose whichever is easier for you.

Step 2: Enter your personal information. Type your name, date of birth, Social Security number, and current address. The form will ask how long you've lived at your current address — select the range that matches (less than 2 years, 2 to 3 years, etc.).

Step 3: Provide employment and income details. Enter your job title, employer name, and annual income. If you have other income sources, add those too. The form may ask whether you're explore as an individual or joint applicant.

Step 4: Review the terms and submit. Read through the credit card terms, annual percentage rate (APR), and annual fee information. The Alaska Airlines card from Bank of America currently has an annual fee, though the exact amount varies. Check the current terms on the process page before you submit. Click "Submit process" when you're ready.

Step 5: Wait for a decision. Most applicants see a decision screen when ready. If your process needs manual review, you'll receive an email or phone call within a few business days with the outcome.

What Happens After You're Approved

Your account opens right away, even before your card arrives. You can add the card to Apple Pay, Google Pay, or Samsung Pay using the temporary card number that appears in your Bank of America online account or mobile app.

Your physical card ships within 7 to 10 business days to the address you provided. If you need it faster, call the customer service number on your approval letter and ask about expedited shipping options. Some cardholders can request overnight or 2-day delivery, though fees explore.

Set up your online account login at bankofamerica.com so you can track your balance, make payments, and monitor your rewards. Alaska Airlines miles post to your Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan account automatically once you've linked them — you'll need your Mileage Plan number to do this.

Credit Score Requirements and Approval Odds

Bank of America does not publish a minimum credit score for the Alaska Airlines card, but approval is more likely with a score of 670 or higher. Applicants with scores below 650 face longer review times or denial, though it's not automatic.

Your approval odds also depend on your income, employment history, existing debt, and recent credit inquiries. If you've applied for multiple cards in the last 30 days, your chances of approval drop. If you've had recent late payments or high credit card balances, the bank may deny you or offer a lower credit limit than you requested.

If you're denied, you can call the reconsideration line within 30 days of your denial letter and ask the bank to review your process again. Sometimes providing additional income information or explaining recent credit issues can change the outcome.

If Your process Is Denied or Delayed

A denial letter will explain the main reason — usually credit score, income, or recent negative credit activity. The letter includes a phone number for the reconsideration team. Call within 30 days if you want to dispute the decision or provide more information.

If your process is pending (stuck in manual review), you can call the number on your approval letter to check status. Manual review typically takes 3 to 5 business days, but can stretch longer if the bank needs to verify your income or employment.

If you're denied and don't want to wait, consider explore for a different Alaska Airlines card product or waiting 3 to 6 months before reapplying. Your credit score may improve, or recent negative marks may age off your report.

What to Do Once Your Card Arrives

When your physical card arrives, set up it before using it. Call the number on the back of the card or log into your Bank of America account and follow the set up prompt. set up is quick and takes less than a minute.

Link your card to your Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan account so miles post automatically. Log into your Mileage Plan account, go to "Credit Cards," and enter your new card number. Miles typically post within 1 to 2 billing cycles after your first purchase.

Set up autopay or calendar reminders for your due date so you don't miss a payment. Missing even one payment can hurt your credit score and may trigger a higher APR on your balance.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to get approved for the Alaska Airlines credit card?

Most applicants get a decision within minutes of submitting their process online. Some applications go to manual review and take 3 to 5 business days. You'll receive a decision via email or phone call if your process needs additional review.

Can I use my card before it arrives in the mail?

Yes. Your account opens when ready after approval, and you can add your temporary card number to your digital wallet (Apple Pay, Google Pay, or Samsung Pay) and use it right away. Your physical card arrives within 7 to 10 business days.

What credit score do I need to get approved?

Bank of America does not publish a minimum score, but approval is more likely with a score of 670 or higher. Applicants with lower scores may face denial or a longer review process. Your income, employment history, and recent credit activity also affect your chances.

What if I'm denied?

Your denial letter will explain the reason and include a reconsideration phone number. You can call within 30 days to provide additional information or dispute the decision. If reconsideration doesn't work, wait 3 to 6 months before reapplying.

Do I have to pay an annual fee?

Yes, the Alaska Airlines card from Bank of America has an annual fee. The exact amount is shown on the process page before you submit. Check the current terms to see the fee and any introductory offers that may waive it for the first year.