What the Bank of America Alaska Airlines Card Offers
The Bank of America Alaska Airlines credit card earns miles on every purchase and gives you a sign-up bonus after you meet a spending threshold in the first few months. The card comes with a yearly fee, which you pay once a year whether you use the card or not. You get free checked bags on Alaska Airlines flights, priority boarding, and a companion fare discount once per year.
The card is issued by Bank of America and works like any other credit card — you charge purchases to it, receive a monthly bill, and pay what you owe. The miles you earn can be redeemed for Alaska Airlines flights, seat upgrades, or other travel rewards through the Alaska Airlines program.
This card makes the most sense if you fly Alaska Airlines regularly or live in a region where Alaska serves many routes. If you fly other airlines most of the time, a different card might give you better value.
Key Takeaways
- You earn a set number of miles per dollar spent on purchases, with bonus categories that earn more on specific spending like gas and dining.
- The sign-up bonus requires you to spend a certain amount within the first few months, and the exact bonus amount changes periodically.
- An annual fee applies each year, and you should compare this cost against the value of the free checked bags and other benefits you actually use.
- The companion fare discount gives you one discounted ticket per year when you book a paid Alaska Airlines flight, though the discount amount varies by route.
- Miles earned on this card can only be used for Alaska Airlines travel and related rewards, not transferred to other airline programs.
How to Understand the Earning Structure
The card earns miles at different rates depending on what you buy. You earn a base rate on most purchases — typically 1 mile per dollar spent. Certain categories earn more: gas stations, restaurants, and grocery stores usually earn bonus miles per dollar. The exact bonus rates change, so check the current offer before you open the account.
The sign-up bonus is the largest number of miles you will earn at once. You get this bonus after you spend a set amount on the card within a specific timeframe — usually three months. The bonus amount varies depending on which version of the card you are looking at and when you explore. This bonus is the main reason many people open the card, so factor it into whether the yearly fee is worth it for you.
Miles do not expire as long as your account remains open and active. If you close the card, you keep the miles you earned, but you stop earning new ones. You can redeem miles for flights, seat upgrades, or other rewards through the Alaska Airlines website or by calling their customer service line.
What the Annual Fee Covers and Does Not Cover
You pay the annual fee once per year, usually on the anniversary of when you opened the account. This fee is not waived for the first year — you pay it right away. The fee does not cover specific purchases or give you a set dollar amount back; instead, it unlocks benefits that have their own value.
The main benefit is the free checked bag on Alaska Airlines flights for you and up to four companions on the same reservation. If you fly Alaska even once a year, this benefit alone can offset much of the annual fee, since checked bag fees typically run $30 to $40 per bag. You also get priority boarding, which lets you board before general boarding and choose your seat earlier.
The companion fare discount is a separate benefit. Once per calendar year, when you book a paid Alaska Airlines flight, you can buy a second ticket at a reduced rate. The discount varies by route and season, so it is not a fixed dollar amount. Some routes offer deeper discounts than others, and you cannot use this benefit on basic economy fares or certain sale fares.
How to Use the Card for Everyday Spending
Once your account is open, you use the Bank of America Alaska Airlines card like any other credit card. You can use it online, in stores, or over the phone. The card works with your Bank of America online account, so you can view your balance, make payments, and track your miles from your bank dashboard.
To maximize miles earned, use the card for purchases in the bonus categories whenever possible. If the card earns extra miles on gas and restaurants, charge those purchases to this card rather than another one. For purchases outside the bonus categories, you might earn more miles with a different card, so consider which card to use based on the category.
You can set up automatic payments through your Bank of America account to pay the full balance each month, or you can pay manually by the due date shown on your statement. If you carry a balance, you will pay interest on it — the card has a variable interest rate that changes with the market. Paying in full each month avoids interest charges.
Redeeming Miles and Understanding the Value
Miles are redeemed through the Alaska Airlines website or by calling Alaska Airlines directly. You can book a flight by entering your departure and arrival cities, then paying with miles instead of cash. The number of miles required depends on the route, the time of year, and how far in advance you book.
Alaska Airlines uses a dynamic pricing model, meaning the mile cost of a flight changes based on demand. A flight might cost 12,500 miles one day and 15,000 miles the next. Off-peak flights generally cost fewer miles than peak travel times. You can also use miles to upgrade a paid ticket to a higher cabin, though the cost varies.
The value of a mile depends on how you use it. If you redeem miles for a flight that would have cost $300 in cash, and you used 25,000 miles, each mile is worth about 1.2 cents. If you redeem the same miles for a $200 flight, each mile is worth less. Comparing the cash price of a flight to the miles required helps you decide whether redeeming makes sense for that particular trip.
Comparing This Card to Other Alaska Airlines Options
Bank of America offers more than one Alaska Airlines card. The basic version has a lower annual fee but fewer benefits. The premium version has a higher annual fee but includes additional perks like a higher sign-up bonus, more miles per dollar in certain categories, or extra companion fare discounts. Compare the annual fee and benefits of each version to see which fits your travel patterns.
If you do not fly Alaska Airlines often, a general travel rewards card from another bank might give you more value. Those cards let you redeem miles or points with many airlines, not just Alaska, which gives you more flexibility. However, if Alaska Airlines is your primary carrier, the Alaska-specific card usually offers better rewards on Alaska flights.
Some people hold multiple cards — an Alaska Airlines card for Alaska flights and a general travel card for other airlines. This approach lets you earn the best rewards on each airline while keeping the annual fees manageable. The decision depends on your actual travel habits, not on what the marketing materials suggest.
Managing Your Account and Avoiding Common Mistakes
Keep your account active by using the card at least once every few years. If your account sits unused for an extended period, Bank of America may close it, which means you lose the miles you earned. Using the card for a small purchase every year or two keeps the account open without requiring you to spend heavily.
Watch the expiration date on your card. When it expires, Bank of America will send you a replacement card automatically. The new card will have a different number, so update any recurring charges you have set to the card. Your miles and account balance transfer to the new card automatically.
If you decide to close the account, your miles do not disappear when ready. You can still redeem them for flights after the account is closed. However, you will no longer earn miles on new purchases, and you lose access to the card benefits like free checked bags. Plan your redemptions before you close the account if you want to use those benefits one last time.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I transfer miles from this card to another airline?
No. Alaska Airlines miles can only be used for Alaska Airlines flights, upgrades, and Alaska Airlines partner rewards. You cannot transfer them to other airline loyalty programs. If you want miles that work with multiple airlines, you would need a different credit card.
What happens to my miles if I close the card?
Your miles stay in your Alaska Airlines account and do not expire just because you closed the credit card. You can still redeem them for flights. However, you will no longer earn new miles on purchases, and you lose the card benefits like free checked bags and priority boarding.
Do I have to pay the annual fee if I do not use the card?
Yes. The annual fee is charged regardless of whether you use the card. If you decide the benefits do not justify the cost, you can close the account to stop paying the fee. Just make sure to redeem any miles you have before closing, since you will not earn new ones after the account is closed.
How long does it take to receive the sign-up bonus miles?
The bonus is usually posted to your account within one to two billing cycles after you meet the spending requirement. Check your Alaska Airlines account online to see when the miles appear. If the bonus does not show up within a reasonable timeframe, contact Bank of America customer service to confirm the spending threshold was met.
Can I use the free checked bag benefit on flights booked with miles?
Yes. The free checked bag benefit applies to all Alaska Airlines flights you take as the cardholder, whether you paid with cash or miles. The benefit also extends to up to four companions on the same reservation, so they get free checked bags too.