What the Alaska Airlines Credit Card Offers
The Alaska Airlines credit card is a co-branded card issued by Bank of America that earns rewards on Alaska Airlines flights and everyday purchases. You earn miles on every dollar spent, with bonus miles for travel and dining categories. The card comes with a sign-up bonus, an annual fee, and access to Alaska Airlines perks like free checked bags and priority boarding.
The card is designed for people who fly Alaska Airlines regularly or want to accumulate miles toward future trips. Unlike some airline cards that lock you into one carrier, you can use Alaska miles on partner airlines and for non-flight purchases through their shopping portal. The rewards structure and benefits change periodically, so the specifics of what you earn and what perks come with the card depend on when you open the account.
Key Takeaways
- The Alaska Airlines card earns miles on all purchases, with higher earning rates in bonus categories like dining and travel.
- You pay an annual fee to hold the card, which the issuer offsets with an annual companion fare discount and other benefits.
- A sign-up bonus gives you a large number of miles after you meet a spending requirement within the first few months.
- The card is issued by Bank of America, so you explore through their website or in a branch, and manage the account through their online portal.
- Miles do not expire as long as your account remains open and you use it at least once every 24 months.
how the process works for the Alaska Airlines Card
You can start an process on Bank of America's website by searching for the Alaska Airlines card, or you can visit an Alaska Airlines website that links to the current offer. The process asks for your Social Security number, income, employment status, and existing Bank of America accounts. The process takes about 10 minutes online.
Bank of America will pull your credit report and give you a decision when ready or within a few business days. If you are approved, the card ships to your address within 7 to 10 business days. If you are denied, the bank will mail you a letter explaining why, and you can contact their reconsideration line to discuss your process if you believe there was an error.
You do not need to be an Alaska Airlines frequent flyer member to open the card, but linking your frequent flyer account to the card after approval ensures miles post to your account automatically. You can link your account through the Alaska Airlines website or by calling their customer service number on the back of your card.
Activating Your Card and Earning the Sign-Up Bonus
Once your card arrives, you must set up it before you can use it. You can set up through Bank of America's website, mobile app, or by calling the number on the back of the card. set up takes seconds and is usually when ready.
The sign-up bonus requires you to spend a set amount—typically $1,000 to $3,000—within the first three months. This spending includes all purchases: groceries, gas, bills, travel, everything. Once you cross that threshold, the bonus miles post to your Alaska Airlines account within one to two billing cycles. The bonus is not automatic; you must meet the spending requirement to receive it.
If you do not think you can spend the required amount in three months through normal purchases, you can use the card to pay bills, buy gift cards, or make other planned purchases to reach the threshold. Some people also use balance transfers, though those typically do not count toward the spending requirement and may carry a fee.
Understanding Annual Fees and Ongoing Benefits
The Alaska Airlines card charges an annual fee, usually due on the anniversary of when you open the account. This fee is charged automatically to your card each year unless you close the account before the anniversary date. The issuer offsets this fee with an annual companion fare discount certificate that you can use to bring someone with you on a flight for a reduced price.
Beyond the companion fare, the card includes other benefits: a free checked bag on Alaska Airlines flights, priority boarding, and bonus miles on dining and travel purchases. Some versions of the card also offer travel protections like trip cancellation insurance and rental car coverage. Review the current benefits guide on Bank of America's website to see exactly what comes with the card you are considering.
If you decide the annual fee is not worth the benefits, you can close the card by calling Bank of America. You will not owe the next year's fee if you close before the anniversary date. Any remaining miles stay in your Alaska Airlines account as long as you use your account at least once every 24 months.
How to Use Your Miles and Manage Your Account
Miles are stored in your Alaska Airlines frequent flyer account, not on the credit card itself. You redeem them through the Alaska Airlines website by searching for flights and selecting the "miles" payment option. You can also call Alaska Airlines to book with miles, though booking online is usually faster.
Miles have no expiration date as long as your frequent flyer account stays active—which means you must use your Alaska Airlines account at least once every 24 months. This can be a flight, a credit card purchase, or even a mall shopping transaction through their rewards portal. If your account goes inactive, miles may be forfeited.
You manage your credit card account through Bank of America's website or app. You can view your balance, make payments, set up autopay, and track your rewards. You manage your miles balance and redemptions through the Alaska Airlines website. These are two separate accounts, so you will need to log into both to see your full picture.
Making Payments and Avoiding Interest Charges
Your monthly statement shows the total amount you owe on the card. You can pay the full balance, a minimum payment, or any amount in between. Payments are due by the due date shown on your statement, usually 21 to 25 days after the statement closes.
If you pay the full balance by the due date, you pay no interest. If you carry a balance, interest accrues at the card's annual percentage rate (APR), which varies based on your creditworthiness and current market rates. You can set up automatic payments through Bank of America to pay a fixed amount or the full balance each month, which helps you avoid late fees and interest.
Late payments hurt your credit score and trigger a late fee. If you miss a payment by 30 days or more, the issuer may also increase your APR. If you are having trouble making a payment, contact Bank of America before the due date to discuss options.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use my Alaska Airlines miles on other airlines?
Yes. Alaska Airlines is part of an airline alliance and allows you to book partner airlines with your miles. Partners include American Airlines, Delta, United, and others, though the number of miles required varies by airline and route. You book partner flights through the Alaska Airlines website.
What happens to my miles if I close the card?
Your miles stay in your Alaska Airlines frequent flyer account. Closing the credit card does not close your frequent flyer account or erase your miles. However, if your frequent flyer account becomes inactive (no activity for 24 months), Alaska Airlines may forfeit the miles.
Do I have to pay the annual fee every year?
Yes, unless you close the card before the anniversary date. The fee posts automatically each year. If you want to keep the card but avoid the fee, you must close it and reopen it later—though this resets your rewards and may affect your credit score temporarily.
How long does it take to receive the sign-up bonus?
The bonus posts to your Alaska Airlines account one to two billing cycles after you meet the spending requirement. This typically means 30 to 60 days, though it can be faster. You can check your account status on the Alaska Airlines website or by calling their customer service.
Can I transfer my miles to someone else?
Alaska Airlines allows you to transfer miles to another person's account, though there is usually a fee per mile transferred. The recipient must have an active Alaska Airlines frequent flyer account. You can initiate transfers through the Alaska Airlines website.