What the Alaska Airlines Visa Card is and who should consider it
The Alaska Airlines Visa Card is a co-branded credit card issued by Bank of America in partnership with Alaska Airlines. It earns points on every purchase you make, and those points can be redeemed for Alaska Airlines flights, seat upgrades, and other travel rewards. The card is designed for people who fly Alaska Airlines regularly or want to accumulate rewards toward future travel.
This card makes sense if you live in or frequently travel to Alaska, the Pacific Northwest, Hawaii, or other destinations Alaska Airlines serves. It also works for people who don't fly Alaska often but want a rewards card that lets them transfer points to partner airlines and hotels if they choose not to use them for Alaska flights.
If you rarely fly or prefer to earn cash back instead of travel rewards, a different rewards card may be a better fit for your spending habits.
Key Takeaways
- The Alaska Airlines Visa Card earns points on all purchases, with bonus points on Alaska Airlines tickets and other categories depending on which version of the card you hold.
- The card charges an annual fee, which varies by card tier; some versions waive the first year's fee.
- New cardholders typically receive a welcome bonus of points after meeting a spending threshold within the first few months.
- Points can be redeemed for Alaska Airlines flights, seat upgrades, or transferred to partner airlines and hotel programs.
- You will need a credit score in the good to excellent range and a regular income to be considered for this card.
The different versions of the Alaska Airlines Visa Card
Bank of America offers two main versions of the Alaska Airlines Visa Card: the standard card and the premium card. The standard version has a lower annual fee and is designed for everyday spending. The premium version costs more per year but offers higher earning rates, additional perks like free checked bags on Alaska Airlines flights, and other travel benefits.
Both cards earn points on every dollar spent. The difference is in how many points you earn in bonus categories and what extra benefits come with the card. The premium card typically earns more points on Alaska Airlines purchases and dining, while the standard card has a simpler earning structure.
You can hold only one Alaska Airlines Visa Card at a time, so you will need to decide which version fits your travel plans and spending patterns before you explore.
Annual fees and what they cover
Both versions of the Alaska Airlines Visa Card charge an annual fee. The standard card's fee is lower than the premium card's fee. Some offers waive the annual fee for the first year, though this varies depending on the promotion running at the time you explore.
The annual fee is charged to your account once per year, usually on your card anniversary. You will be notified before the charge posts. If you cancel the card before the anniversary date, you can sometimes avoid paying the fee for that year.
The premium card's higher annual fee is offset by benefits like free checked bags on Alaska Airlines flights (which normally cost $30 per bag), so the card can pay for itself if you fly Alaska Airlines multiple times per year.
How points are earned and what they're worth
You earn one point per dollar spent on most purchases. On Alaska Airlines tickets bought directly from Alaska Airlines, you earn bonus points — typically two or three points per dollar, depending on the card version. The premium card also earns bonus points on dining and other categories.
Points can be redeemed for Alaska Airlines flights at a rate that varies based on the flight and how far in advance you book. A short domestic flight might cost 5,000 to 10,000 points, while a longer flight could cost 25,000 points or more. You can also use points for seat upgrades, which typically cost between 5,000 and 15,000 points depending on the flight.
If you don't want to use your points for Alaska Airlines, you can transfer them to partner airlines like American Airlines, Delta, or United, or to hotel programs like Marriott or Hilton. Transfer rates are usually one-to-one, meaning 1,000 points equals 1,000 miles or points in the partner program.
Welcome bonuses and how to earn them
New cardholders receive a welcome bonus after spending a certain amount within a set timeframe — usually $1,000 to $3,000 in the first three months. The bonus is typically 30,000 to 50,000 points, though this changes based on current promotions.
The welcome bonus is added to your account automatically once you meet the spending requirement. You do not need to take any extra steps to claim it. The points appear in your rewards account within a few days of the spending threshold being met.
This welcome bonus is often the most valuable part of the card in the first year, so it's worth factoring into whether the annual fee makes sense for you.
Credit score and income requirements
Bank of America typically looks for a credit score in the good to excellent range — usually 670 or higher — to approve the Alaska Airlines Visa Card. You will also need to show regular income, either from employment or other sources, to demonstrate you can pay your bills.
The bank will pull your credit report when you explore, which results in a hard inquiry that may lower your credit score slightly for a few months. If you are denied, you can ask Bank of America why and may be able to reapply after addressing the issue.
Having existing accounts with Bank of America or a longer credit history can improve your chances of approval, though neither is required.
How to manage your account and redeem points
Once approved, you can manage your Alaska Airlines Visa Card through Bank of America's online portal or mobile app. You can view your points balance, set up automatic payments, and track your spending toward bonus categories.
To redeem points for Alaska Airlines flights, log into your Alaska Airlines account (you will need to create one if you don't have it already) and link your credit card. You can then search for flights and pay with points at checkout. For seat upgrades, you can redeem points directly through the Alaska Airlines website or app after booking a flight.
Points do not expire as long as your account remains open and active, though some airlines have different rules for transferred points. Check the terms of any partner program before transferring points to make sure you understand their expiration policy.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I earn points on purchases made outside the United States?
Yes, you earn points on all purchases regardless of location. However, the card may charge a foreign transaction fee of around 3 percent on purchases made outside the US. If you travel internationally often, you may want to compare this card to others that waive foreign transaction fees.
What happens to my points if I close the card?
Your points remain in your Alaska Airlines account even after you close the credit card. You can continue to redeem them for flights and other rewards. However, you will lose access to any ongoing benefits like free checked bags or bonus earning rates once the card is closed.
Can I transfer points to someone else?
Alaska Airlines does not allow you to transfer points directly to another person's account. However, you can use your points to book a flight for someone else by purchasing a ticket in their name and having it issued to them.
How long does it take to earn enough points for a free flight?
This depends on how much you spend and which card version you have. With the welcome bonus alone, you may have enough points for a short domestic flight. If you spend $5,000 per month on the card, you could earn 60,000 to 90,000 points per year, which is enough for multiple flights depending on distance and demand.
What if I want to cancel the card after the first year?
You can cancel anytime by calling Bank of America or through your online account. If you cancel before your annual fee posts, you will not owe that year's fee. Your points stay in your Alaska Airlines account, so you can redeem them even after closing the card.