What the Alaska Airlines credit card is and who it's for
The Alaska Airlines credit card is a rewards card issued by Bank of America that gives you points on every purchase, with bonus points when you fly Alaska Airlines or book through their website. You earn one point per dollar spent on most purchases, and the points convert directly to Alaska Airlines miles — the currency you use to book flights.
The card comes in two versions: the standard Alaska Airlines card and the Alaska Airlines Signature Visa, which has a higher annual fee but includes checked bag credits and other perks. Both cards charge an annual fee, which means the card only makes financial sense if you fly Alaska Airlines regularly or spend enough on the card to earn back the fee value in miles.
This card is built for people who already plan to fly Alaska Airlines multiple times a year, not for occasional flyers. If you fly other airlines most of the time, a general rewards card that earns cash back or points you can transfer to any airline will likely save you money.
Key Takeaways
- The Alaska Airlines card charges an annual fee (the standard version is lower than the Signature version), so you need to fly Alaska Airlines or spend enough to recoup that cost in miles value.
- You earn one mile per dollar on most purchases, with bonus categories for Alaska Airlines flights and purchases made through their website.
- The Signature version includes a checked bag credit each year, which saves you money if you check a bag on every Alaska Airlines flight.
- Miles earned on the card can only be used for Alaska Airlines flights and partner airline bookings, so they have less flexibility than cash-back rewards.
- The card's value depends on how much you spend and how often you fly — run the numbers against your own travel patterns before you open it.
Annual fee and what you get for it
The standard Alaska Airlines card charges an annual fee, and the Signature version charges a higher annual fee. Bank of America may waive the first year's fee for new cardholders, though this offer changes. Check the current offer before you explore.
The Signature version includes an annual checked bag credit that covers one checked bag on Alaska Airlines flights. If you check a bag on every trip, this credit alone can offset part or all of the higher annual fee. The standard version does not include this benefit.
Both versions give you a statement credit toward an Alaska Airlines purchase in the month of your account anniversary — usually $50 or $100 depending on the version. This credit also helps offset the annual fee, though you have to spend it on Alaska Airlines to use it.
How you earn miles and where they work
You earn one Alaska Airlines mile for every dollar you spend on the card, with no category restrictions. This flat-rate structure is simpler than cards with bonus categories, but it also means you do not earn extra miles on groceries, gas, or dining the way some other rewards cards do.
You earn bonus miles when you book Alaska Airlines flights directly through their website or when you purchase tickets through the airline's phone line. You do not earn bonus miles when you book through third-party sites like Kayak or Expedia, even if the flight is on Alaska Airlines.
Miles can be used to book Alaska Airlines flights or flights on partner airlines including American Airlines, Delta, United, and others in the Alaska Airlines network. You can also use miles for seat upgrades, baggage fees, and other Alaska Airlines purchases, though booking flights typically gives you the best value per mile.
Comparing the standard and Signature versions
| Feature | Standard Card | Signature Card |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | Lower amount | Higher amount |
| Checked bag credit | No | Yes, one per year |
| Anniversary statement credit | $50 | $100 |
| Miles per dollar spent | 1 mile | 1 mile |
| Priority boarding | No | Yes |
The Signature version also includes priority boarding on Alaska Airlines flights, which means you board before general boarding and can choose your seat earlier. If you fly Alaska Airlines frequently and value boarding early to find overhead bin space, this benefit has real value.
The choice between the two versions comes down to your travel frequency and whether you check bags. If you fly Alaska Airlines at least three or four times a year and check a bag each time, the Signature version's checked bag credit likely pays for itself. If you fly less often or travel light, the standard version's lower fee is probably the better choice.
When the card makes financial sense
The card only makes sense if the miles you earn exceed the annual fee in value. A rough calculation: if the annual fee is $75 and you value Alaska Airlines miles at 1.5 cents each (a conservative estimate), you need to earn 5,000 miles per year just to break even. That means spending $5,000 on the card annually, or flying Alaska Airlines enough times to earn bonus miles.
If you spend $10,000 per year on the card and fly Alaska Airlines four times a year, you earn roughly 10,000 miles from purchases plus bonus miles from flights. At 1.5 cents per mile, that is $150 in value against a $75 fee — a net gain of $75. But if you only spend $3,000 per year and never fly Alaska Airlines, you lose money.
The math also depends on how you use your miles. If you book short flights that cost 5,000 miles, you get better value per mile than if you book long international flights that cost 50,000 miles but might be cheaper to buy outright. Spend time on the Alaska Airlines website checking what your typical flights cost in miles before you commit to the card.
How this card fits into a larger rewards strategy
If you fly multiple airlines, a general rewards card that earns cash back or transferable points gives you more flexibility. Cards that earn 2% cash back on all purchases or bonus categories like dining and travel let you use rewards however you want, not just on Alaska Airlines.
Some people hold both an Alaska Airlines card and a general rewards card: they use the Alaska card for Alaska Airlines bookings and everyday spending to accumulate miles, and they use the general card for purchases in bonus categories or when they fly other airlines. This approach works if you have the spending volume to justify multiple annual fees.
If Alaska Airlines is your primary airline and you fly them at least four times per year, the card can be worth the fee. If you split your flying between multiple airlines or fly infrequently, you will likely come out ahead with a cash-back card or a general travel rewards card instead.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use Alaska Airlines miles on flights with other airlines?
Yes, Alaska Airlines is part of a network that includes American Airlines, Delta, United, and others. You can book partner airline flights with your miles, though the mile cost may be higher than Alaska Airlines flights. Check the Alaska Airlines website to see which partners are available and what their award prices are.
What happens to my miles if I close the card?
Your miles stay in your Alaska Airlines account and do not disappear when you close the credit card. However, if your Alaska Airlines account has no activity for 24 months, the miles may expire. Keep your account active by booking flights or transferring miles to a partner airline to avoid losing them.
Do I earn miles on the annual fee itself?
No, the annual fee does not earn miles. Only purchases you make with the card earn miles. The annual fee is a separate charge that appears on your statement.
Is there a sign-up bonus when I open the card?
Bank of America periodically offers sign-up bonuses for new cardholders, typically in the form of bonus miles after you spend a certain amount in the first few months. These offers change frequently, so check the current offer before you open the card. A sign-up bonus can significantly increase the card's value in your first year.
Can I earn miles on purchases made by authorized users?
Yes, purchases made by anyone using an authorized user card on your account earn miles at the same rate as your own purchases. This can help you reach spending thresholds faster if you add a family member or business partner as an authorized user.