What the Alaska Airlines card does and who should consider it

The Alaska Airlines Visa card earns points on every purchase you make, and those points convert directly into miles you can use for Alaska Airlines flights. You get a sign-up bonus of miles when you open the card (the amount changes periodically), an annual fee, and a small bonus just for renewing each year. The card works best if you fly Alaska Airlines at least a few times a year, live in or near a city where Alaska flies, or have family on the West Coast you visit regularly.

The card is not a rewards card that lets you choose between cash back and travel. It is built specifically for Alaska Airlines loyalty. If you rarely fly Alaska, or if you prefer flexibility to pick any airline or redeem for cash, a general travel card or cash-back card will serve you better. But if Alaska is your airline, the miles add up faster than buying a ticket outright.

Key Takeaways

  • The Alaska Airlines card earns one point per dollar spent on all purchases, with bonus points on Alaska Airlines tickets and certain other categories.
  • You receive a sign-up bonus of miles when you first open the card, plus an annual companion fare certificate each year you keep the card.
  • The annual fee is charged once per year; you need to weigh that cost against the value of the companion fare and the miles you earn.
  • Miles do not expire as long as your account stays open and you use the card at least once every two years.
  • You can transfer miles to Alaska's partner airlines, but the card itself only books Alaska Airlines flights directly.

How points and miles work on this card

Every dollar you spend on the card earns one point. That point is the same as one Alaska Airlines mile. When you have enough miles, you log into your Alaska Airlines account and book a flight using those miles instead of money. A one-way flight might cost 5,000 to 25,000 miles depending on the route and how far in advance you book.

The card also gives you bonus miles in specific categories. You earn extra miles on Alaska Airlines tickets bought with the card, on gas and car rentals, and on restaurants and hotels. The bonus rate varies by category and can change, so check your card agreement for the current breakdown. These bonus categories are where the card's real value sits — if you spend heavily in those areas, you accumulate miles much faster than the base one point per dollar.

Miles sit in your Alaska Airlines account, not on the card itself. You can check your balance anytime by logging into Alaska's website or app. The miles belong to you as long as your account stays active. Alaska considers an account active if you earn or use miles at least once every two years, so even if you do not fly, using the card occasionally keeps your miles alive.

The annual fee and the companion fare certificate

The Alaska Airlines card charges an annual fee each year you hold it. This fee is not waived in the first year — you pay it when you open the card. The fee is worth understanding because it is the main cost of owning the card, and it only makes sense if you use the benefits.

The main benefit that offsets the fee is the annual companion fare certificate. Each year you renew the card, Alaska sends you a certificate that lets one other person fly with you for a heavily discounted price (usually $99 to $121 plus taxes and fees, depending on the route). If you fly Alaska at least once a year with a companion, that certificate often covers the annual fee by itself. If you fly alone or rarely travel, the fee becomes harder to justify.

You also receive the sign-up bonus of miles when you first open the card. That bonus is large enough that many people use it to book one or two free flights in their first year, which can offset the annual fee right away. After that, the math depends on how much you spend on the card and how often you fly.

Sign-up bonus and how to use it

When you open the Alaska Airlines card, you receive a sign-up bonus of miles. The exact amount changes based on Alaska's current offers, so check the card's terms before you explore. This bonus is not automatic — you typically have to spend a certain amount on the card within the first few months to unlock it. The spending requirement is usually between $1,000 and $3,000 in the first three months.

Once you meet the spending requirement, the bonus miles post to your Alaska Airlines account within a few weeks. You can then use those miles to book flights when ready. Many people use the sign-up bonus to book their first trip for free or nearly free, which makes the annual fee feel less painful in year one.

The bonus is a one-time offer. You cannot get it again if you close the card and reopen it later — most card issuers have rules preventing that. If you are thinking about opening the card, the sign-up bonus is the moment to do it, because it is the largest chunk of miles you will earn at once.

Comparing the Alaska card to other airline cards

Other airlines offer their own branded credit cards with similar structures: a sign-up bonus, an annual fee, a companion certificate, and earning rates tied to that airline. The main difference between them is which airline you fly most often and which airline's partner network you value.

If you fly multiple airlines equally, a general travel rewards card that earns points redeemable on any airline might be a better fit. Those cards often have no annual fee or a lower fee, and they give you flexibility. The trade-off is that the earning rate is usually lower, and you do not get perks like a companion certificate.

The Alaska card makes the most sense if Alaska is your primary airline — if most of your flights are on Alaska, or if you live in Alaska or the Pacific Northwest where Alaska has the most routes. If you split your flying between Alaska and another carrier, you might earn miles faster with a general card and book Alaska flights when you have enough points, rather than locking yourself into Alaska's ecosystem.

How to book flights and use your miles

Once you have accumulated miles, you log into your Alaska Airlines account on their website or mobile app and search for flights the same way you would search for paid tickets. You select your departure and arrival cities, your dates, and the number of passengers. Alaska then shows you available flights and the number of miles each one costs.

Miles pricing is not fixed — the same route costs different amounts depending on demand and how far ahead you book. Off-peak flights cost fewer miles; peak times cost more. This is different from some other airlines that charge a flat rate. You can see the exact mile cost before you book, so there are no surprises.

You can also transfer your miles to Alaska's partner airlines and book flights on those carriers. Alaska has partnerships with airlines including American, Delta, and several international carriers. Transferring miles usually costs you value — you might need more miles to book the same flight on a partner airline than you would on Alaska itself — but it gives you options if Alaska does not fly your desired route.

When miles expire and how to keep them active

Alaska Airlines miles do not expire if your account stays active. An account is considered active if you earn or use miles at least once every two years. That means if you use your credit card even once every two years, your miles will not disappear. You do not have to fly; you just have to generate some activity in your Alaska account.

If your account goes inactive for more than two years with no earning or spending, Alaska will close it and you will lose your miles. If that happens, you can contact Alaska to ask them to reopen the account, but there is no may provide they will. The safest approach is to use your card occasionally or book a flight every couple of years to keep the account alive.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use Alaska Airlines miles to book flights on other airlines?

Yes, but only through Alaska's partner airlines. You can transfer your miles to partners like American, Delta, and others, then book flights on those carriers. The transfer rate varies by partner, and you often need more miles to book the same flight on a partner airline than on Alaska itself.

What happens to my miles if I close the card?

Your miles stay in your Alaska Airlines account even after you close the card. The miles do not disappear unless your account becomes inactive for more than two years. You can still use them to book flights anytime, as long as your account remains active.

Is the companion fare certificate worth the annual fee?

It depends on how often you fly. If you take at least one round-trip flight per year with a companion, the certificate usually pays for the annual fee. If you fly alone or less frequently, you need to earn enough miles through spending to make the card worthwhile.

How long does it take to earn enough miles for a free flight?

It varies by route and how much you spend on the card. A short domestic flight might cost 5,000 to 10,000 miles, while a longer route could cost 20,000 or more. If you spend $5,000 per month on the card and earn one point per dollar, you would accumulate 60,000 miles per year before bonuses.

Can I use my miles if I have a balance on the card?

Yes. Your miles are separate from your card balance. You can have an outstanding balance and still book flights with miles. However, you should pay your balance to avoid interest charges.