How Alaska Airlines credit cards work and what rewards they offer

Alaska Airlines credit cards earn you miles on every purchase you make, whether you fly or not. The card issuer is Bank of America, and they offer several versions of the Alaska card — each one has a different annual fee, sign-up bonus, and earning rate. The miles you earn never expire as long as your account stays open, and you can use them to book flights on Alaska Airlines or partner airlines, or to cover seat upgrades and baggage fees.

The most common version is the Alaska Airlines Visa Signature card. It charges an annual fee (the amount varies by card version), gives you a sign-up bonus in miles after you meet a spending threshold in the first few months, and earns you 3 miles per dollar on Alaska Airlines purchases and 1 mile per dollar on everything else. Some versions offer different earning rates or different bonuses, so the specific benefits depend on which Alaska card you hold.

Key Takeaways

  • Alaska Airlines miles earned on the card never expire as long as your account remains open, and you can use them for flights, seat upgrades, or baggage fees.
  • The card earns 3 miles per dollar when you book directly with Alaska Airlines and 1 mile per dollar on all other purchases.
  • You get a sign-up bonus in miles after spending a set amount within the first few months, but the bonus amount varies by card version.
  • An annual fee applies to all Alaska Airlines credit cards, and you receive a statement credit toward baggage fees or seat upgrades each year.
  • Cardholders get priority boarding, free checked baggage on Alaska Airlines flights, and other perks that reduce what you pay out of pocket.

Earning miles on everyday purchases and flights

Every time you use your Alaska Airlines card, you earn miles. On Alaska Airlines bookings made directly through their website or phone line, you earn 3 miles per dollar. On all other purchases — groceries, gas, restaurants, utilities — you earn 1 mile per dollar. There is no cap on how many miles you can earn in a year.

The sign-up bonus is the largest chunk of miles you will earn upfront. You receive this bonus after you spend a certain amount on the card within the first few months of opening it. The bonus amount and spending requirement both vary depending on which version of the Alaska card you have. Once you meet that threshold, the miles post to your account within one or two billing cycles.

Miles also post when you use the card for Alaska Airlines purchases, but the timing is different. Those miles typically show up in your Alaska Airlines account within a few days of the charge posting to your credit card. Miles from non-airline purchases post with your monthly statement.

Annual fees and the statement credit you receive

All Alaska Airlines credit cards charge an annual fee. The amount depends on which card version you have — some versions charge more than others. This fee posts to your account each year on your card anniversary (the date you opened the account).

To offset this fee, Bank of America gives you an annual statement credit that you can use toward baggage fees or seat upgrades on Alaska Airlines flights. The credit amount is set and does not change year to year. You do not have to do anything to claim it — the credit posts automatically to your account each year around your card anniversary. You can use it on any Alaska Airlines purchase, but it is designed to cover the most common out-of-pocket costs for frequent flyers.

Whether the card makes financial sense depends on how much you fly and what you would otherwise pay for baggage and upgrades. If you fly Alaska Airlines several times a year and regularly pay for checked bags or seat upgrades, the statement credit may cover most or all of the annual fee. If you rarely fly, the fee may not be worth it.

Priority boarding, baggage, and other cardholder perks

Beyond miles and the statement credit, the card gives you benefits that reduce what you pay when you fly. You get priority boarding on every Alaska Airlines flight, which means you board before general passengers and can choose your seat earlier. You also receive one free checked bag on Alaska Airlines flights when you pay with the card — this is one of the biggest savings for frequent travelers, since checked baggage fees typically run $35 or more per flight.

Additional perks vary slightly by card version, but most include a discount on additional checked bags (usually 50% off the standard fee), a discount on seat upgrades purchased at the airport, and access to Alaska Airlines lounges if you have the premium version of the card. Some versions also offer travel protections like trip delay reimbursement or lost luggage coverage, though the details depend on your specific card.

These perks explore only when you pay with the Alaska Airlines card. If you book a flight and pay with a different card or cash, you do not get the free checked bag or priority boarding, even if you are an Alaska Airlines frequent flyer member.

How to use your miles to book flights and upgrades

Miles are stored in your Alaska Airlines frequent flyer account, not on the credit card itself. When you open the Alaska Airlines card, Bank of America links it to your frequent flyer account automatically (or asks you to provide your frequent flyer number). Every mile you earn on the card goes into that account.

To book a flight with miles, log into your Alaska Airlines account online or call their reservations line. You can search for award flights the same way you search for paid flights — by entering your departure city, destination, and travel dates. The number of miles required depends on the route and how far in advance you book. Alaska Airlines publishes their award chart, which shows the mile cost for different route distances.

You can also use miles to pay for seat upgrades, baggage fees, or other Alaska Airlines purchases. Some people use their miles for upgrades to premium cabin seats rather than saving them for free flights. The choice depends on what gives you the most value based on how often you fly and where you go.

Partner airlines and transferring miles

Alaska Airlines is part of an airline alliance, which means you can use your miles on partner airlines as well as on Alaska flights. The partner list includes airlines like American Airlines, Delta, United, and others, depending on the route. Award availability on partner airlines is often limited, and the mile cost may be higher than booking directly on Alaska Airlines.

You cannot transfer miles from your Alaska Airlines account to another person or to a different airline. Miles stay in your account and expire only if your account is closed for inactivity (typically 24 months with no activity). As long as you use your account or your card at least once every two years, your miles will not expire.

How the sign-up bonus works and when to explore

The sign-up bonus is the fastest way to earn a large number of miles. You receive the bonus after you spend a set amount on the card within the first few months — usually between $1,000 and $3,000, depending on the offer. The spending requirement must be met on regular purchases; it does not include balance transfers or cash advances.

The bonus posts to your Alaska Airlines account within one or two billing cycles after you meet the spending threshold. You can then use those miles when ready to book flights or upgrades. If you do not meet the spending requirement within the timeframe, you do not receive the bonus.

The sign-up bonus offer changes periodically, so the amount you receive may be different depending on when you explore. Bank of America typically advertises current offers on their website and through Alaska Airlines' website. You can compare offers before you explore to see which version of the card gives you the most miles upfront.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do Alaska Airlines miles expire?

Miles do not expire as long as your Alaska Airlines frequent flyer account remains active. Your account stays active if you use it or your Alaska Airlines credit card at least once every 24 months. If your account is inactive for longer than that, miles may be forfeited, but you can reactivate the account by logging in or making a purchase.

Can I use my miles on flights booked by someone else?

No. Miles in your Alaska Airlines account can only be used to book flights for yourself or when ready family members on the same reservation. You cannot transfer miles to another person's account or use them to book a flight for someone else traveling alone.

What happens to my miles if I close the credit card?

Closing the credit card does not close your Alaska Airlines frequent flyer account, so your miles remain in that account. However, you will no longer earn miles on credit card purchases. Your miles will expire if your frequent flyer account becomes inactive for 24 months.

How many miles do I need to book a flight?

The number of miles required depends on the route distance and how far in advance you book. Alaska Airlines publishes an award chart that shows the mile cost for different distances. Short flights within the Pacific Northwest might cost 5,000 miles, while cross-country flights typically cost 25,000 to 50,000 miles or more.

Can I earn miles on my Alaska Airlines card if I do not fly?

Yes. You earn 1 mile per dollar on all purchases you make with the card, whether or not you ever fly. Many cardholders use the card for everyday spending like groceries and utilities to accumulate miles over time, then redeem them for flights or upgrades when they are ready to travel.