What the Alaska Airlines credit card offers and who it's built for

The Alaska Airlines Visa card is a co-branded card issued by Bank of America that earns miles on every purchase and offers perks tied to Alaska Airlines flights. The card comes in two versions — a no-annual-fee version and a premium version with an annual fee — and the choice between them depends on how often you fly Alaska and how much you value the included benefits.

The card is most useful if you fly Alaska Airlines regularly, live in or frequently travel to the West Coast or Hawaii where Alaska has strong coverage, or want to build miles toward a specific redemption. If you rarely fly Alaska or prefer other carriers, a general travel card or cash-back card will likely serve you better.

Key Takeaways

  • The no-annual-fee version earns 1 mile per dollar on all purchases and 3 miles per dollar on Alaska Airlines tickets, with no ongoing costs.
  • The premium version costs an annual fee but includes a companion fare discount, checked baggage credits, and priority boarding on Alaska flights.
  • Miles can be redeemed for Alaska Airlines flights, partner airline tickets, or hotel stays, though the value varies widely depending on what you book.
  • The card's value depends entirely on your Alaska Airlines flying frequency — if you don't fly Alaska at least a few times per year, the rewards won't offset the annual fee.

How the two versions compare

Bank of America offers two Alaska Airlines cards. The Alaska Airlines Visa Signature has no annual fee and earns 1 mile per dollar on all purchases, plus 3 miles per dollar when you buy Alaska Airlines tickets directly. The Alaska Airlines Visa Signature Preferred charges an annual fee and adds benefits like a companion fare discount (usually $50 to $100 off a second ticket when you buy one at full price), a checked baggage credit, and priority boarding.

The no-fee card makes sense if you fly Alaska occasionally or want to test whether the rewards are worth your attention. The premium card only makes financial sense if you fly Alaska at least three or four times per year and will use the companion discount and baggage benefits. If you fly Alaska once a year or less, the annual fee will cost you more than the benefits deliver.

How miles work and what they're worth

Alaska Airlines miles can be redeemed for flights on Alaska Airlines, partner airlines (including American, Delta, and United through various partnerships), hotel stays, car rentals, and other travel services. The redemption value is not fixed — a mile might be worth 1 cent on a short regional flight or 2 cents on a premium cabin seat, depending on the route and how far in advance you book.

Miles are most valuable when you redeem them for off-peak flights on Alaska Airlines routes where cash fares are high — for example, a flight from Seattle to Hawaii during peak season. They are least valuable when you use them on partner airlines or for short flights where cash prices are already low. Unlike some airline programs, Alaska does not charge fuel surcharges on partner airline tickets, which can make those redemptions more attractive than they appear at first glance.

The card's sign-up offer typically includes a large bonus of miles (the exact amount changes), which can be enough for one or two domestic flights if you redeem strategically. Read the current offer carefully, because the bonus is often the most valuable part of the card in year one.

Annual fees and when they're worth paying

The premium Alaska Airlines card charges an annual fee that varies but is typically in the $75 to $100 range. Bank of America sometimes waives the fee for the first year, so check the current offer before you explore. The card also includes a checked baggage credit that covers one checked bag per round trip on Alaska Airlines flights, which saves you $30 to $35 per trip if you would otherwise pay for baggage.

To break even on the annual fee, you need to fly Alaska at least twice per year and use the baggage credit both times. The companion discount can add significant value if you travel with a partner and fly Alaska multiple times annually. If you fly Alaska fewer than twice per year or never travel with a companion, the premium card's benefits will not offset the cost.

Earning rates and how they compare to other travel cards

The Alaska card earns 1 mile per dollar on all purchases and 3 miles per dollar on Alaska Airlines tickets. For comparison, general travel cards like the Chase Sapphire Preferred earn 2 points per dollar on travel and dining, and cash-back cards earn 1.5% to 2% back on all purchases. The Alaska card's 1 mile per dollar on everyday spending is competitive but not exceptional — you're betting that Alaska miles will be worth more than 1 cent each when you redeem them.

The 3 miles per dollar on Alaska tickets is a strong earning rate, but it only applies when you buy directly from Alaska Airlines. Tickets purchased through third-party sites, travel agents, or other airlines do not earn the bonus rate. If you book Alaska flights through a travel portal or another airline's website, you'll earn only the base 1 mile per dollar.

What happens with miles if you stop flying Alaska

Alaska Airlines miles do not expire as long as your account has activity at least once every 24 months. Activity includes earning miles, redeeming miles, or even just logging into your account. If your account goes inactive for more than 24 months, Alaska can close it and forfeit your miles. This is important if you're considering the card but aren't sure you'll fly Alaska regularly — you'll need to use or earn miles periodically to keep them.

If you accumulate miles and then stop flying Alaska, you can still redeem them for partner airline tickets or hotel stays, though the value may be lower than Alaska Airlines redemptions. Some people keep the card open specifically to maintain their miles account and occasionally transfer miles to partners, even if they're not actively flying Alaska.

Annual fee waivers and sign-up bonuses

Bank of America periodically offers sign-up bonuses on the Alaska Airlines card, usually in the form of a large number of bonus miles after you meet a spending requirement in the first few months. These bonuses change throughout the year, so the current offer may be different from what you see advertised elsewhere. The bonus is often the best value the card provides in the first year, especially if the annual fee is waived for year one.

After the first year, you'll pay the full annual fee unless you downgrade to the no-fee version or close the card. Some cardholders keep the premium card for one year to capture the bonus and benefits, then downgrade to the no-fee version to continue earning miles without the annual cost. Bank of America allows this downgrade without closing your account or losing your miles balance.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use Alaska Airlines miles on flights I book through a travel website?

You can redeem miles for Alaska Airlines flights booked directly through Alaska's website or phone line. If you book through a third-party travel site, you'll need to contact Alaska Airlines to add miles to that reservation, and the process is more complicated. For the smoothest redemption, book directly with Alaska Airlines.

What happens to my miles if I close the card?

Closing the card does not close your Alaska Airlines frequent flyer account or forfeit your miles. Your miles stay in your account as long as you have activity every 24 months. You can continue earning and redeeming miles even without the card, though you won't earn miles on credit card purchases anymore.

Is the Alaska Airlines card worth it if I only fly Alaska once a year?

The no-fee version is worth keeping because it costs nothing and you'll earn miles on everyday purchases. The premium version is not worth the annual fee if you fly Alaska fewer than three or four times per year, because the baggage credit and companion discount won't offset the cost.

Do Alaska Airlines miles expire?

Miles expire if your account has no activity for 24 months. Activity includes earning miles, redeeming miles, or logging into your account online. If you keep the card open or log in occasionally, your miles will not expire.

Can I transfer Alaska Airlines miles to someone else?

Alaska Airlines does not allow direct transfers of miles between accounts. However, you can book a flight for another person using your miles, or you can add someone as an authorized user on your card so they can earn miles on their purchases.