What the Alaska Airlines Premium Card Does
The Alaska Airlines Visa Signature card is a co-branded rewards card issued by Bank of America. It earns points on every purchase, with higher earning rates on Alaska Airlines tickets and certain other categories. The card charges an annual fee and comes with perks like a free checked bag on Alaska flights and priority boarding.
The main trade-off is straightforward: you pay a yearly fee to get rewards and travel benefits that may or may not be worth that cost depending on how often you fly Alaska and how much you spend. This guide walks through what you actually get, what it costs, and whether the math works for your situation.
Key Takeaways
- The card earns 3 points per dollar on Alaska Airlines tickets and 2 points per dollar at gas stations and restaurants; 1 point per dollar on everything else.
- The annual fee is $75, and you get a statement credit toward an Alaska Airlines ticket purchase each year that offsets some of that cost.
- You receive a free checked bag on Alaska flights (for you and one companion on the same reservation), which saves $35 to $40 per round trip if you normally check luggage.
- The card is worth keeping only if you fly Alaska at least once or twice a year or spend enough on dining and gas to earn back the annual fee in rewards value.
How Points and Rewards Work
You earn Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan points, which is the airline's own rewards currency. Three points per dollar on Alaska Airlines tickets means a $300 flight earns 900 points. Two points per dollar at gas stations, restaurants, and on Alaska Airlines purchases outside of tickets (like seat upgrades) means $100 in restaurant spending earns 200 points. One point per dollar on all other purchases.
Points can be redeemed for Alaska Airlines flights, seat upgrades, or transferred to hotel and car rental partners. The value of a point varies depending on the flight and how far in advance you book. A point is typically worth between 1 and 1.5 cents when used for a flight, though premium cabin redemptions can be worth more.
There is no sign-up bonus with this card, so you start earning at the standard rates when ready. You also do not earn bonus points on hotel stays, rental cars, or other travel categories outside of the ones listed above.
Annual Fee and the Statement Credit
The annual fee is $75, charged on your statement each year. You also receive a $75 statement credit toward an Alaska Airlines ticket purchase each year, which means the fee is offset if you use the credit. The credit posts automatically and applies to the next Alaska Airlines ticket you buy after your annual membership date.
The credit only works on ticket purchases, not on seat upgrades, baggage fees, or other ancillary charges. If you do not fly Alaska in a given year, the credit expires and you lose that value. You still owe the $75 fee.
Free Checked Bag and Other Perks
The most concrete benefit is a free checked bag on Alaska Airlines flights for you and one companion traveling on the same reservation. A checked bag normally costs $35 on the first bag and $40 on the second bag for most Alaska routes. If you take a round trip once a year, that free bag saves you $70 to $80 annually, which nearly covers the fee by itself.
The card also includes priority boarding (you board before general boarding), a $100 statement credit toward TSA PreCheck or Global Entry every five years, and Visa Signature benefits like travel accident insurance and emergency medical and dental services abroad. These perks have real value only if you use them — the TSA PreCheck credit is useful only if you plan to renew that membership during the five-year window.
When the Card Makes Financial Sense
The card breaks even financially if you fly Alaska once or twice a year and check a bag. The $75 fee minus the $75 statement credit equals zero, and the free checked bag saves you $70 to $80. If you fly more than twice a year, you come out ahead. If you fly Alaska less than once a year, the card is harder to justify unless you spend heavily on restaurants or gas.
Run the math on your own spending: take your annual restaurant and gas spending, multiply by the 2 points per dollar rate, then estimate what those points are worth in flight value (roughly 1 cent per point as a conservative estimate). Add the value of free checked bags you would use. If that total exceeds $75, the card pays for itself. If it does not, a no-annual-fee rewards card may be a better fit.
The card is not worth keeping if you rarely fly Alaska, do not check bags, and do not spend much at restaurants or gas stations. In that case, a flat-rate cash-back card with no annual fee would give you more value.
How to Decide Between This Card and Alternatives
If you are loyal to Alaska Airlines and fly them regularly, this card is straightforward: the free checked bag and statement credit cover the fee, and you earn bonus points on tickets. If you fly multiple airlines equally, a general travel rewards card like the Chase Sapphire Preferred or American Express Gold might give you more flexibility, though those cards also charge annual fees and have their own earning structures.
If you rarely fly but want a rewards card for everyday spending, a no-annual-fee card like the Chase Freedom Unlimited or Discover It Cash Back will cost you nothing and still earn rewards on all purchases. You would not get airline-specific perks, but you also would not pay a yearly fee.
The decision comes down to loyalty and frequency. Alaska Airlines cardholders who fly the airline at least once or twice a year and check bags almost always come out ahead. Occasional flyers or people who split their travel across multiple airlines usually do not.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the $75 statement credit explore to seat upgrades or only to ticket purchases?
The credit applies only to ticket purchases, not to seat upgrades, baggage fees, or other charges. You must use it on a new ticket or it expires at the end of your membership year.
Can I use the free checked bag benefit if I am traveling with someone else on a different reservation?
No. The benefit covers you and one companion on the same reservation only. If you are booked separately, each person would need their own card to get a free bag.
What happens to my points if I close the card?
Your points stay in your Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan account even after you close the card. You can continue to redeem them for flights or transfers. The account itself does not close just because the credit card does.
Is there a sign-up bonus if I open this card?
This card does not currently offer a sign-up bonus. You begin earning at the standard rates (3 points per dollar on Alaska tickets, 2 points on restaurants and gas, 1 point on everything else) from your first purchase.
Can I earn points on Alaska Airlines tickets bought through a third-party travel site?
Points are earned only on tickets purchased directly from Alaska Airlines or through their official booking channels. Tickets bought through third-party sites like Kayak or Expedia typically do not earn bonus points, though you may earn 1 point per dollar depending on how the transaction is coded.