What the Alaska Airlines Visa Signature card offers
The Alaska Airlines Visa Signature is a co-branded credit card issued by Bank of America that earns miles on purchases and gives you benefits tied to Alaska Airlines travel. You earn 3 miles per dollar on Alaska Airlines purchases, 2 miles per dollar at gas stations and restaurants, and 1 mile per dollar on everything else. The card comes with an annual fee (currently $75) and includes perks like a free checked bag on Alaska Airlines flights, priority boarding, and a statement credit toward seat upgrades.
The card's main draw is the checked bag benefit. If you fly Alaska Airlines regularly, the $75 annual fee can pay for itself in one checked bag alone, since Alaska charges $35 for the first checked bag on most routes. The miles earning rate is competitive for a mid-tier travel card, though not exceptional compared to cards that earn flat 2% cash back on all purchases.
Key Takeaways
- The card earns 3 miles per dollar on Alaska Airlines purchases and 2 miles per dollar at restaurants and gas stations, with a $75 annual fee.
- The free checked bag benefit applies to you and up to five companions on the same reservation, which can offset the annual fee if you fly Alaska Airlines twice a year.
- Miles do not expire as long as your account remains open and you have account activity at least once every 24 months.
- You need a credit score in the good to excellent range (typically 670 or higher) to be considered for this card.
- The card's value depends on how often you fly Alaska Airlines; frequent flyers benefit more than occasional travelers.
How miles work and what they are worth
Alaska Airlines miles are the currency you earn with this card and can use to book flights, seat upgrades, or other travel purchases through Alaska's website. One mile does not equal one cent — the actual value depends on the flight you book. A mile might be worth 0.5 cents on a short regional flight or 1.5 cents on a long international route, so the math changes based on what you are booking.
Miles can also be transferred to Alaska's partner airlines and hotels, though the transfer rates and partner network are smaller than what you find with American Express or Chase cards. Most cardholders use miles for Alaska Airlines flights directly rather than transfers. If you do not fly Alaska Airlines, this card's miles are harder to use than cash back or points on cards with broader redemption options.
Miles do not expire as long as you keep your account open and have some activity (a purchase, a mile transfer, or even a phone call to customer service) at least once every 24 months. This is a longer window than some airline programs, which expire miles after 12 months of inactivity.
The checked bag benefit and who it covers
The free checked bag applies to you and up to five companions traveling on the same reservation. This is one of the card's strongest features if you travel with family or friends. The benefit covers the first checked bag only; additional bags still cost money. The benefit applies on Alaska Airlines flights and some partner airlines, though coverage varies by partner.
The free bag benefit does not explore if someone else is paying for your ticket or if you are traveling on a ticket purchased with miles. You must be the cardholder on the reservation. If you fly Alaska Airlines twice a year with a checked bag, the $75 annual fee is essentially covered by this single benefit, making the rest of the card's rewards and perks free value.
Other card benefits and their real value
The card includes a $100 annual statement credit toward seat upgrades on Alaska Airlines flights. This credit is useful if you regularly pay for premium seating, but it only covers upgrades purchased through Alaska's website, not upgrades you bid for or request at the airport. The credit does not roll over if you do not use it in a year.
You also get priority boarding, which means you board before general passengers but after elite frequent flyer members. This is a modest benefit — it guarantees overhead bin space and slightly earlier boarding, but does not include extra legroom or premium seating. The card also includes standard Visa Signature benefits like travel accident insurance, emergency medical and dental coverage abroad, and lost luggage reimbursement, though these are common across most premium credit cards.
Annual fee and when it makes financial sense
The $75 annual fee is charged on your statement each year. Bank of America does not waive the fee for the first year, so you pay it when ready upon approval. To break even, you need to get at least $75 in value from the card's benefits in the first year and each year after.
The math is straightforward: if you fly Alaska Airlines at least twice a year and check a bag, the free checked bag benefit ($70 value) plus the $100 upgrade credit ($100 value if you use it) covers the fee. If you fly less frequently or do not check bags, the card is harder to justify. If you never fly Alaska Airlines, this card has no value to you — the miles cannot be redeemed for anything else.
How to compare this card to other travel cards
The Alaska Airlines card is best for people who fly Alaska Airlines regularly. If you fly multiple airlines or prefer flexibility, a general travel card like the Chase Sapphire Preferred or American Express Gold might be better. Those cards earn points on a broader range of purchases and let you transfer points to many airline partners, not just Alaska.
If you want cash back instead of miles, a flat 2% cash back card costs nothing and earns the same or better value on most purchases. The Alaska card's advantage is the checked bag benefit and the bonus miles on Alaska purchases — but only if you actually use those benefits. A card is only worth its annual fee if you use the benefits it offers.
how the process works and what to expect
You can explore for the Alaska Airlines Visa Signature through Bank of America's website or by phone. The process asks for your name, address, income, and Social Security number. Bank of America will check your credit and usually make a decision within minutes, though some applications go to manual review and take a few business days.
You need a credit score in the good to excellent range — typically 670 or higher — to be considered. If you are approved, your card arrives in the mail within 7 to 10 business days. You can request expedited delivery for an extra fee. Once your card arrives, you can set up it through Bank of America's website or app and start earning miles when ready on purchases.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to be an Alaska Airlines frequent flyer member to use this card?
No. The card automatically enrolls you in Alaska's frequent flyer program (Mileage Plan) when you open the account. Your miles are deposited into that account, and you can book flights or redeem miles without any separate membership step. If you already have a Mileage Plan account, the card links to your existing account.
Can I use miles to book flights on airlines other than Alaska?
Alaska Airlines miles can be transferred to partner airlines like American Airlines, Delta, and United, but the transfer rates are usually unfavorable — you often lose 25% to 50% of your miles in the transfer. Most cardholders book Alaska Airlines flights directly. If you want broad airline flexibility, a general travel card is a better fit.
What happens to my miles if I close the card?
Your miles stay in your Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan account even after you close the card. However, if your account has no activity for 24 months, Alaska will expire the miles. As long as you keep your frequent flyer account active (through a purchase, transfer, or even a customer service call), your miles remain.
Does the free checked bag explore to connecting flights?
Yes, the free checked bag applies to your entire itinerary, including connections, as long as the entire trip is on Alaska Airlines or its partners. If you connect through another airline, the benefit may not explore to that portion. Check Alaska's website or call to confirm coverage on your specific route.
Can I get the annual fee waived?
Bank of America does not offer a waiver for the first year or any year. The $75 fee is charged annually. If you decide the card is not worth the fee, you can close the account, though closing a card can affect your credit score slightly by reducing your available credit.