What the Bank of America Visa Alaska card offers
The Bank of America Visa Alaska card is a co-branded rewards card issued by Bank of America in partnership with Alaska Airlines. It earns Alaska Airlines miles on purchases, offers a sign-up bonus in miles, and includes benefits like free checked bags and priority boarding on Alaska Airlines flights. The card comes in two versions: a consumer card and a business card, each with different annual fees and earning rates.
The consumer version currently earns 3 miles per dollar on Alaska Airlines purchases and gas stations, 2 miles per dollar on restaurants and transit, and 1 mile per dollar on everything else. The business version has different earning categories focused on business spending. Both versions charge an annual fee, which varies depending on the current offer — Bank of America periodically changes the fee structure and sign-up bonus to compete with other airline cards.
Unlike some airline cards that lock you into one carrier, the Alaska card lets you use miles on any airline through Alaska's partner network, though redemption rates and availability vary by partner. You can also use miles for hotel stays, car rentals, and other travel purchases through Alaska's rewards portal.
Key Takeaways
- The card earns 3 miles per dollar on Alaska Airlines tickets and gas, 2 miles on restaurants and transit, and 1 mile on other purchases, making it most valuable if you fly Alaska frequently or spend on gas.
- Both versions charge an annual fee, and the sign-up bonus (usually 40,000 to 60,000 miles) needs to be weighed against that fee to determine if the card pays for itself in the first year.
- You get one free checked bag per trip on Alaska Airlines flights, which alone saves $35 to $70 per round trip if you check luggage regularly.
- Miles can be redeemed on Alaska Airlines partners like American, Delta, and United, but partner redemptions often require more miles than Alaska-operated flights.
- The card is most valuable for people who fly Alaska Airlines at least once or twice a year or spend significantly on gas and restaurants.
Annual fee versus sign-up bonus and benefits
The annual fee for the consumer card is typically $75, though Bank of America occasionally waives the first year or adjusts the fee as part of promotional offers. The sign-up bonus is usually 40,000 to 60,000 miles after you spend a certain amount in the first few months — currently often $2,000 to $3,000 in purchases within 90 days. To decide whether the card makes financial sense, you need to know what those miles are worth to you.
Alaska Airlines miles are generally valued at 1 to 1.5 cents per mile when redeemed for flights. Using the lower estimate, 40,000 miles equals roughly $400 in flight value. If you subtract the $75 annual fee, you net $325 from the sign-up bonus alone. The free checked bag benefit adds another $35 to $70 per round trip if you check luggage. For someone who takes even one Alaska flight per year, the math often works out in the card's favor in year one.
In subsequent years, the value depends on your spending and travel patterns. If you fly Alaska once or twice yearly and check a bag, the free checked bag benefit ($70 to $140 per year) often covers or exceeds the annual fee. If you also earn miles on gas or restaurant spending and redeem them for flights, the card can remain worthwhile. If you rarely fly Alaska and don't spend much on the bonus categories, the annual fee becomes a net cost.
Earning rates and how they compare to other airline cards
The 3 miles per dollar on Alaska Airlines purchases is competitive with other airline cards' earning on their home carrier. American Express's American Airlines card earns 3 miles per dollar on American Airlines tickets and 2 miles on other purchases. The Chase United card earns 2 miles per dollar on United purchases and 1 mile elsewhere. The Alaska card's 3 miles on gas stations is a notable advantage if you drive regularly — most airline cards earn only 1 mile per dollar on gas.
The 2 miles per dollar on restaurants and transit is solid but not exceptional. Many cash-back cards earn 2% to 3% on restaurants, and some premium travel cards earn 3 miles or more. If restaurants and transit are your largest spending categories, a general rewards card or a different airline card might earn more. The 1 mile per dollar on everything else is standard for airline cards but lower than some cash-back alternatives.
The business version has different earning: 3 miles per dollar on Alaska Airlines purchases, 2 miles on business purchases (including internet, cable, and phone), and 1 mile on everything else. The business card's annual fee is also typically $75. The business earning structure is more useful if your business spending is concentrated in those categories, but less valuable if you spend heavily on restaurants or travel outside of Alaska Airlines.
Free checked bag and other travel benefits
The free checked bag benefit applies to you and up to nine companions on the same reservation on Alaska Airlines flights. This is one of the card's strongest features if you check luggage. Alaska Airlines charges $35 for the first checked bag and $45 for the second on most routes, so a family of four checking bags on a round trip saves $140 to $280 per year. For frequent travelers, this benefit alone can justify the annual fee.
The card also includes priority boarding, which means you board before general passengers and can claim overhead bin space earlier. This is valuable if you travel with carry-on luggage and want to avoid gate-checking. Some versions of the card include a companion ticket discount or annual companion ticket offers, though these promotions change — check the current offer before opening the card.
Additional benefits typically include travel accident insurance, baggage delay reimbursement, and roadside information. These are standard on most premium travel cards and provide protection if your luggage is delayed or you're injured during a covered trip. The card does not include trip cancellation insurance or trip delay reimbursement, which are found on higher-tier travel cards.
How to use Alaska Airlines miles effectively
Alaska Airlines miles are most valuable when redeemed for flights on Alaska Airlines itself, especially on shorter routes where the mile requirement is lower. A short flight within the Pacific Northwest might cost 5,000 to 7,500 miles, while a cross-country flight costs 25,000 to 40,000 miles depending on demand. Redeeming during off-peak travel times (early morning, midweek, or shoulder seasons) often requires fewer miles than peak times.
Partner redemptions through Alaska's alliance network require more miles but can reach destinations Alaska doesn't serve. American Airlines, Delta, United, and others are partners, but their redemption rates vary. A flight that costs 25,000 miles on Alaska might cost 30,000 to 40,000 miles on a partner airline. Before opening the card, check Alaska's award chart to see whether the routes you fly are available and at what mile costs.
You can also use miles for hotel stays, car rentals, and vacation packages through Alaska's rewards portal, though the value is typically lower than flight redemptions. A hotel night that costs $150 might require 10,000 to 15,000 miles, which works out to 1 to 1.5 cents per mile — lower than flight redemptions. Stacking miles from the card with miles earned from flying Alaska Airlines can help you reach higher redemption thresholds faster.
Who should and shouldn't open this card
The Alaska card makes sense for people who fly Alaska Airlines at least once or twice per year, especially if they check luggage. The free checked bag benefit alone covers most of the annual fee, and the sign-up bonus provides additional value. If you live in Alaska, the Pacific Northwest, or California where Alaska has extensive service, the card is more useful because you have more flight options and earn miles faster on frequent trips.
The card is less valuable if you rarely fly Alaska Airlines or if you live in a region where Alaska has limited service. If your primary airline is American, Delta, or United, you'll earn more value from that airline's co-branded card. If you spend most of your rewards-earning money on categories outside the card's bonus categories (groceries, online shopping, utilities), a general cash-back card will likely earn more value.
Business owners who fly Alaska frequently for work and have employees who also fly Alaska can benefit from the business version, especially if they can concentrate spending in the bonus categories. However, if your business spending is primarily on groceries, office supplies, or other categories outside the card's earning structure, a business cash-back card or a different airline card may be more efficient.
Comparing the Alaska card to other airline and travel cards
| Card | Annual Fee | Sign-Up Bonus | Primary Earning | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bank of America Visa Alaska | $75 | 40,000–60,000 miles | 3x Alaska Airlines, 3x gas, 2x restaurants | Alaska Airlines frequent flyers, gas spenders |
| American Express American Airlines | $99 | 40,000–60,000 miles | 3x American Airlines, 2x other | American Airlines frequent flyers |
| Chase United Explorer | $99 | 50,000–70,000 miles | 2x United, 1x other | United frequent flyers |
| Chase Sapphire Preferred (cash-back alternative) | $95 | $750–$1,000 cash back | 3x travel, 3x dining, 1x other | Flexible rewards, multiple airlines |
The Alaska card's $75 annual fee is lower than most premium airline cards, which typically charge $95 to $150. The sign-up bonus is competitive, though the earning rates on non-airline categories are lower than some premium travel cards. If you're flexible about which airline you fly, the Chase Sapphire Preferred offers more earning on dining and travel and can be transferred to multiple airline partners, though it requires higher spending to maximize value.
If you're committed to one airline, the co-branded card for that airline is usually the best choice. The Alaska card is the most valuable for Alaska Airlines loyalty, but only if you actually fly Alaska or spend significantly on gas and restaurants. If you fly multiple airlines equally, a flexible rewards card like the Sapphire Preferred or a cash-back card may provide more value across your actual spending patterns.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the free checked bag explore to connecting flights?
Yes, the free checked bag applies to each flight segment on your itinerary, as long as all flights are on Alaska Airlines or its regional partners. If you have a connection through another airline, the free bag benefit does not explore to that segment. Check your itinerary to confirm all flights are Alaska-operated before booking.
Can I use Alaska miles on flights I've already booked?
No, miles can only be used to book new flights or to upgrade existing reservations. You cannot explore miles retroactively to a flight you've already paid for with cash or another method. You must book the flight using miles at the time of purchase.
What happens to my miles if I close the card?
Your miles do not expire straightforward because you close the card. However, Alaska Airlines has an inactivity policy — if your account has no activity (flights, miles transfers, or redemptions) for 24 months, your miles may be forfeited. Keeping the account open or using miles periodically prevents this.
Is the sign-up bonus worth the annual fee in the first year?
Usually yes, if you can meet the spending requirement. A 40,000-mile sign-up bonus is worth roughly $400 to $600 in flight value, which exceeds the $75 annual fee. Add the free checked bag benefit ($35 to $70 per trip) and the card typically pays for itself in year one if you take at least one Alaska flight and check a bag.
Can I earn miles on the annual fee itself?
No, annual fees do not earn miles on any Bank of America card. The annual fee is a separate charge that does not count toward your spending total or earn rewards.