What you get with the Alaska Airlines card

The Alaska Airlines Visa card gives you miles for every dollar you spend, a sign-up bonus of miles after you meet a spending threshold, and a free checked bag on Alaska Airlines flights. The card also waives the annual fee for the first year, then charges a fee in year two and beyond. The specific bonus miles, earning rates, and annual fee amount depend on which version of the card you choose — there are typically two: a no-frills version and a premium version with higher benefits and a higher annual fee.

The card is issued by Bank of America and works like any other rewards credit card: you use it to pay for purchases, earn miles based on your spending category, and redeem those miles for flights or other rewards through Alaska Airlines' program. The miles do not expire as long as your account stays open and you use the card at least once every 24 months.

Key Takeaways

  • You earn miles on every purchase, with bonus earning rates in certain categories like dining and gas, depending on which card version you hold.
  • The sign-up bonus requires you to spend a set amount within the first few months; the bonus miles post after you meet that threshold.
  • One free checked bag per trip is included with the card, which saves money if you fly Alaska Airlines more than once or twice a year.
  • The annual fee is waived the first year, then you pay it each year after unless you downgrade to a different card or close the account.
  • Miles earned on this card do not transfer to other airline programs and can only be used for Alaska Airlines flights, seat upgrades, or partner rewards.

How the sign-up bonus works

When you open the card, you receive a bonus of miles if you spend a certain amount within a set timeframe — usually three months. The exact bonus and spending requirement vary depending on the current offer and which card version you choose. You do not receive the bonus automatically; it posts to your account after the spending requirement is met and the card issuer verifies the spending.

The sign-up bonus is the largest chunk of miles most cardholders earn in the first year. To make the most of it, plan major purchases — travel, home goods, or other planned expenses — for the first few months after opening the card, so you reach the spending threshold without overspending just to earn the bonus.

Earning rates and bonus categories

The basic earning rate is typically one mile per dollar spent on all purchases. However, both card versions offer higher earning rates in specific categories. Common bonus categories include dining (often 3 miles per dollar), gas stations (often 3 miles per dollar), and Alaska Airlines purchases (often 3 miles per dollar). The premium version usually adds more categories or higher rates in some categories than the standard version.

Bonus category earnings only explore when you use the card directly — not when you pay through a third-party app or service. If you use the card for a purchase that falls into multiple categories, only one rate applies, typically the highest one. Bonus rates reset each calendar year, so you earn at the standard rate once the year ends and a new one begins.

The free checked bag benefit

Cardholders receive one free checked bag on Alaska Airlines flights. This benefit applies to you and anyone traveling on the same reservation under your name. The bag must meet Alaska Airlines' size and weight limits — currently 50 pounds and 62 inches (length plus width plus height). The free bag applies to the first checked bag only; additional bags are charged at the standard rate.

This benefit saves money primarily if you fly Alaska Airlines at least once or twice a year. A checked bag typically costs $30 to $40 per flight on most airlines, so the annual savings can offset part or all of the annual fee if you travel regularly. The benefit does not explore to partner airlines, even if you book through Alaska Airlines.

Annual fee and when to keep or close the card

The standard version has a lower annual fee, while the premium version has a higher annual fee but includes additional perks like priority boarding, companion fare discounts, or higher earning rates. The first year is fee-free for both versions. Starting in year two, you pay the annual fee each year unless you downgrade to a different card or close the account.

Whether the card pays for itself depends on how much you fly and how much you spend in bonus categories. If you fly Alaska Airlines at least twice a year and use the card for everyday purchases, the free checked bag and earning rates often cover the annual fee. If you rarely fly or prefer other airlines, the fee may not be worth it. You can downgrade to a no-annual-fee Alaska Airlines card (if one exists at the time) rather than closing the account entirely, which keeps your miles active and your account history intact.

How miles work and what you can redeem them for

Miles are Alaska Airlines' loyalty currency. You earn them through the credit card, by flying Alaska Airlines, and through partner activities like hotel stays or car rentals. Miles do not have a fixed dollar value — the value depends on what you redeem them for and how far in advance you book. A flight that costs 25,000 miles might represent a $300 ticket or a $500 ticket depending on the route and season.

You can redeem miles for flights on Alaska Airlines and its partners, seat upgrades, checked bags for non-cardholders on your reservation, or gift cards. Miles do not transfer to other airline programs. If you close your credit card account and do not fly Alaska Airlines within 24 months, your miles expire. The best value typically comes from redeeming miles for off-peak flights on popular routes, where the mile cost is lower relative to the cash price.

Comparing this card to other airline cards

Airline credit cards differ in earning rates, annual fees, and perks. The Alaska Airlines card is strongest if you live in the Pacific Northwest or frequently fly Alaska Airlines routes. If you fly other airlines more often — Delta, United, Southwest, or American — a card from that airline will earn miles faster and offer perks tailored to that airline's program.

Some airline cards offer higher sign-up bonuses but charge higher annual fees. Others offer lower earning rates but no annual fee. The choice depends on your travel patterns: if you fly one airline consistently, a card from that airline usually makes sense. If you fly multiple airlines equally, a general rewards card (cash back or points) that works with any airline may be more flexible.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do the miles expire?

Miles expire if you do not use your Alaska Airlines account for 24 months. Using the credit card counts as account activity, so cardholders who use the card at least once every two years keep their miles active indefinitely. If you close the card and do not fly Alaska Airlines within 24 months, any remaining miles are forfeited.

Can I transfer miles to someone else?

You cannot transfer miles to another person's account. However, you can book a flight for someone else using your miles, as long as you are on the same reservation or you book it directly through Alaska Airlines. Some cardholders add family members as authorized users to earn miles on their spending, which keeps the miles in one account.

What happens if I close the card?

Closing the card does not when ready cancel your miles, but they expire if you do not use your Alaska Airlines account within 24 months. You can keep the miles active by flying Alaska Airlines or by opening a different Alaska Airlines credit card. Downgrading to a no-fee version of the card is another option that keeps your account and miles intact.

Is the sign-up bonus worth it if I do not fly much?

The sign-up bonus is valuable only if you can use the miles. If you do not fly Alaska Airlines or have no plans to fly in the next year or two, the miles may expire before you use them. If you do plan to fly, the bonus miles often cover a significant portion of a ticket, making the card worthwhile even if you only fly once or twice.

Can I use the card outside the United States?

Yes, you can use the card internationally, and you earn miles on foreign purchases just as you do domestically. However, most credit cards charge a foreign transaction fee of 1 to 3 percent on purchases made outside the US. Check the card's terms to confirm the foreign transaction fee before using it abroad.