What the Alaska Airlines Visa Card is and who issues it

The Alaska Airlines Visa Card is a co-branded credit card issued by Bank of America in partnership with Alaska Airlines. It is designed for people who fly Alaska Airlines regularly or want to earn rewards on everyday purchases. The card earns miles on all spending, with bonus miles for Alaska Airlines purchases and other categories depending on which version you hold.

Bank of America offers two main versions: the Alaska Airlines Visa Signature Card and the Alaska Airlines Visa Signature Preferred Card. The Preferred version has a higher annual fee but offers more generous rewards rates and additional perks. Both cards report to the three major credit bureaus and function as standard Visa cards at any merchant that accepts Visa.

Key Takeaways

  • The Alaska Airlines Visa Card earns Alaska Airlines miles on all purchases, with higher earning rates in bonus categories like dining and gas.
  • Both versions charge an annual fee; the Preferred version costs more but offers higher rewards rates and additional benefits like checked baggage credits.
  • You can redeem miles for Alaska Airlines flights, seat upgrades, and other travel-related purchases through the Alaska Airlines website or by calling their customer service line.
  • The card requires a credit check and approval from Bank of America, and approval decisions typically come within minutes to a few business days.
  • Miles do not expire as long as your account remains open and you have account activity at least once every 24 months.

Rewards rates and how miles are earned

With the standard Alaska Airlines Visa Card, you earn 3 miles per dollar on Alaska Airlines purchases, 2 miles per dollar at restaurants and gas stations, and 1 mile per dollar on all other purchases. The Preferred version increases these to 4 miles per dollar on Alaska Airlines purchases, 3 miles per dollar at restaurants and gas stations, and 1 mile per dollar elsewhere.

Both versions offer a sign-up bonus of miles after you meet a minimum spending requirement within the first few months of opening the account. The exact bonus amount varies by offer and changes periodically, so the current offer will be shown when you view the card details online. Miles post to your account within one to three business days of a purchase posting to your card.

You also earn 1 mile per dollar on balance transfers and cash advances, though these transactions typically carry fees and higher interest rates than regular purchases. Miles are not earned on annual fees, interest charges, or fees for late payments or returned checks.

Annual fees and other costs

The standard Alaska Airlines Visa Card charges an annual fee of $75. The Preferred version charges $250 per year. Both fees post to your account on the anniversary of when you opened the card and every 12 months thereafter. You are responsible for paying this fee whether or not you use the card.

Like all credit cards, the Alaska Airlines Visa Card charges interest on balances you carry from month to month. The interest rate (APR) depends on your creditworthiness and current market rates; Bank of America will disclose the exact rate in your card agreement before you accept the offer. The card also charges standard fees for late payments, returned payments, and cash advances.

If you close the card, any remaining miles stay in your Alaska Airlines account as long as you have account activity with Alaska Airlines at least once every 24 months. You do not lose miles straightforward by closing the credit card itself.

Benefits beyond earning miles

Both versions of the card include a checked baggage credit on Alaska Airlines flights. The standard card covers one free checked bag per trip; the Preferred card covers two. This benefit applies to the primary cardholder on domestic Alaska Airlines flights. Companions and additional bags are not covered by the credit.

The Preferred Card also includes a statement credit toward Alaska Airlines purchases once per year, typically $100 or $150 depending on the current offer. This credit posts automatically if you charge an Alaska Airlines ticket or purchase to the card during the calendar year. The standard card does not include this benefit.

Both cards come with standard Visa Signature benefits such as purchase protection, extended warranty coverage, and travel accident insurance. The specific terms and coverage limits are detailed in your card agreement and on Bank of America's website.

How to redeem miles for flights and upgrades

Miles can be redeemed through the Alaska Airlines website by logging into your frequent flyer account, searching for a flight, and choosing to pay with miles instead of cash. You can also call Alaska Airlines customer service at 1-800-252-7522 to book over the phone. Redemption rates vary by route and demand; some flights may cost 5,000 miles while others cost 50,000 or more.

You can also use miles to upgrade a paid ticket to a higher cabin class, though upgrade availability depends on the flight and how many upgrade seats remain. Miles can additionally be used for seat upgrades, standby flights, and purchases in the Alaska Airlines online shop, though these redemptions typically offer lower value per mile than flight bookings.

Once you book a flight with miles, you receive a confirmation number just as you would with a cash booking. You can check in online, at a kiosk, or at the ticket counter using the same process as any other passenger. Miles are deducted from your account when ready when the booking is confirmed.

Credit requirements and how to open an account

Bank of America does not publish a specific credit score requirement for the Alaska Airlines Visa Card, but approval typically requires good to excellent credit. You will need to provide your Social Security number, date of birth, and income information as part of the process. Bank of America performs a hard credit inquiry, which temporarily lowers your credit score by a few points.

You can explore online at Bank of America's website or through the Alaska Airlines website. The process takes about 10 minutes and asks for your personal information, employment details, and annual income. You will receive a decision within minutes in most cases, though some applications may take a few business days for manual review.

Once approved, your physical card arrives by mail within 7 to 10 business days. You can request a temporary digital card number to use when ready for online purchases while you wait for the physical card. Your miles account is created automatically and linked to your Alaska Airlines frequent flyer account if you provide your frequent flyer number during the process.

How miles expire and keeping your account active

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 any transaction on your Alaska Airlines account. Flying on Alaska Airlines, using the Alaska Airlines Visa Card, or even viewing your account online counts as activity.

If your account becomes inactive for 24 months or longer, your miles may be forfeited. However, you can reactivate an inactive account by logging in, making a purchase, or contacting Alaska Airlines customer service. If you are concerned about inactivity, you can set a calendar reminder to log into your account or make a small purchase once per year.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I transfer my Alaska Airlines miles to another person or airline?

Alaska Airlines does not allow direct transfers of miles between accounts. However, you can book a flight for another person using your miles, and that person can use the ticket. Some airline partnerships allow mile transfers, but these are limited and typically require the recipient to be a family member.

What happens to my miles if I close the credit card?

Your miles remain in your Alaska Airlines frequent flyer account even after you close the credit card. The miles stay active as long as your Alaska Airlines account has activity at least once every 24 months. Closing the card does not affect your miles balance.

Does the annual fee get waived for the first year?

The annual fee structure varies by offer and changes periodically. Some offers waive the first year's fee, while others charge the full fee when ready. The current offer details will show whether the first year is free when you view the card process online.

Can I use my miles on partner airlines?

Alaska Airlines has partnerships with other carriers, but redemption options on partner airlines are limited and typically cost more miles than Alaska Airlines flights. You can search for partner airline options on the Alaska Airlines website when you are looking to redeem miles.

What credit score do I need to be approved?

Bank of America does not publish a specific score requirement, but the card typically goes to people with good to excellent credit (usually 670 or higher). Your actual approval depends on your full credit profile, income, and existing debts, not just your score.