What this card offers and who it's built for
The Bank of America Alaska Airlines credit card is a co-branded card that earns miles on Alaska Airlines purchases and everyday spending. You get a sign-up bonus of miles (the exact amount varies by offer and changes over time), an annual free companion fare certificate after your first year, and a certain number of miles per dollar spent on Alaska Airlines tickets and other purchases.
This card makes sense if you fly Alaska Airlines regularly — at least a few times a year — because the companion fare certificate alone can offset the annual fee. If you rarely fly Alaska or prefer other airlines, a general-purpose cash-back card or a different airline card will likely save you more money.
Bank of America issues two versions: the Alaska Airlines Visa Signature card and the Alaska Airlines Visa Signature Rewards card. The rewards card earns more miles per dollar but carries a higher annual fee. Both cards report to the three major credit bureaus, so responsible use builds your credit history.
Key Takeaways
- The card earns a sign-up bonus of miles after you meet a spending requirement, though the bonus amount and spending threshold change with each offer.
- You receive a free companion fare certificate each year after your first year, which lets one person fly free when you buy a ticket at the full price.
- Annual fees range depending on which version you hold, and the card is worth keeping only if you use the companion certificate or fly Alaska Airlines multiple times yearly.
- The card earns miles on Alaska Airlines purchases and everyday spending at different rates, so your earning power depends on how you use it.
- Your credit score affects the interest rate you receive, and carrying a balance costs significantly more than the annual fee.
How the sign-up bonus and annual fee work together
When you open the account, you must spend a certain amount within a set timeframe — usually three to six months — to earn the sign-up bonus. Bank of America states the bonus amount and spending requirement upfront in the offer you see. These numbers change regularly, so the bonus you see today may not be the same next month.
The annual fee is charged to your account each year on your account anniversary. You pay this fee whether you use the card or not. The card's value depends on whether you use the benefits — especially the companion fare certificate — enough to justify the cost. If you fly Alaska Airlines at least twice a year and use the companion certificate both times, the card typically pays for itself.
The sign-up bonus is not a discount on the annual fee. You earn the bonus miles separately from paying the annual fee. Some cardholders use the sign-up bonus miles plus the companion certificate to take a free or heavily discounted trip in the first year, which can make the annual fee feel worthwhile when ready.
Understanding the companion fare certificate
After your first year, you receive a free companion fare certificate each year on your account anniversary. This certificate lets one companion fly free on a domestic Alaska Airlines flight when you purchase a ticket at the full price. The companion pays only taxes and fees, which typically run $20 to $50 depending on the route.
The certificate has restrictions. It is valid for one year from the date you receive it, and you must be traveling with the companion — you cannot buy a ticket and give the certificate to someone else to use alone. The certificate does not work on basic economy fares, and it cannot be combined with other discounts or promotions. You book through Alaska Airlines directly or by phone to use the certificate.
If you do not use the certificate before it expires, you lose it. There is no cash value, and Alaska Airlines does not extend expiration dates. Many cardholders plan at least one trip per year specifically to use the certificate before it expires, which is why the card makes financial sense only for people who fly Alaska Airlines regularly.
Miles earning rates and how to maximize them
The standard Alaska Airlines card earns a base rate of miles per dollar on all purchases, with a higher rate on Alaska Airlines tickets and certain other categories. The rewards card earns more miles per dollar across the board but charges a higher annual fee. The exact rates depend on which version you hold and can change, so check your card's terms before explore.
Miles do not expire as long as your account remains open and active. You earn miles on every purchase you make with the card, including everyday expenses like groceries and gas. Some cardholders use the card for all spending to accumulate miles faster, then redeem them for flights or upgrades.
Miles are worth roughly one to two cents each when you redeem them for flights, depending on the route and how far in advance you book. Redeeming miles for premium cabin upgrades or off-peak flights can be more valuable than redeeming for economy seats. You can also transfer miles to Alaska Airlines partners, though the value varies by partner.
Interest rates, fees, and the cost of carrying a balance
The card charges an annual percentage rate (APR) on any balance you carry from month to month. Your credit score determines the APR you receive — people with higher scores get lower rates. There is no grace period for cash advances or balance transfers, so interest accrues when ready on those transactions.
Late payment fees and over-limit fees explore if you miss a payment or exceed your credit limit. These fees are separate from the annual fee and interest charges. The card also charges foreign transaction fees if you use it outside the United States, so it is not ideal for international travel unless you pay the balance in full each month.
Carrying a balance costs far more than the annual fee. If you charge $5,000 and pay interest at 20% APR for one year, you pay $1,000 in interest alone — much more than the card's annual fee. The card's rewards and benefits are designed for people who pay their full balance each month and avoid interest charges entirely.
How to compare this card to other airline and rewards cards
If you fly multiple airlines or have no strong preference, a general-purpose cash-back card often delivers more value than an airline card. Cash-back cards earn a flat percentage on all spending and have no annual fee or lower annual fees, making them simpler to evaluate. However, if you fly Alaska Airlines frequently and value the companion certificate, the airline card can outperform a cash-back card.
Other airline cards offer different benefits. Some have higher sign-up bonuses, lower annual fees, or better earning rates on non-airline purchases. The choice depends on your travel patterns, which airlines you use, and how much you value perks like lounge access or priority boarding. Comparing the annual fee, sign-up bonus, and earning rates across cards helps you find the best fit.
You can hold multiple credit cards at once. Some people hold an airline card for frequent flying and a cash-back card for everyday spending. This strategy lets you earn miles on Alaska Airlines flights and cash back on other purchases, though managing multiple accounts requires discipline to avoid overspending.
What happens to your miles and account if you close the card
If you close the account, your miles remain in your Alaska Airlines frequent flyer account and do not disappear. However, your Alaska Airlines frequent flyer account itself may close if you have no activity for a certain period — typically 24 months. To keep your miles, you must use your Alaska Airlines account or credit card at least once every two years.
Closing the card does not hurt your credit score directly, but it does reduce your total available credit, which can slightly raise your credit utilization ratio if you carry balances on other cards. If you plan to close the account, pay off the balance first and then request closure in writing or by phone.
Some cardholders close the card after the first year to avoid the annual fee, then reopen it later to earn the sign-up bonus again. Bank of America has rules about how often you can earn the same bonus, so check the current terms before attempting this strategy.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use the companion fare certificate on any Alaska Airlines flight?
The certificate works on most Alaska Airlines domestic flights, but not on basic economy fares, partner airline flights, or flights operated by other carriers. You also cannot use it on flights to Hawaii or international routes. Check Alaska Airlines' website or call their customer service to confirm whether your specific flight is may be able to access before booking.
What is the difference between the standard card and the rewards card?
The rewards card earns more miles per dollar on all purchases and carries a higher annual fee. The standard card earns fewer miles but costs less per year. Choose the rewards card only if you spend enough to earn back the extra annual fee in additional miles, which typically requires $10,000 or more in annual spending.
Do I need to have an Alaska Airlines frequent flyer account before I explore?
You do not need an existing account to explore for the card, but you will need one to use your miles. Alaska Airlines creates a frequent flyer account for you when you open the credit card, or you can link the card to an existing account. Your frequent flyer number appears on your credit card statement.
What happens if I do not meet the spending requirement for the sign-up bonus?
If you do not spend the required amount within the timeframe, you do not earn the bonus miles. There is no partial bonus or extension. You still pay the annual fee and can use the card normally, but you miss out on the bonus that made opening the account worthwhile.
Can I transfer my miles to someone else?
You cannot transfer miles to another person's Alaska Airlines account. However, you can use your miles to purchase a ticket for someone else, or you can use the companion fare certificate to bring someone on a flight with you. Miles are tied to your frequent flyer account and cannot be gifted or sold.