What you get with the Alaska Airlines credit card

The Alaska Airlines credit card gives you points on every purchase you make, with higher earning rates on Alaska Airlines flights and certain other categories. You also get a sign-up bonus of miles after you spend a set amount in the first few months — the exact bonus changes depending on which card version you choose and current promotions. The card comes with a yearly fee, which you pay once a year whether you use the card or not.

Beyond earning miles, the card includes perks like a free checked bag on Alaska Airlines flights, priority boarding, and discounts on seat upgrades. Some versions offer travel credits or statement credits that can offset the yearly cost. The miles you earn never expire as long as your account stays open, so you can hold them and use them when you find a flight you want.

Key Takeaways

  • You earn miles on every purchase, with bonus rates on Alaska Airlines flights and partner merchants, and a sign-up bonus after meeting a spending threshold in your first months.
  • The card includes a free checked bag on Alaska Airlines flights, priority boarding, and the ability to upgrade seats at a discount.
  • Miles do not expire as long as your account remains open, letting you save them for higher-value redemptions.
  • A yearly fee applies, though some card versions include travel credits or statement credits that can reduce the net cost.
  • The card works best if you fly Alaska Airlines regularly or can use the perks enough to offset the yearly fee.

How the earning rates work

The Alaska Airlines card earns miles at different rates depending on where you spend. On Alaska Airlines purchases — flights, seat upgrades, and baggage fees — you earn a higher rate, typically 3 miles per dollar. On restaurants, gas stations, and transit, you earn a lower rate, usually 1 mile per dollar. Everything else earns the base rate, which is typically 1 mile per dollar as well.

The sign-up bonus is where most of the value sits for new cardholders. You receive a large number of miles after you spend a certain amount within the first three months. That spending requirement is usually between $1,000 and $3,000, depending on the card version and current offer. The bonus miles can be enough to cover a domestic flight or two, so it pays to plan a purchase you were going to make anyway and time it with your process.

Perks that reduce what you pay for flights

The free checked bag is the most concrete perk. On Alaska Airlines flights, you do not pay the standard checked baggage fee when you use this card to buy your ticket. If you fly even twice a year, that alone can save you $50 to $60 annually. Family members traveling with you on the same reservation also get one free checked bag each.

Priority boarding means you board before general passengers, which gives you better overhead bin space and lets you settle in without rushing. Seat upgrade discounts let you buy premium cabin seats or extra-legroom seats at a reduced price compared to what other passengers pay. The exact discount varies by flight, but cardholders typically see 50% off the standard upgrade price.

Some versions of the card also include a travel credit or statement credit that posts to your account once a year. This credit can be used toward Alaska Airlines purchases, travel insurance, or other travel-related expenses depending on the card terms. That credit can offset a meaningful portion of the yearly fee if you use it.

When the yearly fee makes sense

The Alaska Airlines card charges a yearly fee that ranges depending on which version you hold. The basic version typically costs less than the premium version, which includes higher earning rates and additional perks. Before you explore, think about whether you will use the card enough to get value from those perks and credits.

If you fly Alaska Airlines at least twice a year and check a bag, the free checked bag alone covers a meaningful portion of the fee. Add in the sign-up bonus miles and the priority boarding, and the card often pays for itself in the first year. If you rarely fly or never fly Alaska Airlines, the yearly fee becomes harder to justify.

Some people keep the card open just for the free checked bag and the non-expiring miles, even in years when they do not fly much. Others close the card after the first year if they do not think they will use it enough. There is no penalty for closing the card, so you can decide year to year whether it still makes sense for you.

How to use miles for flights and upgrades

Miles are redeemed through the Alaska Airlines website or app. You search for your flight the same way you would to buy a ticket with cash, but instead of paying a dollar amount, you pay in miles. The number of miles required depends on the route, the time of year, and how far in advance you book. A short domestic flight might cost 5,000 to 7,500 miles, while a longer flight or one during peak travel season could cost significantly more.

You can also use miles to upgrade from economy to premium cabin seating on flights you have already booked. This is called a "mileage upgrade" and typically costs fewer miles than booking the premium seat outright. Upgrades are processed in order, so booking early and using your miles early gives you a better chance of getting the upgrade you want.

Miles transfer to Alaska Airlines partners at a 1-to-1 ratio, so you can use them on partner airlines if Alaska Airlines does not serve your destination. Partner airlines include American, Delta, and others, though the transfer process takes a few days and you cannot undo it once it is complete.

Comparing this card to other airline cards

Other airline cards offer similar structures — a yearly fee, a sign-up bonus, earning rates, and perks — but the specific numbers and benefits differ. Some airline cards earn higher rates on non-airline purchases or include more generous travel credits. Others have lower yearly fees or higher sign-up bonuses.

The Alaska Airlines card is strongest if you live in the West or fly Alaska Airlines regularly because the airline serves that region heavily. If you fly other carriers more often, a card tied to that airline or a general travel card might give you more value. The best choice depends on which airline you fly most, how often you travel, and whether the perks match your actual spending and travel patterns.

What happens to your miles if you close the card

Your miles do not disappear if you close the credit card. They stay in your Alaska Airlines frequent flyer account as long as that account remains active. You can still use them to book flights or upgrades even after you close the card that earned them.

However, your Alaska Airlines account can become inactive if you do not earn or use miles for a certain period — typically 24 months. Once an account goes inactive, the miles are forfeited. If you close the card but plan to keep the miles, make sure you use or earn miles at least once every two years to keep the account open.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to use the card to keep earning miles?

No. Once you have miles in your Alaska Airlines account, they stay there whether you use the card or not. However, if you want to keep your frequent flyer account active and prevent miles from expiring, you need to earn or use miles at least once every 24 months. Using the card is one way to do that, but you can also earn miles by flying Alaska Airlines or through partner activities.

Can I transfer my miles to someone else?

Alaska Airlines allows you to transfer miles to another person's account, but there is a fee for each transfer and restrictions explore. You cannot transfer miles to a brand-new account — the recipient account must be at least 30 days old. Check Alaska Airlines' website for current transfer fees and rules.

What if I spend less than the sign-up bonus requirement in the first three months?

If you do not meet the spending threshold, you do not receive the sign-up bonus miles. The card will still be open and you can use it going forward, but you miss out on the large bonus that makes the card valuable in the first year. Plan your process around a purchase you were already planning to make.

Do the perks explore if someone else uses my card?

The free checked bag and priority boarding are tied to the cardholder — the person whose name is on the card. If a family member uses your card to buy a ticket, they get the free checked bag and priority boarding because the ticket was purchased with your card. Authorized users on the account have the same perks as the primary cardholder.

Can I earn miles on the yearly fee itself?

No. Annual fees do not earn miles. Only purchases you make with the card earn miles. This is standard across most credit cards.