Fly to Fiji with an Alaska Airlines credit card? You may be surprised to learn that the airline's Milage Plan™ rewards program can get you there. The program partners with 28 airlines, flying to more than 900 destinations. New cardholders can earn a 50,000-mile bonus (worth about $550) after spending $3,000 in the first 90 days, plus a companion ticket. Bank of America customers get a nice little boost too, bagging a 10% rewards bonus on all miles earned from card purchases. Some applicants may be offered 60,000 bonus points, depending on the card's algorithm.
We recommend comparing this offer with other airline credit card bonuses with a free ticket.
Alaska Airlines credit card overview
- Sign-up bonus: Get 50,000 Bonus Miles and Alaska’s Famous Companion Fare™ from $122 ($99 fare plus taxes and fees from $23) after you make $3,000 or more in purchases within the first 90 days of your account opening. You also get $100 off an annual Alaska Lounge+ Membership when you pay with your card. According to Bankrate, Alaska Airline miles are worth 1.1 cents each, making the value of this sign-up bonus $550. You may be offered 60,000 bonus points, depending on the card's algorithm.
- Bank of America benefit: Earn a 10% rewards bonus on all miles earned from card purchases if you have an eligible Bank of America® (BOA) checking, savings or investment account. If you earn 1,000 miles, for example, you will earn another 100 miles as a BOA customer for a total of 1,100 miles.
- Interest rate: 20.74% to 28.74% variable APR for purchases and balance transfers.
- Annual fee: $95
- Foreign transaction fee: None, so this is a good card for international travel.
- Rewards: Earn three miles for every $1 spent on eligible Alaska Airlines purchases. Earn two miles for every $1 spent on eligible gas, cable, streaming services and local transit purchases. Earn one mile per $1 spent on all other purchases. Miles do not expire on active accounts.
- Other travel benefits: Free checked bag (plus free first checked bags for up to six guests on the same reservation), priority seating and annual companion fare.
- Redemption: Alaska Airlines flights with no blackout dates. With oneworld® Alliance member airlines and Alaska's Global Partners, you can fly to over 1,000 destinations worldwide, including American Airlines and others.
Should you get the Alaska Airlines credit card?
Here are some of the strongest arguments for signing up for the card.
You frequently fly to or from the U.S. West Coast.
If you live in or often travel to Alaska or the West Coast, this card is a no-brainer. But if you live in another part of the U.S., be sure to check that there are flights in your city. There are non-stop flights between Washington, D.C., and Seattle, for example, as well as New York City and San Francisco, but no flights between New York and D.C.
Moreover, Alaska Airlines does not have flights to smaller cities outside of the West Coast region. That said, you may be able to arrange a trip using one of Alaska's 28 partner airlines.
You are planning an expensive trip for two people.
Alaska's Famous Companion Fare™ is a valuable perk; it allows you to purchase one round-trip coach companion fare on Alaska Airlines for a flat rate of $99 plus fees (starting at $23, for a total price starting at $122).
So, if you are flying to Hawaii or Costa Rica, the first traveler pays the regular fare and the second traveler just pays $99 plus fees. This offer is only good on Alaska Airlines, so make sure it travels to and from the destinations you want.
You are a Bank of America customer.
You'll earn an extra 10% of miles on all rewards. So, if you have racked up 1,000 miles, you will get an extra 100 miles as a BOA customer, for a total of 1,100.
You have an excellent credit rating and pay your credit card bills in full.
This is a great card for customers with solid finances who can pay their statement balance in full each month. Like most travel rewards credit cards, its interest rates are high and can quickly land you in large amounts of debt if you are unable to pay your credit card bill.
You travel with a pet.
Alaska and Hawaiian Airlines were among the top three airlines for traveling with pets and pet safety, according to AirAdvisor. Alaska's pet policy is to charge a $100 fee for pets traveling in the cabin, and a $150 for pets in cargo.
Rewards cards dos and don'ts
As with any rewards credit card, be sure to weigh these benefits against fees — a $95 annual fee in this case — and make sure you understand how to use the card effectively. That said, $95 is a relatively small price to pay if you max the benefits.
In addition, while reward credit cards are great if you use them wisely, always pay them off in full each month to avoid interest which can dwarf the gain. And only spend any more than usual to hit any trigger; otherwise, rewards cards can be a false economy as you’d be overspending.
