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Alaska Airlines Visa Signature review
The Alaska Airlines Visa Signature® Credit Card is a solid credit card. It offers some fantastic perks in exchange for its $95 annual fee, but when does it make sense to hold? That depends on how frequently you fly the airline. I’ve never flown Alaska Airlines before, but I'd definitely consider it if I lived on the West Coast.
To start, cardholders receive a free checked bag and priority boarding for themselves and up to six guests on the same reservation. The real benefit comes in the companion fare—after spending $6,000 on your card throughout the year, you’ll earn a $99 companion fare, plus taxes and fees. If you regularly travel with a friend or family member, saving money on the second flight can make travel much more accessible. Note that the companion fare is only valid for Alaska Airlines flights, not codeshare or partner flights. This means you can use it on international journeys, but only if the flight is operated by Alaska Airlines.
Outside of the companion fare, cardholder benefits are somewhat lacking. However, if you regularly fly on Alaska Airlines, the free checked bag and opportunity to earn miles is more than worth it.
Card basics
| FinanceBuzz value calculation1 | Year one earnings: $1,397
Year two earnings: $587 |
| Annual fee | $95 |
| Welcome offer | Earn 60,000 bonus miles plus Alaska's Famous Companion Fare™ ($99 fare plus taxes and fees from $23) after making $3,000 or more in purchases within the first 90 days of opening your account (limited time offer) |
| Earning rate | 3X miles on eligible Alaska Airlines purchases; 2X miles on eligible gas, EV charging stations, cable, streaming services, and local transit (including ride shares, trains, tolls, and ferries); and 1X miles on all other eligible purchases |
| Recommended credit score | Excellent, Good |
| Foreign transaction fee | None |
Alaska Airlines Visa Signature rewards
Earnings
The Alaska Airlines Visa Signature card has a tiered earning structure. You’ll earn 3X miles on eligible Alaska Airlines purchases; 2X miles on eligible gas, EV charging stations, cable, streaming services, and local transit (including ride shares, trains, tolls, and ferries); and 1X miles on all other eligible purchases. You can earn 10% bonus miles on all purchases with an eligible Bank of America account.
New cardholders can earn 60,000 bonus miles plus Alaska's Famous Companion Fare™ ($99 fare plus taxes and fees from $23) after making $3,000 or more in purchases within the first 90 days of opening your account (limited time offer).
Redemption methods
As a co-branded card, you don’t have much flexibility in how you use your miles. To get the most value, you’ll want to use your miles to book Alaska Airlines flights. Alaska Airlines publishes an award chart so you can get a better idea of how far your miles will take you. Flights under 700 miles within the U.S. start as low as 4,500 miles, while long haul flights from the U.S. to Asia, spanning over 10,000 miles, start at 65,000 miles.
Potential earnings in years one and two
Remember, this is an estimation. The actual value will be determined by how much you spend and in which categories you spend.
Year one earnings: $1,397
Year two earnings: $587
These values are based on the FinanceBuzz Credit Card Rewards Valuation Model, which takes a look at points earned via spending, the welcome bonus, and the annual fee. Note that the companion fare isn't factored into the values above. Taking advantage of that fare each year will significantly increase the value you get from this card.
Other cards to consider
If you don’t fly Alaska Airlines frequently enough to justify a co-branded credit card, you can apply for a general travel rewards card. Unfortunately, the Bilt Mastercard® is the only credit card that lists Alaska Airlines as a transfer partner. This is a fantastic credit card for renters, as it allows you to earn points on your monthly rent payments.
If you aren’t a renter, you can still use a general travel rewards card, like the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card, Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card, or Citi Strata Premier℠ Card. These cards allow you to book flights on several airlines through their associated travel portals, giving you a value of 1-1.25 cents per point. If you want added flexibility, this would be the way to go.
Is the Alaska Airlines Visa Signature Card worth it?
The Alaska Airlines Visa Signature is absolutely worth the annual fee if you live near an Alaska Airlines hub and can utilize the annual companion fare. With redemptions as low as 4,500 miles, the welcome offer alone provides substantial value. The earning potential is decent and largely on par with other airline credit cards at this price point.
If you decide to apply for the card, ensure you have an eligible Bank of America account to get your rewards bonus. You’ll also need to spend at least $6,000 per year to earn the companion fare and should fly enough to get value from a free checked bag. If you meet these criteria, having this card in your wallet can make a lot of sense.
FAQs
Does Alaska Airlines Credit Card have insurance?
The Alaska Airlines Credit Card provides Visa Signature benefits that could include extended warranty coverage, an auto rental collision damage waiver, travel and emergency assistance services, lost luggage reimbursement, trip cancellation and interruption insurance, trip delay reimbursement, and access to the Visa Signature Concierge.
Can you have two Alaska Airlines Visa Signature credit cards?
Alaska Airlines only issues one personal credit card. If you’re a business owner, you could apply for the Alaska Airlines Visa® Business card, which provides the same benefits as the personal version, so there wouldn’t be any reason to do so.
Do I get a free checked bag with my Alaska Airlines credit card?
Yes, cardholders receive a free checked bag for themselves and up to six other guests on qualifying reservations.
Benefits
Card Details
- $0 annual fee
- Simple, flat-rate rewards
- Flexible redemption options
- Up to 75% preferred Rewards bonus potential
- Apply Now
- Earn unlimited 1.5 points per $1 spent on all purchases, with no annual fee and no foreign transaction fees and your points don't expire as long as your account remains open.
- 25,000 online bonus points after you make at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening - that can be a $250 statement credit toward travel purchases.
- Use your card to book your trip how and where you want - you're not limited to specific websites with blackout dates or restrictions.
- Redeem points for a statement credit to pay for travel or dining purchases, such as flights, hotel stays, car and vacation rentals, baggage fees, and also at restaurants including takeout.
- 0% Intro APR for 15 billing cycles for purchases, and for any balance transfers made in the first 60 days. After the Intro APR offer ends, a Variable APR that’s currently 18.74% - 28.74% will apply. A 3% Intro balance transfer fee will apply for the first 60 days your account is open. After the Intro balance transfer fee offer ends, the fee for future balance transfers is 4%.
- If you're a Bank of America Preferred Rewards® member, you can earn 25%-75% more points on every purchase. That means instead of earning an unlimited 1.5 points for every $1, you could earn 1.87-2.62 points for every $1 you spend on purchases.
- Contactless Cards - The security of a chip card, with the convenience of a tap.
- This online only offer may not be available if you leave this page or if you visit a Bank of America financial center. You can take advantage of this offer when you apply now.
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Intro Offer
Earn 25,000 online bonus points after you make at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening - that can be a $250 statement credit toward travel purchases
Annual Fee
$0
Why we like it
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