I’ve reviewed dozens of airline credit cards over the years, each promising “free travel” and “elite perks.” Most offer flashy signup bonuses, but few provide long-term value. The Alaska Airlines Visa Credit Card, issued by BofA, is one of the rare exceptions. It’s not flashy, but it’s extremely efficient.
If you fly Alaska even a couple of times a year or plan to explore the Oneworld network, this card offers surprisingly strong travel rewards, low annual costs, and valuable loyalty tie-ins. Here’s my expert breakdown based on deep experience with the card, real-world redemptions, and competitive benchmarking.
What Are the Key Benefits of the Alaska Airlines Credit Card?
The Alaska Airlines Visa Card delivers practical travel value without complicated hoops. Its best feature isn’t flashy points, it’s the Companion Fare.
Core Benefits (As of 2025)
| Feature | Value or Terms |
| Annual Fee | $95 |
| Sign-Up Bonus | 70,000 miles + Companion Fare after $3,000 spend in 90 days |
| Companion Fare | From $122 ($99 fare + taxes/fees) annually |
| Checked Bag Perk | First bag free for you + up to 6 guests |
| Mileage Plan Miles Earned | 3x on Alaska purchases, 2x on gas/transit, 1x elsewhere |
| Foreign Transaction Fees | None |
| Oneworld Status Perks | Yes, via Mileage Plan integration |
The Companion Fare alone often outweighs the card’s annual fee, even if you don’t fly frequently.
How Valuable Are Alaska Mileage Plan Miles?
Alaska’s Mileage Plan is consistently rated as one of the most valuable U.S. airline loyalty programs. Unlike Delta or United, Alaska still uses a region-based award chart for many partners, which allows savvy redemptions at fixed mileage levels.
Redemption Examples
| Route | Miles Required (One-Way) | Value Estimate |
| U.S. West – Hawaii (Economy) | 15,000–17,500 | 1.5–2.0 cents/mile |
| U.S. – Japan (Business, JAL) | 60,000 | 3.0+ cents/mile |
| U.S. – Europe (Business, Finnair) | 70,000 | 2.5–3.2 cents/mile |
I’ve personally redeemed 70,000 Alaska miles for JAL business class from LAX to Tokyo, on a $4,200 retail ticket. The value per mile was over 6 cents, far beyond most airline programs.
Is the Companion Fare Really That Good?
Yes. The Alaska Companion Fare is one of the most powerful features in the airline credit card space.
How It Works
- Receive a Companion Fare code annually upon card renewal
- Use it to book a second ticket on the same itinerary for just $99 + taxes/fees (typically $22–$30)
- No blackout dates
- Works even on high-fare, long-distance flights
Example Redemption
| Route | Main Fare | Companion Fare | Total Cost (2 Passengers) |
| SEA – JFK | $420 | $99 + $22 | $541 |
| LAX – Maui | 500 | $99 + $28 | $627 |
If you fly Alaska at least once per year with a companion, this feature pays for the card’s annual fee several times over.
What About Earning Miles with the Card?
Everyday Earning Structure
- 3x miles on Alaska Airlines purchases
- 2x miles on gas, local transit, cable streaming
- 1x miles on all other purchases
Miles post quickly and can be redeemed for any available seat, no blackout dates when booking through Alaska.
This isn’t a card for daily spend maximization like Amex Gold, but it performs well for travel-focused users who value high-value redemptions and partner flexibility.
Are There Any Drawbacks?
Yes, but they’re relatively minor for frequent Alaska flyers.
Limitations
- Not ideal for cash-back users, This is a loyalty-focused card
- High reward value only if you redeem strategically, Less attractive for casual travelers
- No airport lounge access included, Available only with the Alaska Airlines Visa Business card or Priority Pass
Also, while Alaska miles are valuable, award space on partner airlines can be limited, especially in premium cabins if you’re not booking well in advance.
How Does It Compare to Other Travel Credit Cards?
Comparison Table (2025)
| Feature | Alaska Visa | Delta Gold Amex | United Explorer |
| Annual Fee | $95 | $150 | $95 (waived 1st year) |
| Miles Earning Rate | 3x Alaska, 2x gas/transit | 2x Delta, 1x other | 2x United, 2x dining |
| Companion Benefit | Yes (from $122) | No | No |
| Award Chart | Fixed/region-based | Dynamic pricing | Dynamic pricing |
| International Partner Use | Yes (JAL, Qantas, Finnair) | Yes (SkyTeam only) | Yes (Star Alliance) |
The Alaska Visa Card wins for travelers seeking aspirational international redemptions, especially in premium cabins with JAL, Qantas, or Finnair.
Who Should Get the Alaska Airlines Credit Card?
This card is ideal for:
- Frequent Alaska Airlines flyers (2+ trips/year)
- Couples and families who can use the Companion Fare
- Award travel enthusiasts who value premium cabin redemptions
- West Coast residents using SEA, SFO, LAX, PDX, or SAN hubs
- Oneworld flyers looking to boost elite earnings
Less ideal for:
- People wanting cash-back rewards
- Travelers without access to Alaska Airlines routes
- Users who don’t book flights often or far in advance
Is the Alaska Airlines Credit Card Good for Travel Rewards?
Yes. The Alaska Airlines Visa Credit Card offers top-tier travel rewards value, especially for those who fly Alaska or redeem on international partner airlines. The Companion Fare alone justifies the annual fee, and Mileage Plan miles retain some of the best redemption value in the industry.
| Strengths | Weaknesses |
| Valuable Companion Fare | No lounge access included |
| High-value mileage redemptions | Limited for non-Alaska flyers |
| Low annual fee | Average earning on everyday spend |
| Oneworld partner access | No category flexibility for spend |
If you want practical travel rewards with the option for luxurious partner redemptions, this card remains one of the most underrated travel tools on the market.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Alaska Airlines Credit Card
Does the Companion Fare expire?
Yes. You have 12 months to book after the certificate is issued, but you can travel after that period.
Are there blackout dates for the Companion Fare?
No. It’s valid on any published Alaska-operated fare.
Can I use the card for partner redemptions?
Yes. You can redeem Mileage Plan miles on 20+ partners, including JAL, Finnair, Qantas, and British Airways.
Does the card include lounge access?
No. Lounge access is not included with the personal card. You can purchase access separately or use the Business version with higher-tier features.
Can you earn elite status faster with this card?
Yes. The card earns toward MVP elite status via spend bonuses and flight accrual.