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Alaska Airlines Visa Signature® Credit Card

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Limited Time Online Offer: 70,000 bonus miles plus Alaska's Famous Companion Fare™

Card details, limited time online offer.

70,000 Bonus Miles plus Alaska's Famous Companion Fare™ ($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.

Alaska's Famous Companion Fare™

Get a $99 Companion Fare (plus taxes and fees from $23) each account anniversary after you spend $6,000 or more in purchases within the prior anniversary year.

Free checked bag + priority boarding

Free checked bag for any cardholder who purchases airfare with their card, and up to 6 additional guests traveling on the same reservation. Plus you'll enjoy priority boarding when you pay for your flight with your card, so you can get to your seat quicker.

Earn miles with no mileage cap

Earn unlimited 3 miles for every $1 spent on eligible Alaska Airlines purchases. Earn unlimited 2 miles for every $1 spent on eligible gas, EV charging station, cable, streaming services and local transit purchases. Earn unlimited 1 mile per $1 spent on all other purchases.

Flexibility with no blackout dates on Alaska Airlines flights and when booking with miles or a companion fare.

Get more out of your travels

Enjoy 20% back on Alaska Airlines inflight purchases when you pay with your new card.

Get $100 off an annual Alaska Lounge+ Membership purchased with your Alaska card.

10% rewards bonus

You can also earn a 10% rewards bonus on all miles earned from card purchases if you have an eligible Bank of America ® account.

For example, that means that for every 1,000 miles you earn on purchases, you'll receive 1,100 miles.

Interest Rates & Fees Summary †

Introductory apr, standard apr.

20.24% - 28.24%

Balance Transfer Fee

of each transaction †

† Please see Terms and Conditions for rate, fee and other cost information, as well as an explanation of payment allocation. All terms may be subject to change.

Note: minimum payments are applied to lower-interest balances first. Additional payments are applied to higher-interest balances first.

Earn unlimited 3 miles for every $1 spent on eligible Alaska Airlines purchases. Earn unlimited 2 miles for every $1 spent on eligible gas, EV charging station, cable, streaming services and local transit purchases including rideshare, trains, even tolls and ferries! Earn unlimited 1 mile per $1 spent on all other purchases. And your miles don't expire on active accounts.

You can also earn a 10% rewards bonus on all miles earned from card purchases if you have an eligible Bank of America ® account. For example, that means that for every 1,000 miles you earn on purchases, you'll receive 1,100 miles.

Alaska's Famous Companion Fare™ – Get a $99 Companion Fare (plus taxes and fees from $23) each account anniversary after you spend $6,000 or more in purchases within the prior anniversary year. Valid on all Alaska Airline flights booked on alaskaair.com

With your Alaska Airlines Visa Signature ® credit card you earn unlimited miles and travel with no blackout dates on Alaska Airlines flights when booking with miles or a companion fare.

With one world ® Alliance member airlines and Alaska's Global Partners, Alaska has expanded their global reach to over 1,000 destinations worldwide bringing more airline partners and more ways to earn and redeem miles.

Security & Features

Stay protected, contactless chip technology, balance connect ® for overdraft protection, paperless statement option, digital wallet technology, online & mobile banking, account alerts, fico ® score.

Now, when you opt-in you can access your FICO ® Score updated monthly for free, within your Mobile Banking app or in Online Banking. FICO ® Score Program . The FICO ® Score Program is for educational purposes and for your non-commercial, personal use. This benefit is available only for primary cardholders with an open and active consumer credit card account who have a FICO ® Score available. The feature is accessible through Online Banking, the Mobile website, and the Mobile Banking app for iPhone and Android devices. FICO is a registered trademark of Fair Isaac Corporation in the United States and other countries. Data connection required. Wireless carrier fees may apply." data-footnote="ADDITIONAL_BENEFITS_FOOTNOTE_07" aria-label="Footnote 5"> Footnote [5] Learn More   about Free FICO Credit Score opens in a new window

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Alaska Airlines and Bank of America announce enhanced benefits to our Visa Signature card

January 18, 2023 at 12:00 PM Eastern

Cardholders now enjoy new ways to earn double miles on everyday purchases, priority boarding, expanded free checked bag privileges; for a limited time, new cardholders can receive 70,000 bonus miles after making qualifying purchases

SEATTLE, WA — A new year reveals new reasons to celebrate what makes the Alaska Airlines Visa Signature® credit card , co-branded with Bank of America, better and more valuable than ever.

Our current and new cardholders can now take advantage of enhanced benefits when they use the card while traveling with us and while making everyday purchases – from earning more miles in new ways to boarding their flight earlier to continued savings with a free checked bag and Alaska’s Famous Companion Fare™.

Cardholders will enjoy these new benefits :

• Earn Double Miles: Cardholders now earn 2 miles for every dollar spent on eligible purchases made every day – including gas, local transit including ride share, cable bill and select streaming services. Alaska miles don’t expire so they can be redeemed at any time.
• Relationship Bonus: A 10% rewards bonus on all miles earned from card purchases with an open, eligible Bank of America checking, savings or investment account.
• Priority Boarding: Early group boarding when tickets are purchased with an Alaska Visa Signature® card.
• Expanded Privileges for Authorized Users: Authorized users added by primary cardholders will now receive additional savings and convenience when the Alaska Visa Signature® card is used to purchase a ticket. Authorized users can continue to book their own travel with the card but will now also gain access to a free checked bag and priority boarding even when they’re not traveling with the primary cardholder (previously, authorized users needed to travel with the cardholder on the same reservation to receive a free checked bag).
• Alaska Lounge+ Membership Discount: Cardholders can enjoy $100 off the price of an Alaska Lounge+ membership every year when purchased with their Alaska Visa Signature® card.

"With our newly enhanced Visa Signature® credit card, we strived to add benefits that mean the most to our cardholders – from adding value to their travel experience when using the card to earning more miles on things we buy all the time," said Sangita Woerner, senior vice president of marketing and guest experience at Alaska Airlines. "All those earned miles with the card can be redeemed in our award-winning Mileage Plan program for flights on Alaska, our fellow one world member airlines and our additional global partners.”

Cardholders will also continue to enjoy the card’s additional benefits:

• Alaska’s Famous Companion Fare™ Every Year : Current cardholders will continue to receive a companion fare that allows them to book a companion flight from just $122 ($99 fare plus taxes and fees from $23) when bought with their Alaska Visa Signature® card. The companion fare becomes available annually after their card anniversary and it’s valid on all flights booked on alaskaair.com . New cardholders must spend $6,000 or more on purchases within the prior anniversary year to receive the annual companion fare.
• Continuing Ways to Earn Miles: Cardholders will still earn 3 miles for every dollar spent on eligible Alaska purchases and 1 mile for every dollar spent on all other things they buy.
• 20% Inflight Rebate: Cardholders get back 20% on onboard purchases such as food, beverages and Wi-Fi when they pay with their Alaska Visa Signature® card.
• Low Annual Fee: Just $95 annually 1 .

Now’s a great time to get the card. For a limited time, in addition to all the benefits above, new cardholders receive 70,000 bonus miles with this offer . Those bonus miles alone are more than enough for a roundtrip ticket anywhere Alaska flies. To qualify, cardholders need to make $3,000 or more in purchases within the first 90 days of opening their account.

“We are thrilled to work with Alaska Airlines in order to offer customers enhanced benefits on their Visa Signature® credit card,” said Jason Gaughan, Head of Consumer Credit Card Products at Bank of America. “With these new changes we’ve created more opportunities for customers to optimize their credit card rewards and get the most out of every dollar spent travelling or for everyday purchases. In addition, eligible Bank of America checking, savings or investment account holders can earn an additional rewards bonus.”

Alaska Airlines and Bank of America will launch similar enhanced benefits for the Alaska Airlines Visa Business card this spring.

Alaska and Bank of America announced last year an extension of our co-branded credit card agreement through 2030 to continue offering best-in-class benefits to our customers.

Mileage Plan miles earned by using the Alaska Airlines Visa Signature® credit card can be redeemed for free flights on Alaska and more than 20 of our fellow one world member airlines and additional global partners to more than 900 destinations around the world. Our guests can also use their miles to book hotel stays and upgrades on their flights.

About Alaska Airlines

Alaska Airlines and our regional partners serve more than 120 destinations across the United States, Belize, Canada, Costa Rica and Mexico. We emphasize low fares and award-winning customer service. Alaska is a member of the one world global alliance. With the alliance and our additional airline partners, our guests can travel to more than 900 destinations on more than 20 airlines while earning and redeeming miles on flights to locations around the world. Learn more about Alaska at news.alaskaair.com . Alaska Airlines and Horizon Air are subsidiaries of Alaska Air Group.

Bank of America

Bank of America is one of the world’s leading financial institutions, serving individual consumers, small and middle-market businesses and large corporations with a full range of banking, investing, asset management and other financial and risk management products and services. The company provides unmatched convenience in the United States, serving approximately 68 million consumer and small business clients with approximately 3,900 retail financial centers, approximately 15,000 ATMs (automated teller machines) and award-winning digital banking with approximately 56 million verified digital users. Bank of America is a global leader in wealth management, corporate and investment banking and trading across a broad range of asset classes, serving corporations, governments, institutions and individuals around the world. Bank of America offers industry-leading support to approximately 3 million small business households through a suite of innovative, easy-to-use online products and services. The company serves clients through operations across the United States, its territories and more than 35 countries. Bank of America Corporation stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: BAC).

Enhanced Product Benefit Disclosures

Alaska Airlines Credit Card Program Summary. How You Earn Miles: You earn miles when you use your card to make purchases, minus returns, credits and adjustments (“Net Purchases”). The following transactions are not considered purchases and will not earn miles: Balance Transfers and Cash Advances (each as defined in your Credit Card Agreement), fees, interest charges, fraudulent transactions and certain other charges. 1 Mile: Earn 1 mile (base mile) for every $1 of Net Purchases charged to the card each billing cycle. 2 Miles: Earn 2 miles (consisting of 1 bonus mile and 1 base mile) for every $1 of eligible Gas, Cable and Streaming Services and Local Transit (including Ride Share) Net Purchases. 3 Miles: Earn 3 miles (consisting of 2 bonus miles and 1 base mile) for every $1 of eligible Alaska Airlines Net Purchases. Eligible Alaska Airlines Net Purchases include Alaska Airlines tickets, Alaska Airlines flight subscriptions, inflight food and beverage purchases, lounge memberships, in-lounge food and beverage purchases, cargo purchases, and vacation packages billed by Alaska Airlines as the merchant of record and booked directly through Alaska Airlines. Eligible Alaska Airlines Vacation Packages must be booked via the Alaska Airlines website or by calling the Alaska Airlines Vacation Packages toll free number listed on the website. Otherwise eligible Alaska Airlines Net Purchases made through a third-party merchant (e.g., travel agency, online merchant) will not earn 3 miles per dollar. All miles earned on the account will be credited to the primary cardholder’s Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan™ account. Bonus Miles: Your card will be automatically enrolled in Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan™ Dining, a dining rewards program operated by Rewards Network Establishment Services Inc. You’ll earn 1 mile for every $2 spent at participating restaurants. Visit mileageplan.rewardsnetwork.com for the complete list of participating restaurants and learn how you can earn even more miles. Bonus Mile Processing: Merchants are assigned a merchant category code (MCC) based upon the merchant’s primary line of business. We do not determine which MCC a merchant chooses to classify itself. How You Use Your Miles: Earned miles can be redeemed for Alaska Airlines award travel, upgrades and hotel accommodations. Visit alaskaair.com for information on redemption and redemption minimums.

Relationship Bonus Miles: You will earn bonus Miles equal to 10% of the Miles you earn on each $1 spent in Net Purchases when you have an active Qualifying Account. An active Qualifying Account is an open consumer (non-business) checking or savings account with Bank of America N.A. or an investment account with Merrill that maintains an average daily balance greater than $0 or a Bank of America checking or savings account that has had a deposit or withdrawal within 90 days. Balances are reviewed at the end of every month to determine if qualifications were met. For cardholders with a Qualifying Account all Net Purchases made with your Card on or after the fifth business day of the current month through the fifth business day of the following month will earn the Relationship Bonus Miles. Upon new account opening of a Qualifying Account, it may take up to 30 days to begin earning the Relationship Bonus Miles.

Annual Companion Fare Benefit: Primary cardholders whose accounts are open with active charging privileges will qualify for a Companion Fare code each anniversary after you spend $6,000 or more on Net Purchases that post to your credit card billing statement by your credit card anniversary (every 12 months from the open date anniversary). With the exception of special account status or circumstances (e.g. Military relief programs), the anniversary will coincide with the month in which the annual fee is billed. After qualifying, you will receive the Companion Fare code within the first 2 billing cycles after your anniversary each year, which will be credited to your Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan™ account. The code is valid for a round-trip or one-way coach Companion Fare on Alaska Airlines from $122 (USD) ($99 base fare plus taxes and fees, from $23 depending on your Alaska Airlines flight itinerary) when traveling with another guest on a paid published coach airfare on the same itinerary, booked at the same time on alaskaair.com. Multiple stopovers not allowed. Primary fare and Companion Fare must be purchased with your Alaska Airlines credit card. You can view and redeem your Companion Fare code by logging into your Mileage Plan™ account at alaskaair.com within 12 months of the date of issue. Once ticketed, travel may be completed after the expiration date of the Companion Fare code. The expiration date cannot be extended and, once your Companion Fare code has expired, it cannot be exchanged. If your Account is closed, you are no longer eligible to receive this benefit. Mileage cannot be used as a form of payment, however mileage credit accrual is allowed for both guests. The Companion Fare code is not valid with award travel, and cannot be combined with any other airfare discounts. Guest is responsible for all applicable taxes, fees, surcharges and applicable checked baggage fees. Applicable taxes and fees are subject to change. You can view your Companion Fare terms and conditions by logging into your Mileage Plan™ account.

Free Checked Bag Benefit: All cardholders of the Alaska Airlines credit card who have an open account at the time of travel and up to 6 guests traveling on the same reservation may check 1 bag free of charge on qualifying reservations. Qualifying reservations include flights marketed by Alaska Airlines and operated by Alaska Airlines, Horizon Air, or SkyWest (codeshare flights operated by other carriers are not eligible). Primary cardholder must be an Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan™ member. Baggage restrictions apply. See alaskaair.com/freebagfaq for complete baggage rules. Payment with the Alaska Airlines credit card is required to qualify for this benefit. Offer may not be applied retroactively, and no refunds will be issued. Not applicable for guests who already receive 1 or more free checked bags. New cardholders will be eligible for this benefit approximately within 2-3 weeks after account opening. Cardholders upgrading from another Alaska Airlines credit card, will be eligible for this benefit approximately within 4-6 weeks after being upgraded.

Priority Boarding: All cardholders of the Alaska Airlines credit card who have an open account at the time of travel and up to 6 guests traveling on the same reservation are eligible for priority boarding. Airfare must be purchased with your Alaska Airlines credit card to qualify for this benefit. To receive priority boarding, the Primary cardholder must include their Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan™ number in their reservation. Priority boarding is only available on flights marketed by Alaska Airlines and operated by Alaska Airlines, Horizon Air, or SkyWest. Cardholders and their eligible guests can board the plane before general boarding, after Alaska Mileage Plan™ elite status members and one world ® Alliance elite members, customers with First Class or Premium Class seating and pre-board groups. Bank of America is not responsible for the provision of, or failure to provide, the stated benefits. New cardholders will be eligible for this benefit within 2-3 weeks after opening a card account, or after upgrading from another Alaska Airlines credit card. See alaskaair.com for additional terms, conditions and restrictions that may apply.

20% Inflight Rebate on Food, Beverage and Wi-Fi Onboard Purchases: Cardholders will receive a 20% rebate, in the form of a statement credit, for purchases of food, beverages, and Wi-Fi onboard Alaska and Alaska operated flights, using your Alaska Airlines credit card as your method of payment. The statement credit will post to your credit card account within 7 days from transaction posting date. To qualify for the 20% rebate, your account must be open with active charging privileges at the time of the qualifying transaction.

$100 Alaska Lounge+ Membership Discount: Cardholders will receive $100 off an annual Alaska Lounge+ Membership purchased with your Alaska Airlines credit card. Not combinable with other Alaska Lounge+ membership discounts. Alaska Airlines reserves the right to restrict, alter, and/or modify the fees, benefits, services, and lounge locations and hours at any time, with or without written notice to its members. Memberships are non-refundable and non-transferable. See alaskaair.com for full details and terms and conditions around Alaska Lounge+ membership.

Reporters may contact:

Alaska Airlines Media Relations Phone: 1.206.304.0008 [email protected]

Don Vecchiarello, Bank of America Phone: 1.980.387.4899 [email protected]

1 For information about rates, fees, other costs and benefits associated with the use of this credit card, please see Terms and Conditions . This credit card program is issued and administered by Bank of America, N.A.

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Credit Cards > Reviews

Alaska Airlines Visa credit card review

Ariana Arghandewal

Robin Saks Frankel

“Verified by an expert” means that this article has been thoroughly reviewed and evaluated for accuracy.

Updated 2:19 p.m. UTC Feb. 7, 2024

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Editorial Note: Blueprint may earn a commission from affiliate partner links featured here on our site. This commission does not influence our editors' opinions or evaluations. Please view our full advertiser disclosure policy .

The revamped Alaska Airlines Visa® credit card * The information for the Alaska Airlines Visa® credit card has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer. , features an improved welcome bonus, increased rewards and several perks, but the newly-added steep annual spending requirement to earn the companion fare dulls this card’s sparkle significantly. 

Why trust our credit card experts

Our team of experts evaluates hundreds of credit cards and analyzes thousands of data points to help you find the best card for your situation. We use a data-driven methodology to determine each rating. Advertisers do not influence our editorial content. You can read more about our methodology below.

• 50+ cards analyzed.
• 8 data points considered.
• 5-step fact-checking process.

About the Alaska Airlines Visa credit card

The $95-a-year Alaska Airlines Visa® credit card * The information for the Alaska Airlines Visa® credit card has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer. is an excellent choice for travelers looking to get the most out of their flying experience. With this card, you can earn miles on every purchase and redeem them for flights on Alaska Airlines, as well as other partner carriers. New cardholders will also receive an annual companion fare starting at $122 ($99 base fare plus taxes and fees from $23) when you spend $6,000 or more on purchases within the prior anniversary year. Existing cardholders will continue to receive the companion fare perk each year without the spending requirement. 

The card offers a variety of other benefits, such as priority boarding, free checked bags and 20% back on in-flight Alaska purchases. As part of a Jan. 2023 revamp, the card now offers $100 off an annual Alaska Lounge+ membership, a 10% reward bonus on miles earned with the card, and 3 miles per $1 on eligible Alaska Airlines purchases, 2 miles per $1 on eligible gas, EV charging station, cable, streaming services and local transit purchases and 1 mile per $1 on all other purchases. 

Last but not least, for a limited time, get 70,000 bonus miles plus Alaska's Famous Companion Fare ($99 fare plus taxes and fees from $23) after spending $3,000 or more in purchases within the first 90 days account opening. This makes the card best-in-class when it comes to those seeking a companion fare ticket as a card perk.

Alaska Airlines Visa basics

• Annual fee: $95.
• Welcome bonus : For a limited time, get 70,000 bonus miles plus Alaska's Famous Companion Fare ($99 fare plus taxes and fees from $23) after spending $3,000 or more in purchases within the first 90 days account opening.
• Rewards: 3 miles per $1 on eligible Alaska Airlines purchases, 2 miles per $1 on eligible gas, EV charging station, cable, streaming services and local transit purchases and 1 mile per $1 on all other purchases. 
• APR: 20.24% to 28.24% variable APR on purchases and balance transfers. A balance transfer fee of 3% applies to each transaction.
• Other perks and benefits: Get an annual companion fare starting at $122 ($99 base fare plus taxes and fees from $23) when you spend $6,000 or more on purchases within the prior anniversary year, $100 off Alaska Lounge+ Membership when you pay with the card, 20% back on in-flight purchases, free checked bag for you and up to six other passengers on your reservation, priority boarding, no foreign transaction fees, access to exclusive events with your card.
• Does the issuer offer a pre-approval tool? Yes.
• Recommended credit score: Good to excellent.

Alaska Airlines Visa credit card other details

Alaska airlines visa credit card rewards.

Between the elevated welcome bonus and new bonus categories, the Alaska Airlines Visa credit card offers more rewards than ever. The card provides a welcome bonus of 70,000 bonus miles plus Alaska's Famous Companion Fare ($99 fare plus taxes and fees from $23) after spending $3,000 or more in purchases within the first 90 days account opening.

The Companion Fare allows you to book a ticket for a traveling companion for just $99 and taxes. With airfare on the rise , the Companion Fare can potentially save you hundreds of dollars on flights alone. You can earn one of these each year you spend $6,000 on the card.

​​The card earns 3 miles per $1 on eligible Alaska Airlines purchases, 2 miles per $1 on eligible gas, EV charging station, cable, streaming services and local transit purchases and 1 mile per $1 on all other purchases. On top of this already generous earn rate, cardholders will get a 10% bonus on all miles earned via spending.

Alaska Airlines Visa credit card rewards potential

Using government data and other publicly available information, we estimate that a household in the U.S. that would be in the market for this card has an annual income of $84,352 and $25,087 in expenses they are likely to be able to charge to a credit card . Here’s how many rewards a cardholder could earn by charging these expenses to the Alaska Airlines Visa Credit Card:

• $1,188 on Alaska Airlines flights x 3 miles = 3,564 miles.
• $2,228 on gas x 2 miles = 4,456 miles.
• $564 on streaming x 2 = 1,128 miles.
• $781 on local transit (rideshare, trains, tolls, ferries) x 2 = 1,562 miles.
• $20,326 x 1 on everything else = 20,326 miles.

The initial tally comes to 31,026 Mileage Plan miles. Factoring in the 10% rewards bonus brings the grand total to 34,128 miles annually. With that many miles, you can book up to six short-haul domestic flights, a round-trip ticket to Hawaii, or a one-way economy award to Asia, Europe, South America or the South Pacific. In other cards: You’ll easily offset the $95 annual fee.

Alaska Airlines Visa credit card APR details

The Alaska Airlines Visa credit card charges 20.24% to 28.24% variable APR on purchases and balance transfers. A balance transfer fee of 3% applies to each transaction. Unfortunately, the card doesn’t provide an introductory 0% APR offer.

Alaska Airlines Visa credit card pros

• Nice welcome bonus: Get 70,000 bonus miles plus Alaska's Famous Companion Fare ($99 fare plus taxes and fees from $23) after spending $3,000 or more in purchases within the first 90 days account opening.
• Useful perks when flying Alaska Airlines: Priority boarding and a free checked bag for up to six people traveling with you on the same reservation, 20% back on in-flight purchases.
• Valuable recurring benefits: Get an annual companion fare starting at $122 ($99 base fare plus taxes and fees from $23) when you spend $6,000 or more on purchases within the prior anniversary year and $100 off Alaska Lounge+ Membership when you pay with the card. Plus, no foreign transaction fees.

Alaska Airlines Visa credit card cons

• Limited category bonuses: The card earns 3 miles per $1 on eligible Alaska Airlines purchases, 2 miles per $1 on eligible gas, EV charging station, cable, streaming services and local transit purchases and 1 mile per $1 on all other purchases.
• High spending requirement for a recurring Companion Fare: Cardholders must spend $6,000 to earn a Companion Fare every year.
• Companion perk limited to use just on Alaska Airlines. Although the airline is part of the Oneworld airline alliance partnership and Alaska’s MileagePlan miles can be used to book flights on other airlines, the Companion Fare is limited to use only on Alaska Airlines flights.

How the Alaska Airlines Visa compares to other travel cards

Alaska airlines visa credit card vs. alaska airlines visa® business credit card * the information for the alaska airlines visa® business credit card has been collected independently by blueprint. the card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer..

The Alaska Airlines Visa® Business credit card * The information for the Alaska Airlines Visa® Business credit card has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer. is tailored to business owners who are looking for an efficient way to manage their business expenses and rewards. For an annual fee of $70 per company and $25 per card, it offers perks such as employee cards with individual spending limits, no foreign transaction fees, and the potential to earn more miles with higher spending limits. However, it lacks the robust welcome bonus and category bonuses of the Alaska Airlines Visa card.

The Alaska Airlines Visa Business credit card offers a 50,000 bonus miles and Alaska's Famous Companion Fare™ from $122 ($99 fare plus taxes and fees from $23) after spending $3,000 in purchases within the first 90 days of account opening. The card earns 3 miles per $1 on eligible Alaska Airlines purchases, 2 miles per $1 on eligible gas, shipping and local transit including rideshare purchases and 1 mile per $1 on all other purchases.

Like the personal version, the business card offers free checked bags for up to six companions and 20% back on in-flight purchases. Overall, this card comes up short on rewards and perks compared to the Alaska Airlines Visa credit card. That’s to be expected, considering the lower annual fee.

Alaska Airlines Visa credit card vs. Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard® * The information for the Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard® has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

At first sight, it might seem an odd choice to compare the Alaska Airlines Visa credit card against the Citi/AAdvantage Platinum Select World Elite Mastercard. However, Alaska Airlines and American are both members of the Oneworld Alliance. That gets you access to the same vast route network when you’re ready to use your miles. 

The Alaska Airlines Visa and Citi/AAdvantage Platinum Select are mid-tier credit cards that offer similar benefits at a similar price point. The Alaska Airlines Visa carries an annual fee of $95 and the Citi/AAdvantage Platinum Select has an annual fee of $99, waived for the first 12 months. The AAdvantage Platinum Card offers a free checked bag and preferred boarding for up to four companions instead of six for the Alaska card. The Citi AAdvantage Platinum Card’s in-flight discount of 25% is higher than the 20% offered by the Alaska Airline Visa.

However, the AAdvantage Platinum Card isn’t as rewarding as the Alaska Visa. The card’s welcome bonus is 75,000 American Airlines AAdvantage miles after spending $3,500 in purchases in the first four months of account opening. Cardholders also earn fewer miles at 2 AAdvantage miles per $1 spent on eligible American Airlines purchases, restaurants and gas stations and 1 mile per $1 spent on all other purchases.

Similar to the Alaska Airlines Visa, the AAdvantage Platinum Card comes with an annual $125 flight discount. While this benefit is more flexible and ideal for solo travelers, the spending required to earn it is much steeper at $20,000. Cardholders must also renew their account to receive this benefit.

The Alaska Airlines Visa credit card is much more rewarding than the Citi/AAdvantage Platinum Select World Elite Mastercard on most metrics except two: There’s an annual fee of $99, waived for the first 12 months on the AAdvantage card and all spending counts towards elite status at a rate of 1 Loyalty Point per dollar spent.

Alaska Airlines Visa credit card vs. Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card * The information for the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card * The information for the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer. offers a more flexible alternative to the Alaska Airlines Visa. The card earns a higher welcome bonus of 75,000 miles after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first three months of account opening. It offers 5 miles per $1 on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel and purchases through Capital One Entertainment and 2 miles per $1 on other purchases might be preferable to the category bonuses offered by the Alaska Airlines Visa. 

The card has a $95 annual fee, the same as the Alaska Airlines Visa. It also offers two complimentary lounge visits per year and an up to $100 Global Entry/TSA PreCheck credit every four years. More importantly, Capital One miles are transferable to 15+ loyalty travel partners. These include Oneworld alliance members British Airways, Cathay Pacific and Qantas. You can redeem miles from these programs towards flights on Alaska Airlines. 

Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card

Welcome Bonus

• 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.

Regular APR

Credit score.

Credit Score ranges are based on FICO® credit scoring. This is just one scoring method and a credit card issuer may use another method when considering your application. These are provided as guidelines only and approval is not guaranteed.

Editor’s Take

• 15 billing cycles of intro APR financing on both new purchases and on qualifying balance transfers.
• Earn an unlimited 1.5 points per $1 on purchases.
• No foreign transaction fees so it’s a good choice to use abroad.
• Points must be redeemed towards eligible travel and dining purchases for maximum redemption value.
• You can’t transfer rewards to airline or hotel partners.

Card Details

• 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.
• 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 18.24% – 28.24% 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.

Should you get the Alaska Airlines Visa credit card?

The Alaska Airlines Visa credit card is worth getting if you’re looking for a substantial welcome bonus and valuable airline perks. It could be a great fit for someone who often travels with Alaska Airlines, as it offers many rewards and benefits. However, it may not be a good fit for someone who rarely flies with Alaska Airlines. 

For example, the card’s free checked bag, in-flight purchase discount and priority boarding benefits can make your travels on the airline more pleasant. But you won’t get your money’s worth from these perks if you’re not an Alaska Airlines flyer. And if you don’t spend at least $6,000 a year on the card to earn the Companion Fare, then that benefit isn’t relevant either. 

The welcome bonus is a good enough reason for non-Alaska flyers to get the card. It can go a long way in covering both domestic and international airfare. However, it’s always a good idea to evaluate a card for its long-term potential as well as short-term gain. Ultimately, you should consider your travel and financial needs before deciding if the card is right for you.

Alaska Airlines credit card summary

Methodology

Our credit cards team has spent hours analyzing hundreds of credit cards. We took a deep dive into the details of each product and that analysis, combined with our years of experience covering credit cards, informed us as we developed these credit card rankings. Factors we considered include:

• Annual fees.
• Rewards rates.
• Welcome bonuses.
• Any intro APR offers.
• Credits for services business owners might find helpful.
• Any protections and insurances like cellphone coverage, purchase protection or extended warranty coverage.
• Any other perks that make the card useful to the cardholder.

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

The Alaska Airlines Visa does not have a minimum credit score requirement. However, applicants with good to excellent credit scores (typically a FICO Score of 670 and higher) are more likely to be approved for the card.

Thanks to a vast partner network and reasonable redemption rates, Alaska’s Mileage Plan miles are one of the most valuable rewards currencies out there. You can get well over 1.5 cents per mile depending on how you redeem them. You’ll get the most value from business and first-class awards.

You can redeem Alaska miles for flights to over 1,000 destinations, thanks to Alaska Airlines’ Oneworld alliance membership. Alaska is one of the few airlines still publishing an award chart that shows exactly how many miles you need for a specific flight. You can use miles to fly esteemed carriers like Cathay Pacific, Japan Airlines, Qatar Airways and others. You can also redeem miles for flight discounts, seat upgrades and hotel bookings.

The Alaska Airlines Visa card may be worth the annual fee, depending on how often you travel and your spending habits. The card offers numerous benefits, such as bonus miles, free checked bags, discounts on Alaska lounge membership, an annual companion fare and more. If you are a frequent traveler and can take advantage of these benefits, then the card may be worth the annual fee.

*The information for the Alaska Airlines Visa® Business credit card, Alaska Airlines Visa® credit card, Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card and Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard® has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

Blueprint is an independent publisher and comparison service, not an investment advisor. The information provided is for educational purposes only and we encourage you to seek personalized advice from qualified professionals regarding specific financial decisions. Past performance is not indicative of future results.

Blueprint has an advertiser disclosure policy . The opinions, analyses, reviews or recommendations expressed in this article are those of the Blueprint editorial staff alone. Blueprint adheres to strict editorial integrity standards. The information is accurate as of the publish date, but always check the provider’s website for the most current information.

Ariana Arghandewal is a travel hacker and travel rewards expert who leverages credit cards to earn over a million miles every year. She is the founder of Pointchaser, an award-winning blog where she covered rewards travel and credit cards since 2012.

Robin Saks Frankel is a credit cards lead editor at USA TODAY Blueprint. Previously, she was a credit cards and personal finance deputy editor for Forbes Advisor. She has also covered credit cards and related content for other national web publications including NerdWallet, Bankrate and HerMoney. She's been featured as a personal finance expert in outlets including CNBC, Business Insider, CBS Marketplace, NASDAQ's Trade Talks and has appeared on or contributed to The New York Times, Fox News, CBS Radio, ABC Radio, NPR, International Business Times and NBC, ABC and CBS TV affiliates nationwide. She holds an M.S. in Business and Economics Journalism from Boston University. Follow her on Twitter at @robinsaks.

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Alaska airlines visa credit card review: new-and-improved benefits for occasional flyers, the alaska airlines visa credit card has valuable perks. but is it right for you.

The Alaska Airlines Visa Signature® credit card is a credit card offered by Alaska Airlines and Bank of America that gives consumers the opportunity to earn Alaska miles on their expenses as well as enjoy perks when traveling with the airline.

While this is a relatively simple airline credit card, the beauty of the miles you earn lies in being able to book flights with Alaska's many Oneworld and non-alliance partner airlines which include: American Airlines, Cathay Pacific, Singapore Airlines, LATAM Airlines, Fiji Airways and more. And while the airline is largely centered around airports on the West Coast, this card has more potential than meets the eye.

This card was recently revamped with new benefits being added, and some existing perks getting cut or revamped.

Below, CNBC Select breaks down the rewards, benefits and fees associated with the Alaska Airlines credit card to help you decide if it's right for your needs.

Our best selections in your inbox. Shopping recommendations that help upgrade your life, delivered weekly.  Sign-up here .

Alaska Airlines Visa Signature® credit card review

Welcome bonus, benefits and perks, how to earn and redeem alaska airlines miles, rates and fees, card comparison.

• Who the Alaska Airlines Credit Card is best for

Bottom line

Alaska airlines visa signature® credit card.

Earn unlimited 3 miles for every $1 spent on eligible Alaska Airlines purchases, 2 miles for every $1 spent on eligible gas, EV charging station, local transit, rideshare, cable, and select streaming services purchases and one mile for every $1 spent on all other purchases.

Limited time offer: Earn 70,000 bonus miles plus Alaska's Famous Companion Fare™ ($99 fare plus taxes and fees from $23) with this offer. To qualify, make $3,000 or more in purchases within the first 90 days of opening your account.

Regular APR

20.24% - 28.24% variable

Balance transfer fee

3% of each transaction

Foreign transaction fees

Credit needed.

Terms apply.

The welcome bonus for the Alaska Airlines Visa Signature® credit card is simple: receive 60,000 bonus miles plus Alaska's Famous Companion Fare™ ($99 fare plus taxes and fees from $23) with this offer. To qualify, make $3,000 or more in purchases within the first 90 days of opening your account.

And if you're able to meet the spending requirement, you'll have a minimum of 63,000 miles in your account to get started. So at a modest one cent per point value, that is $630 in value right away. However, many people value Alaska miles much higher than 1 cent apiece, so it's possible to get significantly more value than $630 depending on how you use your miles.

And what's more is that you'll also receive an Alaska Companion Fare™, which is a buy-one-get-one ticket for an Alaska Airlines flight. Every year on your credit card account anniversary you'll receive a companion fare which allows you to book a companion flight from just $121 ($99 fare plus taxes and fees from $22). Valid on all Alaska Airlines flights booked on alaskaair.com.

While there are other airline credit cards available that may offer more benefits, the Alaska Airlines Visa Signature® credit card is concise in its value with its great welcome bonus and solid benefits for Alaska flyers. The card offers the following benefits:

• Free checked bag on Alaska Airlines for you and up to six guests on the same reservation. Plus you'll enjoy priority boarding when you pay for your flight with your card, so you can get to your seat quicker.
• 20% back on all Alaska Airlines inflight purchases
• Priority boarding, when you pay for the flight with your Alaska card
• Receive an Alaska Companion Fare every year
• $100 off an Alaska Lounge membership each year when you pay with your Alaska card
• 10% bonus on miles earned from purchases if you also have an eligible Bank of America banking account
• $0 liability protection
• No foreign transaction fees

While the card isn't packed with a ton of benefits, the value in the ones included is solid. For example, the free checked bag benefit on one round-trip will save you $60 — almost covering the entire annual fee for the card. Note that from March 1, 2023 you'll be required to pay for the flight with your Alaska Airlines card in order to receive free checked bags. Also, the free checked bag and priority boarding benefits now also apply to authorized users so long as the flight is paid for with the Alaska card.

If you travel internationally, you won't be charged a pesky 3% foreign transaction fee on purchases made outside the U.S. And if you desire to visit an Alaska lounge before your flight, you can save $100 on an Alaska Lounge membership fee every year when you pay with the card.

So in short, the card's annual fee can be justified quickly just by using the benefits it offers.

Earning Alaska Airlines miles

As you spend on the card, you'll earn:

• 3 miles for every $1 spent on eligible Alaska Airlines purchases
• 2 miles for every $1 spent on eligible gas, local transit (including ride-sharing), cable and select streaming services
• 1 mile for every $1 spent on all other eligible purchases

This makes the card simple enough for consumers to know that all non-Alaska purchases will earn 1 mile per dollar, whereas some cards have multiple spending categories.

Select calculated how many points the average American can earn in a year when using their  Alaska Airlines Visa Signature® credit card . We worked with the location intelligence firm Esri, who provided us with a sample annual spending budget of $22,126.

The budget includes six main categories: groceries ($5,174), gas ($2,218), dining out ($3,675), travel ($2,244), utilities ($4,862) and general purchases ($3,953). Here's what the average consumer would earn using this card:

• Groceries: 5,174 Alaska Airlines miles
• Gas: 4,436 Alaska Airlines miles
• Dining out: 3,675 Alaska Airlines miles
• Travel: 6,732 Alaska Airlines miles (Assuming all travel dollars are spent with Alaska Airlines).
• Utilities: 4,862 Alaska Airlines miles (not including bonus miles for cable or streaming services)
• General purchases: 3,953 Alaska Airlines miles (not including bonus miles for local transit)

With all spending considered, this would net 28,832 Alaska Airlines miles in the first year of card membership, and if you include the 60,000-point welcome bonus, this would yield 88,832 Alaska Airlines miles in just the first year. Over a five-year period, cardholders could potentially earn 204,160 Alaska miles — although the total amount will depend on an individual's annual spending habits.

Outside of what you get for spending on the card, you can earn miles for flying with Alaska Airlines or one of its many airline partners, including domestic partners like American Airlines.

You can also transfer points from other loyalty programs into your Alaska Airlines account, such as Marriott Bonvoy points at a 3:1 ratio. In addition, you can earn an additional 5,000 bonus miles for every 60,000 Marriott points transferred.

Finally, you can earn miles when shopping with select retailers through the Alaska shopping portal , making hotel bookings with Alaska hotel partners and dining with restaurants that are a part of Mileage Plan dining .

Redeeming Alaska Airlines miles

Once you've earned the miles you need for a free flight, the exciting part is redeeming them.

To redeem your Alaska Airlines miles, visit the Alaska Airlines website and log in to your loyalty account. And then start searching for your preferred itinerary, but be sure to select "use miles".

Additionally, if you're earning transferable credit card rewards such as Chase Ultimate Rewards® points or American Express Membership Rewards® points , you can transfer your miles to any Oneworld partner, like British Airways, and redeem them for a flight on Alaska Airlines.

Alaska Airlines recently revamped its award charts . Rather than having a set price based on the distance traveled or regions traversed there is a baseline minimum redemption amount, but no cap on the award cost.

For example, if you want to book a flight from Los Angeles to Miami in economy, it will cost a minimum of 12,500 miles each way and increase from there. What this effectively means is, to know exactly what a specific award costs, you'll need to search the Alaska Airlines site .

If you can book at the minimum price, you can get great value when redeeming Alaska Airlines miles for international business and first class flights. For example, you can book a one-way ticket from the U.S. to Asia in first class on Japan Airlines or Cathay Pacific for 70,000 Alaska miles. That flight can easily cost upwards of $7,000 when paid for in cash.

The card has a $95 annual fee and it doesn't have any foreign transaction fees .

If you plan on carrying a balance month to month, you'll face an interest rate of 19.49% - 27.49%  variable. If you'd rather avoid accruing interest, consider signing up for a credit card with a  0% introductory APR offer  instead.

Late payment fees can be up to $40.

The Alaska Airlines Visa Signature credit card is a great airline credit card for Alaska flyers. It's a concise card as it offers a valuable welcome bonus, great spending categories and a reasonable annual fee. But how does it match up against other similar cards?

Select analyzed two other travel credit cards to see how they match up against the Alaska Airlines Visa Credit Card.

Alaska Airlines Visa Signature credit card vs. Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card

Delta skymiles® gold american express card.

Earn 2X Miles on Delta purchases, at U.S. Supermarkets and at restaurants worldwide, including takeout and delivery in the U.S., and 1X Mile per dollar on all other eligible purchases

Earn 40,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $2,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership.

$0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $150

20.99% - 29.99% variable

Excellent/Good

See rates and fees , terms apply.

The Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card is another great airline card that earns Delta SkyMiles when its used for purchases. With the card, you'll earn:

• 2X miles per dollar spent on Delta purchases, U.S. supermarket purchases and restaurants worldwide including takeout and delivery in the U.S.
• 1X mile per dollar on all other eligible purchases

Additionally, you can earn a welcome offer bonus of 40,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $2,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership.

The card also comes with helpful benefits for your travels, including: first checked bag free, $200 Delta Flight Credit: After you spend $10,000 in purchases in a year, you can receive a $200 Delta Flight Credit to use toward future travel, *rental car insurance and 20% off eligible in-flight purchases.

The card has a $0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $150 after that. (See rates and fees )

If you're deciding between these two cards, it really comes down to your home airport, preferred airline and where you're traveling to. If you live on or near the West Coast, the Alaska Airlines card may be a better fit as Alaska Airlines hubs are all located along the left side of the country. If you live in Atlanta or along the east coast, or travel internationally regularly, the Delta Gold card may suit your needs a bit better.

Alaska Airlines Visa Signature credit card vs. United℠ Explorer Card

United℠ explorer card.

2 miles per $1 spent on United purchases; 2 miles per $1 spent on dining, eligible delivery services and hotel stays; 1 mile earned on every $1 spent on all other purchases

Earn 50,000 bonus miles after you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months your account is open.

$0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $95

21.99% - 28.99% Variable

5%, minimum $5

Member FDIC. Terms apply.

The United℠ Explorer Card is another great pick for an airline credit card as it earns United miles on all eligible purchases for a low annual fee.

• 2X miles per dollar spent on dining, hotel stays when booked with the hotel and United® purchases
• 1X mile per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases

And when you're approved for the card, you'll be able to earn the welcome bonus: Earn 50,000 bonus miles after you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months your account is open. These 50,000 miles can be redeemed on United and its airline alliance partners.

The card comes with great perks, including two United Club one-time passes per year for your anniversary, free first checked bag, a $100 credit to enroll in TSA PreCheck/Global Entry and 25% back on United in-flight purchases.

The card has a $0 intro annual fee for the first year, and then $95 thereafter.

Similar to the matchup above, the difference between the two cards comes down to where you live and your flight preferences. If you primarily travel up and down the West Coast, the Alaska Airlines card may be the better card. If you like to travel internationally and live in either the middle or East Coast of the U.S., the United card could be the better option.

Who the Alaska Airlines Visa Signature credit card is best for

The Alaska Airlines Visa Signature® credit card is a solid choice for anyone who lives on the West Coast, flies at least occasionally with the airline and wants a simple card without a long list of features or spending categories to track. So if you appreciate simplicity while earning valuable airline miles, this card is a great pick.

Additionally, the card is great for someone who enjoys traveling with someone else as it comes with an annual Companion Fare — which is essentially a buy-one-get-one ticket. When you use the Companion Fare, your travel partner will travel for just $121. So if you have an expensive flight coming up you'd like to take with someone, this benefit can be a big money saver.

Lastly, if you have plans to travel internationally, Alaska Airlines has a great award chart for international travel (especially in premium cabins). So if you want the flexibility of earning miles that can be redeemed on other airlines (including American), this card could be a good fit.

The Alaska Airlines Visa Signature® credit card has recently been revamped. Some of the changes were positives and others were devaluations, but overall, the card offers flyers an easy-to-understand cardmember experience. It doesn't have a ton of features to track or multiple spending categories to remember which gives cardholders a simple formula to earn value from their card.

However, while earning miles on your expenses is exciting, this shouldn't be put before having a balanced budget , paying down high interest debt and saving for the future .

Catch up on Select's in-depth coverage of  personal finance ,  tech and tools ,  wellness  and more, and follow us on  Facebook ,  Instagram  and  Twitter  to stay up to date.

For rates and fees of the Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card, click here .

*Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Car Rental Loss or Damage Coverage is offered through American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc.

Information about the Alaska Airlines Visa® Credit Card has been collected independently by Select and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer of the card prior to publication.

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Ideal for flyers who travel frequently on Alaska Airlines

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Brendan Dyer holds a Master of Fine Arts in Journalism from Western Connecticut State University and worked previously as a content editor for Regional News Network, a hyper-local TV news station contracted by Verizon FiOS1 News. As a national service volunteer, Brendan exercised a passion for helping underserved communities and demographics through direct, community service. He constantly seeks to apply his expertise as a journalist to the field of personal finance with the goal of helping people navigate the complexities of the credit card industry.

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Tracy Stewart is a personal finance writer specializing in credit card loyalty programs, travel benefits, and consumer protections.

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Bankrate expert Garrett Yarbrough strives to make navigating credit cards and credit building smooth sailing for his readers. After regularly featuring his credit card, credit monitoring and identity theft analysis on NextAdvisor.com, he joined the CreditCards.com and Bankrate teams as a staff writer to develop product reviews and comprehensive credit card guides focused on cash back, credit scores and card offers.

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At Bankrate we strive to help you make smarter financial decisions. While we adhere to strict editorial integrity , this post may contain references to products from our partners. Here's an explanation for how we make money and how we rate our cards . The content on this page is accurate as of the posting date; however, some of the offers mentioned may have expired. Terms apply to the offers listed on this page. Any opinions, analyses, reviews or recommendations expressed in this article are those of the author’s alone, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any card issuer.

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Alaska Airlines Visa® credit card

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Intro offer

Get 70,000 bonus miles plus Alaska's Famous Companion Fare™ ($99 fare plus taxes and fees from $23) with this offer. To qualify, make $3,000 or more in purchases within the first 90 days of opening your account.

Offer valuation

We calculate this number by multiplying the card's intro offer by Bankrate's valuation of this issuer's rewards program , showing you how much your points or miles are worth in dollars.

1 mile - 3 miles

Rewards rate

Earn unlimited 3 miles for every $1 spent on eligible Alaska Airlines purchases. Earn unlimited 2 miles for every $1 spent on eligible gas, EV charging station, cable, streaming services and local transit (including ride share) purchases. Earn unlimited 1 mile per $1 spent on all other purchases.

Regular APR

On This Page

• Current offer details

Alaska Airlines Visa Card pros and cons

• Reasons to get this card
• Reasons to skip this card
• Expert experience
• Alaska Airlines Visa vs. other travel cards

Best cards to pair with the Alaska Airlines Visa Card

• Is this card worth getting?
• Ratings methodology

Alaska Airlines Visa Card Overview

The Alaska Airlines Visa® credit card has valuable benefits for the airline’s frequent flyers and a solid sign-up bonus and rewards rate. Cardholders can also hit the ground running with Alaska’s Famous Companion Fare™ on Alaska Airlines — one of the best deals you can find on an airline rewards card. Get Alaska’s Famous Companion Fare™ from $122 ($99 fare plus taxes and fees from $23) each account anniversary after you spend $6,000 or more on purchases within the prior anniversary year. Valid on all Alaska Airlines flights booked on alaskaair.com.

This card can be worth the $95 annual fee, but mainly for those who fly with Alaska Airlines often since you can only redeem rewards and take advantage of benefits with the airline.

• 3 miles per dollar spent with Alaska Airlines
• 2 miles per dollar on eligible gas, EV charging stations, cable, streaming services and local transit purchases
• 1 mile per dollar on all other purchases

Expert Appraisal: Typical See our expert analysis

Limited-time online welcome offer

• Limited-time online offer: 70,000 bonus miles plus Alaska's Famous Companion Fare™ ($99 fare plus taxes and fees from $23) after you make $3,000 or more in purchases within the first 90 days of opening your account.

Expert Appraisal: Good See our expert analysis

Rates and fees

• Annual fee: $95
• APR: 20.24% - 28.24% (variable)
• Balance transfer fee: 3 percent of the amount of each transfer
• Cash advance fee: 3 percent of the amount of each transaction
• Foreign Transaction fee: None
• Late payment fee: Up to $40

Other cardholder perks

• Alaska’s Famous Companion Fare™
• Free checked bag for cardholder and up to six companions on the same reservation
• Priority boarding
• 20 percent back on Alaska Airlines inflight purchases
• $100 off an annual Alaska Lounge+ Membership

Earn Alaska’s Famous Companion Fare every year starting at $122 ($99 fare plus taxes and fees from $23).

Cardholders and up to six companions on the same reservation get a free checked bag on Alaska flights.

You can receive 20 percent back on inflight purchases when you use your card.

While Alaska Airlines is a oneworld Alliance partner, the airline has a limited route network.

The card's annual fee recently increased from $75 to $95, making it even less practical if you only fly Alaska Airlines occasionally.

You’ll need a good to excellent credit score for the best approval odds.

Why you might want the Alaska Airlines Visa Card

Like any branded airline card, the Alaska Airlines Visa card is excellent for frequent flyers of its respective airline, Alaska Airlines. It can be an ideal choice for customers of the airline who take annual or semi-annual trips because it includes generously boosted rewards rates and has some key perks that help you save.

Companion flights: For a friend or family member

You can earn a companion fare code when you spend $6,000 in one year with the Alaska Airlines Visa card ($99 fare plus taxes and fees from $23). This can be a great way to recoup your annual fee.

While spending $6,000 on your travel card is no easy task, it might help to look at this offer as an opportunity to save hundreds of dollars on a trip you’re sure to take each year. For instance, the average one-way Alaska Airlines fare hovers around $250 (before taxes). If you spend $6,000 in one year to earn this promotion and use the promotional code to cover companion airfare worth $250, then you’re looking at a return of roughly 4 percent, which rivals the cash back rate on some of the best cash back credit cards . 

Rewards: Boosted rewards for flights and some recurring purchases

Cardholders can earn 3X miles on flights and 2X miles on eligible gas, EV charging stations, cable, streaming services and transit. In the right hands, these modestly boosted rewards categories can bring a healthy sum of miles. Regarding co-branded airline cards , 3X miles seems to be the standard among cards with comparable annual fees. You can also receive a 10 percent boost to your earned miles if you have an eligible Bank of America account.

Alaska Airlines also has a decent rewards program , with miles coming in at an estimated value of 1.1 cents, according to Bankrate’s latest valuations . This valuation isn’t exceptional, but it is more than you might expect on other cards and is far from the least valuable among airline miles. Plus, you’ll earn them at generously boosted rates, so your miles will stack quickly.

Welcome offer: Great value with a little effort

While it may require some precise planning, the recent update to the Alaska Airlines Visa's limited-time online bonus has added significant value to the card. You can earn 70,000 bonus miles for spending $3,000 in your first 90 days with the card, higher than the card's previous offer of 60,000 miles for the same spending requirement. Additionally, Alaska Airlines still includes its Famous Companion Fare, which starts at $122 ($99 plus taxes and fees from $23). 

Depending on how you use this flight can determine how valuable this welcome offer is. The welcome offer can be worth $770, based on the valuation of 1.1 cents, which is a bit lower than the value of many competing cards.

Perks: Free checked bags with priority boarding

Several credit cards include free checked bags , but not all have free checked bags for up to six people on the same reservation, something the Alaska Airlines Visa can boast. The only card that comes out ahead for this perk is the Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card , which offers a free checked bag on Delta flights for up to eight additional people on the same reservation. But if you’re a loyal Alaska Airlines customer, there is no replacement for the value that this card carries for multi-person reservations.

Plus, this card has priority boarding for as long as you’re a cardholder. Although this perk isn’t a huge value play, it can help ease tension in the airport and get you onto your plane and into your seat before most of the overhead bag space is cluttered.

Why you might want a different travel card

If you don’t use Alaska Airlines you won’t be able to make the most of this card. However, even if you are a frequent flyer of the airline and live near Alaska Airlines hubs, this card might not provide you with the best value for your specific circumstances.

Limited network: Lacks wide-spread coverage

Alaska Airlines connects cities along the western coast of the United States with international routes to Belize, Mexico, Costa Rica, Guatemala, the Bahamas and Canada. As a oneworld Alliance member, the airline has several partners, opening its flight network to more destinations. However, if you’re hoping to stick with Alaska Airlines, you’ll be disappointed to learn that the airline does not fly to many destinations. 

However, the airline has several partners as a oneworld Alliance member, opening its flight network to more destinations. Unfortunately, there are added fees and guidelines associated with transfers that can lower the value of your Alaska miles and make using them less convenient. The most viable way to redeem your airline miles is directly with Alaska Airlines on routes they serve. However, because the airline has fewer routes than most airlines, this might make the card a poor choice for travelers with plenty of variety in their travels — particularly regarding international travel via transatlantic routes. 

Rates and fees: Increased annual fee eats into rewards

This card once carried a $75 annual fee but was increased to $95 not too long ago, making it more difficult to recoup the cost of the card with rewards earnings. Other general travel rewards cards might have the same annual fee as the Alaska Airlines Visa card fee, but they may have rewards programs that are far easier to maximize. If you don’t foresee yourself spending enough on the card to earn enough miles to offset it, then the card is most likely not a good choice for you. For reference, you’ll need to spend roughly $2,900 on Alaska Airlines flights in one year to earn the cost of your annual fee back with the value of your miles at 1.1 cents upon redemption. 

You can also leverage rewards from other purchases to maximize your card’s value, but it will require substantial spending. If you spend $2,000 on purchases outside your boosted categories, $1,500 at eligible gas stations and $1,220 on Alaska Airlines flights, you’ll earn enough miles to offset the cost of your card’s annual fee at a redemption value of 1.1 cents per mile. Combined spending among these three categories is $4,700 at an average rewards rate of 1.8X miles just to earn back the cost of your card. If you opt for a general travel rewards card like the Chase Sapphire Preferred® card or the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card , you could offset the same $95 annual fee ( See Rates & Fees ) at faster rates with the same spending amount. 

We tried it: Here’s what our experts say

Despite living in Florida, Nick Ewen , a credit card expert at The Points Guy , has kept the Alaska Visa in his wallet for a number of years.

I love the Alaska Visa card, mainly because of the annual companion fare benefit it offers. I’ve used it to fly to Hawaii (with a stopover in San Diego), Portland and Seattle in years past — saving well over $1,000 in the process. And Alaska Airlines MileagePlan remains an incredibly valuable loyalty program thanks to its Oneworld and non-alliance airline partners. — Nick Ewan, Director of Content, The Points Guy

How the Alaska Airlines Visa Card compares to other travel cards

If you’re considering the Alaska Airlines Visa Card, you should compare it to other travel credit cards and airline cards before applying. Here’s how the Alaska Airlines Visa Card stacks up against cards that offer similar perks and rewards.

Get 70,000 bonus miles plus Alaska's Famous Companion Fare™ ($99 fare plus taxes and fees from $23) with this offer. To qualify, make $3,000 or more in purchases within the first 90 days of opening your account.

Recommended Credit Score

Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $750 when you redeem through Chase Travel℠.

5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠. 3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries. 2x on all other travel purchases. 1x on all other purchases.

Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

New Venture cardholders can earn 75,000 miles once they spend $4,000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening

5 Miles per dollar on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel 2 Miles per dollar on every purchase, every day

Alaska Airlines Visa Card vs. Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card lets you earn rewards for travel with more flexibility than a co-branded airline card and more miles for general purchases compared to the Alaska Airlines card, making it a better choice for cardholders who want to earn rewards on everyday spending. You can also redeem your miles to cover any travel purchase charged to your card in the last 90 days at a rate of one cent per mile. Capital One also has its own airline and hotel partners, which include some oneworld partners that offer the same routes you can book with Alaska Airlines. Plus, depending on the transfer partner and flight or hotel, we estimate that Capital One Miles can be worth around 1.7 cents, which is almost double the value of Alaska Airlines miles. And while you won’t get airline-specific benefits, you get a fee credit toward Global Entry or TSA Precheck membership.

Alaska Airlines Visa Card vs. Chase Sapphire Preferred

Along with ongoing rewards in a range of everyday spending categories, the Chase Sapphire Preferred offers one of the best available sign-up bonuses on a travel credit card in its price range.

You can redeem your points for travel through the Chase Travel portal, statement credits, gift cards or merchandise, or you can transfer points to one of Chase’s airline or hotel partners at a 1:1 ratio. If you redeem for Chase Travel, you also get a 25 percent increase to the value of your points.

Although the card doesn’t offer frequent flyer benefits with a specific airline, the Chase Sapphire Preferred card boasts a better overall rewards rate than most airline cards and points that are much more flexible.

Finding the right card to pair with the Alaska Airlines Visa can be difficult. It’s a branded airline credit card, so you won’t have many options if you’re hoping to combine points and bonus categories. However, it would pair excellently with a flat-rate travel rewards card or one that includes generous rewards with the option of transferring points to partnering airlines — particularly those in the oneworld Alliance.

Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

Along with ongoing rewards in a range of everyday spending categories, the Chase Sapphire Preferred offers the best available welcome offer on a travel credit card in its price range.

You can redeem your points for travel through the Chase travel portal, statement credits, gift cards or merchandise, or you can transfer points to one of Chase’s airline or hotel partners at a 1:1 ratio. If you redeem for Chase Travel, you also get a 25 percent increase to the value of your points.

Although the card doesn’t offer frequent flyer benefits with a specific airline, the Chase Sapphire Preferred card boasts a better overall rewards rate and much more flexible points than most airline cards.

Capital One Venture Rewards Card

The Capital One Venture Rewards Card is one of our top picks for flat-rate travel cards. The earning rate on all purchases is reliable and greater than what you’d earn on the Alaska Airlines Visa Card. 

The card also lets you transfer your earned miles to travel partners, many sporting a 1:1 transfer ratio. But like Alaska Airlines’ travel partners, many of these partners are international.

Who is the Alaska Airlines Visa Card right for?

Alaska airlines customers.

It’s difficult to recommend this card to anyone who isn’t a dedicated Alaska Airlines customer. If you fly with this airline regularly, you can benefit from its generous rewards rates. However, you’ll want to rack up at least $6,000 of card charges with the Alaska Airlines Visa to make the most of it.

Bankrate’s Take — Is the Alaska Airlines card worth it?

The Alaska Airlines Visa Card can be worth the $95 annual fee, but only if you can use Alaska miles and the card’s companion fare. If you live in an area not serviced by Alaska Airlines or frequently fly to destinations outside the airline’s service area, you may want to look at other card options.

Fortunately, there are many rewards and travel credit cards to choose from. No matter whether the Alaska Airlines Visa Card makes sense for your travel needs, you should consider all your options before you decide.

How we rated this card

We rate credit cards using a proprietary card scoring system that ranks each card’s estimated average rewards rate, estimated annual earnings, welcome bonus value, APR, fees, perks and more against those of other cards in its primary category.

Each card feature is assigned a weighting based on how important it is to people looking for a card in a given category. These features are then scored based on how they rank relative to the features on other cards in the category. Based on these calculations, each card receives an overall rating of 1-5 stars (with 5 being the highest possible score and 1 being the lowest). 

We analyzed over 150 of the most popular rewards and cash back cards to determine where each stacked up based on their value, cost, benefits and more. Here are some of the key factors that influenced this card’s overall score and how the score influenced our review:

Rewards value

The primary criteria for a rewards or cash back card’s rating is its rewards value. This includes the card’s average rewards rate, estimated annual rewards earnings, sign-up bonus value and reward redemption value.

To estimate a card’s average annual rewards earnings, we first calculate its average rewards rate based on how much it earns in different bonus categories and how closely its categories align with the average person’s spending habits, according to data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics . 

Based on this data, we determine a “chargeable” spend (which purchases are likely to be put on a credit card and earn rewards). This includes the following spending by category:

• Groceries: $5,200
• Dining out: $3,000
• Entertainment: $2,500
• Gas: $2,100
• Apparel and services: $1,700

Using this data, we assign a weighting to each of a card’s bonus categories. For example, a card’s grocery rewards rate receives a 23 percent weighting based on how much of the average person’s budget is spent on groceries. We also estimate the redemption value of points or miles from various issuer, airline and hotel rewards programs.

This weighting and rewards valuation allows us to estimate a card’s average annual rewards earnings — how many points or miles you’d earn with a given card if your spending was about average and you used the card for all of your purchases, as well as what those points are worth. We also use point valuations to determine a card’s sign-up bonus value

With these calculations complete, we assign each card a score based on how its average rewards earnings, sign-up bonus value, rewards rate and redemption value stack up against other rewards cards.

We also rate cards based on how much it costs to keep them in your wallet or carry a balance. 

To start, each rewards or cash back card is scored based on whether it offers an intro APR and how its ongoing APR compares to the rates available on other rewards or cash back cards. 

We also score each card based on how its annual fee influences its overall value. 

We consider a card’s annual fee in two ways — how it ranks relative to the fees you’ll find on other cards in the category and how it impacts a card’s overall rewards value. Cards with an annual fee will always be at a slight disadvantage in our scoring system since annual fees inherently cut into your rewards value, but if a card offers terrific value via its ongoing rewards and perks, it can earn a high score even if it carries a high annual fee. 

With this in mind, we rate a card based primarily on how its ongoing rewards value and ongoing perk value (such as annual credits or bonuses) stack up against other cards in the category when you subtract its annual fee.

Flexibility

We rate each card’s flexibility based on the restrictions it imposes on earning and redeeming rewards and factor this rating into a card’s overall score. 

Flexibility factors include whether a card only allows you to earn a high rewards rate on a small amount of spending or requires you to meet a certain earning threshold before you can redeem rewards. We also examine whether your points are worth less when you redeem for some options versus others and whether a card gives you the flexibility to transfer rewards to airline and hotel partners. 

We also score each card’s set of features – its perks and benefits — against five tiers of features to provide a rating. 

We break down these tiers as follows:

• Tier 1 has less than standard card features (an ultra-streamlined card that offers basic utility and next to nothing in the way of ancillary benefits. 
• Tier 2 includes the benefits you’d expect on standard Visa or Mastercard credit cards, such as free access to your credit score, car rental insurance and $0 liability for fraudulent charges. 
• Tier 3 includes “prime card” or better-than-average card features like cellphone insurance, lost luggage insurance, concierge services and purchase protection. 
• Tier 4 includes luxury features such as airport lounge access, elite status with an airline or hotel and credits for expedited security screening membership programs. 
• Tier 5 includes the sort of exemplary benefits you’ll find on top-tier luxury cards, such as high-value travel credits, cardholder memberships and other unique and valuable perks.

* See the online application for details about terms and conditions for these offers. Every reasonable effort has been made to maintain accurate information. However all credit card information is presented without warranty. After you click on the offer you desire you will be directed to the credit card issuer's web site where you can review the terms and conditions for your selected offer.

Editorial Disclosure: Opinions expressed here are the author's alone, and have not been reviewed or approved by any advertiser. The information, including card rates and fees, is accurate as of the publish date. All products or services are presented without warranty. Check the bank’s website for the most current information.

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Alaska Airlines and Bank of America announce enhanced benefits to our Visa Signature® card

• January 18, 2023
• Mileage Plan
• Alaska Airlines
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Cardholders now enjoy new ways to earn double miles on everyday purchases, priority boarding, expanded free checked bag privileges; for a limited time, new cardholders can receive 70,000 bonus miles after making qualifying purchases

A new year reveals new reasons to celebrate what makes the  Alaska Airlines Visa Signature® credit card , co-branded with Bank of America, better and more valuable than ever. 

Our current and new cardholders can now take advantage of enhanced benefits when they use the card while traveling with us and while making everyday purchases – from earning more miles in new ways to boarding their flight earlier to continued savings with a free checked bag and Alaska’s Famous Companion Fare™.

Cardholders will enjoy these new benefits:

Earn Double Miles:  Cardholders now earn 2 miles for every dollar spent on eligible purchases made every day – including gas, local transit including ride share, cable bill and select streaming services. Alaska miles don’t expire so they can be redeemed at any time.

Relationship Bonus:  A 10% rewards bonus on all miles earned from card purchases with an open, eligible Bank of America checking, savings or investment account.

Priority Boarding : Early group boarding when tickets are purchased with an Alaska Visa Signature® card. 

Expanded Privileges for Authorized Users:  Authorized users added by primary cardholders will now receive additional savings and convenience when the Alaska Visa Signature® card is used to purchase a ticket. Authorized users can continue to book their own travel with the card but will now also gain access to a free checked bag and priority boarding even when they’re not traveling with the primary cardholder (previously, authorized users needed to travel with the cardholder on the same reservation to receive a free checked bag).

Alaska Lounge+ Membership Discount:  Cardholders can enjoy $100 off the price of an  Alaska Lounge+ membership  every year when purchased with their Alaska Visa Signature® card.

With our newly enhanced Visa Signature® credit card, we strived to add benefits that mean the most to our cardholders – from adding value to their travel experience when using the card to earning more miles on things we buy all the time,” said Sangita Woerner, senior vice president of marketing and guest experience at Alaska Airlines. “All those earned miles with the card can be redeemed in our award-winning Mileage Plan program for flights on Alaska, our fellow  one world member airlines and our additional global partners.”

Cardholders will also continue to enjoy the card’s additional benefits:

Alaska’s Famous Companion Fare™ Every Year : Current cardholders will continue to receive a companion fare that allows them to book a companion flight from just $122 ($99 fare plus taxes and fees from $23) when bought with their Alaska Visa Signature® card. The companion fare becomes available annually after their card anniversary and it’s valid on all flights booked on  alaskaair.com . New cardholders must spend $6,000 or more on purchases within the prior anniversary year to receive the annual companion fare.

Continuing Ways to Earn Miles:  Cardholders will still earn 3 miles for every dollar spent on eligible Alaska purchases and 1 mile for every dollar spent on all other things they buy.

20% Inflight Rebate:  Cardholders get back 20% on onboard purchases such as food, beverages and Wi-Fi when they pay with their Alaska Visa Signature® card.

Low Annual Fee:  Just $95 annually.

Now’s a great time to get the card. For a limited time, in addition to all the benefits above, new cardholders receive 70,000 bonus miles with  this offer . Those bonus miles alone are more than enough for a roundtrip ticket anywhere Alaska flies. To qualify, cardholders need to make $3,000 or more in purchases within the first 90 days of opening their account.

“We are thrilled to work with Alaska Airlines in order to offer customers enhanced benefits on their Visa Signature® credit card,” said Jason Gaughan, Head of Consumer Credit Card Products at Bank of America. “With these new changes we’ve created more opportunities for customers to optimize their credit card rewards and get the most out of every dollar spent travelling or for everyday purchases. In addition, eligible Bank of America checking, savings or investment account holders can earn an additional rewards bonus.”

Alaska Airlines and Bank of America will launch similar enhanced benefits for the Alaska Airlines Visa Business card this spring.

Alaska and Bank of America announced last year an extension of our co-branded credit card agreement through 2030 to continue offering best-in-class benefits to our customers. 

Mileage Plan  miles earned by using the Alaska Airlines Visa Signature® credit card can be redeemed for free flights on Alaska and more than 20 of our fellow  one world  member airlines and additional  global partners  to more than 900 destinations around the world. Our guests can also use their miles to book hotel stays and upgrades on their flights.

For information about rates, fees, other costs and benefits associated with the use of this credit card, please see  Terms and Conditions . This credit card program is issued and administered by Bank of America, N.A.

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The information for the Alaska Airlines Visa Signature® credit card has been collected independently by U.S. News and the card is not currently available on the site. The information has not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer and it is accurate as of the date posted.

Alaska Airlines Visa Signature® credit card

The Alaska Airlines Visa Signature® credit card’s sign-up bonus is beneficial, but make sure you get enough value out of the card to cover its $75 annual fee.

Credit Needed

Good/Excellent

Rewards Rate

3X Miles per dollar spent on eligible Alaska Airlines purchases

Cardholders can earn 3 miles per dollar spent on Alaska Airlines purchases.

You can earn a 60,000-mile sign-up bonus plus a $99 companion fare after spending $3,000 within the first 90 days.

There are no foreign transaction fees.

You’ll pay a $75 annual fee.

There’s no introductory APR.

Travel redemption options are limited to Alaska Airlines and its partner airlines.

Why Trust U.S. News

Your trust is important to us. To earn it, we conduct a rigorous, unbiased analysis with a transparent methodology, and maintain strict editorial standards and independence.

Alaska Airlines Visa Signature® credit card Summary

The Alaska Airlines Visa Signature® credit card is an airline credit card designed for frequent flyers of Alaska Airlines. It earns 3 miles per dollar on eligible Alaska Airlines purchases, 2 miles per dollar spent on eligible gas, EV charging station, local transit, ride-hailing, cable and select streaming services purchases, and 1 mile for every dollar on other purchases.

Cardholders can receive a $99 companion fare (plus taxes and fees from $23) plus 60,000 bonus miles after spending $3,000 or more within the first 90 days of opening your account . And each account anniversary year, you can earn another $99 companion fare when you spend $6,000 or more in the previous year.

The Alaska Airlines Visa Signature® credit card requires a $75 annual fee and has a 20.24% to 28.24% variable APR for purchases and balance transfers. There’s a balance transfer fee of $10 or 3% of the amount of each transaction, whichever is greater .

• Rates and Fees
• Highlights from Issuer
• Issuer Name Bank of America
• Credit Needed Good/Excellent
• Annual Fee $75
• Regular APR 20.24% - 28.24% variable
• Penalty APR up to 29.99%
• Balance Transfer Fee $10 or 3% of the amount of each transaction, whichever is greater
• Cash Advance Fee Direct Deposit and Check Cash Advances: Either $10 or 3% of the amount of each transaction, whichever is greater ATM, Over-the-Counter, Same-Day Online and Cash Equivalent Cash Advances: Either $10 or 5% of the amount of each transaction, whichever is greater Overdraft Protection Cash Advance (if enrolled): $12 for each transaction

Is the Alaska Airlines Visa Signature® credit card Right for Me?

Yes, if you:

• Frequently fly on Alaska Airlines or its partner airlines.
• Have the good to excellent credit required for approval.
• Can use the annual companion fare.

Tips for Using the Alaska Airlines Visa Signature® credit card

Like most travel cards with a purchase minimum for the sign-up bonus, it makes the most sense to open this card when you’re ready to book your next trip with Alaska Airlines. Cardholders can receive a $99 companion fare (plus taxes and fees from $23) plus 60,000 bonus miles after spending $3,000 or more within the first 90 days of opening your account .

The Alaska Airlines Visa Signature® credit card has no foreign transaction fees, making it a good choice to use abroad. Cardholders can also earn 10% bonus rewards on all miles earned from card purchases with an eligible Bank of America account.

Editor's Take

The Alaska Airlines Visa Signature® credit card is a good option for those who frequently fly with Alaska Airlines or its partner airlines. The card's travel perks of a free checked bag for you and up to six guests, priority boarding and $100 off an annual Alaska Lounge+ Membership when you pay with your card are all valuable to frequent Alaska Airlines flyers. To maximize earnings, cardholders should pair the card with an eligible Bank of America account to earn a 10% rewards bonus on all miles earned.

For those who don't exclusively fly with Alaska Airlines and its partner airlines, consider a more well-rounded travel credit card like the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card . With $95 annual fee, the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card offers a comparable sign-up bonus with more flexible ways to redeem your points for travel.

Current Welcome Offers 

Cardholders can receive a $99 companion fare (plus taxes and fees from $23) plus 60,000 bonus miles after spending $3,000 or more within the first 90 days of opening your account .

How to Maximize Rewards With Alaska Airlines Visa Signature® credit card

Getting the most out of your Alaska Airlines Visa Signature® credit card is easy. Use your card to make eligible Alaska Airlines purchases and earn 3 miles per dollar, and earn 2 miles per dollar on eligible gas, EV charging station, local transit, ride-hailing, cable and select streaming services purchases, plus 1 mile per dollar on other purchases with no mileage limit.

Miles can be redeemed for flights on Alaska Airlines or its airline partners, for hotel stays with Alaska Airlines Hotels, or for magazine subscriptions through the Magazines for Miles program.

Comparing the Alaska Airlines Visa Signature® credit card With Other Credit Cards

U.s. news credit card rating methodology, alternative pick.

On Chase 's Secure Website.

Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

Comparative assessments and other editorial opinions are those of U.S. News and have not been previously reviewed, approved or endorsed by any other entities, such as banks, credit card issuers or travel companies. The content on this page is accurate as of the posting date; however, some of our partner offers may have expired.

The best cards for trip cancellation and interruption insurance — and what it actually covers

Planning and taking a trip can be exciting, but unexpected events can disrupt even the most meticulously organized vacations. Sudden illness, severe weather and unforeseen circumstances can throw a spanner in the works, forcing you to change your plans and seek compensation.

In this guide, we will explore the best credit cards that offer trip cancellation and interruption insurance , shedding light on what these policies cover and providing you with peace of mind for your next adventure.

Best credit cards for trip cancellation and interruption insurance

• Chase Sapphire Reserve : Best for travelers who want the most travel protections
• Chase Sapphire Preferred Card : Best for travelers looking for a sub-$100 annual fee
• Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card : Best for Capital One loyalists
• United Club Infinite Card : Best for United loyalists
• IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card : Best for IHG loyalists
• World of Hyatt Credit Card : Best for Hyatt loyalists
• Ink Business Preferred Credit Card : Best for business travelers
• The Platinum Card® from American Express : Best when traveling with non-family companions

The cards listed above are our top picks for trip cancellation and interruption insurance. But many other cards — including some Bank of America and Barclays cards — also offer trip cancellation and interruption protection.

Related: Credit cards with trip cancellation insurance

What is trip cancellation and trip interruption insurance?

Trip cancellation and interruption insurance may reimburse nonrefundable, prepaid trip expenses when you cancel or alter your trip due to a covered situation. In some cases, you may even be covered for select additional costs. But maximum coverage amounts, the types of covered situations and eligible expenses vary from card to card.

Generally, trip cancellation insurance provides reimbursement when you must cancel a trip before its departure date. Meanwhile, trip interruption insurance may refund you if an ongoing trip is interrupted or canceled.

Although you can buy separate travel insurance that will provide a partial refund if you cancel your trip for any reason , trip cancellation and interruption insurance doesn't typically work the same way. Instead, trip cancellation and interruption insurance typically has specific covered losses and exclusions that define the situations in which you can claim reimbursement (and these vary from card to card).

Many different types of cards — including some credit cards with no annual fee — offer trip cancellation and interruption insurance when you purchase travel with your card. The remainder of this guide details some of our favorite cards that offer trip cancellation and interruption benefits. Of course, benefits frequently change. So it's best to look at your card's guide to benefits before booking to understand your card's protections.

Related: Why you might actually need road trip travel insurance

What is the difference between trip cancellation and trip interruption coverage?

The main difference between trip cancellation and trip interruption coverage is timing. Trip cancellation insurance protects your trip from when you make the initial payment to the time of your scheduled departure. In contrast, trip interruption insurance covers your trip from the day of your scheduled departure to your scheduled return date.

Does credit card insurance cover natural disasters?

Generally, trip cancellation and trip interruption insurance will cover nonrefundable expenses if you need to cancel your trip (or the remainder of your trip) due to a natural disaster. However, credit card insurance policies vary, so check your benefits guide for specific exclusions.

Note that you must book your trip before the natural disaster starts to be covered. If a storm or hurricane is named and you book your trip afterward, you likely won't be covered.

Related: 4 times your credit card's travel insurance can help with travel woes, and 7 times it won't

Premium Chase credit cards

Chase credit cards offer some of the best credit card travel protections. The Chase cards in the table below provide trip cancellation and interruption insurance with relatively high maximum coverage amounts.

To help you understand this benefit, let's consider the specific protection provided by the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card as described in its guide to benefits . The other Chase cards listed in the above table provide similar benefits, but check your card's guide to benefits to ensure your coverage is the same.

When you use an eligible Chase card (like the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card ) to pay for select travel expenses, you and your immediate family may be eligible for trip cancellation and interruption protection. You must charge all or a portion of the cost to your Chase credit card (including bookings made with points through the Chase Ultimate Rewards portal associated with your account).

Eligible trip cancellation or interruption events

You'll only be eligible for reimbursement if certain events cause the cancellation or interruption of your travel arrangements. For example, Chase may provide trip cancellation and interruption coverage for the following circumstances:

• You or your traveling companion experience accidental bodily injury, death or sickness that prevents travel
• An immediate family member of you or your traveling companion dies or experiences accidental bodily injury or sickness that is life-threatening, requires hospitalization or requires care by you or your traveling companion
• Severe weather that would prevent a reasonable and prudent person from beginning or continuing on a trip (the weather must meet specific requirements regarding timing, location and effect on your trip)
• Named storm warning
• Change in military orders for you or your spouse
• A call to jury duty or a court subpoena that you can't postpone or waive
• Your or your traveling companion's permanent residence is uninhabitable, burglarized or damaged by fire or flood
• Your or your traveling companion's lodging at your destination becomes uninhabitable
• Your or your traveling companion's host at your trip's destination dies or is hospitalized
• A physician or a competent governmental authority having jurisdiction requires you or your traveling companion to quarantine due to health reasons
• You or your traveling companion miss at least 20% of your trip or the departure of a prepaid cruise or tour due to an organized strike affecting public transportation

Related: 6 lesser-known Chase Sapphire Reserve travel and shopping benefits

Additionally, Chase may provide trip cancellation coverage for the following events:

• Terrorist incident within 25 miles of your or your traveling companion's place of permanent residence within 30 days of your scheduled departure date
• U.S. government travel warning due to terrorism for the immediate vicinity of your or your traveling companion's place of permanent residence within 10 days of your scheduled departure
• Terrorist incident within 25 miles of an airport, booked lodging or destination host's location as listed on your itinerary within 30 days of your scheduled arrival
• U.S. government travel warning due to terrorism for a geographic area within 25 miles of an airport, booked lodging or destination host's location that's in effect within 30 days of your scheduled departure

Finally, Chase may provide trip interruption coverage for the following events:

• Terrorist incident within 25 miles of an airport, booked lodging or destination host's location as listed on your itinerary while on a trip
• A U.S. government travel warning due to terrorism for a geographic area within 25 miles of an airport, booked lodging or a destination host's location that is issued during your or your traveling companion's trip

Related: Your guide to Chase's trip insurance coverage

Excluded reasons for trip cancellation or interruption

However, you won't be eligible for reimbursement if any of the following directly or indirectly cause (or result from) the trip cancellation or interruption:

• A change in plans, financial circumstances and any business or contractual obligations
• A preexisting condition or any other event that occurs or commences before the trip's initial deposit date or booking date
• Any loss due to voluntarily surrendering unused vouchers, tickets, credits, coupons or travel privileges from the travel supplier before their expiration date
• Travel after the 26th week of pregnancy, travel when any multiple pregnancy occurs before the initial deposit date or booking date of the trip, or travel during any pregnancy associated with an assisted reproductive program
• Any loss for any trip booked while on a waiting list for specified medical treatment or booked to obtain medical treatment
• Disinclination to travel due to civil unrest
• Failure to obtain necessary visas, passports or other documents required for travel
• Commission or attempted commission of any illegal act
• Suicide, attempted suicide or intentionally self-inflicted injury
• Being under the influence of any narcotic, legal recreational marijuana or other controlled substance at the time of a loss (except if the narcotic or other controlled substance is taken as prescribed by a physician)
• Disinclination to travel, a country closing its borders or a travel supplier canceling or changing travel arrangements due to an epidemic or pandemic
• Default of the common carrier resulting from financial insolvency or financial insolvency of a travel agency, tour operator or travel supplier
• War, undeclared war, civil war, insurrection, rebellion, revolution, warlike acts by a military force or personnel, any action taken in hindering or defending against any of these, the destruction or seizure of property for a military purpose or any consequences of any of these acts (war does not include terrorism)

Additionally, Chase won't provide trip cancellation coverage for trips booked to any area associated with terrorist activity. Plus, trip interruption coverage won't be provided for loss caused by or resulting from:

• Travel arrangements that a travel supplier cancels or changes unless the cancellation results from severe weather or an organized strike affecting public transportation
• Any terrorist incident or travel warning within 25 miles of your or your traveling companion's place of permanent residence within 30 days before the initial deposit date or booking date of the trip
• A terrorist incident within 25 miles of an airport, booked lodging or destination host's location within 30 days of your initial deposit date or booking date of the trip

Related: Should you get travel insurance if you have credit card protection?

What expenses are covered?

In general, Chase will only reimburse you for eligible nonrefundable, prepaid travel expenses charged by a travel supplier or redeposit fees imposed by a rewards program administrator. However, for trip interruption, Chase may also reimburse you for the following:

• Change fees
• Costs to return a rental vehicle to the closest rental agency
• Costs to return your vehicle to your closest leased or owned residence
• Ground transportation expenses up to $250 to directly transport you for necessary medical treatment (excluding transportation in vehicles operated by a medical facility or specifically designed to transport sick or injured individuals)
• Prepaid, unused and nonrefundable land, air or sea arrangements (if you must postpone a trip due to a covered loss and set a new departure date)

But, if your trip cancellation or interruption results in a credit from a travel supplier, you will not receive any payment for that portion of the eligible travel expenses until the credit expires. And additional transportation expenses will not be reimbursed, including the difference in cost between the original fare or any new fare to return home or rejoin the trip.

Official application link: Chase Sapphire Reserve Official application link: Chase Sapphire Preferred Card Official application link: United Club Infinite Card Official application link: IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card Official application link: World of Hyatt Credit Card Official application link: Ink Business Preferred Credit Card

Other select Chase credit cards

Several other Chase cards, including the United Explorer Card , Chase Freedom Flex and Chase Freedom Unlimited , also provide trip cancellation and interruption insurance.

However, these cards have far fewer covered expenses than the Chase cards discussed in the previous section. In particular, these cards only cover nonrefundable prepaid passenger fares.

The Chase Freedom Flex guide to benefits , for instance, covers you in similar cases as the more premium Chase cards above:

• Nonrefundable prepaid travel expenses charged by a cruise line, airline, railroad or another common carrier
• Change fees to a travel supplier (if you interrupt your travel instead of canceling)
• Redeposit fees to a rewards program administrator
• Ground transportation expenses up to $250 for transport to necessary medical treatment (excluding transportation in vehicles operated by a medical facility or specifically designed to transport sick or injured individuals; only for trip interruption)
• Prepaid unused nonrefundable land, air or sea arrangements (if you must postpone a trip due to a covered loss and set a new departure date)

Chase may reimburse you up to $1,500 per person per trip. However, there is a reimbursement cap of $6,000 for all covered persons on the same trip.

Related: Here's why 1 TPG staffer buys an annual travel insurance policy, even though his credit cards offer travel protections

Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card

You can get up to $2,000 per insured person in trip cancellation and interruption protection when you use the Capital One Venture X to pay for nonrefundable common carrier tickets.

Your spouse or domestic partner and your dependent children are eligible for coverage when you pay for the entire cost of common carrier transportation (less redeemable certificates, vouchers or coupons) with your Venture X account.

The list of eligible trip cancellation or interruption events for coverage is short and simple with the Venture X. You may be covered if one of the following applies:

• You or an immediate family member dies or experiences accidental bodily injury, disease or physical illness that prevents you from traveling (as verified by a physician)
• Your common carrier defaults as a result of financial insolvency

Related: Does paying the taxes and fees on award flights trigger trip protections?

Even if one of the above losses applies, you won't be covered if any of the following caused or led to the loss:

• A preexisting condition
• Accidental bodily injuries from participation in interscholastic or professional sports events, racing or speed contests or uncertified scuba diving
• Cosmetic surgery (unless necessary due to a covered loss)
• Being under the influence of drugs (except as prescribed by a physician) or alcohol
• Traveling against the advice of a physician, while on a waiting list for specified medical treatment, to obtain medical treatment or in the third trimester (seventh month or after) of pregnancy
• Suicide, attempted suicide or intentionally self-inflicted injuries
• Declared or undeclared war (war does not include acts of terrorism)
• An insured person's emotional trauma, mental or physical illness, disease, pregnancy, childbirth or miscarriage, bacterial or viral infection or bodily malfunctions (except physical illness or disease which prevent travel and bacterial infection caused by accident or from accidental consumption of a substance contaminated by bacteria)

Related: 7 times your credit card's travel insurance might not cover you

The Venture X's trip cancellation and interruption protection won't cover as much as the premium Chase cards discussed above. According to the Venture X guide to benefits , Capital One will only reimburse up to $2,000 per insured person for the following:

• Your nonrefundable common carrier ticket (but only once any unused credit voucher you get from the common carrier expires)
• Change or cancellation fees on common carrier tickets

Learn More: Capital One Venture X

Select American Express cards

Some Amex cards offer trip cancellation and interruption insurance of up to $10,000 per trip (up to $20,000 per card per 12 consecutive months). Here's a list of some of these cards:

• The Platinum Card from American Express * (including most Amex Platinum varieties )
• The Business Platinum Card® from American Express *
• Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card *
• Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card *
• Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card *
• Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card *

The information for the Hilton Aspire Amex Card has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

*Eligibility and benefit level varies by card. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG Company.

You can find benefit guides for these cards on Amex's website .

You, your family members and your traveling companions may be covered when you charge the full cost of round-trip common carrier transportation to an eligible Amex card. You'll also get coverage when you use an eligible Amex card in combination with Membership Rewards points or redeemable certificates, vouchers, coupons or discounts awarded from a loyalty program.

For coverage purposes, round-trip travel may consist of one-way tickets or a combination of round-trip and one-way tickets.

Related: Which is the best American Express credit card for you?

Based on the benefits guide for the above-mentioned Amex cards, covered losses include trip cancellations or trip interruptions that result from the following:

• Accidental bodily injury, death or sickness (including of a covered traveler's family member)
• Inclement weather that would prevent a reasonable and prudent person from traveling or continuing on a trip
• Change in military orders (including of a covered traveler's spouse)
• Terrorist action or hijacking
• Call to jury duty or subpoena by the courts that can't be postponed or waived
• A dwelling that becomes uninhabitable
• Quarantine imposed by a physician for health reasons

Related: Should you purchase travel insurance for your vacation rental?

For Amex's trip cancellation and interruption insurance, coverage does not apply to any accident, accidental bodily injury or loss caused by or resulting directly or indirectly from the following:

• Preexisting conditions
• Suicide, attempted suicide or intentionally self-inflicted injury by the traveler
• A declared or undeclared war
• Mental or emotional disorders (unless hospitalized)
• Participation in a sporting activity (with a salary or prize money) by the traveler
• Intoxication by the traveler at the time of an accident (as defined by the laws of the location where the accident occurs)
• The traveler is under the influence of any narcotic or other controlled substance at the time of an accident (unless taken as prescribed by a physician)
• Commission or attempted commission of any illegal or criminal act by the traveler
• The traveler parachutes from an aircraft or engages or participates in a motorized vehicular race or speed contest
• Dental treatment, except as a result of accidental bodily injury to sound, natural teeth
• Any nonemergency treatment, surgery or routine physical examination
• Hearing aids, eyeglasses or contact lenses
• The traveler is incarcerated
• Loss due to intentional acts by the traveler
• Financial insolvency of a travel agency, tour operator or travel supplier

Related: Will your travel insurance cover you in case of vendor bankruptcy?

If a covered loss causes you to cancel your trip, Amex may reimburse you for the nonrefundable amount you paid to a travel supplier with your eligible card.

However, suppose a covered loss causes you to interrupt your trip. In that case, Amex may reimburse you for the nonrefundable amount paid to a travel supplier with your eligible card for the following:

• The forfeited, nonrefundable, prepaid land, air and sea transportation arrangements that eligible travelers missed
• Additional transportation expenses incurred by eligible travelers, less any available refunds (not to exceed the cost of an economy-class ticket by the most direct route to rejoin the trip or return to the trip's origin)

Now, suppose a covered loss causes you to temporarily postpone transportation by a common carrier for a covered trip and set a new departure date. In that case, Amex will reimburse you for the following:

• Additional expenses incurred to purchase tickets for the new departure (not to exceed the difference between the original fare and the economy fare for the rescheduled trip by the most direct route)
• Unused, nonrefundable land, air and sea arrangements paid to a travel supplier

Official application link: The Platinum Card from American Express Official application link: The Business Platinum Card from American Express Official application link: Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Express Card Official application link: Delta SkyMiles Reserve Business American Express Card Official application link: Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant American Express Card

Visa Infinite cards

Although some Visa Infinite cards offer their own trip cancellation and interruption insurance, all Visa Infinite credit cards issued by U.S. banks provide a basic level of protection.

Visa Infinite cards offer trip cancellation and interruption protection covering the cardholder (you) and your immediate family when you purchase common carrier travel with your card. This benefit can reimburse up to $2,000 per trip for nonrefundable common carrier fares if you must cancel or interrupt your trip for a covered reason.

You can see a quick overview of the Visa Infinite protections on Visa's website . However, your card's guide to benefits will have the full details.

Related: How to choose the best Visa card for you

Who is covered?

Who is covered by credit card trip cancellation and interruption insurance varies greatly. For example, eligible premium Chase cards cover the cardholder and immediate family members when the cardholder pays for all or a portion of a trip with their card account or rewards associated with their account. For these cards, an immediate family member is someone with any of the following relationships to the cardholder:

Spouse, and parents thereof; sons and daughters, including adopted children and stepchildren; parents, including stepparents; brothers and sisters; grandparents and grandchildren; aunts or uncles; nieces or nephews; and Domestic Partner and parents thereof, including Domestic Partners or Spouses of any individual of this definition.

Immediate family members also include legal guardians or wards for premium Chase cards. And the guide to benefits for the Chase Sapphire Preferred notes that immediate family members do not need to travel with the cardholder for benefits to apply.

On the other hand, eligible American Express cards cover the cardholder, their family members and traveling companions. The guide to benefits for eligible Amex cards defines a traveling companion as "an individual who has made advanced arrangements with you or your Family Members to travel together for all or part of a Covered Trip" and family members as:

A spouse, Domestic Partner, or unmarried dependent child up to age 19 (or under age twenty-six (26) if a full time student at an accredited college or university).

So although Amex will cover traveling companions, you'll need to charge their common carrier fares to your eligible Amex card. On the other hand, Chase doesn't cover traveling companions but does provide a broad interpretation of family and doesn't require round-trip common carrier travel.

Related: Does credit card travel insurance cover authorized users?

How do I file a trip cancellation or trip interruption insurance claim?

• Contact your issuer: Call your credit card's benefits administrator or start a claim online. Even if you believe your insurance will cover you after reading your card's guide to benefits, it is usually a good idea to call the number on the back of your card. Doing so will let you ensure you're covered, learn about deadlines for making your claim and determine what documents you'll need to collect.
• Submit on time: Most claims must be made within 20-60 days of the cancellation to be eligible for reimbursement, depending on your specific card issuer's guidelines.
• Present evidence: After you present your claim, a benefits administrator will give you further instructions to file your claim. It'll help to submit physical documentation with your claim (such as receipts, doctor's notes and weather advisories), plus anything else that can help validate your claim.

A benefits administrator can usually walk you through specific steps to make your claim. Luckily, many card issuers also allow you to make claims online, so you may not even need to hop on the phone to send any physical documents.

Related: Comparing travel protections with the Chase Sapphire Reserve and Amex Platinum

Bottom line

The trip cancellation and interruption insurance provided by select cards can come in handy when something unexpected forces you to cancel or interrupt a trip.

However, there are many exclusions. So it pays to read the guide to benefits on your favorite cards. By doing so, you can determine the best card for booking flights and consider whether it's better to rely on the travel insurance provided by your card or purchase travel insurance .

For Capital One products listed on this page, some of the above benefits are provided by Visa® or Mastercard® and may vary by product. See the respective Guide to Benefits for details, as terms and exclusions apply.

Additional reporting by Ryan Wilcox and Emily Thompson.

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The Guide to Alaska Airlines Travel Insurance

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Some airlines offer its passengers the convenient option of purchasing travel insurance along with their flights, and Alaska Airlines is one of them. Alaska’s travel insurance is provided through Allianz Travel Insurance .

If you’re wondering if it’s worth purchasing Alaska Airlines travel insurance, here's a look at what it covers, how much it costs and other factors to help you determine if purchasing this coverage is right for you.

How to buy Alaska travel insurance

You can buy Alaska Airlines trip insurance while you’re booking a flight or add coverage to a flight you’ve already booked.

When you're booking

Buying coverage when you book your flight is easy. After selecting your flight and seats, but before purchasing the ticket, you’ll be given the option to add travel insurance.

If you decide to purchase Alaska travel insurance, you’ll select “Yes” to add protection, and the cost of the insurance will be added to your total and paid at booking.

» Learn more: How to find the best travel insurance

If you already booked

Visit https://www.etravelprotection.com/alaska/home to begin the process of adding trip insurance coverage to a flight that you bought previously.

The process starts by getting a quote. This will ask you for details like your home state and destination, as well as the cost of the trip and your age. From there, you will be given multiple plan options. Select the plan that provides the coverage you deem will fit your needs.

Travel booked with points and miles is also eligible for coverage.

What does Alaska travel insurance cover?

If you purchase Alaska travel insurance, you’ll receive the following benefits:

Trip cancellation and interruption . If your trip is canceled or interrupted due to a covered reason, this benefit will reimburse any prepaid and nonrefundable travel expenses you’ve already made.

Emergency medical and dental protection . If you need to obtain medical or dental care for an accident or illness , you’ll be reimbursed the cost of care.

Emergency medical transportation protection . If you need emergency transportation due to a covered illness or injury, this coverage will arrange and pay for transportation to the nearest appropriate medical facility. You’ll also receive assistance getting home after treatment. 

Travel delay protection . If your trip is delayed for more than six hours for a covered reason, you’ll be reimbursed the cost of meals and accommodation while you wait.

Baggage loss/damage protection . If you lose your luggage or it gets damaged or stolen, this coverage will reimburse you the cost of your personal effects.

Baggage delay protection . If your bags are delayed for over 24 hours, you’ll receive reimbursement for the cost of necessary personal items, like clothes or toiletries.

Change fee protection . If you need to change your flight itinerary, you’ll be reimbursed for any fees incurred — but only if the change is made for a covered reason.

24/7 assistance . Multilingual travel experts are available to assist you with any unexpected travel issues.

Epidemic coverage . You may be eligible for reimbursement of some expenses related to COVID-19 if it affects your travel plans.

Alaska’s travel insurance — which includes trip cancellation, travel delay, baggage loss/damage coverage and more — is fairly comprehensive.

However, keep in mind that Alaska Airlines travel insurance reimburses you for covered reasons only, such as canceling a trip due to a death in the family or receiving medical care due to an unexpected illness. Be sure to review your policy to understand which situations are covered and which aren’t.

» Learn more: How free travelers insurance through credit cards works

Alaska travel insurance cost

The cost of Alaska travel insurance varies based on a number of factors, including your destination and the length of stay. As a result, you won’t know the cost of the insurance coverage until you’re ready to book.

To give you an idea of how much Alaska travel insurance could cost, we tested out a few travel destinations and trip lengths:

Six-night round-trip flight from Los Angeles to Liberia, Costa Rica: $45.

Four-night round-trip flight from Seattle to New York-John F. Kennedy: $31.

One-way flight from San Francisco to Fort Lauderdale, Florida: $21.

Two-week round-trip flight from Portland, Oregon, to Honolulu: $30.

Although the flight insurance cost can vary, based on our searches, it’s unlikely you’ll end up paying more than $50 for your trip.

» Learn more: Best travel insurance companies right now

How to file a claim with Alaska travel insurance

Alaska gives you two options to file a claim through Allianz Travel:

File a claim online . You can file a claim online by visiting https://www.etravelprotection.com/claims/claims-process . 

Call to file a claim . To file a claim by phone, call 800-496-6593. You can also call this number if you have questions about your coverage.

Filing online can be simpler than other options as you can upload the documents needed to support your claim.

Is Alaska travel insurance worth it?

Here are a few factors to consider to help determine if Alaska Airlines flight insurance is worth it for you:

Do you have similar travel insurance through one of your travel cards? Some cards, like the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card and The Platinum Card® from American Express , offer travel insurance for flights paid for on the card. If you book your Alaska flight with a card with travel insurance , it’s usually not worth purchasing the additional travel insurance offered through Alaska Airlines. Terms apply.

Are you an anxious traveler? If you worry about unexpected situations when you travel and don’t otherwise have travel insurance, purchasing coverage through Alaska may ease some of your stress and make your travel experience more enjoyable.

Are you traveling to a destination where there are extra risks for travel issues? While there’s always a chance that something could go wrong with your travel plans, you may face additional risks depending on when or where you’re flying — for instance, traveling to the Caribbean during hurricane season or visiting a country with a travel warning for tourists. In these cases, you may want to consider purchasing Alaska travel insurance if you’re not already covered through a credit card or other plan.

While only you can make the call if Alaska travel insurance is worth it for you, the above considerations will help you decide if it’s worth purchasing coverage.

» Learn more: Is Alaska Airlines good?

Alaska Airlines travel insurance recapped

Alaska makes its travel insurance easy to purchase and file a claim, should the need arise. The cost of coverage varies based on trip destination and length and includes trip cancellation and interruption, emergency medical and baggage protection for covered reasons.

However, before purchasing a plan through Alaska, you should first check to see if you have travel insurance through your credit card, since purchasing another policy usually isn't worth it if you already have coverage.

How to maximize your rewards

You want a travel credit card that prioritizes what’s important to you. Here are our picks for the best travel credit cards of 2024 , including those best for:

Flexibility, point transfers and a large bonus: Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

No annual fee: Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card

Flat-rate travel rewards: Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

Bonus travel rewards and high-end perks: Chase Sapphire Reserve®

Luxury perks: The Platinum Card® from American Express

Business travelers: Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card

on Chase's website

1x-10x Earn 5x total points on flights and 10x total points on hotels and car rentals when you purchase travel through Chase Travel℠ immediately after the first $300 is spent on travel purchases annually. Earn 3x points on other travel and dining & 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases.

60,000 Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $900 toward travel when you redeem through Chase Travel℠.

1x-5x 5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries, 2x on all other travel purchases, 1x on all other purchases.

60,000 Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $750 when you redeem through Chase Travel℠.

1x-2x Earn 2X points on Southwest® purchases. Earn 2X points on local transit and commuting, including rideshare. Earn 2X points on internet, cable, and phone services, and select streaming. Earn 1X points on all other purchases.

50,000 Earn 50,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.

• Best for Travel Rewards
• Best for Cash Back
• Why You Should Trust Us

Best Bank of America Business Credit Cards 2024

Affiliate links for the products on this page are from partners that compensate us and terms apply to offers listed (see our advertiser disclosure with our list of partners for more details). However, our opinions are our own. See how we rate credit cards to write unbiased product reviews .

The information for the following product(s) has been collected independently by Business Insider: Bank of America® Business Advantage Travel Rewards World Mastercard® credit card, Bank of America® Business Advantage Unlimited Cash Rewards Mastercard® Credit Card, Bank of America® Business Advantage Customized Cash Rewards Mastercard® credit card, Alaska Airlines Business Credit Card, Platinum Plus® Mastercard® Business Credit Card. The details for these products have not been reviewed or provided by the issuer.

Overview of Bank of America Business Credit Cards

As a small business owner, utilizing a business credit card is wise because you can separate your personal and business expenses, making accounting easier. Plus, you can earn rewards for your spending and access to benefits like purchase protection and travel insurance. 

The unique advantage the Bank of America business cards have over many of the other best business credit cards is the Preferred Rewards program , through which Bank of America loyalists can access elevated reward rates and maximize their business spending. 

We've curated a list of the best Bank of America business cards, giving you the information you need to find the right credit card for your business. This guide showcases the variety of cards available, highlights their key features, and explains how they cater to different business requirements such as cash flow management, travel expenses, and reward preferences.

Compare the Top Bank of America Business Credit Cards

0% intro APR for the first nine billing cycles on purchases

18.49% - 28.49% variable

Earn 30,000 online bonus points

• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. You can earn 30,000 online welcome bonus points
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. 1.5 points per dollar on every purchase with no cap
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. No annual fee/foreign transaction fee
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Some cards offer longer intro APR
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. There are no airline or hotel partners to transfer points to

Earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on all purchases.

0% intro APR on purchases for the first nine billing cycles

Earn a $300 online statement credit

• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. You can earn a $300 welcome bonus offer
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. 1.5% cash back on all purchases with no cap
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. No annual fee
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Some cards offer longer intro APR and higher rewards rates
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. You need to be a Preferred Rewards member to earn higher rewards
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. 3% foreign transaction fee

Earn 3% cash back in the category of your choice (gas stations and EV charging stations is the default category). Earn 2% cash back on dining purchases. Earning in the 3% and 2% cash back categories is on the first $50,000 in combined choice category/dining purchases each calendar year, 1% thereafter. Earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases.

18.49% - 28.49% Variable

• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Good welcome bonus for a no-annual-fee business card
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Cardholders can choose their own 3% cash-back category from a list
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Bank of America Preferred Rewards for Business customers can earn up to 75% more rewards
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. 3% and 2% cash back categories are capped at $50,000 in combined purchases per year (then 1%)
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Card only earns 1% back in non-bonus categories
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Foreign transaction fees

The no-annual-fee Bank of America® Business Advantage Customized Cash Rewards Mastercard® credit card is great for small-business owners who want to control how they earn rewards and maximize every dollar spent. The card has a solid welcome bonus, good redemption options, and a fair intro APR deal. But if you don't spend big in the select bonus categories, you should consider a different no-annual-fee business rewards card.

Earn unlimited 3 miles for every $1 spent on eligible Alaska Airlines purchases. Earn 2 miles per dollar on eligible gas, shipping, and local transit including rideshare purchases. Earn unlimited 1 mile for every $1 spent on all other purchases.

$70 per company and $25 per card

21.24% - 29.24% Variable

50,000 bonus miles and Alaska's Famous Companion Fare™

• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Annual companion fare
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Free first checked bag and priority boarding on Alaska flights for primary cardholder/authorized users and up to six companions on the same reservation
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. 10% bonus on miles earned with the card if you have a qualifying Bank of America business account
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Must use card to pay for ticket to receive free checked bag and priority boarding on Alaska flights
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Additional authorized user cards have an annual fee of $25 per year
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Annual companion fare requires spending $6,000 on purchases in a card anniversary year

0% intro APR on purchases for the first 7 billing cycles

16.49% - 27.49% variable

• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. 0% intro APR for seven billing cycles, then regular APR applies
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Offers welcome bonus
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. No rewards or unique benefits on new purchases and balance transfers
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Pales in comparison to most other credit cards available

Best Bank of America Business Credit Cards

• Bank of America® Business Advantage Travel Rewards World Mastercard® credit card : Best for travel rewards
• Bank of America® Business Advantage Unlimited Cash Rewards Mastercard® Credit Card : Best for flat-rate cash back
• Bank of America® Business Advantage Customized Cash Rewards Mastercard® credit card : Best for choosing your cash back category
• Alaska Airlines Business Credit Card : Best for airline miles
• Platinum Plus® Mastercard® Business Credit Card : Best for 0% intro APR offer

Bank of America Business Credit Card Reviews

Bank of america® business advantage travel rewards world mastercard® credit card: best for travel rewards.

The Bank of America® Business Advantage Travel Rewards World Mastercard® credit card is a solid choice for a no-annual-fee business card, earning an unlimited 1.5% back for every dollar spent.

This card comes with a welcome offer of 30,000 online bonus points after you spend $3,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of your account opening, worth $300 towards travel or dining purchases, based on Business Insider's points valuations .

Business checking account holders who qualify for Bank of America's Preferred Rewards program will earn up to an unlimited 2.62 points for every $1 spent, so it's easy to see how your rewards could add up. There are various ways to redeem your rewards, including travel with no blackout dates at the Bank of America Travel Center, statement credits to offset travel and dining purchases, and more. 

Travelers will also appreciate that the card doesn't charge foreign transaction fees, which can save you about 3% on every purchase. 

Check out our in-depth review of the Bank of America Business Advantage Travel Rewards card for more details.

Bank of America® Business Advantage Unlimited Cash Rewards Mastercard® Credit Card: Best for flat-rate cash back

The Bank of America® Business Advantage Unlimited Cash Rewards Mastercard® Credit Card is another easy-to-use product for business owners.

This card doesn't come with an annual fee, and cardholders can earn a welcome bonus of $300 online statement credit after you make at least $3,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of your account opening.

They'll also earn 1.5% cash back on all purchases, with no limits on the number of points you can earn –– with those who qualify for the bank's Preferred Rewards program accessing even higher earnings rates that rival most cash-back credit cards .

If these benefits sounds a lot like those on the Bank of America® Business Advantage Travel Rewards World card, you aren't dreaming. The primary difference between these two cards comes from the type of rewards you earn and how you can redeem them.

The Bank of America® Business Advantage Travel Rewards World Mastercard® credit card earns travel rewards, while the Bank of America® Business Advantage Unlimited Cash Rewards Mastercard® Credit Card earns cash back as a deposit into your Bank of America checking or savings account, as a card statement credit, or as a check.

Read our Bank of America Business Advantage Unlimited Cash Rewards review for more details on this card.

Bank of America® Business Advantage Customized Cash Rewards Mastercard® credit card: Best for choosing your cash back category

If you're looking for a Bank of America business credit card that offers a little customization when it comes to earning rewards, this card is for you.

The Bank of America® Business Advantage Customized Cash Rewards Mastercard® credit card is yet another no-annual-fee card that offers a welcome bonus of $300 online statement credit after you make at least $3,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of your account opening.

You'll also earn 3% cash back per dollar spent in the category of your choice, 2% cash back on dining purchases, and 1% cash back on all other purchases.

There's a combined annual spending cap on the total cash back you can earn, but the 3% categories you can choose from include common expenses like gas stations and EV charging stations, office supply stores, travel, and more. That 3% rewards rate tops our list of the best credit cards for gas purchases .

That said, this card likely isn't the right choice if you're looking for simplicity, since you'll need to plan ahead for specific purchases in order to maximize your rewards. 

Read our Bank of America Business Advantage Customized Cash Rewards card review for more information.

Alaska Airlines Business Credit Card: Best for airline miles 

The Alaska Airlines Business Credit Card is the only Bank of America business card that earns airline miles, with an annual fee of $70 per company and $25 per card. With the card's welcome offer, you'll earn 50,000 bonus miles and Alaska's Famous Companion Fare™ ($99 fare plus taxes and fees from $23) after you make $3,000 or more in purchases within the first 90 days of opening your account.

Cardholders earn 3 miles per dollar spent on eligible Alaska Airlines purchases including flights and onboard food or beverages; 2 miles per dollar on eligible gas, EV charging station, shipping and local transit (including rideshare) purchases; and 1 mile per dollar on all other purchases. 

You'll also get perks like a free checked bag for the cardholder and up to 6 guests on the same reservation when you pay for your flight with your card. This benefit alone can translate into serious savings considering checked bag fees cost $60 per person roundtrip. 

If you're a regular with Alaska Airlines or like using their miles for flights on partner airlines, this card can make a lot of sense. But it likely has limited value for many small business owners, given that other cards offer more flexibility when it comes to earning and redeeming rewards. 

Here's our full review of the Bank of America Alaska Airlines Visa credit card . 

Platinum Plus® Mastercard® Business Credit Card: Best for 0% intro APR offer

The Platinum Plus® Mastercard® Business Credit Card is the final business credit card in our roundup, and the most underwhelming offer in Bank of America's business card lineup.

This no-annual-fee card offers a decent welcome bonus of $300 online statement credit after you make at least $3,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening. It also offers an 0% intro APR on purchases for the first 7 billing cycles, then 16.49% - 27.49% variable APR. But it doesn't offer any ongoing rewards or unique benefits.

Approval for this card typically requires excellent credit. If you have the credit score to qualify for this card, there are dozens of better options for you to consider.

If you'd like a card that offers a period of zero-interest to help you manage existing credit card debt, check out our guide to the best credit cards for balance transfers . And if you'd like a no-annual-fee card that still earns rewards, take a look at our guide to the best no-annual-fee business credit cards . 

Comparing Bank of America Business Credit Cards

Bank of America offers relatively few business cards compared to some competitors like Amex and Chase, and most of their rewards and benefits can be found on other products as well. 

Rewards and Cash Back Comparison

You'll get the best value out of most Bank of America credit cards if you're a business checking account holder who qualifies for Bank of America's Preferred Rewards program.

Qualification requirements are steep, however, and can be challenging for many small business owners to attain. To reach the base tier of the Preferred Rewards program, you need to maintain a three-month average combined balance of $20,000 to $50,000 in your Bank of America banking and/or Merrill investment accounts. If you don't meet this requirement, you'll earn relatively low rewards per dollar spent on your cards. 

Many of the best small business credit cards on our list earn far more generous rewards on select categories, and can match or exceed the rates offered on most Bank of America business cards. 

Travel Benefits and Perks Comparison

If you're a frequent flyer on Alaska Airlines, the $70 per company and $25 per card Alaska Airlines Business Credit Card is a great choice for you. This is Alaska's only business credit card, and offers one of the fastest ways for you to quickly rack up miles for award travel. 

However, there aren't any other good Bank of America business cards for travel perks. Most of Bank of America's other travel credit cards pale in comparison to the very best business credit cards for travel . While the Bank of America® Business Advantage Travel Rewards World Mastercard® credit card offers up to 5.25% back on select travel purchases, that high rate of return is dependent on top-tier Preferred Rewards banking status through Bank of America.

A top business credit card for travel such as the Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card blows Bank of America's travel card out of the water because it earns 3x Chase Ultimate Rewards® points, worth 1.8 cents apiece by our valuations,  on every dollar spent toward travel expenses without additional banking requirements — and comes with great travel benefits to boot. 

How to Qualify for a Business Credit Card 

Regardless of your goals surrounding earning rewards, having a business card is a smart move if you're a small business owner. Luckily, qualifying for a business card is easier than many think. A formal LLC or a business with a million dollars in revenue isn't required. Sole proprietorships and activities such as tutoring, freelancing, and reselling can qualify you for such cards. 

Having a business card is a savvy decision for small business owners whether you want to earn rewards or simplify your accounting. You don't need a formal LLC or a million-dollar revenue-generating business; activities like driving for a rideshare company, freelancing, and reselling can make you eligible for these cards.

How to Apply for a Bank of America Business Credit Card

Applying for a Bank of America business card (or any small business credit card, for that matter) is more or less the same process as applying for a personal card –– you'll just have to provide information on your business along with your personal info.

Filling out the application is the first step, where you'll provide details like your name, date of birth, and social security number (SSN). You'll also be required to share your business information, like your business name, yearly revenue, and Employer Identification Number (EIN). 

You can apply for a business card using your SSN, so don't fret if you don't have an EIN. Regardless, the decision to approve or deny you for a card will be based on information from your personal credit report, and you'll be personally responsible for any charges made to your business card. 

Bank of America Business Credit Card Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, your business can have multiple Bank of America business credit cards at the same time. Holding different cards can be a strategic approach to maximizing potential rewards and benefits across different spending categories and needs.

Bank of America business credit cards have tools such as account alerts, spending limits for employee cards, and accounting software integration that help your business track expenses and effectively manage cash flow.

Yes, some Bank of America business credit cards offer sign-up bonuses, also called welcome bonus offers. These bonuses usually offer cash back, reward points, or lower APR offers after meeting certain requirements, and can provide additional value to new cardholders.

Yes, rewards earned on Bank of America business credit cards can be used to book flights, hotels, and other travel-related expenses. Some Bank of America business cards are specifically designed for travel, including the Bank of America® Business Advantage Travel Rewards World Mastercard® credit card and the Alaska Airlines Business Credit Card.

 You can apply for a Bank of America business credit card online, over the phone, or in person. You'll need to submit an application with your business and personal information. Approval is based on several factors including your credit history and business financials.

The Preferred Rewards program offers Bank of America deposit or investment account holders who maintain a specific deposit amount with the bank over time special banking discounts, bonus rewards on credit card spending, and various other perks. It's a program that rewards Bank of America customers for their loyalty.

Yes, Bank of America can be a good bank for a credit card if one of the business cards they offer aligns with your business' spending habits and financial goals. Ideally, you consider all of the best business credit cards during your search to find one that truly fits your needs. 

You can use Bank of America's online application status page to check your credit card application status. You'll be asked to provide your last name, date of birth, the last four digits of your social security number, and your zip code.

The best Bank of America business credit card for you is ultimately about finding the card that aligns with your spending habits and financial goals. What works for one business might not work for another. Consider factors like the card's welcome bonus, benefits, and perks when choosing. A card is worth it when you can make the most of what the card has to offer. 

Yes, getting a Bank of America business card can be hard because all their cards require good to excellent credit. That means your FICO score must be 740+. The final decision will be based on your total credit profile, but a strong credit score is a key factor in approval.

Why You Should Trust Us: How We Reviewed the Best Bank of America Business Credit Cards

In constructing this roundup of the best Bank of America small business credit cards, we reviewed each card's attributes, including:

• Welcome offers
• Annual fees
• Rewards earnings rates
• Ongoing perks and benefits 
• Approval requirements

With this information in hand, readers can decide which Bank of America business card fits their business based on their needs and financial goals. 

To read more about all the other credit cards on the market, including personal and business cards, browse our credit card reviews hub .

We share how we rate and review credit cards at Business Insider so that readers can understand our process. Although some cards are affiliates, we prioritize delivering unbiased reviews without favoring specific cards for financial gain.

Business Insider's credit cards team operates independently from Business Insider's business team and maintains stringent editorial standards.

Editorial Note: Any opinions, analyses, reviews, or recommendations expressed in this article are the author’s alone, and have not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any card issuer. Read our editorial standards .

Please note: While the offers mentioned above are accurate at the time of publication, they're subject to change at any time and may have changed, or may no longer be available.

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