cYearning to travel the world — for less? Alaska Airlines miles can take you almost anywhere. With close to two dozen airline partners, redeeming your Alaska Airlines miles is incredibly easy — especially due to their favorable award chart. And thanks to the Alaska Airlines Visa® credit card, earning miles in the program is quite easy. Coupled with a generous bonus offer and a yearly companion fare certificate offer, this is a top credit card for travelers.
Here’s an in-depth look at the card and how it can allow you to save money on your next vacation.
Here is the most recent offer:
For those that fly Alaska Airlines even once a year, there's one main reason to get the card — Alaska’s Famous Companion Fare™, where a friend can fly with you (annual spend applies). Alaska miles are coveted by expert travelers due to the many partner airlines, making miles very handy when looking to book free flights.
For example, with flights as low as 12,500 miles across the country, your miles can snag you several one-way flights between New York and Los Angeles.
Or if you’d prefer to go big and cross the Pacific, 70,000 miles is enough for a roundtrip flight between Los Angeles and Tokyo. Even though you are using your Alaska Airline miles, you’ll be able to fly partner American Airlines or Japan Airlines on this journey.
How do I earn and redeem the Alaska Airlines companion fare ticket?
While the Alaska Airlines credit card offers many benefits, the best benefit is the incredibly easy to use companion fare certificate. With this one-time use certificate a companion can fly with you from $122 on any Alaska Airline operated flight ($99 fare plus taxes and fees, starting from $23), with no blackout dates.
The certificate is valid for coach travel only and both passengers must be booked at the same time, on the same itinerary. The certificate is valid for 12 months after being issued, and while the certificate must be redeemed by the expiration date, travel can occur after this date.
There truly is no catch to this certificate and in fact, if you find yourself not flying Alaska Airlines at any point, you can gift your certificate to a friend or family member. The only caveat is that you must use your Alaska Airlines credit card to pay for the primary ticket and the companion fee.
And even though the companion is flying for almost free, both travelers will earn miles on the flight flown.
In addition to earning this certificate with the current welcome offer, you will have the opportunity to earn a certificate every year. After spending at least $6,000 on the card, you will receive a companion fare certificate. The companion fare certificate will be given on the next anniversary date.
Alaska Airlines credit card benefits
Aside from the companion fare ticket, the Alaska Airlines credit card also comes with many rewarding benefits — all for just a $95 annual fee.
When using this card to pay for purchases, you’ll earn miles with the following structure:
- Earn unlimited 3 miles for every dollar spent on eligible Alaska Airlines purchases.
- Earn unlimited 2 miles per dollar on eligible gas, cable, streaming services and local transit (including ride sharing).
- Earn unlimited 1 mile per dollar on all other purchases.
- Miles don’t expire as long as your account is active.
Although this is on par with many other travel credit cards, earning double miles on many common purchases is a huge advantage and will help you increase your mileage balance even faster for the much needed vacation.
Additionally, those with an eligible Bank of America account will also receive an additional 10% rewards bonus on all miles earned from credit card purchases. With many ways to receive a free checking account, this is an easy way to earn between 1.1 and 3.3 miles per dollar spent every time you swipe your card.
You will also enjoy 20% back on Alaska Airlines inflight purchases when you pay with your card, $100 off an annual Alaska Lounge+ Membership when you pay with your card, and a free checked bag for you and up to six additional guests on the same reservation and priority boarding when you pay for your flight with your card.
Who should consider the Alaska Airlines credit card?
If Alaska Airlines — or any of Alaska’s partner airlines — are your go-to airline, this card should have a permanent spot in your wallet. With the Alaska Airlines companion certificate, you’ll find yourself easily offsetting the already low annual fee.
For those that fly Alaska Airlines even once a year, there's one main reason to get the card — Alaska’s Famous Companion Fare™, where a friend can fly with you (annual spend applies). Alaska miles are coveted by expert travelers due to the many partner airlines, making miles very handy when looking to book free flights.
