Maximize Your Travel with the Alaska Mileage Plus Visa Card

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Snowy Alaskan Ridge Under a Clear Blue Sky
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The Alaska Mileage Plus Visa Card is a great tool for maximizing your travel rewards. You can earn 50,000 bonus miles after spending $2,000 in the first 90 days.

With this card, you can earn miles on every purchase, and redeem them for travel on Alaska Airlines and its partners. This can be a huge advantage for frequent flyers, as you can use your miles to book flights, hotels, and other travel expenses.

The card also comes with a $100 credit for a Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee, which can save you time and hassle when traveling. This can be a huge perk, especially for business travelers or those who fly frequently.

One of the best features of this card is the miles-earning potential. You can earn 3 miles per dollar spent on Alaska Airlines purchases, and 1 mile per dollar spent on all other purchases. This can add up quickly, especially if you use the card for your daily expenses.

Benefits and Features

An Alaska Airlines aircraft flying against a clear blue sky in a daytime setting.
Credit: pexels.com, An Alaska Airlines aircraft flying against a clear blue sky in a daytime setting.

The Alaska Airlines Visa offers several benefits that make it a great choice for frequent flyers.

The card has a $95 annual fee, but it provides elite-like perks without Alaska Airlines MVP elite status.

Cardholders get one piece of free checked luggage for themselves and up to six other passengers on the same reservation when they pay with the card, saving $35 per person each way on checked bags.

You'll also enjoy Alaska-related discounts, including 20% back on Alaska Airlines inflight purchases.

Lounge Membership Discount

If you're a frequent flyer, this card can save you $100 on the Alaska Lounge+ membership fee, which is a significant perk.

The regular membership fee is $550 for Alaska elite status members and $650 for non-elites, so a discount of $100 is a substantial saving.

Alaska Lounge+ includes access to nine Alaska lounges and 90 other partner lounges, giving you a wide range of options to relax and unwind during your travels.

Benefits

Alaska Airlines Boeing jet soaring through a clear blue sky.
Credit: pexels.com, Alaska Airlines Boeing jet soaring through a clear blue sky.

The Alaska Airlines Visa card has some amazing benefits that make it a great choice for frequent flyers. With a $95 annual fee, you'll get elite-like perks without needing Alaska Airlines MVP elite status.

One of the standout benefits is the free checked luggage perk, which saves you $35 per person each way on checked bags. This can add up quickly, especially if you're traveling with friends or family.

Cardholders also enjoy Alaska-related discounts, including 20% back on Alaska Airlines inflight purchases. This is a great way to save money on your flights.

Starting in 2025, cardholders will earn 1 EQM toward elite status qualification for every $3 spent on the card, up to a total of 30,000 EQMs each year. This can help you earn MVP status and get closer to MVP Gold.

The annual companion fare is another lucrative benefit, which you'll earn every year on your account anniversary if you've spent $6,000 or more within the prior anniversary year. This can be a huge perk if you fly Alaska with a friend or family member regularly.

Credit: youtube.com, Features and Benefits

There's no foreign transaction fee, so you can use the card anywhere around the globe without incurring extra charges. This makes it a great option for international travel.

You can also get $100 off an annual Alaska Lounge+ membership when you pay with this card. Alaska lounges are known for their excellent amenities, including fluffy and golden brown pancakes.

Shopping Portal

The Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan Shopping Portal is a great way to earn miles for online purchases. You can sign into your Alaska Mileage Plan account and click through to the desired retailer to complete your purchase.

Similar to other portals, miles will be deposited in your account after the purchase has been verified. This is a convenient way to earn miles on everyday purchases.

The only caveat is that this portal is designed for US residents, which may limit its usefulness for Canadians. Many retailers use different domains or websites for different geographic locations, making it harder to earn miles through this portal.

Earning and Redemption

Fjord in the Mountains of Alaska
Credit: pexels.com, Fjord in the Mountains of Alaska

Earning Alaska miles is a straightforward process, and you can do so through the Alaska Airlines Visa card. This card offers two ways to earn miles: through the sign-up bonus and through other spending.

You'll earn 3 miles per dollar on eligible Alaska Airlines purchases, 2 miles per dollar on gas, local transit, electric vehicle charging stations, ride-hailing, cable, and select streaming services, and 1 mile per dollar on all other eligible purchases.

If you have an eligible Bank of America account, you'll enjoy a 10% bonus on all miles earned, boosting your effective earning rates on these purchases even higher.

The Alaska Airlines Visa Signature credit card is one of the best cards for earning Alaska miles, and it comes with ongoing perks like a free checked bag and priority boarding for you and up to six companions on the same reservation.

Here are some key earning rates on the Alaska Airlines Visa Signature credit card:

  • 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
  • 1 mile for every $1 spent on all other purchases

Free Stopovers

Credit: youtube.com, 20 Airlines with FREE Stopovers

Free stopovers are a game-changer for travelers. Alaska Airlines is one of the few airlines that still offers this valuable policy.

To search for stopovers, use the "multi-city" search option on the Alaska flight tool. This will allow you to find flights with stopovers, which can be a great way to get two trips for the price of one.

A stopover is a long layover in a connecting city, often lasting weeks or months. For example, a business class flight from Los Angeles to Bangkok with a two-week stop in Tokyo on JAL costs the same amount (65,000 miles) as a flight from Los Angeles to Bangkok.

Keep in mind that the stopover must be in a hub city for that airline. So if you're looking to fly through Tokyo, you can only book a stopover award with JAL.

Here are some key facts to keep in mind when searching for stopovers:

  • Use the "multi-city" search option on the Alaska flight tool.
  • Stopovers must be in a hub city for that airline.
  • Search for partner flights, premium cabin flights, and free stopovers for the best value.

Earning on the

the Snow Covered Tapper Creek in Alaska During Winter
Credit: pexels.com, the Snow Covered Tapper Creek in Alaska During Winter

Earning on the Alaska Airlines Visa Signature credit card is straightforward, with three main ways to rack up Alaska miles. You'll earn 3 miles per dollar spent on eligible Alaska Airlines purchases, making it a decent return on spending, especially when valued at 1.3 cents apiece.

To maximize your earnings, consider using the card for Alaska Airlines purchases, as the 3x multiplier is a great way to get Alaska miles. If you have an eligible Bank of America account, you'll earn a 10% bonus on all miles earned from card purchases, which can add up quickly.

Here's a breakdown of the earning structure:

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

This earning structure is competitive with other travel cards, and the 3x multiplier on Alaska purchases is a great way to earn Alaska miles.

Credit Card Details

The Alaska Airlines Visa Signature credit card is a top choice for earning Alaska miles, which can be redeemed for flights on Oneworld partner airlines like Cathay Pacific, Japan Airlines, and American Airlines.

Credit: youtube.com, Honest Review of Alaska Airlines Visa Signature Credit Card for Families in 2024

You can earn unlimited 3 miles for every $1 spent on eligible Alaska Airlines purchases, making it easy to rack up miles quickly.

The card also offers a free checked bag and priority boarding when you pay for your flight with the card, which is a huge perk for frequent flyers.

To qualify for the card, you'll need a credit score of 670 or above, and the annual fee is $95.

Here are the key benefits of the Alaska Airlines Visa Signature credit card:

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

Additionally, there's a limited time offer to earn 60,000 bonus miles plus Alaska's Famous Companion Fare with this offer. To qualify, make $3,000 or more in purchases within the first 90 days of opening your account.

Note that the changes Alaska Airlines is making to its award charts give this intro bonus even more heft, with one-way domestic flights with partner airlines starting at 4,500 miles or less.

Redeeming and Booking

Credit: youtube.com, How to get MAXIMUM VALUE from Alaska Airline Miles (+Credit Card Review)

To redeem your Alaska miles, sign into your Alaska Airlines Mileage account and access the search tool. Ensure you click the “Use miles” button; many routes will show as invalid if you do not select this box.

You can search for award fares by checking the "use miles" box in the Alaska flight search tool. This will allow you to see available flights that can be booked with your miles.

Alaska miles can be redeemed for flights on Alaska Airlines and on Oneworld Alliance and other partner airlines. There are also some excellent sweet spots available when it comes to redeeming Alaska miles.

To book an award ticket, simply select the class of service you are redeeming for and finalize the booking process by entering your personal details and credit card for payment. You will pay just the taxes and fees on your award ticket.

Some airline partners, such as Cathay Pacific, cannot be booked through the online tool. Instead, you will need to call 1-800-252-7522 to speak to an Alaska Airlines reservations agent who will assist you with your booking.

Credit: youtube.com, Why Alaska Airlines Miles Are So Valuable

The Alaska Mileage Plan flight award chart can be used to find out how many miles your award flight will cost. Simply enter where you are traveling from and where you are going to see a variety of award charts populate for all Alaska Airlines partners that fly to and from the chosen areas.

Here are some key partner airlines to target for partner redemptions:

  • American Airlines
  • Cathay Pacific
  • Japan Airlines

These airlines offer better award charts and more valuable redemptions than some of Alaska's other partners.

If you're looking to book a premium cabin flight, you can search for award fares on the Alaska website. The best value is often found in partner flights, premium cabin flights, and free stopovers.

Some popular sweet spots for Alaska miles include:

  • Japan Airlines first class (70,000 Alaska miles per direction)
  • Cathay Pacific first class (bookable at 70,000 Alaska miles per direction)
  • Fiji Airways business class (55,000 Alaska miles per direction)

These redemptions can be a great way to spend your Alaska miles, but be sure to check availability and prices carefully before booking.

Cost and Value

The cost of the Alaska Airlines Visa Signature Credit Card is $95 per year, which is a relatively low fee considering the benefits you'll receive. This card has a variable APR of 20.74% - 28.74%, but you won't have to worry about foreign transaction fees since they're waived.

Credit: youtube.com, $10k Alaska Business Mileage Plus Credit Card Limit!

You'll also need to pay attention to the interest rate, which can be quite high. To avoid this, make sure to pay your balance in full each month. The card's rewards are earned based on your purchases, with 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.

By using this card, you can earn a significant amount of miles, especially with the 60,000 bonus miles plus Alaska's Famous Companion Fare offer, which requires $3,000 or more in purchases within the first 90 days of opening your account. This bonus can be worth a lot, especially when you consider the potential value of Alaska miles for partner award flights, which can be booked starting at 4,500 miles for flights of 700 miles or less.

Card Expenses

Credit: youtube.com, The True Cost of Points & Miles Credit Cards

The Alaska Airlines Visa Signature credit card has a straightforward earning structure, but you'll want to consider the expenses involved. The annual fee is $95.

You'll also want to think about the value of the card's benefits, such as the free checked bag and priority boarding, which can save you money in the long run. If you take just one round-trip flight on Alaska Airlines and check a bag, you'd save $60.

The card's earning structure is simple, with 3 miles per dollar spent on eligible Alaska Airlines purchases, 2 miles per dollar spent on gas, EV charging stations, cable, streaming services, and local transit, and 1 mile per dollar spent on all other purchases. This can add up to a decent return on spending, especially if you value Alaska miles at 1.3 cents apiece.

With the 10% bonus on all miles earned from card purchases if you have an eligible Bank of America account, your earnings can increase even more. This means if you spent enough to earn 1,000 miles on the card, you would actually receive 1,100 miles with the bonus.

Here's a breakdown of the card's expenses:

  • Annual fee: $95
  • Checked bag fee savings: up to $60 per round-trip flight

Is It Worth It?

Majestic Alaskan mountains with snow-capped peaks under dramatic clouds.
Credit: pexels.com, Majestic Alaskan mountains with snow-capped peaks under dramatic clouds.

The Alaska Airlines Visa Signature Credit Card has a $95 annual fee, but its benefits make it a worthwhile investment. The card's earning rate is decent, with 3 miles for every $1 spent on eligible Alaska Airlines purchases.

The card also offers a limited-time welcome bonus of 60,000 miles, plus Alaska's Famous Companion Fare, with a $99 fare plus taxes and fees from $23. To qualify, you must make $3,000 or more in purchases within the first 90 days of opening your account.

The card's annual companion ticket is a valuable perk, especially considering the changes Alaska Airlines is making to its award charts. Under the new distance-based award prices, you can book one-way domestic flights with partner airlines starting at 4,500 miles for flights of 700 miles or less.

If you have a Bank of America deposit account, you can earn 10% more miles on purchases, making the card's earning rate even more attractive.

Alaska Airlines jet taking off against a clear blue sky, showcasing modern aviation.
Credit: pexels.com, Alaska Airlines jet taking off against a clear blue sky, showcasing modern aviation.

Here's a breakdown of the card's benefits:

Overall, the Alaska Airlines Visa Signature Credit Card is a great choice if you're an Alaska loyalist or want to diversify your points and miles portfolio with valuable Alaska miles. The card's low annual fee, decent earning rate, and valuable annual companion ticket make it a worthwhile investment.

Joan Corwin

Lead Writer

Joan Corwin is a seasoned writer with a passion for covering the intricacies of finance and entrepreneurship. With a keen eye for detail and a knack for storytelling, she has established herself as a trusted voice in the world of business journalism. Her articles have been featured in various publications, providing insightful analysis on topics such as angel investing, equity securities, and corporate finance.

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