If you’re looking to boost your Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan balance, here is a good opportunity to do so.
New applicants for the Alaska Airlines Visa Signature® credit card get 60,000 bonus miles and Alaska’s famous companion fare ($99 fare plus taxes and fees from $23) after spending $3,000 or more on purchases within the first 90 days from account opening.
Whether you’re looking for business-class flights to Australia and Asia or looking to use Alaska Airlines’ friendly stopover policy, there are many reasons why you want Alaska miles. However, do note that a new award chart came into effect in March. Plus, with the merger between Alaska and Hawaiian Airlines, you have more new and exciting flight options.
Alaska also recently announced changes to its loyalty program, which could make this card an excellent option for those looking to gain airline elite status in 2025.
Let’s take a look at the details of this new offer from the Alaska Airlines Visa card.
Alaska Airlines Visa welcome offer
New applicants for the Alaska Airlines Visa credit card can get 60,000 bonus miles and Alaska’s famous companion fare ($99 fare plus taxes and fees from $23) after spending $3,000 or more on purchases within the first 90 days from account opening.
Based on TPG’s October 2024 valuations, those 60,000 miles are worth $870. Plus, by meeting the same minimum spending requirement, new applicants will also earn a (very) discounted companion ticket by just paying for the taxes and fees associated with it.
It’s hard to peg an exact value on the companion ticket since you can use it for essentially any economy ticket across the carrier’s domestic and international network (though not on partner airlines). This includes one-way, round-trip and multicity routings. However, it can easily put hundreds of dollars back in your pocket on your next Alaska flight.
The card has a $95 annual fee.
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It’s also worth pointing out that Alaska Airlines does offer targeted bonuses on this card on the final page when booking a flight online. Be sure to try that avenue to see if you receive an even better offer.
Card benefits
The card itself comes with a nice lineup of perks and benefits.
You’ll earn 3 miles per dollar on eligible Alaska Airlines purchases, 2 miles per dollar on eligible gas, local transit (including ride-hailing apps), electric vehicle charging stations, cable and select streaming services and 1 mile per dollar on other purchases.
You’ll also receive priority boarding on Alaska Airlines flights for you and up to six guests on the same reservation when you pay for your flight with your card.
Your first checked bag is free for you and up to six guests on your same reservation, but again, you need to pay for your flights with your Alaska Airlines Visa card to qualify for this benefit. Priority boarding and checked bag benefits also apply to authorized users in your account, even if the primary cardholder isn’t traveling on that reservation.
While Alaska Airlines lounges have no day pass benefits, you can save $100 on an Alaska Lounge+ membership when paying with your Alaska Airlines credit card. Also, if you make inflight purchases with this card, you’ll receive a 20% rebate on food, beverage and Wi-Fi purchases.
In addition, the companion fare benefit is an annual perk granted to you each account anniversary after spending $6,000 or more within the prior anniversary year (in addition to the companion fare included in the welcome offer).
Furthermore, you’ll receive a 10% bonus on miles earned if you have an eligible qualifying bank account with Bank of America.
Plus, with new changes to the Mileage Plan program, cardholders can earn MVP Elite status starting on Jan 1, 2025, by spending on the car. It does require a large amount of spend to reach, but it’s a nice option to have if you’re chasing status.
Related: How my unused Alaska Companion Fare saved a co-worker nearly $700 on summer travel
Why Alaska Airlines miles are so valuable
Alaska Airlines has built a valuable frequent flyer program through an array of partnerships with several top-notch carriers.
Between a smattering of different partners that can provide outsize value (to those who know how to finagle the right partner redemptions) and the ability to book free stopovers, the Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan program is one of our favorites here at TPG.
Additionally, Alaska Airlines is part of the Oneworld alliance, adding additional partners for earning and redeeming your miles. Additionally, you can now earn Alaska Airlines EQMs on award flights, making it easier to reach MVP elite status.
One of our favorite uses of Alaska miles is to book Cathay Pacific’s incredibly luxurious premium cabins. One-way awards from the U.S. to Asia start from 85,000 miles in business class or 130,000 miles in first class — though availability can be hard to find.
Related: Here’s why Alaska Airlines miles are the most valuable
Bottom line
This current offer on the Alaska Airlines Visa credit card may not be the highest it’s ever been, but it does offer the chance to earn a good haul of miles without exorbitant spending requirements and comes with a generous companion offer. Make sure to brush up on the rules for applying for Bank of America cards, including the 2/3/4 rule, which limits consumers to only being approved for up to four new cards in a 24-month period.
Alaska miles offer some of the best value for premium cabin redemptions. This is a compelling option if you’re in the market for a new airline card, especially if you are looking at jump-starting your way to elite status in 2025.
Learn more about the card in our full review of the Alaska Airlines Visa credit card.
Apply here: Alaska Airlines Visa Signature credit card
Updated 10/22/24
