6 Reasons to Get the Alaska Airlines Visa Credit Card

Many or all of the products on this page are from partners who compensate us when you click to or take an action on their website, but this does not influence our evaluations or ratings. Our opinions are our own.

Updated · 2 min read
Profile photo of Reyna Gobel
Written by Reyna Gobel
Profile photo of Mary M. Flory
Edited by Mary M. Flory
Lead Assigning Editor
Fact Checked

As long as you fly Alaska Airlines at least once per year, there are lots of reasons to get the Alaska Airlines Visa Signature® credit card, including a free checked bag for the cardholder and up to six companions, access to the annual Companion Fare, and a low minimum spending requirement.

Here are just a few of the reasons to consider applying for the Alaska Airlines Visa Signature® credit card.

You fly at least annually on Alaska Airlines

This is really the top reason to get any airline credit card. Look back at your last two years of travel. Were any of these flights on Alaska Airlines? If not, think carefully about why you’d want this card.

While you can redeem Alaska miles for flights on other airlines, you can’t take advantage of the Companion Fare and free checked bags when you're flying solely on partner airlines.

» Learn more:

You check luggage on Alaska Airlines

One of the perks of most airline credit cards is a free checked bag on the airline. With the Alaska Airlines Visa Signature® credit card, you get a first checked bag free for yourself and up to six people on the same reservation. The best part? You don’t have to book the flights with your Alaska Airlines Visa Signature® credit card to qualify for this benefit.

Normally, the first checked bag has a $30 fee. You could save $180 on one flight in checked bag fees for a total of six people. If you are planning on traveling to Alaska, this perk can be especially valuable. You’re going to want to bring sweaters and bulkier items. Thus, you may need to check luggage. A family of four flying round-trip could save $240 with this perk.

You like the bonus miles offers

You can get 3 miles per $1 spent on Alaska Airlines purchase with the Alaska Airlines Visa Signature® credit card. All other purchases earn 1 mile per $1 spent. You don’t earn bonus miles for categories such as dining or groceries, unfortunately.

A $300 Alaska flight charged to this card would earn 900 miles That’s just for booking the ticket on your Alaska Airlines Visa Signature® credit card. You’ll earn additional miles through the Alaska MileagePlan program based on distance flown and cabin class. You can get a lot more value out of this card if you purchase flights on Alaska Airlines.

You'll also earn 2 miles for every $1 spent on eligible gas, EV charging station, cable, streaming services and local transit, including ride share purchases.

» Learn more:

You generally travel with a companion

One of the biggest reasons to get the Alaska Airlines Visa Signature® credit card is the annual Companion Fare. If you frequently travel as a twosome and spend at least $6,000 per year on the card, you'll receive a Companion Fare, allowing you to book your companion’s ticket starting at $121 ($99 fare plus taxes and fees from $22).

🤓Nerdy Tip

Existing cardholders prior to Jan. 18, 2023, will continue to earn a Companion Fare annually without the spend requirement.

The flight must be booked on alaskaair.com and requires a code that shows up in your Alaska account. Simply enter the code into the appropriate search field, search for the flight you want (for two passengers).

Note that the possibility of this ongoing benefit (assuming you meet spend requirements) is separate from the Companion Fare you can earn via the welcome bonus.

You like to travel the world

Alaska Airlines has partnerships with Icelandair, Qantas and Aer Lingus, to name a few.

While you generally should pick a frequent flyer program and credit card because of the airline and associated reward program, having access to more than 20 airline partners allows you to redeem miles for flights all over the world.

You want to earn a bonus with a lower minimum spend requirement

Currently, this card offers a sign-up bonus worded as follows: "Buy one ticket, get one for just the taxes and fees ($0 fare plus taxes and fees from $23) and get 50,000 bonus miles with this offer. To qualify, make $3,000 or more in purchases within the first 90 days of opening your account."

Many people can easily accomplish the minimum spending requirement with daily purchases. You’ll earn 1 mile per $1 spent. If you are able to meet part of the minimum spending requirement through Alaska Airlines purchases, you’ll earn 3 miles per $1 spent.


How to maximize your rewards

You want a travel credit card that prioritizes what’s important to you. Here are some of the best travel credit cards of 2024:

Get more smart money moves – straight to your inbox
Sign up and we’ll send you Nerdy articles about the money topics that matter most to you along with other ways to help you get more from your money.