6 Reasons to Get the Alaska Airlines Visa Credit Card

As long as you fly Alaska Airlines at least once per year, there are lots of reasons to get the Alaska Airlines Visa® 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® 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: NerdWallet's guide to the best airline and hotel loyalty programs

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® 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® 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.

» Learn more: Guide to Alaska baggage and other fees

You like the bonus miles offers

You can get 3 miles per $1 spent on Alaska Airlines purchase with the Alaska Airlines Visa® 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® 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: Here's how much your points and miles are worth

You generally travel with a companion

One of the biggest reasons to get the Alaska Airlines Visa® 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).

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.

» Learn more: How to get the most from the Alaska Airlines Companion Fare

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: "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."

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.