Alaska Airlines Credit Card: Is It Worth It?

The Alaska Airlines credit card is often one of the top choices for frequent flyers on the West Coast and beyond. It offers generous benefits and valuable redemption options. But is it really a necessary tool for your travel rewards? Let's dive in and break down everything you need to know about Alaska Airlines credit card!

Types of Alaska Airlines Credit Cards

Alaska Airlines offers two primary personal credit cards (plus a business version) through Bank of America. Here’s a quick comparison:

Key Benefits of the Alaska Airlines Credit Card

1. Alaska’s Famous Companion Fare

• Get one annual Companion Fare from $122.
• Use it for any economy seat.
• The Companion Fare traditionally requires a round-trip booking, though the new Atmos program may offer more flexibility. Always check the fare rules during checkout to confirm eligibility.
• Huge value if you travel with a partner, family member, or friend.

2. Free Checked Bag

• The cardholder and up to 6 travel companions receive a free checked bag on the same reservation.

3. Priority Boarding

• Get early access to overhead bin space.

4. Earn Miles on Everyday Purchases

• 3x miles on Alaska Airlines purchases.
• 2x miles on eligible categories (gas, transit, streaming).
• 1x miles on everything else.

5. Valuable Redemption Options

• Alaska miles can be used on Alaska flights and 20+ global airline partners.

Examples:

• One-way economy awards within the U.S. can start as low as 5,000 miles, though pricing is now dynamic and fluctuates based on demand.
• Business class to Asia on partners like Japan Airlines can be a huge value.

6. No Foreign Transaction Fees

• Enjoy worldwide purchases with no foreign transaction fees, best for international travelers!

Is the Alaska Airlines Credit Card Worth It?

Credit: from Varadh Jain, Unsplash | Blue hour in Seattle

Sure! The Alaska Airlines credit card is ideal for frequent flyers, especially those who fly with Alaska or its oneworld partners, such as American Airlines, British Airways, and Cathay Pacific.

The Annual Companion Fare is really worth the try for a large saving, letting a friend or family member travel with you for a low base fare!

And the benefits, like a free checked bag for you and up to 6 companions, priority boarding, and 20% discounts on in-flight purchases, add much convenience and savings on every trip.

How to Use the Alaska Airlines Credit Card?

• For savings: Use it on expensive routes for maximum savings (e.g., cross-country or Hawaii trips).
• For flights: Always book flights with your Alaska card to trigger the perk!
• Earn miles by daily purchases: Use the card for gas, transit, and streaming to get 2x miles.
• Redeem smartly: Use Alaska miles for premium cabin partner awards (e.g., Cathay Pacific to Asia or Qantas to Australia).

Alaska Airlines Credit Card vs. Other Travel Cards

Here’s how it compares with popular competitors:

Pros & Cons of Alaska Airlines Credit Card

✅ Pros of Alaska Airlines Credit Card

• Annual Companion Fare can save hundreds on flights
• Free checked bag for cardholder + up to 6 companions on the same reservation
• Earn Alaska miles, redeemable on Alaska and oneworld partner airlines
• 20% discount on in-flight purchases
• No foreign transaction fees

❌ Cons of Alaska Airlines Credit Card

• Best value only if you fly Alaska or its partners often
• Annual fee (typically $95 or more, depending on card)
• Companion Fare has restrictions (minimum spend, limited use per year)
• Fewer everyday bonus categories compared to some travel cards

3 Ways to Save on Trip.com: Credit Card Tips & Member Deals

1. Best Credit Cards for Trip.com Bookings

• Flat-rate cashback cards (e.g., Citi Double Cash, Wells Fargo Active Cash) → Earn a steady 2% back on every purchase.
• Travel rewards cards (e.g., Capital One Venture, Chase Sapphire Preferred) → Get 2x points/miles on travel bookings.
• ⚠️ Note: Most airline and hotel co-branded cards don’t award bonus points for Trip.com purchases, so pick your card wisely.

2. Join the Trip.com Loyalty Program

• Earn Trip Coins with every booking and use them to save on future trips.
• Unlock higher membership tiers for extra perks, including up to 10% off.
• 💡 Pro tip: Booking through the Trip.com mobile app often gives you exclusive member-only rates.

3. Smart Booking Tricks on Trip.com

• Bundle & save: Book flights + hotels together for package deals—sometimes up to 30% off.
• Use price alerts: Get notified when fares drop so you can book at the lowest price.
• New to Trip.com? Score an extra 8% off hotels with the first-time user coupon.