Which credit card is best for Alaska Airlines flights?
Before you book your next flight with Alaska Airlines, you might be curious about which credit card to choose. Should you go with the one that has "Alaska" on it, or would another card be a smarter choice?
Alaska Airlines offers two credit cards — both from Bank of America — that could be beneficial. Still, a general travel rewards card might serve you better.
Let’s evaluate these credit cards to determine the best option for booking Alaska flights.
Evaluating credit cards for Alaska Airlines flights
Here’s a look at some popular credit card choices for Alaska flights, detailing the rewards you can earn and the benefits they provide during your journey:
| Card name | Earning rate on Alaska Airlines flights | Value of the rewards earned* | Alaska-related benefits from the card | Annual fee |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alaska Airlines Visa Signature® credit card | 3 miles per dollar spent | 4.5 cents | First checked bag free for you and up to six companions on the same reservation
20% back on inflight purchases when paying with your card | $95 |
| Alaska Airlines Visa® Business card | 3 miles per dollar spent | 4.5 cents | First checked bag free for you and up to six companions on the same reservation
20% back on inflight purchases when paying with your card | $70 for the company and $25 for each card issued |
| The Platinum Card® from American Express | 5 points per dollar spent (on up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year, then 1 point per dollar) | 10 cents | None, but you can choose Alaska Airlines as your preferred airline to cover up to $200 per year in airline incidental credits for things like checked baggage or preferred seat fees | $695 (see rates and fees) |
| Chase Sapphire Reserve® | 3 points per dollar spent (or 5 points per dollar spent if booked via the Chase Travel℠ portal) | 6.15 cents (or 10.25 cents) | None, but you can offset some of your purchases with the $300 in annual travel credits offered on the card | $550 |
| American Express® Green Card | 3 points per dollar spent | 6 cents | None | $150 |
| Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card | 2 miles per dollar spent (or 5 miles per dollar spent if booked in the Capital One Travel portal) | 3.7 cents (or 9.25 cents) | None, but you can offset some of your purchases with the $300 annual credit available when booking with Capital One Travel | $395 (see rates and fees) |
* Bonus value is an estimated figure derived from TPG's July 2024 valuations and is not affiliated with the card issuer.
The information for the American Express Green Card has been gathered independently by Dinogo. The details provided on this page have not been reviewed or endorsed by the card issuer.
Which credit card is the best choice for Alaska Airlines flights?
Historically, Alaska's credit cards have provided limited benefits for booking flights with Alaska. Recently, however, the co-branded consumer Alaska airline card lets you earn 3 miles for every dollar spent on eligible purchases. Additionally, it offers 20% back as a statement credit for inflight purchases made with the card.
Alaska Airlines Boeing 737-900ER. ALASKA AIRLINESIf you're planning to check a bag on your Alaska flight, the Alaska Airlines Visa might be your best bet. Using this card will also unlock the priority boarding benefit.
Conversely, if you rarely check bags with Alaska and aren't interested in priority boarding, a general travel card could be more suitable. This applies to anyone with elite status on Alaska, American Airlines, or any Oneworld partner, as you'll receive complimentary checked bags and priority boarding (along with other benefits, depending on your status level) — no matter which card you use to purchase your ticket.
In summary
According to TPG's July 2024 valuations, Alaska Airlines miles are valued at 1.5 cents each — one of the highest values among airline miles in our assessments. Accumulating these miles through purchases can yield excellent returns, making the Alaska Airlines Visa card a strong choice for booking Alaska flights.
To check a bag for free and benefit from priority boarding, you must use this card for your trip.
If these benefits aren't valuable to you, or if you'd rather earn flexible, transferable points on your purchases, consider using a travel rewards credit card that isn't tied to Alaska — particularly if it provides extra travel protections for your journey.
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Evaluation :
5/5