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If you fly regularly with Alaska Airlines, having a card that offers airline-specific rewards could be valuable. Alaska Airlines offers two co-branded rewards cards, but they aren't the only options to consider.
We'll explore the best cards for Alaska Airlines, highlighting their features, benefits, and how they can help you save money.
We focused on cards offering flexible rewards and airline benefits directly with Alaska Airlines.
This includes Alaska Airlines co-branded cards, cards that transfer rewards directly to the Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan, or cards with credits to offset airfare costs and fees, such as baggage fees, upgrades, and inflight purchases.
Here are our picks for the best credit cards for Alaska Airlines.
- Alaska Airlines Visa® credit card
- Alaska Airlines Visa® Business credit card
- Bilt Mastercard®
- The Platinum Card® from American Express
- Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card
Who this card is for: Regular Alaska Airlines fliers, especially those based on the West Coast, will find this card particularly valuable.
Rewards:
- Earn 3X miles on eligible Alaska Airlines purchases
- Earn 2X miles on eligible gas, EV charging stations, cable, streaming services, and local transit purchases
- Earn 1X miles on all other purchases
Annual fee: $95
The Alaska Airlines Visa card is a top choice for many travelers, and for good reason. With this card, you can enjoy a generous sign-up bonus, free checked bags, and the ability to earn miles on everyday purchases.
One major perk of this card is the annual companion fare. Every year, you can receive a companion fare, starting from $122 ($99 fare plus taxes and fees from $23), allowing a friend or family member to join you on a flight.
In addition to the generous sign-up bonus and ongoing earning rates, you can also take advantage of Alaska Airlines' partnerships with over a dozen airlines worldwide, giving you even more redemption options.
Who this card is for: Business travelers with significant airfare expenses, particularly those based on the West Coast or who regularly fly with partner airlines.
Rewards:
- Earn 3X miles on eligible Alaska Airlines purchases
- Earn 2X miles on eligible gas, EV charging station, shipping, and local transit
- Earn 1X miles on all other purchases
Annual fee: $70 for the company and $25 per card
For business owners, the Alaska Airlines Visa Business Credit Card offers a range of benefits tailored to your needs. This card has a substantial sign-up bonus, free checked bags, no foreign transaction fees, and an annual companion fare.
The Alaska Airlines Visa Business card offers a range of perks to make your business travel more comfortable. When you pay with your card, you’ll get 20% back on Alaska Airlines inflight purchases and $100 off an Alaska Airlines Lounge+ Membership.
Who this card is for: Renters seeking flexible travel rewards, including rare transfers to Alaska Airlines. The Bilt Mastercard is an excellent choice for those looking to maximize the redemption value of their rewards.
Rewards:
- Earn 1X points on rent payments without the transaction fee, up to 100,000 points each calendar year
- Earn 3X points on dining
- Earn 2X points on travel purchases
- Earn 1X points on other purchases
*To earn points, you must use the card at least five times each statement period
Annual fee: $0
Who this card is for: Frequent travelers who value luxury travel benefits and flexible rewards. Although the card doesn't offer direct Alaska Airlines benefits, it provides several valuable annual travel credits, including up to a $200 airline fee credit, which can be applied to eligible Alaska Airlines purchases.
Rewards:
- Earn 5X points on up to $500,000 per calendar year spent on directly booked airfare, flights, and prepaid hotels through American Express Travel
- Earn 2X points on prepaid car rentals through American Express Travel
- Earn 1X points on all other purchases
Annual fee: $695. See rates and fees.
Who this card is for: Travelers who want to earn miles directly on everyday purchases. The $300 annual travel credit makes Capital One Venture X Credit Card a top choice for offsetting Alaska Airlines fees like baggage fees and seat upgrades.
Rewards:
- Earn 10X miles on hotel and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
- Earn 5X miles on flights through Capital One Travel
- Earn 2X miles on all other purchases
Annual fee: $395
When picking the right card, it's important to consider the value it offers with Alaska Airlines. Consider various factors, including rewards, bonus offers, card features and benefits, fee structure, and APR.
Take a holistic approach and factor in your spending habits to ensure your chosen card helps maximize your reward potential.
If Alaska Airlines-specific benefits are your top priority, the airline's co-branded cards are likely your best bet. However, make sure the benefits and rewards justify the annual fee cost. Those interested in transferable rewards should consider whether the card offers enough value when transferring points to the airline. Bilt Rewards, for example, transfer to Alaska Airlines at a 1:1 rate, while Marriott co-branded credit cards earn points that transfer at a less favorable 3:1 rate.
Remember to compare co-branded cards to other options, like the ones mentioned above, to determine which card would serve you best.
To determine the best credit cards for Alaska Airlines, we carefully evaluated a wide range of factors, including the card's sign-up bonus, rewards earning rates on purchases, added perks and benefits, annual fees, and overall value for consumers.
Our team analyzed numerous credit card offers and selected the top contenders based on these key criteria. The options on this list represent the best value, rewards, and benefits available.
Here are some of the key factors we considered:
- Rewards: Rewards are the primary reason many people use credit cards, as they allow you to earn valuable points, miles, or cash back on your everyday spending.
- Redemption flexibility: What good are rewards if they're a hassle to redeem? Flexible redemption options allow you to use your rewards in the way that best suits you, whether that's offsetting your bill with statement credits or booking a dream vacation.
- Benefits: Credit card benefits can provide significant value and make your life easier, from saving you money on checked bags to providing peace of mind with travel insurance.
- Annual fee: The annual fee is a key factor because it's a recurring cost that can eat into your rewards earnings. It's important to make sure you're getting enough value from the card to justify the fee.
- Welcome bonus: A lucrative welcome bonus can give your rewards a massive head start, especially in the first year, making it a great way to kickstart your earnings.
- Rates & other fees: High interest rates and fees can quickly negate the value of any rewards you earn, so it's important to understand these costs and how to avoid them.
If your travels include occasional or frequent trips with Alaska Airlines, having a card that earns miles with the airline could be rewarding.
If you prefer another airline or tend to fly to and from destinations outside the airline's service area, look at co-branded cards through your preferred airline or a rewards card that earns more flexible rewards that you can redeem in multiple ways. Let your travel and spending habits guide you to finding a suitable credit card for your needs.
Editorial disclosure: Opinions expressed are author's alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included in the post.
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