Why the Alaska Airlines VISA Card is so VALUABLE
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- Опубликовано: 20 июл 2024
- The Alaska Airlines VISA credit card can get you valuable travel redemptions as well as great perks and benefits on Alaska Airlines. Personally, I don’t fly on Alaska Airlines, but the perks and benefits on this card are so good that I wanted to learn more about this card!
At the time of this recording, the card has a sign-up bonus of 50,000 bonus miles and the Alaska Airlines Companion Fare after you spend $2,000 or more in purchases within the first 90 days of opening your account. This card has an annual fee of $75.
The multipliers on this card are 3X miles on Alaska Airlines purchases and 1X miles on Everything Else. You also get Alaska’s Famous Companion Fare every cardmember account anniversary, where you can book a companion flight for $121, which, broken down, is $99 + taxes and fees, which is valid on all Alaska Airlines flights booked on alaskaair.com.
The benefits of this card include a free checked bag for you and up to 6 guests on the same reservation, which is $30 per person each way, and 20% back on Alaska Airlines inflight purchases, including food, drinks, and WiFi.
Another great benefit of the Alaska MileagePlan program is the ability to get complimentary premium class and first class upgrades. This is one of the best features of the Alaska Airlines Mileage Plus program.
You should definitely consider this card if you plan on flying on Alaska Airlines often or plan on taking advantage of the amazing benefits of the Bank of America Alaska Airlines card.
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Chapters:
00:00 Intro
00:46 Card Overview
01:33 Hub or No Hub?
04:08 Alaska MileagePlan Overview
06:41 Partner Airline Redemptions
07:29 Should You Get This Card?
09:58 Outro
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Note: This description contains affiliate links, meaning that I may earn a commission if you click through these links and successfully apply, sign up, or buy the product or service mentioned.
Disclaimer: I am not a financial advisor, accountant, or lawyer, and as such, I do not provide financial, tax, or legal advice. This video, and any ideas presented in it, are opinions and are provided for entertainment purposes only. Please do your own research and consult your own financial, tax, or legal professional for specific advice.
#alaskaairlines #bankofamerica #bestcreditcards
Updated version of this video (2023): ruclips.net/video/7N3FhitcKEk/видео.html
I was literally just looking at this card last night! Thanks for the video! Always great content!
Thanks Josh! Yes, this card has a lot of value, especially with the SUB! Pair it with the Alaska Business card, and that could be an amazing amount of points for a significant international redemption! Appreciate your support bro!!
Since I live in the Seattle area, and typically fly on Alaska, this card is a no-brainer for me. I easily get more value from the companion fare than the fee every year, and the free checked bags is a super sweet perk as well. Completely agree with you though, being near a hub airport (west coast) is a huge huge reason to have this card, and if you don't live near a hub airport, might not be worth it. Great overall video Stan! I love the redemption value with Alaska points as well. First Class on Cathay Pacific here I come!
Thanks Matt! Yeah, this is a great airline program to be a part of if you live in the Pacific Northwest. I think Alaska airlines is unique in that living near a hub airport is probably more advantageous as Alaska is not swamped (I would think, you'd probably know better) with business flyers like United, AA, and Delta are in their respective hubs. I know you're planning on an insane redemption at some point with these super valuable miles, so I'm looking forward to seeing what you decide to do!
My wife and I were talking about where we want our next domestic trip to be, and Alaska made it to the top 3! This was a great, detailed overview. We likely won't fly Alaska frequently enough to warrant this card, especially since we're on the East coast... but it's great to know what's out there!
Thanks Josh! Alaska is a great place to visit, you should definitely check it out! And yeah, I think the true value of Alaska is it's Mileage Plus program and the insanely high value of their points (kind of like Hyatt in the hotel space). Since it's part of the OneWorld alliance, you can certainly find transfer partners that fly more frequently along the East Coast to get some pretty insane value!
I’ve never heard of Alaska airlines prior to getting into the credit card game…but that makes sense because I’m on the southeast coast 🙂. I had no idea that Alaska Airlines points has such a good valuation. Excellent video as always Stan.
Haha, yeah I would say Alaska is about as far as you can get from you! Even so, its partnership in the OneWorld alliance can get you some great redemptions on airlines that are more common in your area. Thanks CJ!
Appreciate the video Stan! Been debating on getting this puppy since I live in California.
No problem, Eduardo! Yes, Alaska is a great airline to consider here in CA! Definitely a good card to consider if you're looking to get a nice SUB and some great airline benefits!
Great review Stanley! I just got the business version a couple of weeks ago and meeting the required spend on it quite quickly. I could technically get the personal version with the same credit pull within 30 days, but I just got two fresh US Bank cards on the same day that I'm going to have to start digging into. I may pick up the personal Alaska card somewhere down the line if the SUB is at its highest!
That's great WanderingDoc! Yeah, the business version is a great way to start as well since it doesn't report to your personal credit and you can get very similar Alaska airline benefits and a nice juicy SUB as well. Sounds like you have a lot of SUBs that you're working towards, haha! Good thing the holiday season is right around the corner 😃! And congrats on those 2 US Bank cards! That's a great DP for the community to know that even without a US Bank relationship, it's possible to get not only 1, but 2 credit cards with them same-day!
Hmm, never looked into this card before so this was a good learning experience for me.
Unfortunately, I’m nowhere near a hub + connector.
So I really don’t know when I would ever use this credit card.
I love the edit with all the people trying to get through the security like an angry mob hahaha.
Nice Stan!
No worries Tony! It’s a card that could be of use to you in the future.. you never know!
Haha, I’m glad you caught that little Easter egg! I tried really hard to match the video and audio and I’m happy with how it came out!
Stan your the man dude! Keep doing what your doing!
Thank you! I appreciate that! I certainly will 👍!
Their companion fare is the best of all airlines IMO. As long as there's two empty seats in economy you are good to go. None of the crazy restrictions like other airlines = Delta. Thanks for the info + video!
Thanks Jimmy! Alaska's companion fare is definitely really nice, especially since it' a fixed amount and the value you get can be as high as you want it to be! Like you said, the other major carries always have restrictions so it's nice to this simple fare to understand. I would say the companion pass on Southwest is probably a better deal than Alaska's, but getting the Southwest Companion Pass requires timing and strategic spending to maximize the value on it!
@@TheCreditFrog I always forget about Southwest cuz I never fly them. 😂😂😂
Note: Alaska Airlines may be changing their award charts at the end of December 2022. From the Alaska Airlines website:
"Starting late December, the way you view award charts online is changing. We’ll have a simplified award chart to show you where award levels start based on which regions you’re traveling from and to. With this change, similar to awards on Alaska, partner award levels may vary depending on multiple factors including route, distance, or demand. You’ll continue to be able to enjoy great value for your miles. As always, the best way to view pricing and availability for the routes you’re interested in flying is to search for your specific travel dates and destinations."
Hopefully, we won’t be seeing a nerf on the current award charts, but we’ll have to see what happens at the end of this year!
I might get this card just because the miles conversion is crazy. 25k Alaska miles will get me a round trip domestic flight if I book through Alaska airlines for AA flight. That same flight through AA is 50k miles.
That's insane Tyler! Alaska miles are definitely very valuable, but a 50% reduction in miles needed as a "transfer partner" is such a great deal! Usually we don't see a lot of great value with domestic flights, but it looks like you stumbled upon a hidden gem 🙌
The Alaska Airlines visa card is a great traveler card if you lived in an area where Alaska Airlines flew frequently. Unfortunately for me and my current living situation, it's not a card on my radar, but if i were to move to the west coast, it's definitely a card that I'd get. Great breakdwon Stan the Man!
Thanks Eric! Yeah, Alaska airlines definitely favors the West coast for sure, but it’s a great rewards program to consider for those insane high value transfer partner redemptions!
Thanks for this video. I’m sad to hear the news about the upcoming change to their award charts. Probably a drastic change for the worse. I was excited about the business card for a trip on Cathay. This card was on my list to get soon for that sweet spot redemption. Now, I’m not so sure and will just wait to see what the news is after December. I think I’m grieving.😢
Sure Marcus! Yeah, that's the thing about points and miles. There's always some type of changes and their usually not ever in favor of the consumer both in the hotel side as well as the airline side. I personally don't think that the value of Alaska's points with fall that much, but certainly, the most valuable redemption will probably become harder and harder to obtain. Like you said, we'll have to see what happens next month and see what changes come to the program.
Man those are some weak multipliers.
I did think about getting a pair for my wife and I to companion fare our kids along for the ride, but keep all other spend on our Chase cards as that is where the real value comes from. Considering 3x is in the middle for Chase but the ceiling for Alaska, I think it's pretty much a done deal. Not to mention 25% bonus points for transferring between cards!
Good video Stan 👍
Thanks! Yeah, some credit cards are better to keep around because of the benefits, and I think this card is one of those cards. This card also had a few benefits changes since I did this video so make sure to check out those out to make sure the card still works for you!
And yes, Chase would definitely be the better option for regular spending!
Great video. I am considering this card as we live in the DC area and visit family in LA and San Francisco (both major hubs for Alaska). Have found that Alaska and United have the best direct flights from DC to LAX/SFO that work for us with young kids.
Would you suggest either the United or Alaska card for 2-4 trips/year for young families?
Thanks Christian! From the credit card benefits standpoint, I think Alaska wins over from the travel benefits perspective. You can get a free checked bag fro up to 6 guests, which includes kids so that is a lot of savings on this Alaska Visa card.The equivalent United Explorer card has free checked bags for you and 1 guest, and it also gets you 2 free United Club passes, which is nice if you like lounge access. I think that with you kids though, Alaska is probably the better way to go 👍
Alaska miles are criminally underrated!
They definitely are! They should be as popular as Hyatt!!
Great Video, If I get this card and meet the spend requirements is the companion pass given year one? or do I have to have the card for a year?
Thanks Eddie! No, I think you only get the companion pass after your first account anniversary so you'd have to wait at least a year for it. Unfortunate, but the SUB is certainly still worth it in year 1!
@@TheCreditFrog I found the info on the Alaska site: if you received a companion fare offer, the code is automatically added into your Account profile after qualifying.
US - New eligible Visa® consumer cardholders should see their code after spending the required amount on purchases within 90 days from account opening. The companion fare code will be posted to the primary cardholder's Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan account approximately 6 to 8 weeks after qualifying.
@@ascubapro I stand corrected! I thought it was only after the first year, but I forgot that the limited time SUB actually offers it after meeting the MSR. Thanks for pointing that out!
Great card! I just wish they had transfer partners so there is a better way to earn points. The multipliers on their CC is so bad
It definitely is! I think there are few sweet spots to transfer Alaska points, like OneWorld alliance partners like British Airways and Cathay Pacific. I also wish their multipliers were better, but the SUB, companion pass, and free checked bag benefits are pretty competitive!
Do you think this is worth it if I plan on only flying internationally to Asia one time in 3 - 4 years? Getting the card now, earning miles and also paying the AF each year to get a free ticket?
I think that this card would be worth it, but I would get the card in 3-4 years around the time you plan to book your international travel. As all miles are subject to devaluation, it's better to earn the miles and then use them as soon as possible so they are not getting devalued while in your account. This can save you multiple years of AF as well. The Alaska card really isn't a great earner card so it would probably be better to choose a different card for earnings, unless you want to focus on Alaska exclusively!
@@TheCreditFrog Oh wow I didn't realize the value of the miles would go down. If i wanted to fly to Asia beginning of 2026, do you think getting this card in 2024 would be good? (booking the flight in 2025?)
@@jennifersherrick7195 I think you should look at how many miles you need and calculate from there. You can also consider getting the business version too to double up on that SUB as well!
If I sign up and get 50K miles, can I use 50K miles to book a flight and also use companion fare for the same one?
That’s a great question! Unfortunately, no. You have to purchase the primary ticket to use the companion fare. This is stated directly on their FAQs on the Alaska airlines website.
Got my new terms in the mail.
Yearly fee increase to $95
2 for 1 Gas, Transit, Cable TV and Streaming (select)
10% Rewards bonus on miles if you have an eligible BofA account
$100 off $650 (or $550 if Elite) Alaska Lounge + membership
Authorized users now get free bag and priority boarding if they are not with Primary card holder
Changes:
Only get free bag when paying with the Alaska card
No more Lounge Day Pass discount.
Thanks for providing these details Chris! It's definitely annoying, but we knew changes were coming to the card in 2023. Was there any mention of changes to the Companion Fare since that still is one of the main draws for this card?
Companion fare, 3/1 on Alaska purchases, and 20% rebate on in-flight spending all remain the same.
@@chrisellinger4560 Great to hear! Thanks for covering this!
Card issued by bank of America. You've been warned ⚠️
Thank you for the warning.