HUGE Updates to BofA Alaska Mileage Plan Cards (Business and Personal)
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- Опубликовано: 14 окт 2024
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Huge changes to the BofA Alaska Mileage Plus business and personal credit cards.
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❄️❄️❄️ Thanks Sebby for doing this! I’m an Alaska FA and I do think our card is pretty good! I will refer people to your video for sure!
Alaska Airlines companion fare is worth it. You can use it for flights to Alaska, Hawaii, Costa Rica, Mexico, and Belize. Unlike the other American carriers which only allow you to fly within the contiguous 48.
It codes on all flights too, it’s difficult to use the Delta pass
And they fly direct to Belize from LAX several times a week in busy seasons
Can it be used for international flight from US to Asia?
@@stayathomedaddysahd4000 not the companion airfare. But if you have enough miles, you could use the miles for international flights with Alaska’s partner carriers.
Thanks for the update. I called and dropped them like a rock!
❄️ you forgot to mention the 6k spend requirement for new applications?
@AskSebby do you think current card holders will be grandfathered in and not have to meet the 6k spend requirement? If not, how much time do we generally have in such a situation?
@@camvworld5674 I hope so. I think we will though cause our credit card agreement is different than the new ones
I called and confirmed that this spend requirement only applies to new applicants!
@@camvworld5674 I just read it and it says for personal cards if you applied prior to 1/18/23 you will continue to get the CP without spend. Also this is only for the personal card where you need to spend $6k. The biz card doesn’t have this wording.
@@TravelBossNas was wondering if personal will require the 6k spend later on. Thx!
To use the companion fare. The overall cost would be annual fee plus companion 95+122. So 217 for round trip? I guess if you know you'll use the value over 200ish
❄️ I’m on the west coast. And find that Alaska miles are pretty great. But was always a little disappointed you only got one point per dollar on purchases, others than buying tickets on Alaska. So this has been really good news. Will use the card more often now.
❄ We've been debating whether to keep the card. This confirms that we'll cut it. Not enough value. We're in Seattle and we typically only travel to LA or Vegas so the companion cert is a wash
I just want to point out that previously card holders would automatically get the companion fare every year, now you have to spend at $6,000 during the year to get the companion fare benefit.
Not so if you held the card prior to the change. I have the personal and business cards and both were grandfathered in with no minimum spend to get the companion fare.
I just checked and the annual fee for the personal card is already $95
I just read the terms and conditions for the JetBlue business card and the wording says “reservation must be book under cardholder’s account number…” is it just from people trying irl that you say that you *must* use the JetBlue card to make the booking? Where is a good place to find datapoints on this?
FYI - I traveled on Alaska this weekend and the new "priority boarding" is a false perk. You get "C" and not actual priority. I checked with 3 different gate agents in the two cities I flew between. One even called a manager to confirm. I really feel like this is false advertising by Alaska to seem more like other cards like United
You mean after first class and business class boards, if you are flying coach, right?
@@teresas.4541 No
@@janefronczak17 Can you be more specific as to what class of passengers boarded before you? handicapped, 1st class A , then business class B , and coach Alaska card holders are next in C. Having an Alaska card would not take priority over biz class if you are in coach. Hence, C. Correct, or not?
❄About 2 months ago, I convinced my husband to get the card because lounges are $30... guess it's more about free luggage and companion fare for now. Do we get the companion fare during the first year? Or only when we renew after the first year?
We're on the 60,000 bonus mile plan, but a couple of weeks ago, I saw them advertise 70,000 bonus miles and if you get application through an employee, it's 72,000 bonus miles, so FYI for potentially new cardholders.
❄ Thank you @AskSebbyBusiness ! I fly every month for the military to Seattle, I am considering getting the Alaska Business or Personal CC. I currently have the AMEX Gold Business but I feel its not worth the value compare if I get the Alaska credit cards. So again, is that correct that I can cancel my Amex Gold business and it won't affect my credit scores? Thank you and hope to hear from you
If you live on the West Coast, the certificate might make sense to make it a keeper card. Otherwise, there has been a steady devaluation of Alaska miles after joining One World. Not to mention how hard it is to get biz award availability on partners.
I would be interested on a deep dive on how to use Alaska airline miles. I am based on the East Coast so the utility of Alaska airlines is very low to me, but I would be interested in transfers to partners.
From my experience its alot less alaska miles to book flights on one world partner flights than if i use the actual points from the respective partner airline. For example I was trying to book a ticket on japan airlines. It was 40-45k alaska points and if I where to use Japan airlines points it would have been roughly 113k japan points/miles.
@@uli3119 I agree! This is why the card is very tempting :).
Hii. Big question. So the personal
Also mentions that you would need to spend $6k to get the companion fare. For older card holders before the updated terms. Will we continue to get the comp fare with no requirement to spend $6k or we will also have to spend $6k to get the comp fare?
Good question, I have not seen this. thank you
Hey there do you have a reference link? For business card.
I’m planning to go to Seattle from Florida! Probably a good time to get the card!? ❄️
Do you still get free bags if you pay with money from a certificate or your Alaska wallet?
Not sure why got rejected for the Alaska Business card. I have good FICO score, but my business just starts, not much income. Is this why I got rejected? Please advise.
Agree that Alaska Lounges are crap. Looking forward to the upgraded one at PDX. Alaska also doesn't really tell you your anniversary date so you can expect when your companion fare becomes available. Don't forget to rack up those miles, use the Chrome extension to notify you when your purchases can really help out!
Yeah, the Alaska lounges are serviceable, though never truly special. Great staff at all the ones I've visited. And decent drinks. It's just mainly the food that is lackluster. However, finding a comfy chair and avoiding the chaos of the terminals is nice.
I like the Seatac lounge the most, but it's SO CROWDED now and often hard to find an opening on the nice "throne" chairs near the windows. Plus, even there, the food isn't stellar--especially when compared to others.
Side note: the lounge at Helsinki airport is outstanding!
Too many families in them now. No longer primary for business. A bit of a shame.
If you compare using Alaska's companion fare against buying just a regular ticket we find that they increase the ticket price.
I recently booked a flight thru Alaska using my companion fare. It cost 136 (99+37 taxes/fees). Not sure if it’s because I am in a higher tax state.
the alaska main lounge in SEATAC is amazing, super spacious and nice cabin feel. I think that might be the exception
Yes but as of last summer you can’t buy a day pass at the Seattle, Portland or Anchorage lounges.
@@erik_griswold Interesting, I am looking at my change of terms and it states March 1, 2023
@@nategibbons172 That’s for all lounges which sell day passes; no more discounts to card holders. The day passes at SEA, PDX and ANC ended last summer.
@@erik_griswold That is correct, I thought I was responding to a different comment.
Although, on this issue, I do like the N gate lounge. It will be nice to see what they do to D gate.
LAX is nice too. So much better than the crappy AMEX lounge.
If you get the card now, when do we get the companion ticket? Is it immediate, once you hit the spend, or after 1 year and hitting the spend?
❄️ I'm still confused about the companion fare. Any chance you could make a dedicated video or give several examples?
I just read the terms and conditions for new applicants to the personal card and there is a $6k spending requirement to receive the companion certificate. I read the material I received from Bank of America and the front page under Benefits you will continue to enjoy, it indicates that the companion certificate will be provided each year. However, there is a notation that says Additional restrictions apply. See Program Rules for details. Are they hiding the ball? I wonder if this should be reported Consumer Financial Protection Bureau?
I’m not sure that this is a sock drawer card anymore.
yeah. I was going to mention that as well. It seems no more free companion ticket.
Yup. I don't believe this change in terms applies to existing accounts, only new ones.
The $6,000 annual spend requirement for the companion fare is only for new accounts. Already existing cardholder accounts are grandfathered out of a minimum spend, at least for now.
@@ziggy29 Do you know "new account" starting when? I think my husband was approved 12/1/22.
@@boltnut55 I don't know the exact date that took effect, but he should be able to pull up the terms and conditions for the card on his account. If the part about the companion fare does NOT mention a $6K spend requirement, then he made it in "just in time" to be grandfathered out of that requirement.
Can the companion pass be used by - (Family member + Companion) OR Has to be (Card holder + companion) ? And Does the companion earn points on Alaska for the $99 spend?
i used my 2022 companion code on my friend and her niece. the astrisk there is the ak air credit card linked to the discount has to be used for payment and the travel preparer name has to match the credit card. and yes, the travelers get ak air miles.
❄ I use the Alaska business Visa card when I'm not able to use my Amex Gold business card. They are my only business cards.
Isn't Alaska miles generally a great value?? Ive heard it can transfer to one world partners now and it can be very powerful. I have both personal and business!❄❄❄
What is the list of select streaming for 2X points?
❄Very helpful video as always! Thanks for doing what you do :). I'll have to consider this card as they are somewhat exclusive as you mentioned.
so I know this is an older video, but can you do an update one that compares which airline has the best mileage program if you currently don't have status.
In terms of perks = really depends on your focus (i.e., lounge access vs. domestic upgrades). i.e., Delta and AA will upgrade you for domestic if a seat is available. JetBlue will not.
in terms of value of points = AA / AS (Alaska) > UA > Delta / SW / JetBlue
(great ability for first class) > some use cases still > cash equivalent / capped value
❄️ never though of getting Alaska card with BOA. I do have BOA and I assume Alaska miles I can transfer to AA or CX if I want to travel to HKG for example?
Hi Sebby. I can't find any info on what "Earn double miles on cable bill and select streaming services" means. Do you know? I'm wondering if RUclipsTV, Netflix, HBOMax, etc. count.
❄ I feel like a lot of people will still keep the care for the companion fare, and right now seems to be the time to apply if you're trying to get in with that lower annual fee! Overall, not great news for Alaska fans I imagine, but I can't speak from personal experience myself. Thanks for sharing Sebby!
Sebby, so will paying the airfare with the card for say, a family member, won't work for the check baggage in this instance? meaning, they also have to carry the card upon checking in?
Apparently they don't have to carry the card.
Does the Alaska Business card get a "companion pass" as well? I went to the site and I didn't see it as an option.
It now says you have to spend a minimum of $6000.00 a year to get the companion pass which sucks
i flew Boston to Seattle- second fare was 800.00 - companion pass winner for sure
The fine print has always been needs to book with card to get free bag. They're just enforcing that!
I see that they're making you spend $6000 to get the companion fare now. Wondering if my anniversary month is November, will I have to spend $6000 this year to get the companion fare? When the changes first came out, they did not mention a spending limit, just rumors of it. Now it's on the terms and conditions.
If you have the card already, you won't have to spend 6k. Only new applications will need to.
to get the fair we need to spend 6k a year to get it so feel like that is no go for personal card?
❄In 2 player mode, we have 5 aggregate personal/biz Alaska cards for a family of 4 (consisting of multiple Alaska elites, and carrying a Lounge+ membership curtesy of Amex airline incidental credits). Pretty safe +EV bet on Companion Fares at the previous price, even if you don't manage to redeem all of'em for at-cost recouping value; a couple of pairs of flights to Hawaii or Costa Rica or Belize and you're set.
Despite the great value of Alaska miles (which has slipped since they joined oneworld, but at least elites got some other benefits in exchange), I'm unlikely to put a lot of non-Alaska spend on the card in the new categories, with the possible exception of a small fixed amount if I can get that $100 Alaska Lounge membership credit while also splitting the charges across other Amex cards. Occasionally, Alaska has also run promos where a few thousand (10k?) EQMs can be generated via card spend (per Mileage Plan account, rather than per card); new categories could come in handy if that happens again.
This price increase definitely changes the equation, but we'll probably still hold on to most -- if not all -- of the cards for another year or longer (especially given the $6k spend requirement on new accounts), with tempered expectations around EV, and pare down if it doesn't work out.
Overall, not a fan of this change.
Great video! We use the Alaska card regularly. The 2X for gas is definitely a winner!
I’m not big fan of taking the discount on Day Passes that was a huge benefit I’d rather pay $25 dollars for a day pass at the Alaska lounge than pay $400 for a year pass.
❄️ My friend just applied for the personal yesterday and the AF is $95. So I think it was changed already for the AF. Luckily for me I got the business card a couple months ago and it was $75
❄❄❄🥶🥶🥶🥶🥶❄❄❄
Hey Sebby,
I am having a tough time wanting the Alaska visa. I pretty much play double agent between team cashback and team travel, where it makes sense anyway (for example, 5x cash back on a Citi Custom Cash grocery purchase instead of 1.5x UR points on a Chase Freedom Unlimited. Extra for CSP transfer).
As an Alaskan whose only choice in air travel is basically Alaska Airlines, I figure that is the best travel card I can possibly get.
HOWEVER. Multipliers are no good. It is so hard to want to settle for 1-2x on everyday purchases when I can get 2-5x with Chase and Citi offerings. I don't fly but once a year and can't bear the thought of sacrificing real earnings on other cards for a measly 1-2x on an AF travel card with MSR *every year* for that companion fare. Am I wrong here?
Thanks for the advice.
M
Main draw would be intro bonus in your case and cancel if (when?) it stops making sense in Year 2.
what about international flights companion fare?
❄️Saving up for Europe with One World 🌎 🌍!
I just applied and got approved for an Alaska Airlines CC :) Ready to travel to Asian and European countries :)
🥃🥃 fire video brother man
Ugh. Just saw the new website. $6,000 annual spend to get the companion fare every year.
Hi Sebastian, could you do a deep dive in the value of points for transferring between Alaska Airlines --> Iceland Air. I know this is oddly specific but, a lot of people are traveling to Iceland from the East Coast. I just subbed to the new channel, long time subscriber to the OG channel!
❄Very helpful, way better than reading through a pile of legal text. Thanks!
Hey sebby! I had a question I was hoping you'd be able to help answer (or anyone).
I recently gotten approved for the CIC.
When I went through the application process it told me that I was approved; But when I hit next it made me make a new chase account. Is this something that's common and is it separate from personal account from chase? Or are you able to have your normal personal account and see all your chase cards with the business card there too?
Thank you so much
Please share a video on how you use the Alaska points. ❄️
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?
It would probably make sense for the intro bonus. Year 2, probably cancel. Not sure if it would make sense to keep every year subsequently.
@@AskSebbyBusiness Thank you.
Phl to HNL is when I use the companion certificate
I was wondering if you could do a video on the best credit cards and the best benefits that authorize users get
❄️Thank you for the info!
You have to spend $6000 yearly to get the companion certificate now.
I am seeing 3.x ccp for an economy class from Hkg to jfk, wow this is amazing
❄️ I just noticed that if you apply after 1/18/23 you will get CP and 70k after spend. But going forward you will need to spend $6k the prior year to get the CP. But if you applied before that date you will continue to get it without any spend. Also this is only on the personal card. The biz card doesn’t have this wording.
Oh, thanks for that heads up. So we have to earn the CP! that's important to know.
So does that mean business card...year 1 you get CP after spend, year 2 (how do I get CP? Through spend or just keeping card?)
@@pezdacandyboi you will
Need to spend $6000 total that year to get the CP next year. Same for every year going forward.
@@TravelBossNas so then the sign up bonus is only the points at $2,000 spend. The companion isn't even a sign up cause it happens every year if you spend 6000
@@pezdacandyboi so when you meet the spend (currently its $3000) you’ll get the bonus points and companion pass. But to qualify next year for another CP, you’ll need to spend $6000. So on top of the $3000 to get the bonus, you’ll need to spend another $3000 to qualify for one next year.
Nice update!! ❄️
❄️ thank you
I live in Hawaii and the Alaska Card is the best value! The companion pass is extremely valuable ❄️
Good to know! I live in Hawaii and I fly to Seattle every month for work!
I live in Hawaii too. I love the Alaska card BUT the connections when using miles between Hawaii and mainland are terrible. We are traveling to Europe with a stop over in Iceland on the way back - all on miles except the final leg from Seattle to Hawaii. Can’t wait! ✈️
@choosewisely616 connections meaning the amount of stops and no one ways?
Alaska lounges are not the greatest.
Ooh, where’d you get that credit card?
BofA…
BofA?
BofA Deez Nuts!
(Sorry, I’ll let myself out.)
Hey Sebby, I got my “renewal fee” for Business Platinum yesterday and it was only $595. Isn’t that weird?
Yup canceled. Canceled.
Alaska Miles are more valuable now that they are part of oneworld
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Who is going to "cancel" you for a lounge critique?
meh
❄❄❄Helpful update! Was able to get approved for the personal card with 70K SUB, but unfortunately looks like the $6K spend requirement for next year's companion pass is in effect. Sad face.
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