The best credit cards for Alaska Airlines flights in 2024
Alaska Airlines offers two credit cards, targeting frequent fliers and business travelers. The best Alaska Airlines credit card depends on your travel habits — compare co-branded and flexible rewards cards to find the perfect fit for you.
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Kevin Payne is a finance and family travel expert. He writes about credit cards, travel, student loans, saving money, homeownership, careers, and entrepreneurship. His work has appeared in Forbes Advisor, The Ascent, FinanceBuzz, Slickdeals, Student Loan Planner, and more. He is working toward accreditation as an Accredited Financial Counselor (AFC).
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Editor
Hanna Horvath is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ and Bankrate's senior editor of content partnerships.
Updated May 13, 2024, 6:00 PM EDT
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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.
The best credit cards for Alaska Airlines
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
Alaska Airlines Visa® 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
Pros
- Generous earning potential on Alaska Airlines purchases
- Miles are redeemable with Oneworld Alliance airlines and other partners
- Annual companion fare benefit after spending $6,000 or more in the prior anniversary year
- Free checked bag benefits
Cons
- $95 annual fee
- Limited flight routes outside of the West Coast
- Companion fare benefit is only valid for Alaska Airlines flights
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.
Alaska Airlines Visa® Business credit card
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
Pros
- Annual companion fare benefit after spending $6,000 or more in the prior anniversary year
- Free checked bag benefits
- Priority boarding
- 20% back on Alaska Airlines inflight purchases
- $100 off an Alaska Airlines Lounge+ Membership when you pay with your card
Cons
- Annual fee per company and per card
- Limited earning on popular business expense spending categories
- Low rewards rates outside of Alaska Airlines purchases
- Limited flight routes outside of the West Coast
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.
Bilt Mastercard®
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
Pros
- 1:1 transfer partner with Alaska Airlines
- Earns points on rent payments without fees
- Flexible redemption options
- Valuable travel protections
- No foreign transaction fee
Cons
- No bonus offer
- Must meet monthly transaction requirements to earn points
- No rewards for mortgage payments
- Low bonus rates compared to other cards
The Platinum Card® from American Express
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.
Pros
- Generous bonus offer
- Extensive airport lounge access
- Annual credits provide roughly $1,700 in yearly value
- High bonus rates for travel
- Several travel and consumer protections
Cons
- Lofty $695 annual fee. See rates and fees.
- Bonus rates apply primarily to travel booked directly or through Amex
- Some annual credits and benefits may not be practical for many cardholders
Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card
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
Pros
- Highly competitive bonus rates on select travel purchases
- $300 annual travel credit
- Flexible redemptions, including transfers to partner airlines and hotels
- Airport lounge access
- Card anniversary perk
Cons
- $395 annual fee
- Priority Pass Select doesn't include restaurant benefits
- Limited number of Capital One Lounges
- Less valuable transfer partners than other loyalty programs
Comparing the best Alaska Airlines cards
First checked bag free 20% in-flight discounts | First checked bag free 20% in-flight discounts | ||||
How to choose the best Alaska Airlines card for you
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.
How we rated the best cards for Alaska Airlines
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.
The bottom line
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.