If you're looking to boost your Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan balance, here is a good opportunity to do so.
Through April 17, applicants for the Alaska Airlines Visa® credit card can earn 70,000 bonus miles plus Alaska's Famous Companion Fare from $122 ($99 fare plus taxes and fees from $23) after spending $3,000 or more on purchases within the first 90 days from account opening.
There is also a (lower) offer on the Alaska Airlines Visa® Business card of 50,000 bonus miles plus Alaska's Famous Companion Fare from $122 ($99 fare plus taxes and fees from $23). To qualify, make $3,000 or more in purchases within the first 90 days from account opening.
Whether you're looking for business-class flights to Australia and Asia or looking to use Alaska Airlines' friendly stopover policy, there are many reasons why you want Alaska miles. However, do note that a new award chart came into effect in March.
Let's take a look at the details of this new offer from the Alaska Airlines Visa card.
Alaska Airlines Visa welcome offer
New applicants for the Alaska Airlines Visa credit card can earn 70,000 bonus miles after making $3,000 in purchases within the first 90 days of account opening. Offer ends April 17.
Based on TPG's valuations, the 70,000 miles are worth $1,050. Plus, by meeting the same minimum spending requirement, new applicants can also earn Alaska's Famous Companion Fare — from $122 ($99 fare plus taxes and fees from $23).
It's hard to peg an exact value on the Alaska Companion Fare that's part of this offer since you can use it for essentially any economy ticket across the carrier's domestic and international network (though not on partner airlines). This includes one-way, round-trip and multicity routings. However, it can easily put hundreds of dollars back in your pocket on your next Alaska flight.
The card has a $95 annual fee.
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Related: 5 ways the TPG staff would redeem 70,000 Alaska miles
To be clear, we have seen higher offers for this card, earning up to 100,000 miles after spending $15,000. However, if you're looking for an elevated welcome offer with more miles than the standard offer (which tends to be 40,000-50,000 miles after spending $2,000-$3,000) without heavy spending requirements, you should consider this offer.
It's also worth pointing out that Alaska Airlines does offer targeted bonuses on this card on the final page when booking a flight online. Be sure to try that avenue to see if you receive an even better offer.
Related: A full review of the Alaska Airlines Visa credit card
Card benefits
The card itself comes with a nice lineup of perks and benefits.
You'll earn 3 miles per dollar on eligible Alaska Airlines purchases, 2 miles per dollar on eligible gas, local transit (including ride-hailing apps), EV charging stations, cable and select streaming services, and 1 mile per dollar on other purchases.
You'll also receive priority boarding on Alaska Airlines flights for you and up to six guests on the same reservation when you pay for your flight with your card.
Your first checked bag is free for you and up to six guests on your same reservation, but again, you need to pay for your flights with your Alaska Airlines Visa card to qualify for this benefit. Priority boarding and checked bag benefits also apply to authorized users in your account, even if the primary cardholder isn't traveling on that reservation.
While Alaska Airlines lounges have no daypass benefits, you can save $100 on an Alaska Lounge+ membership when paying with your Alaska Airlines credit card. Also, if you make inflight purchases with this card, you'll receive a 20% rebate on food, beverage and Wi-Fi purchases.
In addition, the companion fare benefit is an annual perk granted to you each account anniversary after spending $6,000 or more within the prior anniversary year (in addition to the companion fare included in the welcome offer).
Furthermore, you'll receive a 10% bonus on miles earned if you have an eligible qualifying bank account with Bank of America.
Related: How my unused Alaska Companion Fare saved a co-worker nearly $700 on summer travel
Why Alaska Airlines miles are so valuable
Alaska Airlines has built a valuable frequent flyer program through an array of partnerships with several top-notch carriers.
Between a smattering of different partners that can provide outsized value (to those who know how to finagle the right partner redemptions) and the ability to book free stopovers, the Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan program is one of our favorites here at TPG.
Additionally, Alaska Airlines is part of the Oneworld alliance, adding additional partners for earning and redeeming your miles.
One of our favorite uses of Alaska miles is to book Cathay Pacific's incredibly luxurious premium cabins. One-way awards from the U.S. to Asia start from 85,000 miles in business class or 130,000 miles in first class — though availability can be hard to find.
Related: Here's why Alaska Airlines miles are the most valuable
Bottom line
This current offer on the Alaska Airlines Visa credit card may not be the highest it's ever been, but it does offer the chance to earn a good haul of miles without exorbitant spending requirements. Make sure to brush up on the rules for applying for Bank of America cards, including the 2/3/4 rule, which limits consumers to only being approved for up to four new cards in a 24-month period.
Alaska miles offer some of the best value for premium cabin redemptions. This is a compelling option if you're in the market for a new airline card.
Learn more about the card in our full review of the Alaska Airlines Visa credit card.
Apply here: Alaska Airlines Visa credit card
Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.
