What the Alaska Airlines Bank of America Card Does

The Alaska Airlines Bank of America credit card earns miles on every purchase you make, with bonus miles for travel and dining. You get one mile per dollar spent on most purchases, and the card comes with a sign-up bonus of miles after you meet a spending threshold in the first few months. The card has no annual fee, which means you can hold it without paying to keep the account open.

The miles you earn go into your Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan account, where you can use them to book flights on Alaska Airlines and partner airlines, or to upgrade cabin classes on flights you've already booked. You can also use miles for hotel stays, car rentals, and other travel purchases through the Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan website.

Bank of America issues this card, so the account management, billing, and customer service all run through Bank of America's systems. You'll receive your statements and make payments through Bank of America, not through Alaska Airlines.

Key Takeaways

  • You earn one mile per dollar on most purchases, with higher earning rates on Alaska Airlines flights and dining at restaurants.
  • The card has no annual fee, so there's no yearly cost to keep the account open.
  • A sign-up bonus of miles is available after you spend a certain amount within the first few months of opening the account.
  • Miles are deposited into your Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan account and can be used for flights, upgrades, hotels, and car rentals.
  • You manage the credit card account through Bank of America, not Alaska Airlines.

How to Open an Alaska Airlines Bank of America Card Account

Start by going to the Bank of America website or visiting an Alaska Airlines partner page that links to the card offer. You'll see the current sign-up bonus and the spending requirement to earn it. Read through the terms to understand the earning rates and any other features before you begin.

Click the button to start the process. Bank of America will ask for your personal information: your full name, date of birth, Social Security number, current address, and employment details. Have a government-issued ID ready to verify your identity. The process usually takes about 10 minutes.

Bank of America will check your credit and make a decision right away or within a few business days. If you're approved, you'll receive your card in the mail within 7 to 10 business days. Once it arrives, you'll need to set up it before you can use it. You can set up the card by calling the number on the back of the card or by logging into your Bank of America online account.

After you set up the card, your Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan account will be linked to it automatically. Any miles you earn will post to that account within one to three billing cycles.

Earning Miles on Purchases

The card earns miles at different rates depending on what you buy. You earn three miles per dollar on Alaska Airlines flights booked directly with Alaska Airlines, and three miles per dollar at restaurants. You earn one mile per dollar on all other purchases, including groceries, gas, and online shopping.

Miles post to your Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan account at the end of each billing cycle. The first time you use the card, it may take up to three billing cycles for miles to appear in your account. After that, miles usually show up within one to three cycles of each statement closing date.

The sign-up bonus is a one-time award of miles that you earn after you spend a set amount on the card within the first few months. The current bonus and spending requirement vary depending on the offer you saw when you applied. Check your welcome materials or log into your Bank of America account to see what bonus you may have access to for and how much you need to spend to earn it.

How to Use Your Miles

Log into your Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan account on the Alaska Airlines website. You'll see your current mile balance at the top of the page. To book a flight, search for your route and dates, then select "Mileage" as your payment method instead of paying with cash or a credit card.

Miles can also be used to upgrade a flight you've already booked. After you purchase a ticket with cash or a credit card, you can log back in and use miles to upgrade from economy to a higher cabin class on that same flight. The number of miles required depends on the route and how far in advance you upgrade.

Outside of flights, you can use miles for hotel stays, car rentals, and vacation packages through the Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan website. Click "Shop" or "Travel" on the Mileage Plan homepage to see current offers. Miles can also be transferred to partner hotels and car rental companies, though the transfer rate varies.

Making Payments and Managing Your Account

Your credit card bill comes from Bank of America, not Alaska Airlines. You can pay your bill online through your Bank of America account, by phone, by mail, or in person at a Bank of America branch. Set up automatic payments if you want your bill paid on the same day each month.

Your statement closing date and payment due date are listed on your first statement. The closing date is when Bank of America tallies up all your purchases for that month. The due date is when your payment must arrive to avoid a late fee. You have at least 21 days between the closing date and the due date.

Check your account online regularly to watch your balance and make sure all your charges are correct. If you see a purchase you didn't make, contact Bank of America right away. You can dispute the charge through your online account or by calling the number on the back of your card.

Annual Fee and Other Costs

This card has no annual fee. You will not be charged a yearly amount to keep the account open, even if you don't use the card.

You may be charged other fees in certain situations. If you miss a payment, Bank of America charges a late fee. If you go over your credit limit, you may be charged an over-limit fee. If you take a cash advance (withdrawing cash using your credit card), you'll pay a cash advance fee and interest will start right away. If you make a payment that bounces, you'll be charged a returned payment fee.

Interest charges explore to any balance you carry from month to month. The interest rate (called the APR, or annual percentage rate) is set based on your credit score and history. You can see your APR on your statement or in your online account. To avoid interest charges, pay your full statement balance by the due date each month.

Linking Your Card to Your Mileage Plan Account

When you open the card, Bank of America and Alaska Airlines share your information to link your new credit card account to your existing Mileage Plan account. If you don't already have a Mileage Plan account, one will be created for you automatically.

If the linking doesn't happen automatically, or if you want to link the card to a different Mileage Plan account, log into your Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan account and look for a section called "Linked Cards" or "Credit Card Accounts." You'll enter your credit card number and the last four digits of your Social Security number to complete the link.

Once linked, all miles you earn on the card will go into that Mileage Plan account. If you close the credit card, the link will be removed, but your miles will stay in your Mileage Plan account and you can still use them.

Frequently Asked Questions

What happens to my miles if I close the credit card?

Your miles stay in your Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan account. Closing the card only stops you from earning new miles on purchases. You can still use your existing miles to book flights and other travel. However, if you close the card and don't have any other activity in your Mileage Plan account, Alaska Airlines may close the account after a period of inactivity, which would forfeit your miles.

Can I earn miles on purchases made outside the United States?

Yes, you earn miles on all purchases made with the card, whether they're in the U.S. or abroad. However, if you make a purchase in a foreign currency, Bank of America will convert it to U.S. dollars and charge a foreign transaction fee of 3 percent. This fee is added to your statement along with the purchase amount.

How long do miles stay in my account?

Miles do not expire as long as you have account activity at least once every 24 months. Account activity includes earning miles, using miles, or logging into your Mileage Plan account. If your account goes inactive for more than 24 months, Alaska Airlines may close it and forfeit your miles.

Can I transfer miles to someone else?

You cannot transfer miles to another person's Mileage Plan account. However, you can use your miles to book a flight for someone else. You can also use miles to buy a gift card from Alaska Airlines that someone else can use to purchase a ticket.

What's the difference between this card and other Alaska Airlines credit cards?

Bank of America offers more than one Alaska Airlines credit card. The main differences are the sign-up bonus amount, the annual fee (some versions have an annual fee), and the earning rates on certain categories. Check the current offers on the Bank of America website to compare the versions available right now.