What the Bank of America Alaska Airlines card offers

The Bank of America Alaska Airlines card is a co-branded rewards card that earns points on every purchase you make. Those points convert to Alaska Airlines miles, which you can use for flights, seat upgrades, and other travel perks. The card comes with an annual fee, and the earning rate and sign-up offer change periodically, so check the current terms before you open an account.

This card is designed for people who fly Alaska Airlines regularly or want to build up miles for a future trip. Unlike some airline cards that restrict earning to airline purchases, this one earns points on groceries, gas, dining, and everyday spending. The miles never expire as long as your account stays open and active.

Key Takeaways

  • The card earns Alaska Airlines miles on all purchases, with bonus earning rates on specific categories like dining and gas.
  • You pay an annual fee to hold the card, and Bank of America may waive it for the first year depending on current promotions.
  • Miles you earn can be used for Alaska Airlines flights, seat upgrades, and other travel benefits, and they do not expire as long as your account remains open.
  • You can redeem miles directly through your online account or by calling Alaska Airlines, and the redemption process typically takes a few minutes.
  • The card includes travel protections like trip cancellation insurance and baggage delay coverage, which vary by card tier.

How earning and redeeming miles works

Every dollar you spend on the card earns a set number of miles. The earning rate depends on what you buy—you earn more miles per dollar at restaurants and gas stations than you do on general purchases. A sign-up bonus gives you a large number of miles upfront if you meet a minimum spending requirement within the first few months of opening the account.

To redeem your miles, log into your Bank of America online account, navigate to the rewards section, and select "Redeem for Travel." You can search for Alaska Airlines flights by date and route, and the system will show you how many miles each flight costs. Alternatively, you can call Alaska Airlines directly and tell them you want to book with miles from your Bank of America card. Most redemptions process when ready, and you will receive your confirmation number right away.

Miles do not expire as long as you keep your account open and use it at least once every 24 months. If your account closes or goes inactive for more than two years, Alaska Airlines may cancel your miles, so set a calendar reminder to make a small purchase or payment every couple of years if you are not a frequent user.

Annual fees and when they are charged

The card carries an annual fee that Bank of America charges once per year, usually on your account anniversary. The amount varies depending on which version of the card you hold—there are typically two tiers, with the premium version costing more but offering additional benefits like annual mile bonuses and higher earning rates in certain categories.

Bank of America sometimes waives the annual fee for the first year as part of a promotional offer. Check the current offer before you open an account to see whether the first year is free. After that, the fee renews automatically each year unless you close the account. If you want to cancel before the fee hits, contact Bank of America customer service and ask them to close the account before your anniversary date.

Travel protections and additional benefits

The card includes several travel-related protections that come at no extra cost. Trip cancellation insurance covers you if you have to cancel a prepaid trip due to illness, injury, or death of a family member. Baggage delay coverage reimburses you for essential items if your checked bags are delayed more than 12 hours. Lost luggage reimbursement covers the value of your bags and contents if the airline loses them.

Both versions of the card offer a statement credit toward Alaska Airlines purchases once per year—this is separate from miles and appears as a direct discount on your bill. The premium tier also includes a companion fare discount, which gives you a reduced price on a second ticket when you book a paid flight. These benefits stack with your miles, so you can earn miles on a flight and still use the annual statement credit or companion discount.

How to open an account and set up the card

You can open an account online through Bank of America's website or by visiting a branch in person. The online process takes about 10 minutes and asks for your Social Security number, income, employment status, and current address. Bank of America will run a credit check, and most decisions come back within minutes. If you are approved, the card ships to your address within 7 to 10 business days.

When your card arrives, call the number on the back or log into your Bank of America account to set up it. set up is when ready and takes less than a minute. Once activated, you can start earning miles right away on any purchase. If you have a sign-up bonus, make sure you understand the spending requirement and important date—the bonus miles post to your account once you meet the requirement, usually within one to two billing cycles.

Comparing this card to other Alaska Airlines options

Alaska Airlines also offers a card through other issuers, and the terms differ. The Bank of America version is the primary co-branded card and typically offers the highest earning rates and most robust benefits. If you have a different Alaska Airlines card from another bank, you cannot hold both at the same time—you would need to close one before opening the other.

If you do not fly Alaska Airlines often, a general rewards card from Bank of America might earn you more value, since you would not pay an annual fee and could use points flexibly across multiple airlines and travel partners. Compare the earning rates, annual fees, and sign-up bonuses of cards you are considering to see which one matches your spending and travel patterns.

What to do if you have trouble with your account

If miles do not post to your account after a purchase, wait one to two billing cycles—miles sometimes lag behind the transaction. If they still have not appeared, log into your account and check your transaction history to confirm the purchase posted. Then contact Bank of America customer service with the transaction details, and they can investigate whether the miles were earned correctly.

If you want to transfer miles to someone else or combine miles from multiple accounts, contact Alaska Airlines directly—Bank of America cannot process these requests. Alaska Airlines has specific rules about transfers and may charge a fee. If you are having trouble redeeming miles or seeing available flights, try logging out and back in, or call Alaska Airlines customer service, since the issue may be on their end rather than Bank of America's.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use my miles on airlines other than Alaska Airlines?

No. Miles earned on the Bank of America Alaska Airlines card can only be redeemed for Alaska Airlines flights and Alaska Airlines partner airline flights. You cannot transfer them to other airline programs or use them on unaffiliated carriers. If you want flexibility across multiple airlines, a general rewards card may be a better fit.

What happens to my miles if I close the card?

Your miles do not disappear when you close the card. They remain in your Alaska Airlines frequent flyer account as long as that account stays active. You can still redeem them for flights even after the credit card is closed. However, if your Alaska Airlines account goes inactive for 24 months, the miles may be forfeited, so keep your account active by earning or redeeming at least once every two years.

Do I have to pay the annual fee if I close the card before my anniversary?

No. If you close the card before your account anniversary, you will not be charged the annual fee for that year. Call Bank of America and ask them to close the account before your anniversary date if you want to avoid the fee. If the fee has already posted, you can sometimes request a refund within 30 days of the charge.

How long does it take to earn enough miles for a free flight?

The number of miles required for a flight varies by route and how far in advance you book. Short flights may cost 7,500 to 12,500 miles, while longer flights can cost 25,000 miles or more. The sign-up bonus typically gives you enough miles for at least one short flight, and everyday spending adds up over time. Check Alaska Airlines' award chart to see how many miles specific routes cost before you open the card.

Can I use my miles to pay for seat upgrades?

Yes. You can use miles to upgrade from economy to premium economy or business class on Alaska Airlines flights. The cost in miles depends on the flight and how far in advance you upgrade. You can request an upgrade when you book your flight or after you have already purchased a ticket, as long as the upgrade is available.