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The Alaska Mileage Plan card is great for Alaska Air, earn 3 points spent on that. You will receive a free checked bag with Alaska airline, you and six guests! Get Alaska's famous companion fare every year.
- Credit: Good credit needed
- Max cards: Bank of America will only approve you for 2 Bank of America personal cards within 2 months, 3 Bank of America personal cards within 12 months, and 4 Bank of America personal cards within 24 months
- You cannot get approved for a personal Bank of America card if you have more than 5 Bank of America personal credit cards open
- BOA 2/6 cards in 12 months rule: Bank of America will not approve you for their credit card if you opened more than 2 cards in the past 12 months, even if it’s from other issuers. Unless you are a BOA bank account holder, then you can get approved even if you opened up to 6 cards in 12 months
- 24 month rule: The Alaska Airline Card may not be available to you if you currently have or have had the Alaska Airline Card in the past 24 month period. Based on these terms, it seems that you "may" not be eligible for a new card until your previous card is closed for a full 24 months.
Apply for two cards: If you apply for one Bank Of America card and get approved, it is recommended to apply for a second card since Bank Of America is very good about approving for two cards, even within the same day
- Credit bureau: Bank Of America will usually pull your Experian credit report (If you freeze Experian then Bank Of America will pull your TransUnion credit report)
- Combining same-day credit inquiries: Credit inquiries for all Personal BOA cards for applications within 30 days will be combined
- Check application status: You can check your application status here
- Reconsideration: I don't have a direct line to Bank of America's reconsideration department. If declined, you can call the new accounts fraud department at 1-888-230-6262, and they can connect you to the reconsideration department
- Quickest way to get my card: You can request Bank of America to expedite your physical card by calling Bank of America customer service. Bank of America will in most cases not offer an instant credit card number for your new card.
- Downgrade options: You can downgrade the Alaska Airline Visa card ($75) to any of the following cards: Bank Of America Customized Cash Rewards ($0), Bank Of America Travel Rewards ($0), Bank Of America Unlimited Cash Rewards ($0).
Approval Monitor (submitted by HelpMeBuildCredit users)
Credit limit range $6,000-$22,000
Avg. Credit limit$14,625
Disclosure: These results are based on information submitted by HelpMeBuildCredit users. Credit card approval results are not provided or commissioned by the bank advertiser. Responses have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by the bank advertiser. Neither HelpMeBuildCredit nor the bank advertiser's take any responsibility on the accuracy of the information.
HelpMeBuildCredit credit ranges are a variation of FICO®️ Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application
- Balance transfer fee: Intro fee for 3% or $10, whichever is greater
- Balance transfers must be completed within 60 days of account opening
New! Earn a 10% bonus reward on all miles if you have an eligible Bank of America account (you need to have a transaction in your bank account within 90 days).
Secondary coverage for collision damage and theft on domestic rentals for up to 15 days, and primary coverage for collision damage and theft on international rentals for up to 31 days (excluding rentals in Israel, Jamaica, the Republic of Ireland, or Northern Ireland).
Earn an economy companion certificate after spending $2,000 within the first 90 days. You will need to pay $99 plus the companions taxes and fees.
Get one additional year to your original manufacturer’s warranty time. (Will only cover if the original warranty is for 3 years or less). Max $10,000 per claim, $50,000 per cardholder.
Updated: First checked bag free for you and up to 6 companions, and your authorized users
Receive 20% back (statement credit) for inflight purchases of Wifi, food and drinks.
Get up to $3,000 per person for lost or stolen luggage. Max $2,000 for NY residents.
Get a 50% discount on an Alaska lounge day pass.
New! Get $100 off annually for an Alaska Lounge+ Membership.
New! Get complimentary priority boarding on flights operated by Alaska Airlines, Horizon Air, or SkyWest, for you an your authorized users
Get refunded if your purchase is damaged or stolen within the first 90 days. Max $500 per claim and $50,000 per year.
The points can be used at approximately 1 – 1.3 cents per point to book award flights with one of the following Alaska airline partners:
- Alaska Airlines
- American Airlines
- British Airways
- Cathay Pacific
- Fiji Airways
- Finnair
- Iberia
- Japan Airlines
- Malaysia Airlines
- Qantas
- Qatar Airways
- Royal Air Maroc
- Royal Jordanian
- S7 Airlines
- SriLankan Airlines
You can book award flights using your Alaska miles with Alaska airline and its partners here.
To book award flights with the following Alaska airline partners call 1-800-252-7522:
- Latam
- Cathay Pacific
First thing Alaska asks you to do when you get to the Award Charts page, is choose where you want to fly.
Then, depending on your input, it offers you a choice of partner airlines. Alaska has different award charts for its own flights and for each partner. Some of theses schemes are distance-based, while others are region-based.
Keep in mind that Alaska allows you to have one free stopover for every one-way flight on all airline partners, so you can basically get two free stopovers on a round-trip ticket.
While Alaska’s own award chart is pretty decent, I’d hesitate to use Alaska miles for anything other than long-hauls in international Business Class. In the end, Alaska miles are not easy to come by and you shouldn’t waste them on mediocre redemptions. Having said that, here are some options you might find useful.
Within U.S. and Canada in economy starting at only 5k miles
If you live in the Northwest, you might find Alaska distance-based rates very attractive. They start from 5,000 miles for flight distances under 700 miles and 7,500 miles between 701 and 1,400 miles. And in many (but not all) cases, this chart covers only the distance between your origin and the final destination regardless whether your flight requires a connection or not.
Fly within Alaska on Alaska
This might feel obvious, but it’s worth reminding that Alaska Airlines is the primary carrier in the 49th state, with an extensive network often corresponding with astronomical fares. If you’re on a mission to explore this fascinating land, Alaska miles can save you a bundle.
Fly to Asia on Hainan in Business for 50,000 miles
50,000 miles to Asia in Business would be a fantastic value, especially that Hainan award seats are relatively easy to come by, but unfortunately Alaska adds fuel surcharges to Hainan flights that seem to start around $150 for one-way flight to China and go even higher depending on your final destination. Still, it’s a solid choice for a lie-flat seat on an ultra long-haul flight.
Fly on Singapore First and Business Class to Asia
As much as I’m reluctant to recommend buying Singapore flights with Alaska miles (they’re a bit overpriced), it’s one of the very few Singapore partners that has this options. The vast majority of Singapore airline partners don’t have access to the carrier’s premium class ultra long-haul awards, so if you’re hell-bent on pampering yourself in Singapore Business or First Class (and if you can find the space, that is) Alaska miles are a viable option. Here is what it’s going to cost you.
The U.S. to Japan | |
Business | 80,000 |
First | 110,000 |
The U.S. to Southeast Asia or China | |
Business | 100,000 |
First | 130,000 |
Fly to South America in Business for 45,000 miles
Finding LATAM Business Class tickets is notoriously hard, but if you manage, you can fly to the far reaches of southern South America for only 45,000 miles.
Fly in cheap Business and First Class to Asia
American Airlines to China and Japan | |
Business | 60,000 |
First Class | 80,000 |
Cathay Pacific to Asia | |
Business | 50,000 |
First Class | 70,000 |
Japan Airlines to Asia | |
Business | 60,000 |
First Class | 70,000 |
Fly in cheap Business and First Class to the Middle East
Cathay Pacific | |
Business | 62,500 |
First Class | 70,000 |
Fly in cheap Business and First Class to Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific
Australia | ||
Qantas | Business | 60,000 |
First Class | 70,000 | |
Cathay Pacific | Business | 60,000 |
First Class | 80,000 | |
Fiji | Business | 55,000 |
New Zealand | ||
Qantas | Business | 55,000 |
First Class | 70,000 | |
Cathay Pacific | Business | 60,000 |
First Class | 80,000 | |
Fiji | Business | 55,000 |
South Pacific | ||
Fiji | Business | 55,000 |