Bank of America Alaska Airlines Visa Signature Review (Personal & Business)
Updated April 22, 2023.
The Facts
This covers both the personal and business versions of the Alaska Airlines Visa Signature.
BofA Alaska Airlines Visa Signature (Personal)
BofA Alaska Airlines BUSINESS Visa Signature
The Math
For quite a while, the $99 companion certificate was redeemable on first class, which made it a sweet deal. That is why it was on our Top List. However, Alaska changed the policy in mid 2012 making the companion certificate issued after August 1, 2012 redeemable on economy class only. With that, you may still get a good value out of it, but the value of the companion certificate has been diluted quite a bit. In the 2023 revamp, this benefit was further diluted with a $6K spending annual requirement.
For general spending, we used to recommend old Amex SPG Card instead, due to the 25% more miles earning. However, effective August 2018 with the revamp of Amex SPG Card, BofA Alaska Visa has become the best way of earning Alaska miles through spending, not only for the bonus category but also for general spending.
The Conclusion
With the $6K annual spending requirement added for the $99 companion certification in 2023, this is no longer a great "drawer card". However, this card remains a good way of accumulating Alaska miles through spending, and if you do spend more than $6K on the card, the $99 companion certification is just icing on the cake.
The Facts
This covers both the personal and business versions of the Alaska Airlines Visa Signature.
BofA Alaska Airlines Visa Signature (Personal)
- Annual Fee: $95
- Signup Bonus: 50,000 miles + $100 statement credit + one $99 companion certificate (which allows you to take a companion for $99 plus fees and taxes starting $22 when you pay your own ticket) after $2,000 spent within 3 months of new account opening. Historical best bonus: (1) 70,000 miles + one $99 companion certificate in 2023; (2) 65,000 miles + one $99 companion certificate in 2020 & 2021; (3) 60,000 miles + one $99 companion certificate in 2022; (4) $200 statement credit + 40,000 miles + $99 companion certificate in 2022; (5) 50,000 miles + one $99 companion certificate in 2021 & 2022; (6) 40,000 miles + one free companion certificate in 2018 and 2019; (7) 40,000 miles + $100 statement credit + one $99 companion certificate in 2020.
- Application Landing Page (personal)
- Rewards: 3x Alaska, 2x gas & local transit (including ride share) & cable & select streaming services, and 1x everywhere else. In addition, you will receive 10% bonus on all miles earned from the card if you also have an eligible BofA banking account.
- Best Use of Mileage Plan Miles: Mileage Plan is Alaska Airlines' frequent flyer program and surely you can use the miles on their flights. Even though Alaska is not in any airline alliance, it partners with more than a dozen airlines (including American, Delta, British, Cathay Pacific, Emirates, etc.) to allow you to use Alaska miles on partners' metal.
- Alaska Benefits: (1) When you spend at least $6K in the previous year, receive an annual $99 companion certificate, allowing you to take a companion for $99 (plus fees and taxes starting $22) on any Alaska flight if you pay your ticket (on economy class only). Both passengers will get miles for that trip. This companion certificate is still the best among those provided by credit cards since unlike others that can only be used in the contiguous U.S., Alaska's can be used on any Alaska flight including to Hawaii and Alaska. (2) You and up to 6 passengers on your reservation can check the first bags for free when you pay for your flight with the card. (3) Priority boarding when you pay for your flight with the card. (4) $100 off the annual Alaska Lounge+ membership. (5) Receive 20% back on your in-flight purchases. (6) An authorized user will also enjoy a free checked bag and priority boarding, when traveling with the primary cardholder.
- History: BofA revamped the card by increasing the annual fee from $75 to $95, adding 2x categories, 10% miles bonus with a BofA account, priority boarding, and $100 off Lounge+ membership, and starting to require $6K spending for the annual $99 companion certificate.
BofA Alaska Airlines BUSINESS Visa Signature
- The business version shares all the features of the personal card, except for the annual fee: $70 per company and $25 per card. The current signup bonus of the business card is 50,000 miles + $100 statement credit + one $99 companion certificate after spending $3,000 within 3 months of new account opening. Historical best bonus: (1) 70,000 miles + $99 companion certificate in 2022; (2) 60,000 miles + $99 companion certificate in 2022; (3) 40,000 miles + $200 statement credit + $99 companion certification in 2020.
- Application Landing Page (business)
- History: similar changes came to the business version at the same time in 2023.
The Math
For quite a while, the $99 companion certificate was redeemable on first class, which made it a sweet deal. That is why it was on our Top List. However, Alaska changed the policy in mid 2012 making the companion certificate issued after August 1, 2012 redeemable on economy class only. With that, you may still get a good value out of it, but the value of the companion certificate has been diluted quite a bit. In the 2023 revamp, this benefit was further diluted with a $6K spending annual requirement.
For general spending, we used to recommend old Amex SPG Card instead, due to the 25% more miles earning. However, effective August 2018 with the revamp of Amex SPG Card, BofA Alaska Visa has become the best way of earning Alaska miles through spending, not only for the bonus category but also for general spending.
The Conclusion
With the $6K annual spending requirement added for the $99 companion certification in 2023, this is no longer a great "drawer card". However, this card remains a good way of accumulating Alaska miles through spending, and if you do spend more than $6K on the card, the $99 companion certification is just icing on the cake.