Update 1/11/25: If you joined the waitlist when it became available the 500 miles should have posted.
Update: VFTW shares that the card will also come with companion passes (one for having the card and another when a spend threshold is hit). Can be used on any Alaska airlines redemption (any class of service and with partners) there will be a mileage cap but this can be topped up with miles as well.
Alaska Airlines (along with cobrand partner Bank of America) plan to launch a $395 premium credit card in summer 2025. You can get 500 miles if you join the waitlist by December 31, 2024 and an additional 5,000 miles if you join the waitlist and apply for the card when it launches (this is in addition to the unknown sign up bonus that will be offered at launch).
The card will have the following features:
- $395 annual fee
- 3X miles on all eligible foreign purchases
- 3X miles on all eligible dining purchases
- Waived award ticket fees
- Alaska Lounge passes
- Wi-Fi vouchers
- accelerated paths to elite status
- innovative travel disruption program
Our Verdict
It’s interesting that it says lounge passes rather than lounge access, I assume that means it’ll be limited.
I saw a mystery 500 miles posted in my account and was wondering why. Thanks for the update.
That $395 AF sure looks steep, given the potential benefits from the card – or am I missing something?
The global certificate is the big draw: “The global companion award certificates will be useable on any Alaska Airlines redemption – that means partner awards and for any class of service.”
Being able to book a premium (business/first) ticket using the certificate is worth thousands of dollars, so easily worth the fee.
Thanks.
I received the 500 miles and a mailer with 80k offer for $4k spend. Also I’m thinking about what The statement “Waived award ticket fees” really means. If it applies to partner flights on British Airways it will be a hit.
I haven’t seen miles post on my account
This superficially seems to be better targeted to international travelers. The companion cert thing seems to be a gimmick although I did use mine on the regular card last year. Although im midlevel (MVP gold) im really not seeing the appeal unless lots of lounge passes. Im probably not the target audience though. I do really think alaska is setting themselves up to devalue miles soon so im planning to burn through about 200K worth this year.
MVP Gold?! Woah!! Getta loada Mr. Bigshot ova ‘ere!!
I want smooth travel experiences, no travel disrpution please!
Got my 500 pointies on 1/9/25.
The companion award certificates could be tough to redeem on partner airline flights due to the fact that this requires the partner airline to make at least two seats bookable as awards by AS/partners.
We’re seeing an increasing trend across alliances where airlines are restricting award availability to their own programs.
I’m sure there will be situations where outsized value can be obtained via these certificates, but it’s not something a regular joe is going to be able to count on. That said I do think most folks should be able to get good value (possibly enough to justify the af on its own) by booking an all-AS itinerary with the award companion certificate (assuming AS itself doesn’t start playing games with reasonable award availability.
AS is already playing games with award pricing.
Will it extend the miles’ expiration date?
Mine Posted 500 miles from “SPECIAL SERVICES”
me 2
500 credited Jan 9. “SPECIAL SERVICES PREMIUM CARD REGISTRATION”
Got mine as well!