Alaska Airlines is launching a new credit card next year, offering exciting perks for travelers. Cardholders can anticipate generous rewards points on Alaska Airlines purchases and everyday spending. Additional benefits may include free checked bags, priority boarding, and potential companion fare discounts. Expect more details on interest rates, fees, and the official launch date soon. This referral program is poised to be a great option for frequent flyers.
What We Know So Far: A Sneak Peek at the New Alaska Airlines Credit Card Perks
Although details are still emerging, insiders and industry analysts have pieced together a picture of what the new Alaska Airlines credit card will likely offer. Here's a breakdown of some of the anticipated perks:
Generous Welcome Bonus: Expect a significant bonus of Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan miles upon meeting a spending requirement within the first few months of card membership. This could be enough for a round-trip ticket to select destinations!
Earning Power on Purchases: Earn Alaska Airlines miles on every purchase you make with the card. Likely tiers will exist, with higher earning rates for Alaska Airlines flights and potentially on everyday spending categories like dining, gas, or groceries.
Free Checked Bag: A perennial favorite benefit, anticipate free checked bags for the cardholder and potentially companions traveling on the same reservation. This alone can save a substantial amount of money on each trip.
Companion Fare: The Alaska Airlines Companion Fare is a popular perk, and it's highly likely to be included with the new card. This allows you to bring a companion on a round-trip flight for a significantly reduced price, typically just the cost of taxes and fees.
Priority Boarding: Skip the general boarding lines and enjoy priority boarding privileges, allowing you to settle into your seat sooner and secure overhead bin space.
In-Flight Discounts: Look for potential discounts on in-flight purchases like food, beverages, and Wi-Fi.
Anniversary Bonus: Many airline cards offer an annual bonus based on spending or simply for being a cardholder. Expect something similar with the new Alaska Airlines card, perhaps in the form of bonus miles or elite qualifying miles.
A Comparison of Potential Benefits
To give you a clearer idea of what to expect, here's a table comparing potential features of the new Alaska Airlines credit card with common benefits offered by other airline credit cards:
Feature |
Potential New Alaska Airlines Card |
Common Airline Credit Card Benefits |
---|
Welcome Bonus |
Likely a generous offer of Mileage Plan miles |
Varies widely; often tens of thousands of miles |
Earning on Alaska Airlines Flights |
Expect a higher earning rate (e.g., 3x miles per dollar) |
Typically 2-5x miles per dollar |
Earning on Other Purchases |
Potentially bonus categories like dining or gas |
Usually 1x mile per dollar on non-bonus categories |
Free Checked Bag |
Highly likely for cardholder and companions |
Common benefit for cardholder and often companions |
Companion Fare |
Expected; a signature Alaska Airlines perk |
Offered by some airlines, often with restrictions |
Priority Boarding |
Likely included for cardholder |
Common benefit for cardholder |
Annual Fee |
Expected; likely in the $75-$150 range |
Varies; some cards have no annual fee, others have high fees |
Anniversary Bonus |
Possible; could be miles or statement credit |
Offered by some cards; varies in value |
Who Will Benefit Most from the New Alaska Airlines Credit Card?
The new Alaska Airlines credit card is ideally suited for frequent flyers who regularly travel with Alaska Airlines. The free checked bag, companion fare, and priority boarding benefits can significantly enhance the travel experience and save money. Even casual travelers who occasionally fly with Alaska Airlines can benefit from the welcome bonus and earning potential on purchases.
Stay Tuned for More Information
As the launch date approaches, more details about the new Alaska Airlines credit card will be revealed. Keep an eye on the Alaska Airlines website and reputable travel blogs for updates. This new card promises to be a valuable tool for earning rewards and enhancing your travels with Alaska Airlines.