Alaska Airlines Credit Card 2026: Perks, Fees & Credit

What if one credit card could cut your travel costs every time you fly Alaska? The Alaska Airlines credit card is built around that idea, with a famous companion fare and free checked bags that frequent flyers love. But it is a rewards card for good-to-excellent credit, so the numbers matter. Here is exactly what it offers, what it costs, and who should apply.

Key Facts at a Glance

Facts verified as of June 2026 against Bank of America's disclosures.

What Is the Alaska Airlines Credit Card?

The Alaska Airlines credit card is a travel rewards Visa Signature card issued by Bank of America, so it works anywhere Visa is accepted, not just with the airline. As of 2026 it has been rebranded the Atmos Rewards Ascent Visa Signature card, reflecting Alaska's combined loyalty program with Hawaiian Airlines, but the core appeal is unchanged: a generous companion fare and airline perks that can pay for the annual fee.

This is a rewards card for people with good to excellent credit, not a credit-building tool. That distinction matters when deciding whether to apply now or build first.

Alaska Airlines Credit Card Welcome Offer

As of June 2026, Bank of America advertises a limited-time online offer: buy one ticket, get one companion ticket for just the taxes and fees ($0 fare plus taxes and fees from $23), plus 50,000 bonus points, after you spend $2,000 or more on purchases within the first 90 days of opening your account. Offers change, so confirm the current bonus before applying.

Alaska Airlines Credit Card Rewards and Perks

The earning structure, as of June 2026:

• 3 points per $1 on eligible Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines purchases
• 2 points per $1 on gas, EV charging, cable, streaming, and local transit, including rideshare
• 1 point per $1 on everything else
• A 10% rewards bonus on all points earned if you have an eligible Bank of America account

Points do not expire as long as your account stays open and active. The headline benefit is the annual $99 Companion Fare (plus taxes and fees from $23), which you earn each account anniversary after spending $6,000 or more in the prior year. That single perk can cover the annual fee if you travel with a companion. You also get a free checked bag and preferred boarding for you and up to six guests on the same reservation, 20% back on inflight purchases, and $100 off an annual Alaska Lounge+ membership.

Alaska Airlines Credit Card APR and Fees

According to Bank of America's current disclosures, as of June 2026 the card carries:

• Annual fee: $95
• Purchase APR: 19.49% to 27.49% variable, based on creditworthiness
• No foreign transaction fee, a meaningful plus for an international travel card
• Balance transfer fee: 4% of each transaction; standard late-payment and cash-advance fees also apply

Like most rewards cards, this only pays off if you clear the balance each month; at these rates, interest quickly outweighs the value of the points. You can track your score for free at Creditship.ai before you apply to see whether you are in approval range.

Approval, Credit Limit, and Who It Fits

This card generally requires good to excellent credit, often a FICO score of 670 or higher, and the application is a hard credit pull. As a Visa Signature product, it carries a minimum credit limit of $5,000, with higher lines for stronger profiles. Bank of America reports to all three major bureaus (Experian, TransUnion, and Equifax).

The card shines for people who fly Alaska or Hawaiian Airlines regularly and travel with a companion, since the annual companion fare alone can more than cover the $95 fee. It fits travelers who pay in full each month. If your credit is still growing, this card may be out of reach for now, but travel cards for fair credit can earn rewards while you build toward it.

Alternatives Worth Considering

If you want premium rewards without an airline annual fee, the Robinhood Gold Card earns 3% unlimited cash back on every purchase with no foreign transaction fee. It is a flat cash-back card rather than a transferable-miles travel card, so it will not earn Alaska points or a companion fare, but the steady 3% return can fund travel however you like. It is available to Robinhood Gold members, opened through your Robinhood brokerage account.

Not in this card's approval range yet? An unsecured starter card builds the on-time history that unlocks premium travel cards. The Aspire Mastercard takes no security deposit, accepts applicants from the 580 FICO range, and reports to all three bureaus, so the history you build is what gets you to a card like this in about 12 months.

Once your score reaches the good-to-excellent range, premium rewards cards like the Alaska Airlines credit card become realistic targets. If lounge perks appeal to you, our guide to the best airport lounge credit cards is worth a read.

Maximizing Value if You Qualify

If you already have the credit to qualify, a few habits help you get the most from the card. Pay your statement in full every month so interest never eats into your rewards. Put spending you would do anyway on the card, then redeem the companion fare each year. Stacking the free checked bag and companion fare on a single trip can produce real savings.

Is the Alaska Airlines Credit Card Worth It?

For frequent Alaska or Hawaiian flyers with strong credit, the answer is often yes. The $99 companion fare and free bags can outweigh the $95 annual fee, especially if you travel with a partner. If your credit is not there yet, focus on building first with a low-cost starter card, then revisit once your score qualifies. Terms and conditions apply.

Frequently Asked Questions

What credit score and limit do you need for the Alaska Airlines credit card?

It generally requires good to excellent credit, often a FICO score of 670 or higher, after a hard pull. As a Visa Signature card, the minimum credit limit is $5,000, with higher lines for stronger profiles. If your score is lower, building first with a card like the Aspire Mastercard can improve your odds.

How much is the Alaska Airlines credit card annual fee?

As of June 2026, the card (now the Atmos Rewards Ascent Visa Signature) carries a $95 annual fee. The annual $99 companion fare often offsets this for travelers who fly with a partner.

What is the APR on the Alaska Airlines credit card?

As of June 2026, the purchase APR is 19.49% to 27.49% variable, based on your creditworthiness, per Bank of America's disclosures. Balance transfers carry a 4% fee and there is no foreign transaction fee. Paying in full each month keeps interest from eroding your rewards.

Is the Alaska Airlines companion fare worth it?

For travelers who fly with a companion, the annual $99 companion fare (plus taxes and fees from $23) can save hundreds on a second ticket, often exceeding the annual fee. You earn it each anniversary after spending $6,000 or more in the prior year.