What if one credit card could cut your travel costs every time you fly? 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, which means approval usually depends on solid credit.
This guide explains what the Alaska Airlines credit card offers, what it costs, and what to do if your credit is not quite ready yet. Let us dig in.
What Is the Alaska Airlines Credit Card?
The Alaska Airlines credit card is a travel rewards Visa Signature card issued by Bank of America. It is designed for travelers who want to earn miles and unlock airline perks tied to Alaska Airlines and its partners.
It has been refreshed in recent years, including a move toward the Atmos Rewards program branding. The core appeal remains the same: a generous companion fare and travel benefits that can pay for the annual fee.
The Alaska Airlines credit card 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 Perks and Rewards
The perks are what set this card apart. As of June 2026, the card advertises a sign-up bonus of bonus miles plus a companion fare after meeting a spending requirement in the first few months.
The annual companion fare is the headline benefit. Cardholders can earn a discounted companion ticket each year after meeting a spending threshold, which can save hundreds on a second traveler's flight.
Other perks reportedly include a free checked bag for you and several guests, priority boarding, and discounts on lounge access. Check Alaska Airlines' website for current bonus, perks, and earning rates, since promotions change often.
What It Costs
As of June 2026, the Alaska Airlines credit card carries an annual fee around $95. There is no foreign transaction fee, which is helpful for international trips.
Like most rewards cards, the APR is variable and depends on your credit. Terms and conditions apply, and APRs vary by creditworthiness. If you carry a balance, interest can quickly outweigh the value of the miles.
Who Should Get the Alaska Airlines Credit Card?
This card shines for people who fly Alaska Airlines or its partners regularly. If you travel with a companion, the annual companion fare alone can more than cover the annual fee.
It also fits travelers with good to excellent credit who pay their balance in full each month. Rewards cards reward disciplined users and punish those who revolve debt at a high APR.
If your credit is still growing, this card may be out of reach for now. The good news is that building credit first can put it within reach later.
Building Credit Before You Apply
Most airline rewards cards require established credit, so applying with a thin or damaged file often leads to a denial. The smarter path is to build your score first, then apply when approval odds are stronger. A credit builder card from a Firstcard partner can get you there, and each option suits a different starting point.
The Self Visa® Credit Card pairs a credit-builder savings plan with a secured card, helping you establish a payment history. If you have a thin or damaged file and no lump sum for a deposit, the Self Visa® Credit Card fits because it reports to all three bureaus and lets your own savings become your credit line, building exactly the on-time history a travel card like Alaska Airlines wants to see.
If you would rather build credit alongside the banking you already do, the Current Build Card ties credit-building features directly to your spending inside one app. The Current Build Card fits travelers who manage money from their phone and want positive payment history to accumulate automatically as they spend, so their file is ready by the time they apply for a rewards card.
Current Build Card
Current Build Card
$0 annual fee. No minimum deposit required. No credit check required. 1 point per dollar on eligible categories. Reports to Experian, TransUnion, Equifax.
Fee
$0
APR
0%
Minimum Deposit Amount
$0
Credit Check
No
Cashback
1 point/dollar on eligible categories (with qualifying payroll deposit)
Benefit
No credit check, no deposit minimum
For a digital-first builder with a low barrier to entry, the Kikoff Secured Credit Card focuses on reporting on-time payments to the bureaus. If you are starting from a very thin file and want a simple, low-cost way to show steady on-time payments each month, the Kikoff Secured Credit Card fits because it builds the history travel cards look for without a big upfront cost.
Kikoff Secured Credit Card
Kikoff Secured Credit Card
Kikoff Secured Credit Card works like a debit card & checking account and performs like a credit builder. Build credit with your everyday purchases.
APR
0%
Minimum Deposit Amount
$0
Credit Check
No
Cashback
Yes
Benefit
0% interest. No credit check.
The OpenSky Secured Visa requires no credit check to apply, which helps if you are worried about inquiries. Each of these can help build the history that travel cards look for. Terms and conditions apply.
A Realistic Timeline
Building credit is a marathon, not a sprint, but progress can come faster than many expect. With on-time payments and low balances, many people see meaningful improvement within six to twelve months.
Once your score reaches the good-to-excellent range, premium rewards cards like the Alaska Airlines credit card become realistic targets.
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 to earn miles, then redeem the companion fare each year. Stacking the free checked bag and companion fare on a single trip can produce real savings.
If you are still building toward this card, a secured credit card is a low-cost first step, and Firstcard offers a credit-building path with budgeting tools designed for people starting out. Used responsibly, it can help you reach reward-card territory.
Is the Alaska Airlines Credit Card Worth It?
For frequent Alaska flyers with strong credit, the answer is often yes. The companion fare and free bags can outweigh the modest annual fee, especially if you travel with a partner.
If your credit is not there yet, focus on building first with a low-cost partner card. Once your score qualifies, the Alaska Airlines credit card can become a rewarding part of your travel toolkit.
Frequently Asked Questions
What credit score do you need for the Alaska Airlines credit card?
The Alaska Airlines credit card generally requires good to excellent credit, often considered a FICO score of 670 or higher. Approval is not guaranteed and depends on your full profile. If your score is lower, building credit first with a card like the Self Visa® Credit Card can improve your odds.
How much is the Alaska Airlines credit card annual fee?
As of June 2026, the Alaska Airlines credit card carries an annual fee around $95 with no foreign transaction fees. The annual companion fare often offsets this cost for travelers. Check Alaska Airlines' website for the current annual fee and benefits.
Does the Alaska Airlines credit card help build credit?
Like any card, it reports to the credit bureaus, so on-time payments can help maintain credit. However, it is a rewards card for established credit, not a credit-building tool. If you are starting out, a secured card like OpenSky or Kikoff Secured Credit Card is a better fit.
Is the Alaska Airlines companion fare worth it?
For travelers who fly with a companion, the annual companion fare can save hundreds on a second ticket, often exceeding the annual fee. The value depends on how often you use it. Check Alaska Airlines' website for current companion fare terms and spending requirements.
