In today’s episode, we’re going to be considering the Alaska / Hawaiian credit card strategy and asking the question: which card should you get now, if any?
Coffee Break: Alaska / Hawaiian credit card strategy – which card should you get now?
(01:12) – Current lineup of Alaksa / Hawaiian credit cards
(01:51) – Learn more about the Bank of America Alaska Consumer card here.
(02:08) – …and the Bank of America Alaska Business card here.
(02:20) – Learn more about the Barclays Hawaiian Consumer card here.
(02:49) – …and the Barclays Hawaiian Business card here.
(04:09) – Considering Hawaiian cards
(05:36) – Considering Alaska cards
(07:14) – What’s the best strategy?
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Music Credit – Beach Walk by Unicorn Heads
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As a datapoint, applied for Barclays Hawaiian Personal and Biz cards same day within minutes of each other. Both went pending but Barclays called within a week to confirm personal info and I had applied – separate calls a few days apart (personal took longer). A few questions confirming business income as well but no forms required to send in. I had multiple existing Barclays cards and we moved some of my available credit to both cards to get both approved.
Applications combined into a single hard pull, which was what I was rolling the dice on to try to get. Once I saw the personal card went pending I wanted to try for the business card even at the lower bonus amount since it wouldn’t create any extra hard pulls or accounts on my credit report. Only the personal card shows up on my credit report. I view it as getting a combined 120K Alaska miles for $4K + $1 of spend.
I’ve seen conflicting anecdotes online re: Barclays biz cards counting towards 5/24… Can anyone confirm either way?
The 2 I got (JetBlue in ’18 and Wyndham in ’21) did not increase my 5/24 count.
It has not shown up on any of my credit reports – opened 2 months ago. The personal Barclays Hawaiian card did show up.
My Wyndham Earner Biz has also never shown up on my credit report.
i feel like the more pressing and difficult question is whether to get the hawaiian consumer card or the aviator red card? I can’t decide!!
Go with the one with the points that you value the most. Beyond that, I’m guessing that the Hawaiian cards will disappear first …
Also, keep in mind that right now, you can transfer points from AmEx to Hawaiian…
Greg, Can I apply for both the Hawaiian and AA aviator card on the same day before they both go away? Thank you!
I actually just tried this the other week. Applied for Hawaiian first and was instantly approved. Aviator application about five minutes later went pending. Not sure if thats normal or not.
Appreciate the reply. Could you kindly update when you get an answer from Aviator? Thanks! I am hoping to do this in January 25.
I found out that Hawaii card allows transfers – BUT only 10 total per year.
So first consolidate in another account if needed before transfer to your own.
Our friends and family circle hit a sna when I could not transfer anymore to mine
Waiting for the year to change before we try again on Jan 2
Dont waste the Bilt points on AS now. Wait for a better transfer ratio.
Better to get as many 72k (70k +2k spend) and consolidate
I see Carrie took Greg’s suggestion. Nice graphic! Happy Holidays to the FM team.
Calm down Mike Detroit , either constructive comments or questions about how cool Alaska air is, don’t need random commentary
Great episode. On the funny side, you forgot Bilt…again! I think it would be worth a mention as you can transfer from Bilt to Alaska. Of course the downside is the now reduced ability to earn Bilt points.
I don’t think it’s funny paddy, it’s absolutely appalling they forgot and pass themselves off as “frequent flyers”. More like frequent forgetters
Wow that’s harsh. Who hurt you, it’s Christmas.
Bilt is horrible