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The Alaska Airlines Visa Signature card is now available with a welcome bonus of 70,000 miles after $3,000 in purchases in the first 3 months. While I am a little hesitant to collect Alaska miles given their propensity for no-notice stealth devaluations, this offer can nonetheless be pretty valuable in the right circumstances.
The Offer & Key Card Details
Card Offer and Details |
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Up to 75K miles + Companion Fare ⓘ Non-Affiliate 70k miles + Companion Fare ($99 fare + taxes) after $3K spend in 90 days + additional 5K if you apply with an Alaska employee's name and id number.$95 Annual Fee Alternate Offer: There are usually better in-flight offers available that require the name and id number of an Alaska employee. Information about this card has been collected independently by Frequent Miler. The issuer did not provide the details, nor is it responsible for their accuracy. FM Mini Review: Alaska miles are quite valuable so this offer is better than it appears Earning rate: 3X Alaska Airlines ✦ 2x gas, EV charging, local transit, rideshare, cable, and select streaming services purchases ✦ 1X elsewhere Card Info: Visa Signature issued by BOA. This card has no foreign currency conversion fees. Big spend bonus: $121 companion pass every year after $6K spend. Noteworthy perks: ✦ Free first checked bag for you and up to six other passengers on your reservation ✦ Priority Boarding ✦ 10% bonus on earned miles with eligible BOA account ✦ During 2024, earn 4K EQMs/$10K spend, up to a maximum of 20K EQMs. |
Quick Thoughts
I used to love Alaska Mileage Plan miles for their terrific sweet spots and the ability to add a free stopover on a one-way award. Over the last couple of years, they have devalued many awards, fumbled the launch of Starlux awards, and generally eroded my faith in their continuing value with incredibly high pricing on many partner awards. That said, they recently announced a unified award chart that should create much more uniform value across programs.
Until that new chart takes effect, there are some bright spots that remain within Alaska’s current charts if you hunt around enough. The welcome bonus here can be enough to fly business class to Europe or Asia and Tim recently showed how you can even get to and from Southern Africa in flat bed business class for 70,000 miles. The move to a unified
Given that Alaska does not partner with transferable points programs, the best way to earn Alaska miles is typically through credit card welcome bonuses. As Alaska bonuses go, this is about as good as it gets — so if you’ve had the Alaska Visa on your mind, this may be a good time to jump on it.
Bank of America Application Tips
- 2/3/4 Rule: You can open a maximum of 2 Bank of America cards every two months, three cards every 12 months and 4 cards every 24 months.
- 3/12 or 7/12 Rule: Similar to Chase's 5/24 rule, you won't be approved for a card if you have opened 3 or more accounts, with any bank, within the past 12 months. For those with Bank of America deposit accounts, the rule changes to 7 accounts in the past 12 months. Enforcement seems to vary.
- 24 Month Rule: With some BOA cards, you may have to wait 24 months after either opening or cancelling a card to be eligible for approval on that same card. This language varies from card to card and sometimes, applicant to applicant. Some business cards have language stating that you may be declined for additional credit card accounts if your business currently has, or has had, another business card with BOA in the preceding 24 months. Again, enforcement seems to vary.
- Velocity Limits: BOA will approve a maximum of two consumer cards per rolling 2 months, three per rolling 12 months, and four per rolling 24 months.
- Application Status: Call (866) 422-8089 to check your application status or use this link.
- Reconsideration: If denied, call (800) 732-9194 for reconsideration.
H/T: US Credit Card Guide
I’m not convinced Alaska is trustworthy, the way devaluation has occurred with them. Also, their partner situation seems to be very different new than just a year ago. I’d need more like 1mil Alaska points to book RT J class on a non-red eye.
“you won’t be approved for a card if you have opened 3 or more accounts, with any bank, within the past 12 months“
Does this include bank accounts or just credit card accounts? Thanks for info.
link is dead and all current offers I find are best at 62k.
If I collect three of these i might be able to fly starlux
Have both the personal and biz AS cards. Had 2 of the personal bu8ut let one go at AF time. The AF just posted on the Biz card and am wondering if I should try opening another one first, then cancel the old one, or cancel the old one then re-apply. I know this post is about the Personal card but what do y’all think? @Greg, your thoughts, please?
Did you end up applying before or after canceling?
Oh, I canceled the old BIZ card I had months ago.
Yes but you were deciding if it’s better to do so before or after applying for a new one.
Oh dear. This is about something I asked months ago. I thought this was in response to a completely different thing I posted earlier tonight, not 4 months ago. Never mind.
I asked if it was before or after just to learn from your experience.
I answered above.
I am currently in Japan. I booked SEA-NRT- 2 week stopover; KIX-BKK for 65k Alaska miles flying JAL. On a big six month trip. Returning SYD-NAN, 1 week stopover; NAN-LAX for. 55k Alaska miles on Fiji airlines.
Alaska is a winner in my opinion!
Anyone know if BofA started cracking down on multiple sign up bonuses as threatened? I’ve been hesitant to get this card again since they changed their terms.
I just applied last week for this card using the link for the 62k offer. I didn’t get approved right away (in fact I thought I was denied) but got a letter in the mail today saying please call us to continue reviewing your application. If I call, can I request the 70k offer?
If you live in the PNW it’s a no brainer card IMHO. Even without a complicated itinerary I save about $400 a year with the companion pass. (Now you need to spend $6k a year on the card but I’d see that as 6.6% return on spend on top of the points I got for the $6k spend) Even though there’s a risk of devaluation that goes for any currency. Right now there’s great value to South America (as you guys know) Africa, Japan, and Oceania… also good value to Europe. JAL consistently releases business class to Japan close in.. at 60k from the west coast that’s a smoking deal imho… I book economy to make sure I have my seats and then cancel when I find business …
Can you have multiple BoA Alaska credit card of same type ?
Yes you can. But if you cancel one of them before applying for another they will dinie you or put you into review for up to 30 days before responding to your application.