Frequent Miler's latest team challenge, Million Mile Madness, is almost done! The last two weeks Greg, Nick, and Stephen competed to earn 1 Million SAS miles by flying 15 airlines. But who completed the challenge with the most Speed, Affordability, and Style?
Bank of America has increased the welcome offer on the Alaska Airlines Business card to 75,000 Mileage Plan miles + a Companion Fare when spending $4,000 within the first 90 days of card membership.
This is a terrific offer that matches the highest bonus that we’ve ever seen on this card.
The Offer & Key Card Details
Card Offer and Details |
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50K miles + Companion Fare ⓘ Non-Affiliate 50K miles + Companion Fare ($99 fare + taxes) after $3K spend in 3 months $95 Annual Fee 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. Recent better offer: 70K after $4K in 3 months [Expired 4/23] 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, shipping and local transit ✦ 1X elsewhere Card Info: Visa 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 ✦ 10% bonus on earned miles with eligible BOA business account ✦ During 2024, earn 4K EQMs/$10K spend, up to a maximum of 20K EQMs. |
Quick Thoughts
This is an excellent offer…in fact, it matches the best-ever offer that we’ve only seen twice before. Usually the bonus on this card hovers around 60-65,000 miles, so getting an extra 10,000 miles for the same spend – along with the Companion Fare – is a terrific opportunity.
In addition to the welcome offer, the card offers free checked bags for you and up to six other people on the same reservation, 20% off in-flight purchases and no foreign transaction fees. In 2024, Alaska has also added the ability to earn 4,000 Elite Qualifying Miles for every $10,000 you spend on either the business card, the personal card, or a combination of the two. The maximum amount of EQMs that you can earn from spend is 20,000/year.
The card comes with a $95 annual fee, but it works differently mthanost other credit cards. There’s a $70 fee for the “company” and then a $25 fee per physical card, hence the $95 total fee if you’re not adding any employee cards.
While Bank of America does have application rules for consumer cards including how often you can apply for them, those rules don’t apply for the Alaska Airlines business card and so you should be able to earn the bonus again even if you’ve had the card within the last couple of years.
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.
Correction – the reconsideration phone number provided in the post is consumer, not business.
Reconsideration headache – The consumer rep provided me an address and phone number for Small Business Lending 866-297-4231 to pursue reconsideration (note that my denial letter provided no BOA contact at all). Rep said the office is open M-F 5am-4pm PST. I’ve called three times during those hours and received the message “we are currently closed” and no mention of hours of operation. It seems at this point, snail mail is the only option. I’m going to try but not feeling hopeful. BOA clearly doesn’t want to reconsider declined business applicants …
Opened 5 cards from different banks between March 1st to June 5th 2023.
Applied today and got instant approval with $8k credit limit. I’m not a BOA customer.
can one generate a referral link from the personal card so P2 can apply for the business card and I can get a referral bonus?
Do you know how easy it is to get BofA business cards as sole proprietor? Is it similar to Chase?
Yes, I just did it a week or so ago and got instantly approved
“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.
Just personal credit cards. I’m at 7/12 as a BoA customer (including the curve card) and opened two or three checking accounts in the last year and got approved.
Application requires “event employee ID”– any idea what to put on there?
Based on a comment on DoC, you can enter 0 until the system stops you.
Thanks Tim. You mentioned before you have multiple AS cards, but do you have multiple AS business cards? I have one already and am thinking of trying for a 2nd with the new offer.
I used to reliably get 2 biz cards, one was under my EIN and different phone #, different business name. I’d apply for each once every 16-18mo.
Last night I was declined for the 2nd card. I have one still active that I got 10mo ago. The other card under EIN I last had 6 months ago when i closed it.
What’s odd is I instantly got approved for Personal, which I last got exactly 24mo ago. Maybe time to call recon and see what they say.
Ugh! I just applied for the card last week. wondering if they will do matching with the current offer
same boat. going to try chat as that worked with chase
Is it safe to apply for Business and Personal versions same day?
I tried 2 days later and was denied for the personal card after getting instant approval for the business card
Thanks for this info
Does anyone know if you have a different EIN for a separate LLC if you can get a business card even if you already have a business card with a different EIN within 24 months?
If you apply using the same EIN i don’t think Bofa cares
Does the 3/12 rule count business cards as well?
I would like I know this too. I presume no since most business cards don’t show up on your credit report but I don’t have any data points to say for sure
no, I was at 7/12 personal including the curve card as a BoA banking customer and way more if you count business and was approved instantly
I just opened this card with a 65k SUB. Any idea if BoA would match current offer like Chase sometimes does?
I’m in the same boat. I just called and asked and was told that it wasn’t possible to change a promotion once it is associated with the account. However, the CSR suggested I apply for a second card with the new promotion then close the first card.
they’d approve you for the exact card within 30 days?