Alaska has announced that a premium card is coming in the Summer of 2025. They’ve given us just little bits of information so far, but in this episode, we’ll talk about what those details are.
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Coffee Break: Alaska’s fascinating premium Card
Summer 2025
(00:37) – Pre-register by 12/31/24. Get 500 miles now, 5K extra miles later if/when you sign up for card.
(01:18) – Basic details…annual fee of $395 and earn Global Companion Award Certificates
(04:54) – Receive waived award ticket fees ($12.50 partner award fee, not surcharges)
(05:16) – Earn 3x miles on eligible foreign purchases
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Music Credit – Beach Walk by Unicorn Heads
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The way I look at $395 for 25K mile cert is from the angle of acquisition cost of AS miles. You are signing up for an annual miles subscription, not unlike what Avianca or Air France try to sell monthly. Now, that works out to 1.58cpp. Until the HA merger opens up a few back doors, the lowest purchasing price of AS miles is about 1.75cpp. Once AS shut the Amex transfer and HA miles sale, the 1.58cpp cost, adjusted for use-it-or-lose-it certificate form, probably will still be on par to 1.75 cpp.
For me, AA has an easy path to One World Emerald. Alaska currently doesn’t. In spite of what’s been revealed, this new card’s economics don’t excite me. But, if this new card provides an easier path to OWE, fine.
Hey Greg and Nick, if you forget about the annual fees, would you rather earn 3x AS miles on international purchases or 3x with US Bank Altitude Reserve using Apple Pay / Google Pay on international purchases?
Or 2x on Venture transferred to Emirates for a 6 CPP redemption? It all depends on the individual.
6 CPP? That sounds might nice. With very good availability and not hunting around the best I can think of for Alaska miles is 3 CPP or so with Condor in business class. Care to say where the 6 CPP comes from?