Alaska Airlines Visa Signature® Credit Card

The Alaska Airlines Visa® Signature® Credit Card, issued by FIA Card Services, N.A., is designed for those who travel frequently on Alaska Airlines or Horizon Air.

Through the reward program, cardholders earn one mile per dollar spent on general purchases, two miles per dollar spent on purchases of Alaska Airlines and Horizon Air tickets and special vacation packages, and up to five miles per dollar spent at participating restaurants. 20,000 bonus miles are applied to the account upon approval, and 1,000 bonus miles are earned for applying online. Accumulated miles do not expire as long the account remains active within a three-year period, and there is no yearly limit to the number of miles that may be earned. Miles can be redeemed with ten airline partners, and award travel begins at 20,000 miles.

Cardholders receive a $50 round-trip companion ticket upon approval and every year thereafter, and they also receive two Alaska Airlines board room passes upon approval, which can be used at select airports in Seattle, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Portland, and Anchorage.

The interest rate applied to purchases and balance transfers is reasonable for a reward card, though not ideal for those who plan to carry a balance. The annual fee is slightly high, though reasonable as compared to other signature airline reward cards.

In addition to the reward program, cardholders can expect various signature benefits such as auto rental insurance, various travel and emergency assistance services, purchase protection, and online banking services.

Therefore, those who can afford to pay in full each month (to avoid finance charges), will be able to redeem a free ticket within a two-year period (due to its annual fee of $75), and plan to take advantage of the additional benefits that are offered may find the Alaska Airlines Visa® Signature® Credit Card as a suitable option.

This review was updated 2008-06-26T00:00:00.0000000-07:00