The Alaska Airlines Visa Business credit card offers a range of benefits for business owners who frequently travel on Alaska Airlines or its partner airlines. With a modest annual fee and a generous rewards program, this card is well-suited for entrepreneurs looking to make the most out of their travel expenses. In this review, we’ll provide an overview of the card’s features, benefits, and potential drawbacks to help you determine if it’s the right fit for your business.

Signing up for the Alaska Airlines Visa Business credit card can lead to significant savings through its various incentives. The card’s attractive sign-up bonus, Companion Fare offer, and checked-bag benefits make it a worthy contender for travelers. Additionally, the card offers discounts on in-flight purchases and can help accelerate your progress towards elite status with its Mileage Plan program. In this article, we’ll dive deeper into these perks and evaluate their real-world value to business travelers.

As with any business credit card, it’s important to weigh the pros and cons of the Alaska Airlines Visa Business card against those of its competitors. While it provides undeniable value for frequent Alaska Airlines flyers, business owners who prioritize flexibility or have varying travel preferences may find other cards more suitable. In the following sections, we’ll compare the Alaska Airlines Visa Business card with similar options on the market and explore strategies to help you make the most of your card membership.

Overview of the Alaska Airlines Visa® Business Credit Card

Credit Score Requirements

The Alaska Airlines Visa® Business Credit Card is best suited for individuals with excellent credit. Generally, an excellent credit score is considered to be 740 or higher. It’s important to note that other factors may also be considered during the application process.

APR and Fees

The Alaska Airlines Visa® Business Credit Card comes with a low annual fee of $70 for the company and $25 per card. The credit card program is issued and administered by Bank of America, N.A. For information about the rates, fees, and other costs associated with the card, it is recommended to refer to the disclosures accompanying the online credit card application.

Sign-Up Bonus

The sign-up bonus for the Alaska Airlines Visa® Business Credit Card is quite enticing. New cardholders can earn 50,000 bonus miles, a $100 statement credit, and Alaska’s Famous Companion Fare™. The Companion Fare starts at $122 ($99 fare plus taxes and fees from $23).

Welcome Offer Conditions

To qualify for the welcome offer, applicants must make $3,000 or more in purchases within the first 90 days of opening their account. Once these conditions are met, cardholders will be able to enjoy the benefits of the bonus miles, statement credit, and Companion Fare. This offer adds significant value to new cardholders, especially those who frequently fly with Alaska Airlines or its partners.

Earning and Redeeming Miles

Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan

Alaska Airlines Visa Business Card holders can take advantage of Alaska’s Mileage Plan, a frequent flyer program that rewards miles based on the distance flown rather than the price of the ticket. This allows cardholders to earn more miles even without purchasing expensive first- and business-class fares. The Mileage Plan also allows free stopovers on award flights, even on one-way tickets.

Miles Accrual Rates

Cardholders earn miles at different rates depending on their purchases:

• 3 miles per $1 spent on Alaska Airlines purchases
• 1 mile per $1 spent on other purchases

Miles can be earned not only on flights with Alaska Airlines but also with their airline partners, which include airlines from the Oneworld alliance, like American Airlines, British Airways, Cathay Pacific, Qantas, and Japan Airlines.

Redemption Options

Alaska Miles can be redeemed for various rewards, such as:

• Award flights with Alaska Airlines and their partner airlines
• Upgrades to premium class on eligible flights
• Hotel stays and car rentals through Alaska Airlines’ travel partners
• Purchases on the Alaska Airlines online merchandise store

In addition to these redemption options, cardholders can also redeem their Alaska Miles for Alaska’s Famous Companion Fare™, a unique benefit that allows cardholders to book one round-trip coach companion ticket per year on Alaska Airlines flights with a base fare of $99 plus taxes and fees starting from $23.

Transfer Partners

Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan has several transfer partners, allowing cardholders to convert points from other loyalty programs into Alaska Miles. Key transfer partners include:

• Marriott Bonvoy
• Korean Air

This flexibility enables cardholders to maximize their potential rewards and leverage miles earned through business expenses and other loyalty programs.

Benefits and Perks

Companion Fare and Free Checked Bag

The Alaska Airlines Visa Business Credit Card offers a valuable Companion Fare benefit for cardholders. Each year, you will receive an annual Companion Fare that allows you to purchase a companion ticket starting from $121 ($99 fare plus taxes and fees starting from $22) when traveling with a ticketed companion. There are no blackout dates for this perk, offering flexibility for your travels.

Additionally, cardholders receive one free checked bag for each passenger on the same reservation, up to six passengers. This can save a significant amount of money on baggage fees for frequent travelers.

Priority Boarding and Upgrades

With the Alaska Airlines Visa Business Credit Card, you gain access to priority boarding for you and up to six people on your reservation. This perk allows you to board the plane earlier, ensuring your carry-on luggage has a place in the overhead compartments.

Your card membership also offers potential upgrades to first-class when available. Mileage Plan elite status members will benefit from faster upgrades and better chances of securing a spot in first class.

In-flight Discounts and No Foreign Transaction Fees

Enjoy a 20% discount on in-flight purchases such as beverages and Wi-Fi. These savings can quickly add up for frequent flyers, making the card even more valuable.

The Alaska Airlines Visa Business Credit Card does not charge any foreign transaction fees. This is an excellent perk for international travelers, as you won’t have to worry about additional fees when making purchases abroad.

Alaska Lounge+ Membership

When flying with Alaska Airlines, cardholders can apply for an Alaska Lounge+ membership. This membership grants access to Alaska Lounge airport lounges, along with select partner lounges worldwide. With the card discount, a single-visit-pass cost is reduced, making it more affordable to enjoy a comfortable and relaxed pre-flight experience.

The Alaska Airlines business card also offers benefits for employees, such as employee cards at no additional cost. Furthermore, as a Mileage Plan member, you can take advantage of a stopover on award flights with no additional miles, making it useful for exploring new destinations. With Alaska Airlines’ partnership with the Oneworld alliance, your miles can be redeemed across various airlines, providing extensive flexibility for domestic and international flights across the East Coast and West Coast.

Comparing Alaska Airlines Business Credit Card with Competitors

When evaluating the Alaska Airlines Visa® Business Credit Card, it’s essential to compare it with other popular business credit cards like the United℠ Business Card, Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card, and Capital One Spark Miles for Business. In this section, we will examine the differences and similarities among these cards to help small-business owners make an informed decision.

United℠ Business Card

The United℠ Business Card is an airline rewards card that caters specifically to United Airlines’ loyal customers. This card offers:

• Sign-up bonus: 50,000 bonus miles after spending $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months
• Earning rates: 2 miles per dollar spent on United purchases, dining, and at office supply stores; 1 mile per dollar on all other purchases
• Travel perks: Free first checked bag, priority boarding, and 2 United Club℠ one-time passes each year

On the other hand, the Alaska Airlines Business Credit Card offers a $100 statement credit, 50,000 bonus miles, and Alaska’s Famous Companion Fare when spending $3,000 in the first 90 days.

Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card

The Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card is a versatile card designed for small-business owners who want rewards not limited to a specific airline. This card features:

• Sign-up bonus: 100,000 bonus points after spending $15,000 on purchases in the first 3 months
• Earning rates: 3 points per dollar spent on travel, shipping, internet, cable, phone services, and advertising on social media and search engines (up to $150,000 annually); 1 point per dollar on all other purchases
• Redemption options: Various rewards such as travel, cashback, and gift cards through the Chase Ultimate Rewards® portal

Compared to the Alaska Airlines Business Credit Card, which earns 3 miles per dollar on eligible Alaska purchases, 2 miles per dollar on gas and local transit, and 1 mile per dollar on all other purchases, the Ink Business Preferred® offers a more diverse range of rewards.

Capital One Spark Miles for Business

The Capital One Spark Miles for Business is another versatile option for small-business owners who prefer flexible rewards over airline-specific perks. This card boasts:

• Sign-up bonus: 50,000 bonus miles after spending $4,500 on purchases in the first 3 months
• Earning rates: 2 miles per dollar spent on all purchases
• Redemption options: Transfer miles to partnered airlines or redeem them for travel bookings, cashback, and gift cards

In comparison to the Alaska Airlines Business Credit Card, the Capital One Spark Miles for Business provides a simple, flat-rate earning structure without limiting rewards to certain categories.

When comparing these business credit cards, it’s essential to consider your business’s specific needs, travel habits, and spending patterns. While the Alaska Airlines Business Credit Card may be an excellent choice for those who frequently fly with Alaska Airlines and their oneworld® alliance partners, the Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card and Capital One Spark Miles for Business offer more flexibility for earning and redeeming rewards on various purchases.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the card benefits?

The Alaska Airlines Visa® Business card offers a range of benefits, including a welcome bonus of 50,000 bonus miles and Alaska’s Famous Companion Fare™. Cardholders also earn 3 miles per dollar spent on Alaska Airlines purchases and 1 mile per dollar spent on all other purchases.

How much is the annual fee?

The annual fee for the Alaska Airlines Visa® Business card is $70 for the company and $25 per card. This means a single cardholder (such as the business owner) would pay a total of $95 per year, with an additional $25 for each employee card.

What are the credit requirements?

For the Alaska Airlines Visa® Business card, applicants typically need a good to excellent credit score. This means a credit score in the range of 670-850, though approval is not guaranteed and depends on the issuer’s assessment of factors such as credit history and income.

How does it compare to the personal card?

Compared to the Alaska Airlines personal card, the business card offers similar benefits and rewards, with miles earning rates and the welcome bonus being the same. However, the annual fee structure does differ, as the personal card has a flat annual fee of $75, while the business card has a $70 company fee combined with a $25 per card fee.

Are there foreign transaction fees?

No, there are no foreign transaction fees on the Alaska Airlines Visa® Business card, making it a suitable choice for businesses with international expenses or frequent foreign travel.

How to contact customer service?

To contact customer service for the Alaska Airlines Visa® Business card, refer to the phone number on the back of your card. Alternatively, Bank of America, which issues the card, can be reached at 1-800-732-9194 for general inquiries or 1-800-545-SciMinds for account-specific questions.