Points of View: Which credit card should you use for Alaska Airlines flights?

Before booking your next Alaska Airlines flight, you might wonder which credit card to use. Is the one that reads "Alaska" on the front your best option, or should you pay with a different card?

Alaska Airlines has two credit cards — both issued by Bank of America — that could make sense. However, you may be better off with a general travel rewards card.

Let's compare these credit cards to see what your best option is for booking Alaska flights.

Comparing credit cards for Alaska Airlines flights

Here's a look at some popular credit card options for Alaska flights, including what you would earn from these payment methods and any benefits they offer during the flight:

* Bonus value is an estimated value calculated by TPG and not the card issuer.

The information for the Amex Green card has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

Which card should you use for Alaska Airlines flights?

Alaska's own credit cards have traditionally offered few incentives for booking Alaska-operated flights. Sure, you'd earn 3 Alaska miles per dollar spent. However, you wouldn't enjoy priority boarding, and the checked bag benefit is associated with your Mileage Plan account, not the Alaska credit card. This means that you could use another card for the flight — like one with trip delay reimbursement or baggage delay insurance — and still enjoy a free bag for you and up to six travel companions on the same reservation.

(The lone exception is Alaska's Companion Fare, which does require you to purchase the ticket with your Alaska Visa.)

Related: How my unused Alaska Companion Fare saved a co-worker nearly $700 on summer travel

However, this will change on March 1, 2023. In order to use the checked bag benefit after that date, you must use your Alaska card for the ticket.

That said, it isn't all bad news. This benefit will now extend to authorized users on the Alaska Visa, even when they're not traveling with the primary cardholder. In addition, both the primary cardholder and authorized users will enjoy priority boarding on Alaska-operated flights — though again, the Alaska card must be used to purchase the ticket to invoke these perks.

Note that the Alaska card also comes in handy for inflight purchases, as you'll receive 20% back as a statement credit when you use it for these transactions.

So what (exactly) do these changes mean?

If you're booking an Alaska flight and plan to check a bag, the Alaska Airlines Visa may be the best option. Doing so will also activate the new priority boarding perk on the card.

On the other hand, if you never check a bag with Alaska and don't care about priority boarding, a general travel card may be a better option. This also holds true for anyone with elite status on Alaska, American Airlines, or really any Oneworld carrier. That's because you're entitled to free checked bags and priority boarding (along with other perks, depending on your tier of status) — regardless of the card you swipe for the ticket.

Related: Your complete guide to Oneworld alliance benefits

Bottom line

Alaska Airlines miles are worth 1.8 cents apiece according to TPG's latest valuations — the highest-valued airline mile in our estimations. Earning these miles on purchases can represent a great return on spending, which is why the Alaska Airlines Visa card could be a great option for booking Alaska flights.

In addition, starting March 1, 2023, you'll need to use this card for your trip in order to check a bag for free and enjoy priority boarding.

However, if these perks aren't of value to you or you'd otherwise prefer earning flexible, transferable points on these purchases, you may want to use a travel rewards credit card that isn't affiliated with Alaska — especially if it offers additional travel protections for your trip.

Editor’s note: “Points of View” is a series evaluating decisions on which credit card to use. If you’re facing a dilemma about which card is best for an upcoming payment, email us at tips@thepointsguy.com with the subject line: "Points of View question."

Also in this series:

• Which credit card should you use for Wyndham stays?
• Which credit card should you use for American Airlines flights?
• Which credit card should you use for United flights?
• What credit card should you use for IHG stays?
• Which credit card should you use for Hyatt stays?
• Which credit card should you use for Hilton stays?
• Which credit card should you use for Marriott stays?
• Can I cash out my points, and is it worth it?
• Should my partner get their own card or be added as an authorized user?
• Which card should I use for flights in case things go wrong?
• Does paying the taxes and fees on award flights trigger trip protections?

For rates and fees of the Amex Platinum card, click here.
For rates and fees of the Amex Green card, click here.

Updated 3/1/23