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Alaska Airlines' New Premium Credit Card: Coming in 2025
Alaska Airlines' new $395 premium credit card will include global companion passes, 3X miles on foreign spend, lounge access, and more.
Alaska Airlines is making waves in the premium credit card market with its upcoming $395 card launch in the summer of 2025. Set to coincide with their merger with Hawaiian Airlines, this new offering brings unique features to the premium card space. Let’s dive into everything we know about this travel card and how it compares to other premium options.
Early Bird Bonus Offer
Alaska is incentivizing early interest with a two-tier bonus structure:
- 500 bonus miles for joining the waitlist by December 31, 2024
- Additional 5,000 bonus miles when you join the waitlist AND apply at launch
- These bonuses stack with the card’s standard sign-up bonus (yet to be announced)
Global Companion Pass Details
The standout feature of the new premium card is its global companion pass benefit:
- Two potential companion certificates annually:
- One certificate is automatically awarded for having the card (25,000-mile cap)
- The second certificate is available when you spend $60,000 annually (100,000-mile cap)
- Valid on any Alaska Airlines redemption, including:
- Partner airline awards
- Any class of service
- Ability to “top up” with additional miles above the caps
- Requires finding award availability for two passengers
Enhanced Earning Structure
- 3X miles on all eligible foreign transactions
- First major U.S. airline card to offer this category bonus
- Particularly valuable for expatriates and frequent international travelers
- 3X miles on all eligible dining purchases
Travel Benefits Package
- Award fee waivers:
- $12.50 partner award booking fee waived
- Same-day confirmed fee waivers
- Lounge access:
- Two Alaska Lounge passes per quarter (8 total annually)
- Wi-Fi passes
- Accelerated path to elite status (details pending)
- Travel disruption protection
Comparison to Existing Alaska Airlines Cards
Alaska Airlines Visa Signature® Card ($95)
- Lower annual fee at $95
- Limited to 3X miles on Alaska Airlines purchases
- 1X miles on all other purchases
- One domestic companion fare from $122 ($99 fare + taxes from $23)
- Free checked bag for cardholder and up to 6 companions
- No foreign transaction fees
- 20% back on Alaska Airlines inflight purchases
Alaska Airlines Visa® Business Card ($95)
- Same $95 annual fee as the personal card
- 3X miles on Alaska Airlines purchases
- 1X miles on everything else
- One domestic companion fare like the personal card
- Free checked bags
- No foreign transaction fees
- Day pass access to Alaska Lounges for $30
Key Differences with New Premium Card
- Higher earning potential (3X on foreign transactions and dining vs 1X)
- Global companion passes vs domestic-only companion fare
- More flexible companion redemptions (partner airlines, any class)
- More lounge passes (8 annually vs pay-per-visit)
- More comprehensive travel benefits package
- Elite status acceleration (pending details)
- Higher annual fee ($395 vs $95)
The premium card represents a significant step up from existing Alaska cards, particularly for international travelers and those who value premium redemptions. While the annual fee is higher, the enhanced earning structure and global companion pass features offer substantially more value for frequent travelers who can maximize these benefits.
Comparing to Other Premium Cards
Capital One Venture X ($395)
- Full Priority Pass membership + Capital One Lounges
- 10X on hotels/rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
- 5X on flights, 2X on everything else
- $300 annual travel credit
- 10,000 miles anniversary bonus
- Better for general travel but lacks airline-specific perks
Chase Sapphire Reserve ($550)
- Full Priority Pass membership
- 10X on Chase Travel hotels/cars, 5X flights, 3X dining/travel
- $300 annual travel credit
- More transfer partners
- Higher fee but more comprehensive benefits
American Express® Gold Card ($325)
- 4X at restaurants (on up to $50,000 per year, then 1X) and U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 per year, then 1X)
- 3X on flights
- $120 dining credit, $120 Uber Cash
- Lower fee but fewer travel perks
Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card ($650)
- Delta Sky Club access when flying Delta
- Domestic companion certificate only
- First Class and Comfort+ upgrades
- More expensive with Delta-specific benefits
United Club℠ Infinite Card ($525)
- Full United Club membership
- 4X on United purchases
- 2X on travel and dining
- Higher fee with full lounge access
What Sets the Alaska Card Apart
- Unique Global Companion Pass
- Only premium card offering partner airline redemptions
- Valid for any class of service
- Flexible top-up option with miles
- Distinctive Foreign Transaction Bonus
- Exclusive 3X earnings on all foreign transactions
- No category restrictions abroad
- Competitive Annual Fee
- Lower than most premium airline cards
- Strong value proposition for frequent Alaska flyers
- Partner Benefits
- Fee waivers on partner bookings
- Global redemption options
Who Should Get This Card?
The card could provide excellent value for:
- Frequent Alaska Airlines travelers who book partner awards
- International travelers who can maximize the 3X foreign spending
- Couples/families who can utilize the companion pass benefits
- Those seeking a path to accelerated elite status
- Travelers who value occasional lounge access
What We're Still Waiting to Learn
Several details remain to be announced:
- Initial sign-up bonus amount
- Specific elite status acceleration benefits
- Complete list of travel protection benefits
- Exact details of the travel disruption program
Bottom Line
Competition in the premium card market is always good for business! The Alaska Airlines Premium Card brings innovative new features, particularly with its global companion pass and unique earning structure. While the 25,000-mile cap on the basic companion certificate may limit its value for some premium international redemptions, the ability to top up with additional miles provides flexibility. The card positions itself well against competitors with its lower annual fee and unique benefits, though it offers more limited lounge access than ultra-premium cards.
For those considering the card, the value proposition will depend heavily on your travel patterns and ability to maximize the companion certificates. International travelers and those who frequently fly Alaska Airlines and its partners stand to gain the most value.
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Editorial Disclosure: Opinions expressed here are those of Kudos alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.
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