Advertiser Disclosure

Many of the credit card offers that appear on this site are from credit card companies from which we may receive financial compensation when a customer clicks on a link, when an application is approved, or when an account is opened. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site (including, for example, the order in which they appear). However, the credit card information that we publish has been written and evaluated by experts who know these products inside out. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse. This site does not include all credit card companies or all available credit card offers that are on the market. See our advertising policy here where we list advertisers that we work with, and how we make money. You can also review our credit card rating methodology.

New Perks on the Alaska Airlines Credit Card

James Larounis's image
James Larounis
Jump to Section

We may be compensated when you click on a link, when an application is approved, or when an account is opened from one or more of our advertising partners. Terms apply to the offers below. See our Advertising Policy for more about our partners, how we make money, and our rating methodology. Opinions and recommendations are ours alone.

Update:

In August 2025, Alaska Airlines discontinued the Alaska Airlines Visa Signature® credit card, replacing it with the Atmos™ Rewards Ascent Visa Signature® card.

If you hold the Alaska Airlines Visa Signature® credit card, there are a few upcoming changes you need to be aware of with your card benefits — some good and some bad. Card issuers occasionally refresh benefits based on the demands of consumers and profit to the bank, and these changes are no exception.

Cardholders will soon face an increase in the annual fee but will receive lounge discounts, new bonus categories, increased boarding privileges, and the opportunity to earn a miles bonus.

Here’s what you can expect.

Advertisement

Increase in Annual Fee

The annual fee on this credit card is moving from $75 to $95. The higher fee will be charged to cardholders who renew their cards after February 28, 2023 (and likely to new applicants after that time). It’s not uncommon for credit cards to increase annual fees, but this $20 difference is likely to compensate for the new perks.

Lounge Discounts

Alaska used to offer the ability for cardholders to receive a discount on daily Alaska lounge passes. Now, the company is switching to offer a $100 discount on its most premium Lounge+ membership.

Many may see this as a good thing, especially regular flyers. Keep in mind that a Lounge+ membership can be used to access 90+ partner lounges including American Airlines Admirals Clubs, so this membership is versatile.

Lounge membership costs $595 per year, while Lounge+ (which includes access to partner lounges) cost $795 per year.

Alaska Airlines Lounge
You’ll no longer receive a discount on daily lounge passes but will receive a discount on annual lounge memberships. Image Credit: Alaska Airlines

Advertisement

First Checked Bag Free Changes

If you intend on utilizing the free checked bag benefit of the card, you’ll need to purchase your Alaska airfare with the card. This has been a common “loophole” of many airline co-branded cards in that you could take advantage of the perks, but still charge the airfare to another card.

Alaska has caught onto this, and you’ll now be required to purchase your airfare with your Alaska credit card. Remember that you’ll earn 3x miles on eligible Alaska purchases.

New Bonus Categories

There are several new categories where you’ll earn 2x Alaska Mileage Plan miles per dollar spent, including:

  • Gas
  • Local transit, including ridesharing
  • Cable and streaming services

Increased Boarding Position

If you hold the Alaska Signature card, you’ll also receive priority boarding privileges, immediately after Premium Class passengers. This is actually quite far ahead of most economy passengers, so this could be a valuable benefit for many.

Like the checked-bag benefit, in order to take advantage of this priority boarding, you’ll need to purchase your airfare on the Alaska Signature card.

Advertisement

Hot Tip: You’ll want to consider whether it’s worth charging your airfare that earns more miles, or receiving priority boarding by charging your airfare to the Alaska Signature card.

Bonus Miles

If you have another Bank of America account, you’ll be eligible to earn a 10% bonus on miles earned throughout the year. If you put a lot of spend on this credit card, this could be particularly valuable.

Final Thoughts

Most of these changes are great for flyers, though you’ll need to put more of your flight purchases on the Alaska Signature card to take advantage. Whether these changes are worth the new increased annual fee is up to you, but you have a little over a month to decide before the new rates kick in.


James Larounis's image

About James Larounis

James (Jamie) started The Forward Cabin blog to educate readers about points, miles, and loyalty programs. He’s spoken at Princeton University and The New York Times Travel Show and has been quoted in dozens of travel publications.

INSIDERS ONLY: UP PULSE

Deluxe Travel Provided by UP Pulse

Get the latest travel tips, crucial news, flight & hotel deal alerts...

Plus — expert strategies to maximize your points & miles by joining our (free) newsletter.

We respect your privacy. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA. Google's privacy policy  and terms of service  apply.

Deluxe Travel Provided by UP Pulse

We Recommend

Platinum Card® from American Express

  • You may be eligible for as high as 175,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $8,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
  • Get more for your travels with 5X Membership Rewards® points on all flights and prepaid hotel bookings through American Express Travel®, including Fine Hotels + Resorts® and The Hotel Collection bookings. You earn 5X points on flights purchased directly from airlines or through American Express Travel® on up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year.
Show more
  • More Value! With over 1,550 airport lounges - more than any other credit card company on the market* - enjoy the benefits of the Global Lounge Collection®, over $850 of annual value, with access to Centurion Lounges, 10 complimentary Delta Sky Club® visits when flying on an eligible Delta flight (subject to visit limitations), Priority Pass Select membership (enrollment required), and other select partner lounges. * As of 07/2025.
  • More Value! $200 Uber Cash + $120 Uber One Credit: With the Platinum Card® you can receive $15 in Uber Cash each month plus a bonus $20 in December when you add your Platinum Card® to your Uber account to use on rides and orders in the U.S when you select an Amex Card for your transaction. Plus, when you use the Platinum Card® to pay for an auto-renewing Uber One membership, you can get up to $120 in statement credits each calendar year. Terms apply.
  • More Value! $300 Digital Entertainment Credit: Get up to $25 in statement credits each month after you pay for eligible purchases with the Platinum Card® at participating partners. Enrollment required.
  • More Value! $600 Hotel Credit: Get up to $300 in statement credits semi-annually on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts® or The Hotel Collection* bookings through American Express Travel® using the Platinum Card®. *The Hotel Collection requires a minimum two-night stay.
  • New! $400 Resy Credit + Platinum Nights by Resy: When you use the Platinum Card® to pay at U.S. Resy restaurants and to make other eligible purchases through Resy, you can get up to $100 in statement credits each quarter with the $400 Resy Credit benefit. Plus, with Platinum Nights by Resy, you can get special access to reservations on select nights at participating in demand Resy restaurants with the Platinum Card®. Simply add your eligible Card to your Resy profile to book and discover Platinum Nights reservations near you, enrollment required.
  • More Value! $209 CLEAR® Plus Credit: CLEAR® Plus helps get you to your gate faster by using unique facial attributes to verify you are you at 50+ airports nationwide. You can cover the cost of a CLEAR Plus Membership* with up to $209 in statement credits per calendar year after you pay for CLEAR Plus with the Platinum Card®. *Excluding any applicable taxes and fees. Subject to auto-renewal.
  • $200 Airline Fee Credit: Select one qualifying airline and then receive up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year when incidental fees, such as checked bags and in-flight refreshments, are charged by the airline to the Platinum Card® Account*. American Express relies on airlines to submit the correct information on airline transactions to identify incidental fee purchases. If you do not see a credit for a qualifying incidental purchase on your eligible Card after 8 weeks, simply call the number on the back of your Card. Qualifying airlines are subject to change. See terms & conditions for more details.
  • Start your vacation sooner, and keep it going longer. When you book Fine Hotels + Resorts® through American Express Travel®, enjoy noon check-in upon arrival, when available, and guaranteed 4PM check-out.
  • New! $300 lululemon Credit: Enjoy up to $75 in statement credits each quarter when you use the Platinum Card® for eligible purchases at U.S. lululemon retail stores (excluding outlets) and lululemon.com. That’s up to $300 in statement credits each calendar year. Enrollment required.
  • $155 Walmart+ Credit: Receive a statement credit* for one monthly Walmart+ membership (subject to auto-renewal) after you pay for Walmart+ each month with the Platinum Card®.*Up to $12.95 plus applicable local sales tax. Plus Ups not eligible.
  • $100 Saks Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits annually for purchases at Saks Fifth Avenue or saks.com on the Platinum Card®. That’s up to $50 in statement credits from January through June and up to $50 in statement credits from July through December. No minimum purchase required. Enrollment required.
  • Whenever you need us, we're here. Our Member Services team will ensure you are taken care of. From lost Card replacement to statement questions, we are available to help 24/7.
  • $895 annual fee.
  • Terms Apply.
DMCA.com Protection Status