Alaska Airlines Canadian MasterCard
Sep 25, 2012, 7:13 pm
#47
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: BOS
Programs: AS MVPG75k
Posts: 353
Sep 26, 2012, 3:16 pm
#48
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Delta, BC
Posts: 1,646
I get the feeling this AS MasterCard is the unwanted child of both AS and MasterCard. AS has the card buried so deep on their website, they obviously don't care to promote it anymore. I'm worried this card company won't go to bat for me in this dispute. I hope I'm wrong.
With the vast majority of the former MBNA Canada credit-cards sold to TD (and Shoppers to RBC), BofA Canada has precious little assets to spend much effort on in Canada. I think it is just a matter of time before they sell-off the remaining former MBNA cards they still hold or they'll close them down. The other problem for a Canadian bank would be the narrow geographical focus of Alaska Airlines that makes marketing the specialty card difficult outside of BC and Alberta.
Sep 26, 2012, 9:54 pm
#49
Join Date: Nov 2011
Posts: 6,385
Mastercard (the global corporate entity) isn't involved, the players are Alaska Airlines and Bank of America (Canada branch to be precise) and any other bank that MAY be interested in buying this credit card brand. And Alaska is only a secondary partner, they have extremely little influence over the actual credit operations of BofA.
With the vast majority of the former MBNA Canada credit-cards sold to TD (and Shoppers to RBC), BofA Canada has precious little assets to spend much effort on in Canada. I think it is just a matter of time before they sell-off the remaining former MBNA cards they still hold or they'll close them down. The other problem for a Canadian bank would be the narrow geographical focus of Alaska Airlines that makes marketing the specialty card difficult outside of BC and Alberta.
With the vast majority of the former MBNA Canada credit-cards sold to TD (and Shoppers to RBC), BofA Canada has precious little assets to spend much effort on in Canada. I think it is just a matter of time before they sell-off the remaining former MBNA cards they still hold or they'll close them down. The other problem for a Canadian bank would be the narrow geographical focus of Alaska Airlines that makes marketing the specialty card difficult outside of BC and Alberta.
Oct 18, 2012, 11:00 am
#50
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: YVR
Programs: AP, AS, BAEC, HH, SPG, FPC, PC
Posts: 282
I'm on their website and I don't see them mentioning anything about the BR passes - I think they may have removed this feature as well.
I didn't renew my card with them since it'll just cost me the same to apply for a new card and get the 25k bonus.
I didn't renew my card with them since it'll just cost me the same to apply for a new card and get the 25k bonus.
Oct 20, 2012, 1:57 pm
#51
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: YVR
Posts: 1,847
I am thinking of adding this card to my churn, since I've discovered so many great routes on AS from YVR, BIL & SEA, but I am wondering if anyone thinks they may have a promo coming out anytime soon (like, to have the annual fee waived like in the US)? The 25,000 is a decent sign up bonus for a low-fee card.
I do agree it can be challenging to find low-redemption flights on AS, but it at least adds another option for me to not have to redeem on AE or BA.
From the looks of this thread though, I am doubting this card is getting pushed much, so I am thinking it's wishful thinking for any promos?
I do agree it can be challenging to find low-redemption flights on AS, but it at least adds another option for me to not have to redeem on AE or BA.
From the looks of this thread though, I am doubting this card is getting pushed much, so I am thinking it's wishful thinking for any promos?
Oct 20, 2012, 2:41 pm
#52
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Portland, Or USA
Posts: 1,800
I am thinking of adding this card to my churn, since I've discovered so many great routes on AS from YVR, BIL & SEA, but I am wondering if anyone thinks they may have a promo coming out anytime soon (like, to have the annual fee waived like in the US)? The 25,000 is a decent sign up bonus for a low-fee card.
I do agree it can be challenging to find low-redemption flights on AS, but it at least adds another option for me to not have to redeem on AE or BA.
From the looks of this thread though, I am doubting this card is getting pushed much, so I am thinking it's wishful thinking for any promos?
I do agree it can be challenging to find low-redemption flights on AS, but it at least adds another option for me to not have to redeem on AE or BA.
From the looks of this thread though, I am doubting this card is getting pushed much, so I am thinking it's wishful thinking for any promos?
Oct 20, 2012, 3:59 pm
#54
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Portland, Or USA
Posts: 1,800
Must be. I don't think I've every seen an annual fee waiver on this card. Just occasioinally some extra bonus miles.
Since the Canadian card is in a bit of transition, and it's burried at the bottom of page on their website, I wouldn't expect any kind of promotion until they find a new issuer.
Since the Canadian card is in a bit of transition, and it's burried at the bottom of page on their website, I wouldn't expect any kind of promotion until they find a new issuer.
Oct 20, 2012, 11:44 pm
#55
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Delta, BC
Posts: 1,646
Oct 21, 2012, 7:28 pm
#56
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: YVR
Posts: 1,847
Still seems like a decent card. 25,000 points will get me on a flight to see my friend in ATL. Not bad for the $75 fee. I am thinking of getting it, but I may need to wait awhile, since I've hit my application limit for this quarter (and then some!) 
Oct 22, 2012, 2:36 am
#57
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: YVR
Programs: OZ D*G, AS MVPG, AF G, GHA Platinum, Hilton Gold, Marriott Silver
Posts: 137
Nov 8, 2012, 3:15 am
#59
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: YYJ
Programs: AS MVP
Posts: 53
Originally Posted by Si_Ting_ca
I'm on their website and I don't see them mentioning anything about the BR passes - I think they may have removed this feature as well.
When on-line access to credit card details for Canadian consumers was removed, I cancelled my card.
On November 5, I received an email invitation to re-apply, which included board room passes (I bolded for easy reference):
...In addition to the 25,000 bonus miles†† you receive on approval, this credit card has many other benefits:
- Receive an annual coach Companion Fare from $110 (USD) ($99 base fare plus taxes and fees, from $11 depending on your Alaska Airlines flight itinerary) yearly, on the enrollment anniversary
- One mile for every qualifying net retail dollar spent on purchases‡
- Three miles for every qualifying net retail dollar in purchases of Alaska Airlines flights or Vacation Packages‡
- Two Board Room day passes‡
- International acceptance at millions of locations
Dec 4, 2012, 12:51 am
#60
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: (SJC)
Posts: 2,198
Is online access back yet?
How can it be 2012 and BofA USA's largest Bank not have an IT team able to provide 73 canadians access?
Can I just open the card for a few months and NEVER make a transaction aside from the annual fee?
I have the US Alaska Card and I will reverse churn these.
How can it be 2012 and BofA USA's largest Bank not have an IT team able to provide 73 canadians access?
Can I just open the card for a few months and NEVER make a transaction aside from the annual fee?
I have the US Alaska Card and I will reverse churn these.