Originally Posted by
pricesquire
Did a few searches, both via Google and FT, and don't see much on this card. I've seen a few places (Million Mile Secrets, Points Guy, etc) write about it as an "underrated gem"...yet it doesn't get much love from the MilesBuzz forum. Why?
Current offer:
1) Earn 25,000 Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan™ Bonus Miles upon approval.
2) 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).
3) Earn 1 mile per $1 on all purchases
4) Earn 3 miles per $1 on Alaska Airlines tickets/vacation packages/cargo purchases
5) Earn up to 5 miles per $1 at partner hotels and restaurants
6) Enjoy no mileage cap. There's no limit to the number of miles you can earn with the Alaska Airlines Visa Signature card.
7) Go far and wide with points redeemable on over a dozen airlines. Visit the Alaska Airlines website for the airline partner list.
Numbers 1, 2, and 7 make this a very attractive offer. Especially #1, "25,000 miles upon approval"--no spend required.
The only negative I see is the $75 annual fee. This is not waived the first year.
So FT: any luck with this card? Reviews? Positives/negatives? Luck with getting approved? Recon?
Thinking about getting it just for the 25k, which I'll eventually transfer over to AA, DL, BA, Emirates, Qantas, etc....
Looking at straight numbers, I do believe 25,000 miles is "worth" $75. What about you?
I have had this card for about 15 years now, my wife has had her own for just as long. That way we get TWO companion certs every year. You'll read a lot of grumbling in here because of the perks of the card that have been taken away over the years. I won't rehash them as what you don't know won't hurt you. For me, it is still a great deal. We spend 15-20k per year on AS tickets which get me up to 60k in miles, not counting everything else I put on the card that I possibly can. And the companion cert, if used smartly, can be quite valuable.
Originally Posted by
pricesquire
I'm in FL. Will probably never use Alaska Air. I like the transferability, that's it. Wondering if it's miles are good on another airline, pretransfer, or if (like SPG), I'll need to transfer from Alaska to, say, AA, then wait god knows how long to book (by which time the fare may have changed).
As you pointed out, it's worth the money. Just want to make sure it makes logistic sense, as I don't live in the Pacific Northwest and I'm a little unclear on how Alaska's miles work.
(Also, why isn't this a more discussed card? Seems like a sweet deal...)
I have a home in FL as well. AS flies MCO to SAN and SEA, also FLL to SEA. Having another home in Seattle works good for me
The miles earned are not transferable out to another program. That said, the availability to use AS miles on partner airlines is quite good. DL and AA availability you can check online at AS site, other partners will require calling in. If you fly DL or AA, those miles can be credited to an AS account instead if you so choose.
Originally Posted by
dc333
Just a reminder though, airline miles aren't transferable, these are no different. Once you get the 25k AS miles, they are just that, AS miles. Redeeming them for partner saver tickets is very different than transferring.
That being said 25k AS miles and an annual companion cert can easily be worth multiple annual fees.
Yup.