For those of us frequent flyers out there, we have a lot of choices when it comes to how we decide to utilize some of the perks associated with flying a lot. Up here in Alaska, Alaska Airlines is pretty much the only big airline available. It stands to reason that most rewards cards or other perks will be associated with them, then.
The question this leaves us with is whether or not it’s actually worth it to get one of these cards or enroll in a frequent flyer program. Today, we’ll dive into the topic and help you decide for yourself whether an Alaska Airlines Visa Signature® credit card is something to consider. A lot of it depends on individual circumstances, so that’s something to think about as we proceed!
What are Airline Credit Cards?
Before we talk about the specifics of Alaska Airlines cards, let’s discuss what airline credit cards are in the first place. Simply put, they’re a type of credit card geared towards consumers who fly often. The idea is that the more you travel, the more rewards and goodies you’ll be able to cash in on.
Of course, each of them will work a bit differently, since it will depend based both on the company leasing the cards as well as which airline they’re partnering with. Wherever you live, you’ll want to take that into account as you research which card to apply for.
In Alaska, the usual choice will be to go with an Alaska Airline card. There aren’t really many other options, and thankfully the selection as far as which rewards card you can opt for is still rather varied. Now, a lot of the decision will probably come down to what types of rewards you want.
Some examples of rewards, as well as general information on credit cards, can be found here: https://www.nber.org/papers/w22360. The main idea is that some rewards could be calculated via points or miles that you can then redeem at your leisure, usually with a prize pool, or there could be specific rewards based on milestones that you reach. There are some other models out there, but these are the ones you are most likely to encounter.
Should We Get an Airline Credit Card?
Now that you know more about what they are and how they work, we can turn our attention to whether or not one of these cards is right for you. Admittedly, there is some subjectivity here – there are simply some customers that would get more use out of one than not. For example, if you don’t fly very often, then you probably wouldn’t be able to fully utilize the rewards system.
However, if you do find yourself hopping in an airplane once every few months or more, there’s a good chance that you could get some nice benefits out of one. A lot of them will also have a few other points programs, so that’s something to look into as well. If you know you fly a lot and that’s why you’re keen, then picking one is the next step.
Since there are a lot of potential options when it comes to cardholders and the lenders involved, start to think about what types of perks you want to enjoy for having a card like this. While this study isn’t local to Alaska, it does demonstrate the efficacy of programs and can give you an idea of what you can expect from the rewards themselves.
Some examples of rewards could include things like getting discounts on tickets, being able to upgrade to business or first class for less money (or even based on how many miles that you’ve earned since opening the account), getting vouchers for meals, and more. Again, it will really depend on what lender you’re interested in, as well as the airlines they partner with.
For Alaska Airlines, there are some additional potentials on the local level. You might notice that some cards offer a buy one, get one free deal for tickets, for instance. Many of them also have opening bonuses, which can be quite nice since it can otherwise take quite a while to rack up rewards quickly.
If any of this has sounded appealing so far, then you may want to check out getting an Alaska Airlines credit card. As long as you are using it responsibly, then there’s really not any downsides. After all, most of us buy our plane tickets with a card anyhow. Why not get bonuses for doing so?
Just like any other credit card, though, you will have to submit an application. The lender will take your credit score and other personal details into account when deciding whether or not you’re eligible. Prepare for that, and you should be all set.
