Airline credit cards, anyone have an Alaska/BofA? Is it worth the $75 annual fee?

[RossMAN]

I've been trying to meticulously mold my credit to perfection so I can be approved for an Alaska Airlines Platinum card offered by Bank of America and an Amex Blue.

I just read the terms and conditions for the Alaska Air Platinum card which states a $75 annual fee, ouch! I can live with $50 but I'm not so sure about $75. In it's defense the credit card has A LOT of perks and I plan on flying Alaska about once a year.

Do you have an Alaska Airlines credit card? If so, are you happy with it? Was it difficult to qualify for it?

The only other airline credit card I would consider is United since they fly to Australia and have competitive low fares.

Alaska Airlines Visa Platinum
Spend a dollar, get a mile!
5,000 Bonus Miles
You will receive 5,000 Mileage Plan miles upon approval of your account.1

1 mile for every dollar spent
Every time you use your Alaska Airlines Visa Platinum card to make a purchase, you will earn one mile per dollar spent.

Two miles for every dollar in purchases of Alaska Airlines/Horizon Air tickets and vacation packages2
Every time you use your Alaska Airlines Visa Platinum card to purchase your Alaska Airlines/Horizon Air tickets or vacation packages, you'll earn two miles for every dollar you spend.

2,000 Anniversary Bonus Miles
Each year, when you renew your Alaska Airlines Visa Platinum card, you will receive 2,000 bonus miles.

$50 Round-Trip Companion Ticket
Each year you will receive a certificate redeemable for a $50 companion ticket with the purchase of an Alaska Airlines/Horizon Air ticket.3

First Class Upgrade
Each year you will automatically receive two one-way first class upgrade certificates good for travel on Alaska Airlines.4

2 Board Room Passes
Every year you will receive 2 Board Room passes.5

Miles Never Expire
The miles you earn with your Alaska Airlines Visa Platinum card never expire and are deposited automatically into your Mileage Plan account.

100% Security for Purchases on the Internet
When you use your Alaska Airlines Visa Platinum card to make purchases on the Internet, you are not liable if your packages never arrive, arrive damaged or if your account number is stolen.

Legal, Medical and Travelers Assistance6
Travelers assistance provides you with complementary referrals for emergency legal, medical and travel assistance - including lost ticket and baggage recovery.

Additional Benefits:

Automatic Travel Accident Insurance up to $1,000,0006
Automatic Auto Rental Insurance6
Car Rental Discounts from participating Hertz and Avis rental agencies6
Lost ticket replacement and lost luggage locator services6
Extended Warranty Protection6
Worldwide acceptance and Cash Access at over 17 million locations worldwide
Convenience checks at no extra charge to access your account where credit cards are not accepted
Additional Cards at no extra charge
Optional Photo Card
1The 5,000 bonus miles will appear on your Mileage Plan account within 4-6 weeks upon approval of your account.

2Applies to purchases made directly from Alaska Airlines and Horizon Air and not through third parties.

3The $50 companion certificate is redeemable for one round-trip companion fare of $50 on Alaska Airlines and/or Horizon Air when traveling with another passenger on a paid published airfare. Mileage Plan credit and upgrades are allowed with this offer.

4Certain restrictions apply. Please review Terms and Conditions, section "Additional Platinum Rules", for full details.

5One Board Room pass is valid for one visit to any Alaska Airlines Board Room. One guest may accompany the Board Room pass holder. More details available when you become a cardmember.

6Certain exclusions, restrictions and limitations apply. Details available when you become a cardmember.

 

[N8Magic]

I don't have one, but it seems that you get quite a bit for that $75.00 annual fee. If you travel fairly often, the first-class upgrades alone are worth the $75.00.

Does that airline fly anywhere OTHER than Alaska?

 

[Barnaby W. Füi]

you have to spend lots with those cards to reap any benefit

like the citibank aadvantage cards, you have to spend at least 25000 to take a free flight.

1st class upgrades and car rentals and stuff are cheaper, oh and i must reiterate that 25000 is the -MINIMUM-

as for other cards i dont know, i only know $hitibank----err, citibank

 

[RossMAN]

hehe have you noticed we all look like brothers (at least our avatars do)?

N8Magic - Alaska Airlines flies mostly in Alaska, Pacific NorthWest, California, Mexico and other western cities.

BingBongWongFooey - Thanks for the input. If I flew American I'd definitely get a CitiBank card since I already have a Dividend VISA with them (love that card, just earned my first free $100 sure it took $10,000 in charges but it was worth it!). They keep sending me "pre-approved" snailmail SPAM for a MasterCard which I guess can be changed to a Dividends but I don't need two CitiBank cards, just one is fine. I'm still considering that Drivers Edge card since the reward is 2% and you can use it towards ANY vehicle not just a particular brand.