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If you have any inclination to travel to Alaska, Hawaii or Mexico – this is a credit card you really want to consider. This is especially true if you located on the west coast of the United States; although I also have friends on the east coast that also find it very useful. It is one of my very favorite travel credit cards and also one I’ve held the longest.
Before I even was interested in the points and traveling hobby, the Alaska Airlines travel that card was one of the first credit cards that Susan and I applied for and received. She has family in the Northern Washington area, and we would frequently travel on Alaska Airline flights into the Seattle area. On one such flight Susan listened to one of the pitches done by one of the flight attendants, picked up a mail in application, filled it out, and sent it in.
Oahu Hawaii
A few weeks later we received the card in the mail. Later that year we were planning a trip to Hawaii. At the time the companion ticket was free (plus taxes) and it could be applied to both first class and coach tickets. I remember thinking this was too good to be true. There must be some blackout dates or provisos that would prevent us from using the companion certificate for our trip. After a little researching and placing a call into Alaska Airlines we had successfully applied our certificate and had purchased 2 first class round trip tickets to Maui for $1,550.00 – all in. We were both very pleased with the experience.
The card has changed since that time. Today the particulars include (click her for the application page):
- Annual companion fare $99.00 (plus taxes and fees of ~$23.00).
- It is only valid on coach tickets.
- No restrictions on dates or destinations (including Alaska, Hawaii, Canada, Mexico and Costa Rica).
- One-way, open jaw, double open jaw, and multi-city flights apply.
- You have 1 year to use the certificate issued. It is good for any bookable future flight; even beyond the issued certificate date.
- The entire process is automated on line.
- Tickets for friends and family can be purchased in lieu of the certificate holder.
- Fare classes that are open to upgrades can be done with the certificate.
- There is a business, as well as consumer version of the card.
The sign up bonus increased this year from 25,000 to 30,000 Alaska miles with the $1,000 in spend within 90 days. Alaska Airlines miles are very useful with a number of partner airlines. The annual fee is a reasonable $75.00. Other useful card benefits include a free checked bag and 3X point for airfares purchased on Alaska Airlines.
The no blackout dates really made this companion certificate valuable to Susan and I. As a full time professional with a family, we have always traveled during holiday and vacation periods. Flights would be expensive, $500 plus and on up, and this instrument would really help on the expense of the trip.
Susan and I have redeemed the companion certificate with different Alaska Airlines Signature Cards over 20 times; all on itineraries to Hawaii (one of our daughters goes to school in Honolulu). It has saved us easily thousands of dollars in airfare. With very few restrictions and integrated online use, Alaska Airlines makes it easy to use this benefit.
Click valid discount codes first and then the shop button second
In Summary:
If you live on the west coast and plan to travel to Hawaii, Mexico or Alaska this card is a no-brainer. If you live on the east coast it still can make a lot of sense. I wouldn’t use this card for most everyday spend, there are better cards for that. At $75 per year it is a great first credit card to enhance your travel dollars for vacation flights with Alaska Airlines.
