Alaska Airlines Visa® Business Credit Card Review 2019

The Alaska Airlines Visa® Business Credit Card is provided by Bank of America and is best for business owners who are loyal Alaska Airlines flyers. You’ll receive Alaska’s Famous Companion Fare™ from $121 every year. Plus, you’ll get free checked baggage for you and six guests.

The best travel business credit cards offer free airport lounge access, free checked baggage, and annual travel credits. This Alaska Airlines business credit card offers free checked baggage and an annual companion fare for $121. However, this card does not offer any airport lounge access. We give this card 3.5 stars out of 5 stars possible.

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How We Evaluated the Alaska Airlines Visa® Business Credit Card

The Alaska Airlines Visa® Business Credit Card offers substantial introductory rewards and ongoing rewards of up to 3 miles per dollar spent. In our evaluation, we also considered the card’s companion fare and other benefits like free checked bags. Although the card’s annual companion fare is average at best, it offers free baggage for you and up to six other guests on the same reservation.

We considered the following criteria when grading this travel rewards credit card:

• Introductory rewards: The welcome offer you’ll earn by reaching minimum spending requirements during the first few months of card ownership. The Alaska Airlines Visa® Business Credit Card offers 40,000 bonus miles and Alaska’s Famous Companion Fare™ after spending $2,000 or more within the first 90 days after opening your account.
• Ongoing rewards: Points rewards you’ll earn by using the Alaska Airlines Visa® Business Credit Card. This Alaska Airlines business credit card offers three miles for every $1 spent on Alaska Airlines purchases and 1 mile on all other purchases.
• Additional benefits: Whether the card comes with free additional perks that may increase its value. The Alaska Airlines Visa® Business Credit Card offers purchase protection, extended protection, overdraft protection, roadside assistance, and free checked baggage.
• Annual fee: How much it costs to own the card. The Alaska Airlines Visa® Business Credit Card charges $50 for the company and $25 per card every year.
• Introductory APR: Whether the card offers an introductory no-interest period on purchases or balance transfers.
• Ongoing APR: How much it will cost to finance purchases on the card.

If you want an introductory 0% APR period and low ongoing APRs, the Alaska Airlines Visa® Business Credit Card is not the right card for you. However, an excellent alternative would be the American Express Blue Business® Plus credit card. That card offers an introductory 0% APR period for 12 months on purchases and balance transfers (see rates & fees).

How We Evaluate Travel Rewards Business Credit Cards

When grading travel rewards business credit cards like the Alaska Airlines Visa® Business Credit Card, we weighed introductory rewards, ongoing rewards, and additional card features the heaviest. We also take into account the card’s annual fee and APRs. This Alaska Airlines business credit card is an excellent option for those that want to receive a companion fare and free checked baggage.

We graded the Alaska Airlines Visa® Business Credit Card using the following methodology:

Based on our 5-star rating system where 20 points equals one star, the Alaska Airlines Visa® Business Credit Card fell short of receiving 4 stars. In cases where cards receive excellent scores in most categories, we may award bonus points to boost the card’s rating by half a star.

This Bank of America business credit card is a decent travel rewards business card. It offers top introductory rewards, but its ongoing rewards are only slightly above average. Other travel cards, including the American Express Blue Business® Plus credit card, offer free financing periods and low ongoing APRs.

Who the Alaska Airlines Visa® Business Credit Card Is Right For

The Alaska Airlines Visa® Business Credit Card is best for business owners who fly Alaska Airlines and usually check baggage. You and up to six guests on the same reservation can check your bag free. However, this card doesn’t offer airport lounge access. If you want an airport lounge access credit card, consider the American Express Business Platinum Card®. That card offers free unlimited access to 1,200 airport lounges across 130 countries.

Alternatives to Alaska Airlines Visa® Business Credit Card

Compared to the Alaska Airlines Visa® Business Credit Card, other travel business credit cards offer free financing periods, lower ongoing APRs, and free access to airport lounges. You can even find cards that offer welcome bonuses of up to 80,000 points after meeting a minimum spending requirement.

American Express Blue Business® Plus Credit Card

The American Express Blue Business® Plus credit card is best for business owners who are looking for free financing. This card offers an introductory 0% APR on purchases and balance transfers, outranking the Alaska Airlines Visa® Business Credit Card. You also can earn points rewards on all of your purchases. You can learn more about this card’s offerings and additional perks in our American Express Blue Business® Plus review.

Chase Ink Business Preferred℠ Credit Card

We believe the Chase Ink Business Preferred℠ credit card is one of the best business credit cards for travel. It’s best for businesses that want to maximize travel rewards at a lower annual fee. Plus, you’ll have the opportunity to earn top introductory rewards after meeting a minimum spending requirement. If you want to learn more about these rewards and the card’s value, our in-depth Chase Ink Business Preferred℠ card review will help.

American Express Platinum Delta SkyMiles® Business Credit Card

The American Express Platinum Delta SkyMiles® Business Credit Card is best for business owners who fly with Delta Air Lines and want to receive valuable travel perks. This card offers a free checked bag and access to priority boarding. You also can earn in-flight discounts and ongoing rewards for purchases made directly with Delta. Our Platinum Delta SkyMiles® Business Credit Card review can help you learn about this card’s true value.

Alaska Airlines Visa® Business Credit Card Costs

The Alaska Airlines Visa® Business Credit Card charges $50 for an account and $25 for each additional card every year. In comparison, the Chase Ink Business Preferred℠ credit card charges $95 per year for the first card and offers additional employee cards at no cost.

Financing costs and fees on the Alaska Airlines Visa® Business Credit Card include:

• Introductory APR: None
• Ongoing APR: 16.74% to 24.74% variable APR on purchases
• Annual fee: $50 for the company and $25 per card
• Balance transfer fee: $10 or 4% of the amount of each transaction, whichever is greater
• Foreign transaction fee: None
• Cash advance fee: $10 or 4% of the amount of each transaction, whichever is greater
• Late payment fee: Up to $49
• Returned payment fee: $39
• Penalty APR: None

Bank of America is one of the only card issuers we have reviewed that has a sliding late payment fee. This means that any late fees will be based upon your current balance. You’ll be hit with a $19 late fee if you have a balance of $100 or less, $29 if you have a balance between $100.01 and $1,000, $39 if you have a balance between $1,000.01 and $5,000, and $49 if you have a balance of more than $5,000.

How to Avoid Paying Interest on the Alaska Airlines Visa® Business Credit Card

To avoid interest on the Alaska Airlines Visa® Business Credit Card, you must pay your credit card balance by your due date. The due date on this card is at least 25 days from when your statement closes. As long as you pay your balance in full by then, you will not be charged interest. Other business credit cards have shorter payment periods. For example, the Chase Ink Business Preferred℠ requires that you pay your balance within a 20-day window.

Alaska Airlines Visa® Business Credit Card Rewards

The Alaska Airlines Visa® Business Credit Card offers 40,000 bonus points and Alaska’s Famous Companion Fare^TM after spending $2,000 within the first 90 days. Plus, you can earn 3 miles for every dollar spent on Alaska Airlines purchases and one mile on all other purchases. There are other business cards that offer better introductory rewards.

Introductory Rewards

The introductory rewards you can earn with this Alaska Airlines business credit card are 40,000 bonus miles and Alaska’s Famous Companion Fare™ from $121 after spending $2,000 or more within the first 90 days of opening your account.

With Alaska’s Famous Companion Fare™, you can purchase one round-trip coach companion fare on Alaska Airlines from $121 when traveling with another guest on a paid coach airfare on the same itinerary, booked at the same time. This reward is unique to this card. Other cards may offer more bonus points. For example, Chase Ink Business Preferred℠ offers 80,000 bonus points after spending $3,000 in the first three months.

It’s important to note that the companion fare you earn after spending $2,000 within 90 days is a one-use perk. Alaska’s Famous Companion Fare™ covers $99 base fare plus applicable taxes and fees from $22 depending on your flight itinerary. Travel must be booked through the Alaska Airlines website, is not valid with aware travel, and cannot be combined with other discounts.

Ongoing Rewards

You will earn the following ongoing when using your card:

• 3 miles for every dollar spent directly on Alaska Airlines purchases
• 1 mile for every dollar spent on all other purchases.
• Alaska’s Famous Companion Fare™ from $121 every year on your account anniversary

Similar to its introductory rewards, every year on your account anniversary you will receive Alaska’s Famous Companion Fare™. This means that, for the first year of your account, you have the opportunity to receive this reward twice ― one for the welcome offer and one for your anniversary. You will also earn 3 miles for every dollar you spend on Alaska-related purchases.

There are other travel business credit cards that offer better companion passes. For example, the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Business Credit Card companion pass lets you bring one person for free with you on any Southwest flight on which you purchase a ticket. However, it’s difficult to qualify. You’ll receive a pass by earning 110,000 points during a calendar year or by flying 100 qualifying one-way flights.

Reward Restrictions

The Alaska Airlines Visa® Business Credit Card won’t offer cash back rewards for the following:

• Balance transfers
• Cash advances
• Fees
• Finance charges
• Fraudulent transactions

Alaska Airlines miles don’t expire and may stay in your account indefinitely, as long as your account has not been terminated. If your account is inactive for two years, Alaska Airlines may close the account and delete any mileage balance. Deleted mileage can be reinstated for a fee for up to one year.

How to Redeem Your Rewards

There are three primary ways to redeem your miles:

• Award travel: Book a one-way flight for as little as 5,000 points, plus taxes and fees starting from $5.60. You are responsible for all applicable taxes, fees, and checked baggage charges.
• Flight upgrades: Upgrade your one-way Alaska Airlines reservation to first class for 15,000 points. Without using your points, a one-way paid upgrade starts at $29.
• Hotel accommodations: Earn up to 10,000 miles per night or redeem miles toward free nights and room discounts from more than 400,000 properties worldwide.

You will be responsible for all taxes, fees, and surcharges applicable to award travel. Other travel rewards credit cards, including American Express Blue Business® Plus, offer more redemption options, such as gift cards, event tickets, and taxi fares.

Alaska Airlines Visa® Business Credit Card Additional Features

The Alaska Airlines Visa® Business Credit Card includes various additional card features, including free checked baggage, purchase security, extended protection, car rental insurance, and overdraft protection. However, Bank of America doesn’t disclose the coverage levels of each additional card perk before application. We’ll show you the types of benefits you’ll receive, but for coverage levels and exceptions, look to the guide to benefits you’ll receive upon approval.

Free Checked Baggage

With the Alaska Airlines Visa® Business Credit Card, you will receive free checked baggage for you and up to six other guests on the same reservation. Because Alaska Airlines charges $30 for the first checked bag each way, this benefit is worth up to $420 per round-trip flight. Although this is an extremely valuable perk, there are other airline co-branded credit cards that allow for more free checked baggage.

For example, the American Express Platinum Delta SkyMiles® Business Credit Card offers free checked baggage for the cardholder and up to eight additional guests on the same flight reservations (nine total free bags). Because Delta charges $30 for the first checked bag each way, this additional perk is worth up to $540 compared to $420 on the Alaska Airlines Visa® Business Credit Card.

Purchase Security

When you purchase an item using your Alaska Airlines Visa® Business Credit Card, it will be protected from theft or damage for the first 90 days from purchase. Bank of America may replace, repair, or reimburse you for purchased items that have been stolen or damaged. After receiving your card, you can review the coverage levels in your benefits guide.

There are several credit cards unaffiliated with airlines that also offer purchase protection. For example, the American Express Business Platinum Card® protects purchased items from theft and damage for the first 120 days from purchase compared to 90 days. This coverage is limited to $10,000 per claim and $50,000 per card member, per year.

Extended Protection

When you use the Alaska Airlines Visa® Business Credit Card, purchased items with an original manufacturer’s warranty will receive additional warranty coverage. When you receive your card in the mail, refer to your benefits guide to review the coverage levels that are offered with this additional feature.

Other small business credit cards, such as the American Express Blue Business® Plus credit card, offer top extended warranty protection. This American Express business credit card will extend the original manufacturer’s warranty if it is five years or less. Warranties less than two years in length will be matched and warranties between two and five years will receive two additional years.

Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver

The Alaska Airlines Visa® Business Credit Card provides rental vehicle insurance that covers damage due to collision or theft. To be eligible, you must charge your entire rental fee to your Alaska Airlines business credit card. You can learn more about the specific coverage levels when you receive your benefits guide with your card.

In comparison, the Chase Ink Business Preferred℠ card provides an auto rental collision damage waiver for the first 31 days of a vehicle rental. You’ll also be covered for “reasonable and customary towing charges” and loss-of-use charges incurred by the rental company. Chase may reimburse you up to the cash value of the vehicle.

Overdraft Protection

As long as you have a Bank of American business checking account, you will be covered by overdraft protection through the Alaska Airlines Visa® Business Credit Card. Overdraft protection can help avoid declined transactions, returned checks, or other overdrafts. We have reviewed numerous other credit cards, and we have not found any other issuers that offer overdraft protection.

If you’re enrolled in Bank of America’s overdraft protection, Bank of America will automatically transfer funds in denominations of $100 to protect you from any overdrafts. To have your money transferred, you must have enough cash and credit available to cover your transaction. However, overdraft protection is not free. You will be charged an overdraft protection cash advance fee of $10 or 4% of the transaction, whichever is greater.

Travel and Emergency Assistance Services

The Alaska Airlines Visa® Business Credit Card provides a dispatch 24 hours a day when you’re traveling anywhere in the world. You can learn about the specific services that are included once you receive your card and benefits guide.

Other small business credit cards provide similar services, including the Chase Ink Business Preferred℠ credit card. The Chase Ink Business Preferred^SM provides a 24-hour hotline that serves as a concierge service. It offers access to travel, emergency, medical, and legal assistance. You will be held responsible for any fees assessed by a third-party service provider.

Roadside Assistance Program

Alaska Airlines Visa® Business Credit Card cardholders can use a pay-per-use roadside assistance program. This roadside assistance dispatch is available any time of day and can send out a tow truck operator or locksmith. You can learn more about the specific services and costs in your benefits guide upon receiving your card.

Other co-branded airline credit cards offer similar roadside assistance programs, including the American Express Platinum Delta SkyMiles® Business Credit Card. You can reach a roadside assistance hotline 24 hours a day, which can also send out tow trucks or locksmiths. Even though the hotline is free of charge, you are responsible for any charges for goods or services provides.

Adding Alaska Airlines Visa® Business Credit Card Employee Credit Cards

You can issue additional Bank of America® Platinum Visa® Business employee credit cards for $25 per card. Many other small business credit cards offer free employee cards, even when the primary card has an annual fee. You can issue as many employee cards as you need. If you’re approved, you can then call Bank of America to request additional employee cards.

If you are looking for a business credit card that offers free employee credit cards, consider the American Express Blue Business® Plus. You can issue up to 99 additional employee cards for no additional cost. Plus, the primary card also doesn’t carry an annual fee.

What Alaska Airlines Visa® Business Credit Card Is Missing

The Alaska Airlines Visa® Business Credit Card does not offer free employee cards. This card is not best suited for you if you need to carry a balance or issue several employee cards. Instead, consider one of the best small business credit cards.

Alaska Airlines Visa® Business Credit Card Reviews

Online user reviews for the Alaska Airlines Visa® Business Credit Card are mostly positive, but some users are unhappy. Cardholders especially enjoy the substantial sign-up bonus, particularly the companion fare reward. Some users complain about the annual fee for employee cards and high ongoing APR.

How to Apply for the Alaska Airlines Visa® Business Credit Card

You can apply for the Alaska Airlines Visa® Business Credit Card online. To get a business credit card, you must provide both your basic business and personal information, and you can be approved instantly. If you’re not approved immediately, the process could take 10 to 12 business days. Once you’re approved, you will receive your card within seven to 10 days.

How to Log Into Your Alaska Airlines Visa® Business Credit Card Account

You can log into your Alaska Airlines Visa® Business Credit Card account online by providing your user ID and password. If you run into problems, you can call customer service through the phone number on the back of your credit card.

Other Bank of America Business Credit Cards

Bank of America offers three other business credit cards, which are best for business owners who don’t want a co-branded airline credit card. You should consider one of these other options if you want to earn non-Alaska point rewards or have a lower ongoing APR than what’s offered on this card.

The other small business credit cards offered by Bank of America include the:

• Bank of America® Business Advantage Travel Rewards World Mastercard® credit card: Designed for business owners who travel often. This card offers strong ongoing rewards on rental cars, hotels, and flights.
• Bank of America® Platinum Visa® Business Credit Card: Best for business owners who want to receive a low ongoing APR. However, this card does not offer any ongoing rewards.
• Bank of America® Business Advantage Cash Rewards Mastercard® credit card: An excellent choice for business owners who want to earn cash back rewards. This card also has a short interest-free financing period on purchases and offers an introductory reward.

For rates and fees on the American Express Blue Business® Plus, please click here.
For rates and fees on the American Express Platinum Delta SkyMiles® Business Credit Card, please click here.