Update: The 50,000 miles Alaska Airlines bonus offer has expired so I've removed the link. Don't forget to follow @TravelSort on Twitter and like TravelSort on Facebook to be alerted to future deals and other great luxury travel tips.
An Alaska Airlines 50K Visa signup bonus offer is available (the best ever seen for this card), via TravelSort reader Paul, based in Seattle, who received it as an emailed offer.
Here are the details (bolding mine):
- 50,000 signup bonus: 25,000 bonus miles upon approval, and an additional 25,000 bonus miles after making at least $1000 in purchases within the first 90 days of the account open date
- Bonus mile offer: This one-time promotion is limited to new customers opening an account in response to this offer and is valid for a limited time by invitation only. This offer is not valid for customers that have applied for this product in the past 12 months.
- 3 miles per qualifying dollar of purchases of Alaska Airlines tickets, vacation packages and cargo purchases
- Coach companion fare every year from $118
Note that the terms stating that the offer is by invitation only, and that the offer isn't valid for those who applied for the Alaska Airlines Visa Signature card in the past 12 months. What about if you've had the card in the past 12 months, but applied for it over 12 months ago? While a literal reading of the terms indicate that you could still qualify, since your last application for the card was over 12 months ago, it could go either way in terms of getting the bonus.
The big question is whether, even if you get approved for this card, the 50,000 miles signup bonus will be honored even if you weren't originally targeted, since the “by invitation only” language gives Bank of America a way to exclude everyone who wasn't actually sent the targeted email.
In any case, folks are already reporting being approved instantly online and by calling 1.800.932.2775 and mentioning priority code VAB3E8, so it could be well worth a try–just note that your mileage may vary with getting the bonus for this card, if you weren't targeted with an emailed invitation.
FAQ
Why Get the Alaska Air Visa Signature Card with 50,000 Signup Bonus?
Over a year ago when I got the Alaska Air Visa Signature Visa with a smaller bonus, the reason to get it was for the domestic first class companion ticket to Hawaii. That benefit was eliminated for all companion certificates issued after July 31, 2012, so the companion ticket is now only valid for coach.
The reason now to accrue Alaska Airlines miles is to use them on partners, such as Cathay Pacific First Class, Qantas First Class, Emirates, and Korean Air Business Class. Most Alaska airlines partners can be booked one way, except for Delta, Korean and LAN, which require roundtrip awards.
Will I Get the Card I Applied For?
Not necessarily; the annoying thing about the Alaska Airlines Visa Signature card is that you may be approved for a lesser card, such as a Platinum Plus or Preferred card, which doesn't come with the 50,000 bonus miles. Unfortunately, it's unclear what one would get for those lesser cards, the application simply says “This offer applies to Visa Signature accounts. Different terms, benefits and credit line apply to Platinum Plus® and Preferred accounts.”
I Just Got the Alaska Visa! Can I Get Bank of America to Match Me to the Higher Bonus?
Maybe! A TravelSort Twitter follower just reported success with this.
What are the Alaska Airlines Award Rules for Stopovers and Open Jaws?
The nice thing about Alaska awards is that you can typically have a stopover even on an international one way award–so you could fly from the U.S. to South Africa in Cathay First Class, with a stopover in Hong Kong, even on a one way award. Also see Maximizing Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan Awards.
Do you plan to apply for the 50,000 Alaska Airlines Visa?
Related Posts
Alaska Airlines: Some One Way and Mixed Partner Awards Now Available
Maximize Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan Awards
Alaska Airlines: New Emirates Award Chart and FAQ
Alaska Companion Ticket: No More First Class
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