Comparing Canada and US Alaska Airlines Credit Cards
We just finished comparing the Canadian and US Starwood Preferred Guest American Express credit cards, so I thought it would be fun to keep the trend going. Next up is the co-branded Alaska Airlines credit cards.
In Canada, Alaska Airlines’ loyalty program, Mileage Plan, teamed up with MBNA, while they went with Bank of America in the U.S. Below are the highlights of all the available cards.
Bank of America Alaska Airlines Visa Signature Credit Card
- $75 annual fee
- Earn 30,000 bonus miles after spending after spending $1,000 in 90 days
- Earn 3 miles for every $1 spent on Alaska Airlines tickets, vacation packages, cargo and inflight purchases
- Earn 1 mile for every $1 spent on all other purchases
- Receive an annual companion fare (costing $99 USD plus taxes and fees) after spending $1,000 in the first 90 days
- Receive first checked bag free
- No foreign transaction fees
Bank of America Alaska Airlines Visa Business Card
- $75 annual fee
- Earn 30,000 bonus miles after spending after spending $1,000 in 90 days
- Earn 3 miles for every $1 spent on Alaska Airlines tickets, cargo, and inflight purchases
- Earn 1 mile for every $1 spent on all other purchases
- Receive an annual companion fare (costing $99 USD plus taxes and fees) after spending $1,000 in the first 90 days
- Receive first checked bag free
- No foreign transaction fees
MBNA Alaska Airlines MasterCard
- $75 annual fee
- Earn 25,000 bonus miles after the first purchase
- Earn 3 miles for every $1 spent on Alaska Airlines tickets, vacation packages, cargo and inflight purchases
- Earn 1 mile for every $1 spent on all other purchases
- Receive an annual companion fare (costing $99 USD plus taxes and fees)
Surprisingly, the Canadian version is actually highly competitive as you will find out below.
Annual Fee
All 3 cards only charge a $75. I cringe when I say $75 because it is actually an amazing price, so I really hope that they do not raise it. Because the Canadian dollar is much weaker at the moment, they win out (not to mention the $60 cash back with GreatCanadianRebates, please email me if you are willing to take my referral to sign up for an account).
Winner: Canada
Sign Up Bonus
I’m really on the fence about this one, because the $1,000 spending requirement is a high, but needing to spend $1,000 to get an extra 5,000 bonus points. After meeting the spend requirement, you do end up with 31,000 miles (with the U.S. card) rather than 25,000 miles (CAD card).
Winner: U.S.
Earning Ratios
Both cards actually have the same earning ratios. Again, because of the currency exchange discrepancy, Canada wins out for the time being!
Winner: Canada
Annual Companion Fare
The annual companion fare is actually the same for both versions, including the fact that it is charged the same $99 USD on both cards. However, the Canadian version doesn’t have a $1,000 spending requirement to qualify for it, so they win out on this factor as well!
As I have mentioned in previous posts regarding this credit card, unfortunately Alaska Airlines currently only operates in the western part of Canada.
Winner: Canada
Foreign Transaction Fees
I am surprised that the U.S. version decided to offer this, but I guess too many other U.S. based credit cards who are also waiving the foreign transaction fees.
Winner: U.S.
Free Checked Bag
Only the U.S. version offers a free checked bag for up to six other passengers on the same reservation as the primary cardholder
Winner: U.S.
Conclusion
On the surface, the U.S. card is still slight more attractive than the Canadian one, but it is still extremely competitive relatively speaking. I have to give props to MBNA, I hope they keep up this strong offer and build on it.
You may want to edit the need for Canadians to spend $1000 for the annual companion fare.
Hmm… I have confirmation that there is no spending requirement for the Canadian one. Where did you get that information? Is it in writing somewhere?
Under the description of the MBNA MasterCard where you talk about the companion fare benefit, you cite a $1000 spending limit.
Ahhh. I get it now. Sorry about that. My bad! Fixed! And thanks for the heads up.
It is really a shame that Canada has very few cc’s that have no foreign transaction fees.
For frequent travelers, having no foreign transaction fees is a must.
Yes, competition still a little lacking here.
Issue is that there is virtually no way for anyone out east to use that 2for1 voucher… Alaska has no departures from YYZ or YUL… Unless theres something I’m missing..
Yes, I have mentioned in previous posts that the MBNA card is better suited for Canadians located in western Canada, unless you have a specific trip that you need to make while you are already out west for another trip.
Either way, thanks for the heads up Shawn, I added a line in the post regarding this matter.
For new credit card’s cashback rebate offers, it is better to compare between various cashback vendors so that you can get the best rebates available. For e.g. For MBNA Platinum Plus MasterCard, GCR offers $60 and eBates offers $50 cashback. See the link http://www.cashbackbin.ca/cashback-rebates-mbnaplatinumplusmastercard.ca
Yes, there are third party offers that do a little extra!
Interesting facts about US version:
You understand that if your application is approved with a credit line that is greater than or equal to $5,000, you will receive a Visa Signature® account; if your credit line is less than $5,000, you will receive a Platinum Plus® account. The benefits and Annual Fees for Platinum Plus® accounts differ from Visa Signature® accounts. You also understand that the Annual Percentage Rate you receive will be determined based on your creditworthiness. You understand that only a portion of your Total Credit Line will be available for Bank Cash Advances. You also understand that if you have existing credit card accounts with Bank of America, we may utilize the available credit on the existing account(s) to approve your new credit card which could include moving credit from an account with a lower annual percentage rate and/or fee structure to a higher annual percentage rate and/or fee structure without increasing your overall credit limit.
Thanks for sharing Peter.
At this point, with the way the Canadian credit card market is going, I just hope that the Canadian version will continue to exist…
If you want to get US card, I give you a hint, book your ticket online and just before the payment AK will offer you their card application with $100 credit, that will cover your AF plus extra $25 towards your statement balance:
Buy one ticket, get one for just taxes and fees (from $22) plus receive 30,000 bonus miles with this special offer. To qualify, make purchases of $1,000 or more within the first 90 days of opening your account.
Get a $100 statement credit and 30,000 bonus miles after you make $1,000 or more in purchases within the first 90 days of your account opening. The $100 statement credit offer is not tied to the Alaska Airlines reservation you just completed and will be applied 8-12 weeks after you make the qualifying purchases with your new card.