The new premium credit card, launching at Alaska/Hawaiian in 2025, comes with a $395 annual fee and exclusive features aimed at loyalty members and frequent flyers. We are all interested in the card’s benefits with the upcoming integration of Alaska and Hawaiian Airlines loyalty programs. Here’s what we know as it relates to Hawaii travelers.
The Global Companion Award Certificate is one of the most notable perks, albeit not Hawaii-centric. It can be used internationally. This certificate is valid on Alaska Airlines, Hawaiian Airlines, and other partner airline mileage redemptions. As a first for Alaska cards, it can also be used for business and first-class awards.
Cardholders will automatically receive one certificate yearly and can earn a second by meeting spending requirements.
Alaska Lounge passes (quantity still unknown) will also be included, which could be valuable, especially with new lounges planned for Hawaii and mainland gateways. Other benefits include inflight Wi-Fi vouchers and accelerated elite status within the new loyalty program, further positioning this seemingly expensive card as a potential game-changer for those navigating the growing Alaska-Hawaiian route network.
Why this card matters for Hawaii travelers.
The companion award certificate could be the standout benefit for Hawaii travelers. Unlike Alaska’s existing Companion Fare, this certificate is redeemable for travel that includes premium cabins. For frequent flyers between Hawaii and the mainland or those connecting to international destinations, this may open up interesting and valuable opportunities. We plan to get one of these cards as soon as it becomes available to report back on how well it works.
In addition, the inclusion of partner airlines such as Japan Airlines and Qantas may appeal to Hawaii residents seeking more global travel options. For those who regularly redeem miles for international trips originating from Hawaii, this feature could make the card particularly useful.
Another unique feature that stands out is earning three miles per dollar spent on dining and foreign transactions—an uncommon benefit not regularly seen on other cards.
Can the annual fee be justified? The verdict is out.
The $395 annual fee is higher than the current offerings from Alaska (Bank of America) and Hawaiian (Barclay). Whether it makes sense for Hawaii travelers will depend largely on how frequently the card’s benefits can be used successfully. The companion award certificate alone has the potential to offset the cost if it can result in premium class redemptions. However, as has become increasingly clear over the years, successfully redeeming awards has become more challenging. In this case, the proof will truly be in the pudding.
New Hawaii-related lounges are part of the enticement.
Alaska Airlines is planning to expand all of its premium offerings, including three new lounges. These will open at San Diego Airport, Honolulu Airport, and a new flagship international lounge coming to Seattle. We don’t have dates yet for these lounges to open. The lounge passes being included may become more compelling due to the expanding number of Alaska lounge locations.
Get a head start and $5 worth of free bonus points.
Alaska Airlines is offering an early signup bonus for travelers who join the waitlist for the $395 premium credit card. By adding your name to the list, you can earn 500 bonus miles right now (a value of $5).
Additionally, cardholders who apply and are approved when the card officially launches will receive another 5,000 bonus miles on top of the standard welcome offer. Cardholders upgrading from an existing Alaska Airlines consumer credit card are not eligible for the bonus miles.
To join the waitlist and secure the bonus miles, visit Alaska Airlines’ official page: Sign up for the Alaska Airlines Premium Credit Card waitlist.
Comparing the $99 Alaska and Hawaiian cards with the new $395 premium card.
The Alaska Airlines $99 Visa Signature card and the Hawaiian Airlines $99 World Elite Mastercard have been popular options for Hawaii travelers, offering valuable perks for a comparatively low annual fee. However, the new $395 Alaska premium card will introduce significant changes, with both opportunities and drawbacks for island travelers.
Alaska Airlines $99 Visa Signature card.
The $99 Alaska card is best known for its annual Companion Fare, which allows cardholders to bring a guest for $122 (including taxes and fees) on paid Alaska Airlines flights. This benefit is limited to economy class, however, and cannot be used on mileage redemptions. For Hawaii travelers flying to or from the mainland, this feature can quickly offset the card’s cost and has been mentioned favorably by many commenters.
The card earns three miles per dollar on Alaska Airlines purchases and one mile per dollar on all other transactions. Cardholders also receive free checked bags for themselves and up to six companions on Alaska-operated flights. Its straightforward benefits make it appealing for budget-conscious travelers.
Hawaiian Airlines $99 World Elite Mastercard.
The Hawaiian Airlines card focuses on interisland and transpacific routes. It offers a one-time 50% off companion discount for a roundtrip main cabin ticket between Hawaii and the mainland, but this is only available during the first year. Unlike the Alaska card, this feature does not renew annually. However, the Hawaiian card provides an annual $100 companion discount for roundtrip travel between Hawaii and the mainland, which is available every year after the account anniversary.
The Hawaiian card earns three miles per dollar on Hawaiian Airlines purchases, two miles per dollar on dining, gas, and groceries, and one mile per dollar on other transactions. Additional benefits include a free checked bag for the primary cardholder on flights booked directly with Hawaiian Airlines.
Significant new $395 card challenges to consider.
While the Global Companion Award Certificate is a major selling point of the new Alaska premium card, its actual value for Hawaii travelers hinges on specific mileage caps. Alaska Airlines has confirmed that these certificates will have mileage value limits, but the exact details have not yet been disclosed. Based on early speculation, the caps may be too low to fully cover first-class or business-class award flights on transpacific routes, particularly to or from Hawaii.
To address this, Alaska will offer a “top-up” feature, allowing cardholders to add miles beyond the certificate’s cap to book higher-value awards. While this provides flexibility, it may diminish the perceived value for those choosing the card specifically to book premium travel.
This feature resembles a benefit found on the Amex Bonvoy card, which offers an annual Marriott free night award. If the point value of a desired hotel exceeds the certificate’s limit, cardholders can add points to reach the required total. Similarly, Alaska’s top-up feature could help travelers salvage value but may not meet expectations for those seeking seamless premium-class travel benefits.
It remains unclear how well this benefit will deliver for Hawaii travelers aiming for premium-class experiences or long-haul trips. The certificate may offer solid value for those who typically book economy awards. However, its appeal could diminish for travelers hoping to unlock higher-end travel options, especially given the card’s $395 annual fee.
Another limitation is the lack of a fuel surcharge waiver for partner airlines like British Airways. Although the card waives the $12.50 partner award booking fee, travelers booking with partners such as British Airways will still face substantial surcharges, which can range from $500 to $1,000 each way for first-class or business-class awards.
Final thoughts for Hawaii travelers.
Alaska Airlines’ new premium credit card offers some intriguing perks for Hawaii travelers, including the companion award certificate, lounge access, and enhanced earning potential on dining. For frequent flyers traveling between Hawaii, the mainland, and beyond, the card could deliver strong value if used strategically. However, the $395 annual fee and potential limitations on benefits may make it less appealing for occasional travelers. Ultimately, whether this card works for Hawaii travelers will depend on how well its features align with individual travel habits and redemption strategies.
We plan to report back on how well the card performs once it becomes available. In the meantime, we welcome your input on airline-branded premium credit cards and their potential value for Hawaii travelers.
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“As a first for Alaska cards, it can also be used for business and first-class awards.”
The original Alaska companion fare was $50 and could be used for first class.
love it
Mahalo
“High end” airline cards make zero sense. Unless you’re absolutely certain you will only fly on that airline, you are Far better off with a Venture X, Sapphire Reserve, or Amex Platinum.
As some others have pointed out, based on what is known today for new the new premium card, in terms of strictly earning points/miles, you are better off to earn on one the Chase Sapphire cards – with many opportunities to transfer to other airlines.
We need to see more details as to how and the Mileage Plan miles needed to “top off” the international certs and if a decent redemption value materializes.
Generally, Alaska has been more generous than other airlines – but don’t let that fool you – Alaska has also de-valued their Mileage Plan program over the years both amongst itself and the many partners where you can redeem.
Alaska needs to come to terms with Barclay about sunsetting that program. They are not going to operate two programs. I’m hopeful that Bank of America will purchase the Barclay’s book of business.
Alaska and Bank of America have been issuing credit and debit cards together since the late 1980’s, going back to the SeaFirst days.
Sumner R.
Didn’t it say one certificate per account holder per year. In this case it would only apply to one destination a year also. I would think it as one booking per year and pay $395 a year for the card. After one companion certificate is used then all there is left is to pay full price or use mileage points.
Since there is no tip line on new stories and the contact says to post comments to stories, I picked this one as the most closely aligned:
Due to the merger, Hawaiian has cancelled a bunch of flights. They’re re-booking people to Alaska. Fine and good, EXCEPT: They have completely different premium seating policies that will make many customers angry.
If you have first class seats, or straight economy seats, great. If not, you’re in for some frustration here. Hawaiian has a police where you still have economy class seats, but you purchase a priority seat, with a cost that is based on the specific seat you select. Alaska is different, they have priority seating and premium seating, all at one cost.
For someone who has both the Hawaii Airlines Barclay’s Mastercard and Alaska Bank of America Visa:
What’s your advice?
Hi Randall.
We’d suggest wait and see. Thanks for asking.
Aloha.
Just an FYI, up until about 15 years ago, the Alaska companion code was usable in First Class. They took that away about the time they started the Hawaii flights.
The new “premium” card is too weak for its nearly $400 AF. You don’t get a lot of perks and are at best earning 3x when flying in Alaska. Big deal, because the Chase Sapphire Reserve also earns 3x on travel and can be applied to more partners.
There will be limited lounge passes, but is that worth $395/yr? Doubtful, especially when I already have access to Alaska and American Airlines lounges.
Will it offer coverage for TSA Precheck? Doubtful. There’s so much mediocre offerings that it’s embarrassing
Yes it is embarrassing. They should let you use the companion ticket on their partners as well.. that will improve the value.
But it’s inferior compared to Venture X. You can perks that offset the fee in most cases.
We are $99 Alaska cardholders and are intrigued by the possibilities. We like to fly premium, and two RT Premium upgrades from West Coast are about as much as the this new card. A second trip in the same year: we come out ahead. As for international, we tried to book Alaska partner airlines to Europe (twice) but found the offerings were limited and weak – very few direct flights, bad times of day, too many restrictions. But a companion offer to Europe (or Asia) is a game changer.
The big question for me is what’s going to happen to the Barclay’s card? Until we know the answer to that, I think it is premature to pick anything new.
IMO I think Alaska/Hawaiian will soon phase out the $99 annual fee cards and force everyone to pay $395 a year and be forced to only have the option to get a first class companion/business ticket with no more options in economy. This will provide less seats available at twice the price of economy but companion free with points. No way are they going to keep the $99 cards with two different bank systems to back their credit lines.
As someone who flies mainly between Hawaii and the mainland, I’ll wait and see how others find it working before committing to the much higher fee.
The dining and foreign transaction bonus is nice, especially for international trips. But it feels like this will appeal more to mainland flyers than us in Hawaii. Wonder where we are going to fit.
This card looks like it’s for serious flyers, not casual travelers like us. I’d stick with the $99 version if I can unless I was flying much more.
The ability to redeem the companion award for business class might make this a good deal, especially if it works for trips to Asia. I’m now on the wait list.
I’ve been using the Alaska card for years, and I’m not sure this new one justifies the jump in cost. The mileage caps on the companion certificate might be a huge limitation.
This card provides very little value for most people. A Venture X or Chase Sapphire Reserve are much better. They have Perks and credits you can actually use to offset the free they charge.
The international companion Fair is actually not going to be that competitive considering their other airlines who would probably have more competitive fares especially the Asian airlines. As for the lounge passes much better to get venture x priority pass that allows you access to more lounges. Alaska Air and most us-based airline lounges tend to be very poor compared to the international Airlines.
If you want to fly business class you will find Asian airlines offer much better value than the US Airlines in terms of comfort and service.
Agreed. Even Amex Platinum is a better deal. Most airline specific cards also limit lounge access, so if you are flying an airline other then Alaska or Hawaiian, you can’t use their lounge despite paying them hundreds of dollars a year!
I only fly first class on American and have their Citi Executive card and every time I fly thru Seattle I have been able to use the Alaska lounge no questions asked. Way too many questions about the card and it’s offerings to get spun up or concerned about yet.
So many unanswered questions, makes me truly wonder. No mention of free bags. Also, if there was a benefit of automatic zone 2 or 3 boarding privileges I’d think about it even more, but for those listed benefits, hard pass for me. Certificates won’t work speaking from experience
The current Bank of America – issued Alaska Airlines credit card includes early boarding in group “c” – for credit card holders.
How that will work once Alaska-operated international widebody flights begin – probably will stay the same – business class/elite flyers, premium class then general coach as it does today on Alaska/Horizon/Skywest narrow-bodied flights.
Also, one “perk” of the card that no other airline affinity card offers in the United States, Alaska allows those who have been issued an authorized user credit card in their name the benefit of priority boarding without having to be on the same itinerary as the main cardholder – and for that matter up to 7 people on the same reservation. Also includes the first checked bag free.
I doubt though that Alaska will offer the first checked bag free for credit card holders on long-haul international widebody flights.
Sumner R.
This sounds like a real money-grabber to me. I have a Chase card that costs me $550, used to be $250 a (very) few years ago. I have it because of the insurance coverage, and the $300 credit for travel it provides, but I’m waffling on dropping it because of the annual fee. I have the Hawaiian card and use it to build pts ( and free bag) for my annual HI trip. I wonder if HA/AK will ‘force’ those that have that card to move to the new one, or reduce the value of the existing card’s pts (they have doubled the pts needed for some flights already) to make the new card look attractive.
I have had the American Airlines Citi Executive card since it was first introduced and the fee, now around $600, has worked out great for me especially since it includes Admiral’s Club access for longer times between flights that I have used extensively. While any credit card with a multi hundred dollar cost might seem ridiculous to have, when you travel frequently the value of the card can jump dramatically.
I will check out the new offering to replace my old Hawaiian Barclay card but the lack of relaunch details is problematic.
“Cardholders upgrading from an existing Alaska Airlines consumer credit card are not eligible for the bonus miles.”
Are current Alaska card holders eligible for the 500 mile offer?
You hit upon one major weakness, “specific mileage caps … confirmed that these certificates will have mileage value limits ….” This is a real suck for a $400 annual fee card.
In future reporting, please evaluate whether flyers would be better off with a simple 2% cash back card on all purchases. Don’t forget, that cash back could be used to buy premium / first class tickets, especially during sales or low traffic periods, providing a lot more value and flexibility. Or be used to buy anything else you need, not limiting you to a branded airline, and no restrictions.
We always use cash-back cards precisely to avoid the games such as caps, blackout dates, and miles devaluation.