Alaska Companion Fares Need To Be Paid For Using The Alaska Credit Card For Tickets Issued 9/1

One of the benefits of the Bank of America Alaska cobranded credit card is that it comes with a companion fare annually. You need to pay $99 plus any taxes or fees, previously you’ve been able to pay for this using any card you’d like but the F.A.Q now states for tickets issued after October 1st, 2019 this charge must be paid for using the Alaska credit card.

Some people preferred to use other cards either to use up travel credits, provide better travel insurances or for a better rewards earn rate. This isn’t a huge negative, but it’s still an unwelcome change.

Hat tip to TPG

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YoniPDX
YoniPDX (@guest_799859)
August 18, 2019 17:40

A flight delay can cost you far more than the value of the CP. Almost learned the expensive way. A reminder that we have pretty crappy flight protection compared to the EU and Canada.

This is a huge negative esp since the card really has no travel insurance – that alone can more than kill the value of CP with a trip delay.

DW and kids last week flew to the Red-eye to Atlanta – flight was delayed before boarding 25 minutes – then they sat on the runway at PDX for 70 minutes – daughter texted me – so I got on the phone to be proactive – to see about re-booking as the Red-eye flight departure window was shrinking – the flight did take off while we were on the phone – but they would only have 20-25 min once the plane landed (not necessarily, at the gate and deplaning). The CSR person did call a Supervisor who alerted the gate agents about family on board once I started asking reason plane was delayed as it only arrived 15 min late from LAX. We try to take Red-eyes when headed east as you lose part to most of the day traveling. The had to run but did make the flight -thankfully as its a short trip to see Grandma – whos health has rapidly deteriorated – and DW limited PTO left with all the travel this past year.

Since US Airlines have no requirement to provide domestic travelers vouchers for food, hotel and taxi for delays but do if bumped involuntary. I kind of knew this in the back of my mind but it has never been a concern because of normally booking with a card that covered that base.

CSR said that if they missed the flight, that they would book them on the next available AS flight, but not necessarily that evening on another Airlines redeye, nor were vouchers for accommodations guaranteed. So booking with CSR card -if the flight is delayed would more than have covered the savings of the CP.

So huge devaluation – while mileage plan is still one of few that gives actual miles flown, its getting worse all the time.

J T
J T (@guest_799316)
August 16, 2019 15:57

Does anyone know if existing wallet funds (deposited gift certificates, etc) can be used in addition to the Alaska Visa card, or will we be locked out of all payment options except their card when booking the companion fare? This alone will determine whether we keep our 3 Alaska cards open or not.

Matt
Matt (@guest_768326)
June 7, 2019 15:01

I guess it’s a good thing I got declined for this card.

AnHeroicHippo
AnHeroicHippo (@guest_768264)
June 7, 2019 13:22

Two misleading little bits in this article, doc. 1) The title says 9/1 but the date is 10/1. 2) you say “for tickets issued after October 1st, 2019” but as far as I can read from Alaska (including the screenshot you posted) there’s no such rule – this applies to _certificates_ issued after October 1st, 2019 – if you receive your cert before then you should be able to pay with any credit card until that cert expires. Maybe you just meant “certificates” instead of “tickets”?

jeff
jeff (@guest_768002)
June 6, 2019 20:38

If you have multiple Alaska cards do you have to use the card that corresponds to the certificate? For me I have both a business and a personal Alaska card so I’m wondering if I can cancel a card but then use the other card with the left over companion pass?

Jimm
Jimm (@guest_767724)
June 6, 2019 12:59

This is such BS, and is a huge deal. Their companion pass is now effectively $99 plus fees and taxes, plus the AF for the card. Alaska is slowly but surely removing the reasons why they used to be the best airline on the west coast. They followed the major carriers and added Basic Economy, effectively raising rates for most travelers. They’ve recently disallowed priority pass at some key lounge locations, and now you must hold their card (and pay the AF) to book and use their companion pass… What’s next?

LC
LC (@guest_767731)
June 6, 2019 13:07

probably bankruptcy

Quango
Quango (@guest_767777)
June 6, 2019 14:07
  LC

they’ll get acquired by spirit airlines

qmc
qmc (@guest_767781)
June 6, 2019 14:12

Given that you probably earned that companion pass with that card and it’s AF, I don’t see how that’s a major difference.

I’m not sure how priority pass plays into your “best airline” … you’re implying devaluing somebody else’s product that lets non-loyalty tier customers in makes their program worse? (fwiw, I am one of these non-elite AS members with a PP)

YoniPDX
YoniPDX (@guest_799855)
August 18, 2019 16:54

Agreed this one the biggest reason I’m against M&A is the only people that benefit really are C-Suite Exec and Shareholders (customers that are shareholders unless they are huge can still end up losing), meanwhile customers and employees tend to get the raw end of the deal.

Jeff
Jeff (@guest_767666)
June 6, 2019 11:44

Huge downgrade for me. I use my flexperks points to pay for both, which I have a ton of. Now it’ll basically be a cash fare. Thumbs way down on this one!

FM
FM (@guest_767650)
June 6, 2019 11:21

The bigger question is whether it has to be that specific persons Alaska card or ANY persons Alaska card. I work at a large company with a very active employee-run “for sale” distribution list, and I see dozens of people a week selling their unused companion fares on the list. This will be a major blow to the secondary market if the change does require the issued persons Alaska card.

Satellite
Satellite (@guest_767676)
June 6, 2019 12:06
  FM

Sounds like Amazon.

EL
EL (@guest_767720)
June 6, 2019 12:57
  FM

The owner of the CP already had to be the one purchasing the ticket for the pass to apply (the credit card had to be in their name but not necessarily the Alaska card) so this change doesn’t change that aspect too much.

WayUpNorth49
WayUpNorth49 (@guest_767644)
June 6, 2019 11:16

This totally blows. I cash out MR using the Biz Plat for AS flights, cancel after a day, and bank the credit in my wallet. I then use wallet funds when I want to use the companion pass. It’s been a couple of years since I paid actual cash money for a ticket on AS (give or take the travel credits that cover the AmEx card fees).

J T
J T (@guest_829664)
October 23, 2019 19:44

Wallet funds will still be available to pay for companion fare tickets, in combination with the Alaska Visa if wallet balance is insufficient. The post 10/1 change is only that you can’t use any other credit card to pay (or partially pay) for a companion fare. I asked this direct question to Alaska Mileage Plan CSRs on two different occasions and got the same answer, so confidence is high this is the case.

Dave Hanson
Dave Hanson (@guest_1444659)
September 13, 2022 21:49

Any recent data points confirming if this trick still works, without the Amex Travel portal messing things up?

JJ
JJ (@guest_767640)
June 6, 2019 11:11

If you paid for the fare using your Alaska card but then upgraded to premium economy with your CSR would CSR insurance kick in?

weaseltown
weaseltown (@guest_768036)
June 6, 2019 22:47
  JJ

Per the CSR benefits PDF, you wouldn’t be eligible for coverage. Most coverages mandate that at least some portion of the fare is charged to the CSR, but with the new restrictions going into effect the entire fare would need to be charged to your Alaska card. Preferred seat upgrades are not considered “fare” for this purpose. I suppose you could find a sympathetic claims adjustor, but unfortunately I wouldn’t count on that. The silver lining is that seat upgrades would still be eligible for 3x UR earning via the CSR.