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Combining airline operations is a complicated process, but so far, the merger between Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines has progressed without major turbulence. Transfers between the two programs are live, reciprocal elite benefits are in place, and Hawaiian’s partner lineup will soon be consolidated.
Now, another positive update is rolling out. Co-branded credit card holders from both airlines can enjoy checked bag benefits across both carriers. Here are the details.
New Checked Bag Perks for Alaska and Hawaiian Cardholders
Bank of America issues Alaska Airlines’ credit cards, while Barclays issues Hawaiian Airlines’ cards. According to Alaska’s VP of Loyalty, Hawaiian co-branded credit cards will eventually be phased out under the new, combined loyalty program.
In the meantime, cardholders may have found it frustrating that their checked bag benefits didn’t apply when flying the other airline. That's changing.
- Alaska Airlines Visa Signature® credit card and Alaska Airlines Visa® Business card cardholders now receive one free checked bag for themselves and up to six other travelers on the same reservation when flying with Hawaiian Airlines.
- Hawaiian Airlines® World Elite Mastercard® and Hawaiian Airlines® World Elite Business Mastercard® cardholders get two free checked bags on Alaska Airlines flights between Hawaii and the mainland, as well as inter-island flights. This perk does not extend to international routes.
- LIMITED TIME ONLINE OFFER-60,000 Bonus Miles + a 30% Flight Discount Code!
- Receive a 30% flight discount code for a qualifying future flight after opening your new account. Additionally, earn 60,000 bonus miles plus Alaska's Famous Companion Fare™ ($99 fare plus taxes and fees from $23) after making $3,000 or more in purchases within the first 90 days of opening your account.
- Get Alaska's Famous Companion Fare™ ($99 fare plus taxes and fees from $23) each account anniversary after you spend $6,000 or more on purchases within the prior anniversary year. Valid on all Alaska Airlines flights booked on alaskaair.com.
- Earn unlimited 3 miles for every $1 spent on eligible Alaska Airlines purchases. Earn unlimited 2 miles for every $1 spent on eligible gas, EV charging station, cable, streaming services and local transit (including ride share) purchases. And earn unlimited 1 mile per $1 spent on all other purchases. And, your miles don't expire on active accounts.
- Earn a 10% rewards bonus on all miles earned from card purchases if you have an eligible Bank of America® account.
- Free checked bag and enjoy priority boarding for you and up to 6 guests on the same reservation, when you pay for your flight with your card - Also available for authorized users when they book a reservation too!
- With oneworld® Alliance member airlines and Alaska's Global Partners, Alaska has expanded their global reach to over 1,000 destinations worldwide bringing more airline partners and more ways to earn and redeem miles.
- Plus, no foreign transaction fees and a low $95 annual fee.
- This online only offer may not be available elsewhere if you leave this page. You can take advantage of this offer when you apply now.
- Earn unlimited 3 miles for every $1 spent on eligible Alaska Airlines purchases
- Earn unlimited 2 miles for every $1 spent on eligible gas, EV charging stations, cable, streaming services and local transit (including ride share) purchases
- Earn unlimited 1 mile for every $1 spent on all other eligible purchases
Alaska’s cardholder benefits are clearly more generous. And that tracks, given that the Hawaiian Airlines credit card lineup will sunset soon. There’s little incentive to enhance a soon-to-be-retired product. Still, this update offers tangible value to loyal Hawaiian Airlines cardholders.
Related: Credit Card Benefits Every Traveler Should Know About
Additional seat selection benefits for Alaska elites
Starting April 24, 2025, Alaska Mileage Plan MVP Gold 75K and MVP Gold 100K members will be able to book Extra Comfort seats on Hawaiian Airlines when flying a Main Cabin fare. This marks an upgrade from the previous benefits, which only allowed seat selection at check-in.
Final Thoughts
Adding meaningful benefits to cards that are likely on their way out is an encouraging sign. Alaska appears committed to merging operations the right way. And extending checked bag perks to cardholders across both airlines signals a customer-first approach.
More reciprocal elite benefits are already in the pipeline, and additional announcements are expected as the integration continues. We’ll see what other policies roll out in 2025.
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