Have an Alaska or Hawaiian Credit Card? Your Checked Bag Benefits Just Got Better

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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.

• Atmos™ Rewards Ascent Visa Signature^® credit card and Atmos™ Rewards Visa Signature^® 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.

Atmos™ Rewards Ascent Visa Signature^® credit card

How to Apply

Welcome Bonus: Limited-time online offer – 70,000 bonus points. Get 70,000 bonus points and a $99 Companion Fare (plus taxes and fees from $23) with this offer. To qualify, spend $2,500 or more on purchases within the first 90 days of opening your account.

Atmos™ Rewards Ascent Visa Signature^® credit card

Welcome Bonus: Limited-time online offer – 70,000 bonus points. Get 70,000 bonus points and a $99 Companion Fare (plus taxes and fees from $23) with this offer. To qualify, spend $2,500 or more on purchases within the first 90 days of opening your account.

Annual Fee:$95

Show moreWhy We Like ItEarning Rates

The Atmos™ Rewards Ascent Visa Signature^® credit card offers cardholders 3 points per dollar on eligible Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines purchases and 2 points per dollar on everyday purchases like gas, local transit including ride share, cable, and select streaming services. Other benefits include an annual Companion Fare™ of $122 ($99 fare plus taxes and fees from $23) after spending $6K in the previous anniversary year, priority boarding, a free checked bag, a 10% reward bonus on points for Bank of America account holders, and a $100 discount on Alaska Lounge+ Membership.

• Earn unlimited 3 points for every $1 spent on eligible Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines purchases
• Earn unlimited 2 points for every $1 spent on eligible gas, EV charging stations, cable, streaming services and local transit (including ride share) purchases
• Earn unlimited 1 point for every $1 spent on all other eligible purchases

Credit: Tyler Glatt/AwardWallet

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.