MBNA Alaska Airlines MasterCard

The MBNA Alaska Airlines MasterCard is a great airline miles travel rewards credit card because it offers a comparatively low annual fee, a huge sign up bonus, cheap companion tickets, free lounge passes, and multiple partners to redeem with! When compared to any other miles based credit card like the CIBC Aerogold Infinite or the TD AAdvantage, it easily comes out on top. I actually used to recommend the MBNA Starwood Preferred Guest MasterCard over this card because it was no annual fee and higher rate of return for people spending less than $30,000 annually, but it has since been discontinued.

The only real problem this card has is redemption options because Alaska Airlines only flies to a select few Canadian cities. Fortunately, they have an extensive partner list that includes American Airlines, Delta, British Airways, and Cathay Pacific. If you live in any major Canadian city, then these partners should be able to fly you internationally anywhere you would want to go. Sadly, foreign airlines can’t both take off and land within Canada during the same flight, so this credit card is not for those who plan to use their miles primarily for domestic travel.

So, go ahead! Apply for this card and get the massive 25,000 miles sign up bonus, which is enough for a free flight anywhere in Canada and the Continental USA! Also, you can refer to the Airline Rewards section for tips on how to maximize the value of your miles.

Positives:

• 20,000 bonus miles with your first purchase using the card.
• An additional 5,000 miles when you spend $750 on the card.
• No limit on spending or the amount of miles that can be earned yearly.
• Miles can be redeemed on many popular airlines that fly into Canadian cities.
• Other rare perks like a $50 $99 companion ticket per year and 2 boardroom passes (Alaska Airlines airport lounge).
• Lower annual fee than the typical $120 fee charged by most airline cards.
• Decent platinum insurance package.
• Free supplementary cards.

Negatives:

• No option to fly with Air Canada and 100% domestic flights are not possible.
• Over limit fee of $35 when accidentally exceeding your credit limit.

Insurance Package:

• Extended Warranty - up to 1 year.
• Purchase Protection – 90 days.
• Travel Accident - $1,000,000.
• Trip Interruption - $2,000.
• Car Rental Theft & Damage (CDW & LDW).
• Car Rental Accident - $200,000.
• Car Rental Personal Effects - $1,000.

Minor Perks:

• Call centre assistance for almost any unexpected problem while traveling:
  • Emergency cash (costs paid by you, not them).
  • Lost document and ticket replacement (costs paid by you).
  • Lost baggage assistance (costs paid by you).
  • Pre-trip planning information (entry requirements, vaccinations, etc).
  • Find legal advisor or post bail (costs paid by you).

MBNA Card Benefits Table | Apply Now!