Alaska Airlines Business Card: 85K Bonus Miles + Companion Fare – Is It Worth It?

If you're a small business owner who frequently flies Alaska Airlines, this offer might be exactly what you've been waiting for. The Bank of America Alaska Airlines Atmos Rewards Visa Business Card is currently dangling a hefty 85,000 bonus miles and a coveted Companion Fare certificate after you meet a modest spending requirement. Let's break down what you're actually getting and whether it makes sense for your business.

What You Get with the 85K Bonus

The headline offer is 85,000 Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan miles after you spend $5,000 on purchases within the first 90 days of account opening. That's a pretty reasonable bar for a business card. On top of that, you'll receive a Companion Fare certificate that lets you bring someone along for just $99 plus taxes and fees (which start at $23). So for a round-trip companion ticket, you're looking at about $122 out of pocket. That's a steal if you're planning a trip with a colleague or family member.

But here's the thing: the companion fare is only valid on Alaska Airlines flights, and you have to be the one traveling. You can't gift it. Also, taxes and fees vary by route, so that $23 is just the starting point. For a popular route like Seattle to Honolulu, expect to pay more like $50–$70 in taxes and fees.

If you don't see the 85K offer anymore, the fallback is 80,000 miles. Still a solid bonus, but the extra 5K is worth chasing if you can.

Earning Miles on Everyday Spending

This card earns 3 miles per dollar on Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines purchases. That's nice if you're booking flights for your business, but let's be real – most of us don't spend thousands on airfare every month. The 2x category is more useful: gas, EV charging, shipping, and local transit (including rideshare). So if you're driving for deliveries or using Uber/Lyft for client meetings, that's where you'll rack up miles faster.

Everything else earns 1 mile per dollar. Not amazing, but not terrible either. And if you also have a Bank of America small business checking account, you get a 10% bonus on all miles earned from purchases. That bumps the 3x category to 3.3x, 2x to 2.2x, and 1x to 1.1x. It's a small boost, but it adds up over time.

The Companion Fare: The Real Star

The annual Companion Fare is what makes this card worth keeping year after year. After your first year, you'll get another certificate each account anniversary if you spend at least $6,000 on the card in the prior year. That's $500 per month – easy for most businesses. The companion fare itself is just $99 plus taxes and fees, and it's valid for a round-trip ticket in the same class of service as yours. No blackout dates on Alaska flights, which is huge.

Just remember: you can't use it on partner airlines like American or British Airways. It's strictly for Alaska Airlines metal. And you have to book through Alaska's website or customer service. But if you live in a hub city like Seattle, Portland, Anchorage, or Los Angeles, this benefit alone can save you hundreds of dollars a year.

Perks That Actually Matter for Business Travelers

Free checked bag for you and up to six guests on the same reservation – that's a savings of $70 per person round-trip. Priority boarding is also included, which is nice when you're trying to get overhead bin space. And there are no foreign transaction fees, so you can use this card abroad without getting nickel-and-dimed.

You also get 20% back on Alaska Airlines inflight purchases (like food and drinks), and a $100 discount on an annual Alaska Lounge+ membership. If you're a frequent flyer, that lounge discount can be worth it, but the membership itself is pricey (around $500+).

On the business side, you get access to cash flow management tools, travel and emergency services, and overdraft protection if you link a Bank of America business checking account. Not groundbreaking, but handy.

Things to Watch Out For

The annual fee is $95, which is reasonable for a card with a companion fare benefit. But if you don't use the companion fare, you're basically paying $95 for 85K miles and some perks. Make sure you'll actually fly Alaska at least once a year to justify the fee.

The APR is high – 20.24% to 28.24% variable. So don't carry a balance. This is a rewards card, not a low-interest card. Pay it off every month.

Also, the 85K offer might not last forever. The bank page shows 70,000 points as the standard online offer, but the 85K is available through the promo link. If that link stops working, you'll get 80K or 70K. So apply sooner rather than later if you want the full 85K.

Bottom Line

• 85,000 bonus miles after $5,000 spend in 90 days – a strong offer for Alaska loyalists.
• Annual Companion Fare ($99 + taxes) can save you hundreds on a second ticket.
• Free checked bag and priority boarding for you and up to 6 guests.
• No foreign transaction fees, making it a good travel card.
• Annual fee of $95 is offset by the companion fare if you use it.
• High APR – pay your balance in full to avoid interest.

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