2025 is a year full of new and updated premium credit cards with high annual fees offset by various credits. The Chase Sapphire Reserve just got a major revamp, and Amex Platinum changes are coming later this year. Next week, Citi is launching the new Citi Strata Elite. I’m not a major fan of these premium cards due to the high fees and the hoops we must jump through to get the benefits. However, there is one premium credit card launch I’m looking forward to.
Alaska Airlines Premium Credit Card
Last December, Alaska Airlines announced it would launch a new premium credit card “this summer.” We don’t know a lot of specifics about the new card, but card features already announced include:
- Global Companion Award certificates
- 3X miles on foreign purchases
- 3X miles on dining
- Waived award ticket fees
- Alaska lounge passes
- Wi-Fi vouchers
- Accelerated paths to elite status
- Travel disruption program
- Same-day confirmed travel fee waived
- Rumored annual fee of $395
I’m crossing my fingers that the welcome bonus on this card is very compelling because I could really use more Alaska miles! Alaska miles are not the easiest to accumulate, as the major transferrable bank points don’t transfer to Alaska (except for Bilt). I already have the non-premium Alaska card. Since I live near an AA hub, I’ve been using Alaska miles to book AA award flights. My son and I are flying to Denver soon for 4500 miles each! That’s hard to beat.
Are you excited about any of these new premium credit card launches?
Like you I’ve been anxiously waiting for this card. The one thing that could seriously torpedo this card for me is if it charges foreign transaction fees.
Card bennies look promising. They actually geared toward travel, and not
“couponized” semi-useless things Amex and Chase trying to push. I hope for a nice welcome bonus too. It’s time BofA invest in such decent product – to stay competitive in the market.
My take on other super-duper-premium cards from Big3 is that they trying to make it lucrative to them by luring people who agree to pay $800+ for privilege of using such cards, and keep spending good amounts to keep profitability. So that showing the split in America: between super-rich and used-to-be middle class. First – craving status, second – sound budget.
Personally, I’ve tolerated Chase Sapphire Reserve with $395 fee, but anything above that level is straight nonsense to me.
Happy travels!!