Alaska Airlines credit card through Bank of America

[portlandmusician]

Is the Bank of America Alaska Airlines branded card easy to get?  Are they new account and/or inquiry-sensitive?  Since it's Alaska Airlines, are they more lenient than they are a regular Bank of America card?  I have zero accounts with Bank of America; never dealt with them at all.

If I can't get the Navy Federal Flagship, or the U.S. Bank Connect, both due to the TSA pre-check, since I'm traveling a lot in November/December/January, I might as well get another card with a SUB, since I'll hit the sub easily due to travel costs.  (FYI, I normally wouldn't care about getting a new card, but with three months of travel planned, I want to get a SUB for the spend).

So, while I'm looking at the U.S. Bank Connect, if my 2/12 already will not work for U.S. Bank, I figured this is a card I'd look at.  I like the companion fare annually, and think its worth the $75 annual fee.

Any knowledge on this card and what they're looking for/looking to deny?

Thanks.

[FinStar]

AFAIK, they're not any more lenient than their standard fare of cards per se. The Alaska Airlines has proved to be a bit more a challenge for some, not quite like Premium Rewards, but not on the same level as Customized Cash Rewards, for instance. If you have a fairly strong profile, there really wouldn't be a reason why it couldn't be approved.

On the one hand, you don't really need a BoA banking relationship to obtain this card.  Unfortunately, there isn't much information to go by as you only shared 2/12 and your recent denial with Navy Federal.

[portlandmusician]

@FinStar Thank you for the feedback.

A bit more info... My Experian Fico 8 is 823, My Equifax Fico 9 is 816, and my VantageScore 3.0 TransUnion is 795 (was 799 before the hard inquiry/denial from Navy Fed).

[FinStar]

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@portlandmusician wrote:

@FinStar Thank you for the feedback.

A bit more info... My Experian Fico 8 is 823, My Equifax Fico 9 is 816, and my VantageScore 3.0 TransUnion is 795 (was 799 before the hard inquiry/denial from Navy Fed).

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Alright, thanks for expanding on those details. Nice scores btw.  

BoA will most likely pull EX for this particular card. How many accounts have you opened in the past 12 months? Also, what's your AAoA and how many other active accounts do you have?

[portlandmusician]

@FinStar Thank you on the scores.

Experian has me at longest account 16.2 years and average age 7.3 years, whereas Credit Karma for both bureaus has me at longest account 16.2 years and average age 4 years.  Latest account was the U.S. Bank Go on August 12, 2021.

I have seven active credit accounts (six credit cards and one store card) and a mortgage open; and in the last 12 months I've opened two cards - Navy Fed (Dec 2020) and U.S. Bank (August 2021).

I would prefer the U.S. Bank Connect card, but I'm not sure with me being at 2/12 right now, they'd consider me - unless I have to recon and then who knows?  After my Navy Fed denial and failed recon, I'm gun shy... thus my inquiries here. 

But, with the Connect on my mind, but realizing I'm at 2/12, I thought about the Alaska card, as it feels a good consolation.  Connect would be my ideal choice.

Thanks for the help and talk.  I appreciate it.

[portlandmusician]

@FinStar I wasn't familiar with Premium Rewards, but I like it.  That and the PenFed Pathfinder Rewards also interest me now.

When one door closes, five more open.

So, my question to you @FinStar is that you said, "not quite like Premium Rewards..."  Meaning this card is a bit more of a struggle for people to get?

[FinStar]

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@portlandmusician wrote:

@FinStar I wasn't familiar with Premium Rewards, but I like it.  That and the PenFed Pathfinder Rewards also interest me now.

When one door closes, five more open.

So, my question to you @FinStar is that you said, "not quite like Premium Rewards..."  Meaning this card is a bit more of a struggle for people to get?

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Yes, the Premium Rewards, KLM/Air France and Virgin Atlantic are somewhat their toughest cards to qualify for a variety of profiles. The right profile will obviously net an approval for sure.

In a variety of cases, having a BoA relationship can help with the Premium Rewards, but it's not required since I've seen members be approved without said relationship.

Based on what you've shared upthread, I honestly think that you have a shot with the Alaska Airlines CC, if anything. 

[FinStar]

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@portlandmusician wrote:

@FinStar I wasn't familiar with Premium Rewards, but I like it.  That and the PenFed Pathfinder Rewards also interest me now.

When one door closes, five more open.

So, my question to you @FinStar is that you said, "not quite like Premium Rewards..."  Meaning this card is a bit more of a struggle for people to get?

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Are you already a PenFed member? If so, the Pathfinder card may be a good alternative as well. 

[portlandmusician]

@FinStar Thanks for all the help.

Bummer the Premium Rewards is one of BoA's hardest cards to get.  Otherwise, I might try for it.  Good to know you think I may qualify for the Alaska Airlines card.  I may pull the trigger and do it.  We'll see... then again, I may just pull the trigger and try for the U.S. Bank Altitude Connect.  Though, now I like the Premium Rewards better.  Isn't that how it goes?

PenFed... I'm not a member.  But, it looks like I can become a member.  I might become a member just to try and get the Pathfinder.  But, it seems PenFed is squirly and either loves you or denies you.  I don't want ot take a chance on that right now, so I may just open an account and leave it there for a bit.  But, yeah, the Pathfinder sounds like a great card, too!

[FinStar]

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@portlandmusician wrote:

@FinStar Thanks for all the help.

Bummer the Premium Rewards is one of BoA's hardest cards to get.  Otherwise, I might try for it.  Good to know you think I may qualify for the Alaska Airlines card.  I may pull the trigger and do it.  We'll see... then again, I may just pull the trigger and try for the U.S. Bank Altitude Connect.  Though, now I like the Premium Rewards better.  Isn't that how it goes?

PenFed... I'm not a member.  But, it looks like I can become a member.  I might become a member just to try and get the Pathfinder.  But, it seems PenFed is squirly and either loves you or denies you.  I don't want ot take a chance on that right now, so I may just open an account and leave it there for a bit.  But, yeah, the Pathfinder sounds like a great card, too!

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Honestly, I can see you getting approved for all 3, but I'm sure you'll have to weigh those impacts and which one is of priority for you in the short term.

So, in short, PenFed will pull EQ, BoA will HP on EX, and USB can be either TU or EX (sometimes EQ) depending upon your location.

Please let us know how you fare with any of them. And, don't get discouraged on the recent NFCU application. Just because it doesn't happen right now, it doesn't mean never.  We may never know some of the underlying 'mysteries' behind a lender's decision, and that's ok. There's always opportunities elsewhere 😁