Alaska resident here. I'm always checking out their website and hearing weird stuff on the flights from Alaska to Texas. Weird story coming.
I heard the usual sales pitch about the Alaska Airlines Visa in April with the extra pitch that if you haven't applied for a credit card in the last two years you can get another one. But I needed to time the acceptance just right so I could purchase the required $3000 in 90 days. I will buy 6 months of groceries before I arrive at my remote village on August 11th. I got on the plane end of May to travel and of the 3 flights from Kotzebue to DFW, on the first two the flight attendants did not give the sales pitch, but the ad was in front of me, 62,000 miles with the acceptance and spending the $3k of course.
You have to fill out the form while the plane is in the air. So, I fight the turbulence, filling out the application as we descend into DFW, day before Memorial Day, double check, I answered every question, turn in app. to FA.
Then silence. I call a few times to B of A. They don't give in. I have to wait 30 days. The other day I got a call. The sales lady said she could read my app. but the computer could not. She needed to verify I am an American citizen. Cue the joke about Alaska not being part of the United States. She claimed that little gem was the reason my acceptance was held up, I asked for an expedited card sent to the address in San Antonio, which is neither my mailing address or physical address, she said sure, took down my info.
Card did not arrive, so I called again starting yesterday. Turned out first saleslady was incompetent. No way, card was sent to Alaska. Grrr, so I was told to call again but was not authenticated. I tried again this morning, still no authentication possible, instructed to go to a B of A branch with my ID. Authentication yes! Card will be sent, but of course no mail Monday, holiday. Card will arrive Thursday or Friday, by 06/23, hopefully.
In the meantime, Alaska airlines is increasing the luggage fee for bag #3,4 etc. from $100 to $150. But if I purchase tickets. before June 30, I can get the $100 bag fee. Bags 1 and 2 are free.
I am going to use the new card to purchase flights in December and February for flights from Alaska to Texas where I might need the 3rd and 4th bag. The flights back to Alaska can wait a little, because I will hit $3000 and might be able to exhaust the new 62000 miles plus my wife is donating her miles to me as well.
Hard to believe in this digital age, but it really is taking almost 30 days to get a credit card.