Alaska Airlines and MBNA Rewards: conversion possible for former Alaska Airlines cardholders only

Fact checked by
Alexandrine Bertrand
Alexandrine Bertrand

Alexandrine Bertrand

Alexandrine Bertrand
A passionate solo traveler, Alexandrine is an expert on loyalty programs such as Aeroplan, Avios, AIR MILES, Flying Blue and Marriott Bonvoy. With a budget-conscious approach, she helps travelers maximize their points and miles for low-cost, off-the-beaten-path getaways. A food lover, she enjoys discovering the local flavors and culinary traditions that enrich her adventures.
All posts by Alexandrine Bertrand
alaska mbna rewards fr
To the point Former Alaska Airlines credit card holders will be able to convert their MBNA Rewards points to Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan in a single transaction for a limited time.

In June 2023, MBNA announced that Alaska Airlines credit cards would be converted to MBNA Rewards credit cards, and this occurred in September 2023.

We were still waiting to hear when it would be possible to convert MBNA Rewards points to the Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan, as promised by MBNA. Here’s the latest news.

Convert MBNA Rewards points to Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan

According to this article from Rewards Canada, former MBNA Alaska credit card holders have received the news that they will be able to convert their MBNA Rewards points associated with the card to the Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan program in a single transaction between August 1 and October 31, 2024.

This therefore differs from the information we received from MBNA in June 2023, which suggested that all holders of the MBNA Rewards World Elite® Mastercard® or the MBNA Rewards Platinum Plus® Mastercard® could take advantage of this conversion option at a ratio of 1:1. So it seems that MBNA and Alaska Airlines have failed to reach a joint agreement for a long-term partnership.

Airshow Dubai

So, only if you’ve already been an Alaska Airlines World Elite® Mastercard® or Alaska Airlines Platinum Plus® Mastercard® cardholder and your card has been converted to an MBNA Rewards credit card, will you have the opportunity to convert your points to the Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan. Since you can only do this once, and you have until October 31, 2024, it may be preferable to wait until the end of October to convert as many points as possible.

As a reminder, here are the details of the credit card transition process that took place in September 2023.

Alaska Airlines credit cards - Conversion to MBNA Rewards Cards

In June 2023, MBNA announced to existing Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan credit cardholders that they would be converted to MBNA Rewards credit cards effective September 1, 2023.

Old Card New Card
Alaska Airlines World Elite® Mastercard® MBNA Rewards World Elite® Mastercard®
Alaska Airlines Platinum Plus® Mastercard® MBNA Rewards Platinum Plus® Mastercard®

As of September 1, 2023, former holders of an Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan credit card converted to an MBNA Rewards credit card have the features inherent in their new credit card. They will also be able to convert their MBNA Rewards points to the Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan in a single transaction between August 1 and October 31, 2024.

Here are the features of these two MBNA Rewards credit cards:

MBNA Rewards World Elite® Mastercard®

With the MBNA Rewards World Elite® Mastercard®, you can earn 5 points per dollar of purchases for:

  • Dining purchases
  • Grocery purchases
  • Digital media purchases (Netflix, Spotify, etc.)
  • Memberships
  • Household utility purchases (electricity, etc.)

Everywhere else, you will get 1 point per dollar.

Enough to make the MBNA Rewards World Elite® Mastercard® the best MBNA credit card for restaurants, groceries, digital media, subscriptions and household utilities.

Knowing that Mastercard recognizes Walmart Supercenters as grocery stores, this is the best credit card for Walmart customers!

Plus, depending on your province of residence, you’ll get a welcome bonus of between 20,000 and 30,000 points, a value of $200 to $300!

And each year, you will receive Birthday Bonus Points equal to 10% of the total number of Points the Account earned in the 12 months before the month of your birthday, to a maximum Birthday Bonus each year of 15,000 Points.

MBNA Rewards Platinum Plus® Mastercard®

The MBNA Rewards Platinum Plus® Mastercard® is one of Canada’s best no-annual-fee credit cards.

With this card, you can earn 2 points per dollar on:

  • Dining purchases
  • Grocery purchases
  • Digital media purchases (Netflix, Spotify, etc.)
  • Memberships
  • Household utility purchases (electricity, etc.)

And 1 point per dollar everywhere else. This is the best MBNA credit card with no annual fee.

For a limited time, you can get 10,000 welcome bonus points, a $100 value on travel purchases charged to your Card.

Bottom Line

Come to discuss that topic in our Facebook Group!
Jean-Maximilien Voisine

Jean-Maximilien Voisine

Jean-Maximilien Voisine
Jean-Maximilien, President and Founder of Milesopedia, is a recognized expert in rewards programs, credit cards, and travel in Canada and France. Approaching forty and a father of two, he has travelled to over 100 countries, half of them with his children and his wife, Audrey. Specializing in top loyalty programs like Aeroplan, American Express Membership Rewards, and Marriott Bonvoy, he guides travellers to maximize their benefits across North America and Europe.
All posts by Jean-Maximilien Voisine

Suggested Reading

Receive our newsletter every week!

Savings are here:

Milesopedia