On Monday, Costco stopped accepting American Express and started accepting Visa credit cards, including the Alaska Airlines Signature card.<\/p>\n
Juneau resident and Costco Wholesale member Barbara Whiting heard the news on Facebook.<\/p>\n
\u201cI thought, \u2018Fabulous, I\u2019m going shopping today,\u2019\u201d she said, while pushing a grocery cart at the warehouse Monday.<\/p>\n
Whiting has been a member of the wholesale club since it opened in Juneau in 1993. She said she shops at Costco \u201ca lot,\u201d spending at least $150 each trip.<\/p>\n
Prior to Monday, she used to pay for her Costco groceries with a Costco credit card. Now, she said she\u2019s going to exclusively use her Alaska Airlines credit card.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m very excited because I can get miles,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
Alaska Airlines Visa Signature cardholders earn a mile for every dollar spent on everyday purchases, like groceries, which can be redeemed to fly on Alaska or a mileage plan partner.<\/p>\n
Whiting isn\u2019t the only one pleased about the change.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ve had a lot good comments. A lot of people are happy we\u2019re accepting Visa now,\u201d Juneau Costco Wholesale general manager Aaron Lahnum said.<\/p>\n
While the change is a nationwide move for the retail giant, Lahnum anticipates Alaska Airlines credit cardholders may be more excited than others.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe whole Northwest here uses a lot of Alaska Airlines. I think it\u2019s going to be a good thing overall,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Juneau Costco has about 16,000 members around Southeast Alaska, Lahnum said. Besides the Juneau location, Costco has two warehouses in Anchorage.<\/p>\n
Alaska Airlines spokesperson Halley Knigge said the Costco credit card switch to Visa is \u201cgreat for our customers.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAny opportunity that they have to shop with their Visa card is fantastic,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
For those without the Alaska Airlines Visa, there\u2019s also the option of applying for a Costco co-card \u2014 a membership and Visa card combined \u2014 which Lahnum said comes with a rebate structure and other perks.<\/p>\n
\u2022 Contact reporter Lisa Phu at 523-2246 or lisa.phu@juneauempire.com.<\/p>\n
Related stories:<\/p>\n
Costco bakery gets the boot<\/a><\/p>\n Costco burlgars cop to drug conspiracy<\/a><\/p>\n