Atmos Rewards Credit Cards

A New Era for Alaska and Hawaiian Airlines Loyalty Programs

by: RICH with POINTS, Aug 26, 2025

The merger of Alaska Airlines' Mileage Plan and Hawaiian Airlines' HawaiianMiles into the unified Atmos Rewards program marks a significant shift in the airline loyalty landscape. With this rebranding comes a trio of new credit cards—the Atmos Rewards Ascent, Summit, and Business cards—designed to capitalize on the combined strengths of these West Coast and Pacific carriers. But do these cards soar to new heights or merely cruise at altitude? Let's dive into the details.

Cards Overview

The Atmos Rewards program unifies Alaska and Hawaiian miles into a single currency, redeemable across both airlines’ routes and select partners. The three new cards—Ascent, Summit, and Business—offer distinct tiers to appeal to different traveler profiles.

Atmos Rewards Ascent Card

• Sign-Up Bonus: Limited-time offer of 80,000 points after spending $4,000 in the first 120 days, plus a $99 companion fare. The standard bonus is 60,000 points, based on the legacy Alaska Airlines Visa.
• Annual Fee: $95.
• Foreign Transaction Fees: None.
• Travel Portal Access: Yes, points can be redeemed through the Atmos Rewards travel portal.
• Transfer Partners: Not available.

Atmos Rewards Summit Card

• Sign-Up Bonus: Limited-time offer of 100,000 points after spending $6,000 in the first 90 days, plus a $99 companion fare. The standard bonus is estimated at 80,000 points.
• Annual Fee: $395.
• Foreign Transaction Fees: None.
• Travel Portal Access: Yes.
• Transfer Partners: Yes, including IHG Rewards, Marriott Bonvoy, Wyndham Rewards, and Shangri-La Circle.

Atmos Rewards Business Card

• Sign-Up Bonus: Limited-time offer of 80,000 points and a $99 companion fare after spending $5,000 in the first 90 days. The standard bonus is likely 70,000 points.
• Annual Fee: $70 (plus $25 per additional employee card).
• Foreign Transaction Fees: None.
• Travel Portal Access: Yes.
• Transfer Partners: Not available, though points can be transferred to a Summit Card for access to partners.

Spending Categories

Each card offers bonus points in specific categories, tailored to different lifestyles:

Ascent Card

• 3x points on Atmos airfare purchases (in the travel portal).
• 2x points on EV charging, gas stations, ride-sharing (e.g., Uber, Lyft), transit (including parking and tolls), and streaming services.
• 1x points on all other purchases.

Summit Card

• 3x points on Atmos airfare and dining (including fast food).
• 3x points on all purchases made outside the U.S. (no limit).
• 1x points on all other purchases.

Business Card

• 3x points on Atmos airfare.
• 2x points on EV charging, gas stations, ride-sharing, transit (parking, tolls), and shipping.
• 1x points on all other purchases.

Effective Earnings

Using a valuation of 1.5 cents per point (based on industry estimates from sources like The Points Guy), the effective earning rates are as follows:

Ascent Card

• Atmos airfare: 3x points = 4.5% return.
• EV charging, gas, ride-sharing, transit, streaming: 2x points = 3% return.
• All other purchases: 1x points = 1.5% return.

Summit Card

• Atmos airfare, dining, and international purchases: 3x points = 4.5% return.
• All other purchases: 1x points = 1.5% return.

Business Card

• Atmos airfare: 3x points = 4.5% return.
• EV charging, gas, ride-sharing, transit, shipping: 2x points = 3% return.
• All other purchases: 1x points = 1.5% return.

Expert Tip: The Summit Card’s 3x points on all international purchases (effectively 4.5% return) is a standout feature for frequent travelers abroad. Pairing it with a Bank of America account boosts earnings by 10% (e.g., 3.3x on airfare and dining), making it a compelling choice for globetrotters.

Card Benefits

Ascent Card

• $99 Companion Fare: Earned annually after spending $6,000 in the prior year.
• 20% Inflight Rebate: Statement credit on food, beverages, and Wi-Fi on Alaska and Hawaiian flights.
• Free Checked Bag: For the cardholder and up to six companions on the same reservation when booked with the card.
• Preferred Boarding: For the cardholder and up to six companions.
• $100 Alaska Lounge+ Membership Discount: Reduces the cost of lounge access.
• Status Points: Earn 1 status point per $3 spent, up to 3,000 points annually.
• 10% Relationship Bonus: On all points earned if you maintain a qualifying Bank of America account with a positive balance.
• Dining Bonus: Earn 1 point per $2 spent at participating restaurants (details sparse; check AtmosRewards.com for updates).

Summit Card

• Global Entry/TSA PreCheck Credit: Up to $120 every four years ($30 annual value).
• Global 25K Companion Award: Annually, redeem 25,000 points for a companion ticket.
• Global 100K Companion Award: Earned after spending $60,000 annually.
• 20% Inflight Rebate: Same as Ascent.
• Free Checked Bag: Same as Ascent.
• Preferred Boarding: Same as Ascent.
• Alaska Lounge Access: Eight lounge passes annually, including entry for two children, plus one free cocktail per visit (through 2026).
• Status Points: 1 point per $2 spent, no cap, plus 10,000 anniversary status points.
• Partner Award Booking Fee Waiver: Save up to $25 per person on roundtrip flights.
• Same-Day Change Fee Waiver: For flight changes.
• Travel Delay Protection: $50 voucher for cancellations or delays of 2+ hours.
• 10% Relationship Bonus: Same as Ascent.

Business Card

• Benefits mirror the Ascent Card, with the addition of:
• Employee Cards: $25 per additional card, each carrying the same benefits.
• Shipping Bonus: 2x points on shipping, a boon for small businesses.

Expert Tip: The free checked bag for up to six companions is a high-value perk, especially for families or groups traveling on Alaska or Hawaiian Airlines. At $30–$40 per bag, this can offset the annual fee quickly.

Application Rules

As with all Bank of America cards, application rules come with a grain of salt. The issuer is known for its 2/3/4 rule: no more than two cards in two months, three in 12 months, or four in 24 months. However, business cards may not count toward personal card limits. Data points vary, so contact us to share your experiences or check forums for the latest insights.

Points System

The Atmos Rewards points are valued at approximately 1.5 cents each, based on Alaska Airlines’ Mileage Plan valuation. Points can be redeemed through the Atmos travel portal or, for Summit Card holders, transferred to partners.

• Travel Point Value: 1.5 cents per point in the Atmos portal.
• Cash Value: Not specified, but typically lower than travel redemptions.
• Transfer Partners (Summit Card only):
  • IHG Rewards (1:2 ratio, but valued at 0.5 cents per point).
  • Marriott Bonvoy (1:1, valued at 0.7 cents per point).
  • Wyndham Rewards (1:1, valued at 1.1 cents per point).
  • Shangri-La Circle (1:1, value unclear).
• Transfer Strategy: Transferring to hotel partners often results in a loss of value (e.g., Marriott’s 0.7 cents vs. Atmos’ 1.5 cents). Stick to portal redemptions unless IHG’s 1:2 ratio aligns with your travel plans.
• Related Cards: All three Atmos cards operate within the same points system, and points can be transferred to up to 10 other Atmos accounts (e.g., spouse or friend).

Expert Tip: Avoid transferring points to hotel partners unless you have a specific, high-value redemption in mind. The math rarely justifies it.

Card Comparisons

Atmos Cards vs. Each Other

• Ascent ($95): Best for budget-conscious travelers who value the companion fare and free checked bags. Its 2x categories (gas, transit, streaming) complement the Summit Card.
• Summit ($395): Ideal for frequent Alaska/Hawaiian flyers or international travelers, thanks to lounge access, transfer partners, and 3x on all foreign purchases.
• Business ($70): Nearly identical to the Ascent but with a lower fee and shipping rewards, making it a strong pick for small business owners.

Ascent vs. Legacy Alaska Airlines Visa ($95)

The Ascent Card is a near-direct replacement, with identical annual fees, sign-up bonuses, and core benefits. The Ascent adds a $100 Alaska Lounge+ discount, but the legacy card may earn 2x on internet/cable (unconfirmed). If true, the legacy card edges out slightly for streaming-heavy users.

Summit vs. Premium Airline Cards

Compared to the American Airlines AAdvantage Executive ($595) and United MileagePlus Club ($525), the Summit Card’s $395 fee is competitive. It excels in dining (3x) and international purchases (3x), but its earning rates lag in other categories. The American card offers more robust benefits (e.g., Admirals Club access), while the Summit’s lounge passes (eight annually) are limited but sufficient for occasional travelers.

Atmos vs. Bilt Mastercard ($0)

For those prioritizing flexibility, the Bilt Mastercard (no annual fee) outshines the Atmos cards for versatile spenders. Bilt earns 3x on dining, 2x on travel, and 1x on rent (up to $100,000 annually), with transfer partners like Hyatt (valued at 2 cents per point). Even when valuing Bilt points at 1.5 cents to match Atmos, Bilt’s broader earning categories make it a better fit for travelers not tied to Alaska or Hawaiian Airlines.

Final Thoughts

The Atmos Rewards cards are a solid rebranding effort, blending Alaska and Hawaiian Airlines’ strengths into a cohesive loyalty program. The Ascent Card is a practical choice for casual travelers, offering a low annual fee and high-value perks like free checked bags. The Business Card’s lower fee and shipping rewards make it a smart pick for small business owners. The Summit Card, while pricey, shines for frequent flyers and international travelers, particularly with its 3x earning on foreign purchases—a rare feature among airline cards.

However, the cards face stiff competition. The Summit’s transfer partners are underwhelming, with most hotel redemptions yielding lower value than portal use. For those not loyal to Alaska or Hawaiian Airlines, a flexible points card like the Bilt Mastercard or Chase Sapphire Preferred ($95) may offer better returns and versatility.

Bottom Line: If Alaska or Hawaiian Airlines is your go-to carrier, the Atmos Rewards cards deliver compelling value, especially the Ascent and Business for budget-conscious travelers. For premium travelers, the Summit Card’s benefits are strong but may not justify the fee unless you maximize lounge access or international spending. Always crunch the numbers to ensure these cards align with your travel goals.

Have thoughts on the Atmos Rewards cards? Share your experiences in the comments or contact us for personalized advice.