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Atmos Rewards is the joint loyalty program for Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines flyers.
While Atmos Rewards primarily targets frequent flyers of these airlines, the program offers more than meets the eye. Atmos Rewards points are among the most valuable airline miles and can be used to book flights on Oneworld partners, including American Airlines. The program offers two personal cobranded credit cards issued by Bank of America.
The Atmos™ Rewards Ascent Visa Signature® credit card is a solid entry-level rewards card with a $95 annual fee. Meanwhile, the Atmos™ Rewards Summit Visa Infinite® credit card is a premium card for Alaska and Hawaiian loyalists, loaded with perks for a higher $395 annual fee.
Which card is right for you? Let’s dive in and see which Atmos Rewards card you should add to your wallet.
Atmos Ascent vs. Atmos Summit comparison
| Card | Atmos Ascent | Atmos Summit |
|---|---|---|
$95 | $395 | |
|
| |
Earn 70,000 bonus points and a $99 Companion Fare (plus taxes and fees from $23) after spending $2,500 on purchases in the first 90 days from account opening. | Earn 80,000 bonus points and a 25,000-point Global Companion Award after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first 90 days from account opening. | |
Benefits when flying Alaska or Hawaiian |
|
|
$100 off an annual Alaska Lounge+ Membership | Two Alaska Lounge passes each quarter |
Atmos Ascent vs. Atmos Summit welcome bonus
Both cards provide solid welcome bonuses.
New applicants for the Atmos Ascent can earn 70,000 bonus points and a $99 Companion Fare (plus taxes and fees from $23) after spending $2,500 on purchases in the first 90 days from account opening.
Per TPG’s August 2026 valuations, the points in this offer are worth $1,085.
Meanwhile, the Atmos Summit is offering new cardholders the ability to earn 80,000 bonus points and a 25,000-point Global Companion Award after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first 90 days from account opening.
This offer is worth up to $1,628 when you combine the value of the base points and the Global Companion Award, according to TPG’s valuations.
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Winner: Atmos Summit. Its bonus is worth more than the Atmos Ascent.
Atmos Ascent vs. Atmos Summit benefits
As noted in the table above, the Atmos Ascent and Atmos Summit share some benefits, including:
- One free checked bag for the cardholder and up to six other passengers on the same reservation
- Preferred boarding on Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines
- 20% back on all inflight purchases
The Atmos Summit has a higher $395 annual fee and more elevated perks than the entry-level Atmos Ascent, which costs $95 a year. Some benefits differ slightly, but the distinctions are important to note.
Companion perks
Atmos Summit cardholders receive an annual 25,000-point Global Companion Award each account anniversary and can earn a 100,000-point Global Companion Award after spending at least $60,000 on the card in the prior anniversary year.
Atmos Ascent cardholders receive an annual $99 Companion Fare (plus taxes and fees from $23) each account anniversary after spending at least $6,000 on the card in the prior anniversary year.
Lounge benefits
The Atmos Summit grants two Alaska Lounge passes per quarter. To use the pass, you must be flying on a same-day ticketed Alaska, Hawaiian, Oneworld or partner airline flight.
Meanwhile, Atmos Ascent cardholders receive $100 off an annual Alaska Lounge+ membership, which costs $795 per year and includes access to all Alaska Lounges and nearly 90 partner lounges.
While the Atmos Ascent’s $100 lounge membership discount is generous for the card’s $95 annual fee, the lounge passes will provide significant value for those flying in or out of an airport with an Alaska Lounge at least once each quarter.
Status points
Atmos Summit cardholders earn 1 status point for every $2 spent on the card, with no spending cap. You’ll also earn 10,000 status points each year on your account anniversary.
Atmos Ascent cardholders earn 1 status point for every $3 spent on the card, with no spending cap.
The Atmos Summit’s 10,000 status points on each account anniversary automatically puts cardholders halfway to Atmos Silver status, the lowest tier in the program.
Summit exclusive perks
Finally, some perks are exclusive to the premium Atmos Summit:
- No change fees when you need to make a same-day change to an Alaska flight
- $50 voucher for Alaska Airlines flight cancellations or departure delays of two or more hours
- Up to $120 in statement credits for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck every four years
- Two inflight Wi-Fi passes on Alaska flights per quarter
These benefits are especially helpful to those who frequently fly on Alaska Airlines.
Winner: Atmos Summit. For a higher annual fee, the Summit provides a faster path to elite status, more built-in perks and better benefits for those who frequently fly with Alaska, Hawaiian or partner airlines.
Earning points with the Atmos Ascent vs. the Atmos Summit
The Atmos Ascent and Atmos Summit both earn Atmos Rewards points. The cards share an earning rate on eligible Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines purchases, at 3 points per dollar spent.
Plus, both cards earn a 10% rewards bonus on all points earned from card purchases if you have an eligible Bank of America account.
The Atmos Summit earns 3 points per dollar spent on eligible dining purchases and all foreign transactions, while the Atmos Ascent earns 2 points per dollar spent at EV charging and gas stations; on local transit (including ride-hailing); and with cable and select streaming services.
The Atmos Summit’s bonus earnings on foreign transactions are unique in the rewards card space, making the product a fantastic option if you make many purchases outside the U.S. Meanwhile, the Atmos Ascent offers decent earnings across multiple categories, especially for transportation-related expenses and streaming.
Winner: Atmos Summit, thanks to higher-value bonus categories (including foreign transactions) — though the Ascent may be better for some everyday spending categories.
Redeeming points with the Atmos Ascent vs. the Atmos Summit
You can redeem Atmos Rewards points earned on the Atmos Summit or Atmos Ascent in the same ways. Our favorite redemption options are for flights on Alaska, Hawaiian, Oneworld or a partner airline.
The program offers outsize value thanks to its popular award chart, which is filled with redemption sweet spots to maximize.
I love using Atmos Rewards points to book short-haul American Airlines flights for 4,500 to 6,000 points.
However, you can unlock luxurious redemptions with Atmos Rewards too. For instance, you can redeem 75,000 points to fly Japan Airlines business class from the U.S. West Coast to Tokyo.
Other Oneworld partners you can book with Atmos Rewards points include British Airways, Fiji Airways and Qantas.
Winner: Tie. Both cards share the same redemption options.
Transferring points with the Atmos Ascent vs. the Atmos Summit
If you have the Atmos Summit, you can transfer your Atmos Rewards points to hotel partners. The Atmos Ascent does not have this feature.
These are the hotel loyalty programs you can transfer your Atmos Rewards points to, along with their transfer ratios:
We generally don’t recommend transferring your Atmos Rewards points to hotel partners, since you won’t get as high a value as you would using them to book flights. However, if you have a specific redemption in mind and need just a few more points to reach it, it could be a good option.
Winner: Atmos Summit. Although we don’t recommend using your points this way, you need the Atmos Summit to access this option; you can’t transfer Atmos Rewards points with the Atmos Ascent.
Should I get the Atmos Ascent or the Atmos Summit?
If you’re looking for more benefits and higher earning rates, I recommend the Atmos Summit. The card provides solid perks for Alaska and Hawaiian loyalists for a $395 annual fee.
However, if you don’t need the bonus perks and want a simple card to earn more Atmos Rewards points and receive basic perks when you fly Alaska or Hawaiian, I suggest the Atmos Ascent, since it’s a strong option in its own right.
Related: Are premium credit cards worth the annual fee?
How to upgrade from the Atmos Ascent to the Atmos Summit
If you’re hoping to upgrade from the Atmos Ascent to the more premium Atmos Summit, you can reach out to Bank of America and request a product change.
However, if you opt for an upgrade instead of applying, you may miss out on the Atmos Summit’s welcome bonus. So, consider your options before you make a decision.
If you hold the Atmos Summit and want to downgrade to the Atmos Ascent, you can also contact Bank of America to make that product change.
Related: 4 major considerations before upgrading your credit card
Bottom line
If you’re into premium perks and are loyal to Alaska, Hawaiian or their partners, the Atmos Summit provides fantastic value at a $395 annual fee.
However, the Atmos Ascent is a steady option for a lower annual fee. At $95, this card will provide a lot of value for many types of travelers.
Ultimately, the right card comes down to how often you fly these airlines and whether you’ll fully use the Summit’s premium benefits. Frequent flyers will likely justify the higher fee, while more occasional travelers may get better value from the Ascent.
To learn more, read our full reviews of the Atmos Ascent and the Atmos Summit.
Apply here: Atmos Ascent
Apply here: Atmos Summit
