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Card basics
| FinanceBuzz value calculation1 <p class="">These values are based on the <a href="https://financebuzz.com/financebuzz-credit-card-valuation">FinanceBuzz Credit Card Rewards Valuation Model</a>, which takes a look at rewards earned via spending, the welcome offer, and the annual fee. We used a valuation of 1 cent/point unless otherwise stated above. These are estimated values - your actual earnings will depend on how much you spend and in what categories.<br></p> | Year one earnings: $1,841
Year two earnings: $681 |
| Annual fee | $95 |
| Welcome offer | Limited Time Offer: Earn 80,000 bonus miles and a Companion Fare ($99 fare plus taxes and fees from $23) after you make $4,000 or more in purchases within the first 120 days of opening your account |
| Earning rate | 3X miles on eligible Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines purchases; 2X miles on eligible gas, EV charging stations, cable, streaming services, and local transit (including ride shares, trains, tolls, and ferries); and 1X miles on all other eligible purchases |
| Recommended credit score | Excellent, Good |
| Foreign transaction fee | None |
Who should get the Atmos™ Rewards Ascent Visa Signature®
The Atmos™ Rewards Ascent Visa Signature® is the rebranded and updated version of the Alaska Airlines Visa Signature card. Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian airlines, rather than having their own loyalty programs, are now both under the Atmos Rewards umbrella. The Atmos Ascent is a solid credit card. It offers some fantastic perks in exchange for its $95 annual fee, but when does it make sense to hold? That depends on how frequently you fly Alaska or Hawaiian airlines or one of its partners.
If you're located on the West Coast and have access to much of the Hawaiian and Alaska route networks, then the card may be right for you. As you'll see below, you can justify its annual fee on the basis of just one benefit: the annual companion fare. So if you can be sure you'll fly on Alaska or Hawaiian (within North America, including Hawaii) at least once a year with a traveling companion, the card could be worth it.
Benefits and perks
To start, cardholders receive a free checked bag and priority boarding for themselves and up to six guests on the same reservation. The real benefit comes in the companion fare— Note that the companion fare is only valid for Alaska Airlines flights, not codeshare or partner flights. This means you can use it on international journeys, but only if the flight is operated by Alaska Airlines.
- Generous welcome offer: Limited Time Offer: Earn 80,000 bonus miles and a Companion Fare ($99 fare plus taxes and fees from $23) after you make $4,000 or more in purchases within the first 120 days of opening your account.
- Earning potential: This card offers 3X miles on eligible Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines purchases; 2X miles on eligible gas, EV charging stations, cable, streaming services, and local transit (including ride shares, trains, tolls, and ferries); and 1X miles on all other eligible purchases.
- Annual companion fare: After spending $6,000 on your card throughout the year, you'll earn a $99 companion fare (plus taxes and fees from $23). The fare is valid for use on Alaska and Hawaiian flights within North America, including Hawaii, and must be booked on AlaskaAir.com.
- Free checked bag: You and up to six other guests on the same Alaska or Hawaiian Airlines reservation can receive a free checked bag when you pay for the flight with their card.
- Preferred boarding: Get preferred boarding on Alaska Airlines flights for any cardholder and up to six guests on the same reservation when you book using your card.
- Discounted Alaska Lounge+ membership and in-flight purchases rebate: Cardmember perks include $100 off an annual Alaska Lounge+ membership when purchased with your Atmos™ Rewards Ascent Visa Signature®. You also get 20% back on Alaska and Hawaiian in-flight purchases when paying with your card.
Earning and redeeming Atmos points
Potential earnings in years one and two
Remember, this is an estimation. The actual value will be determined by how much you spend and in which categories you spend.
Year one earnings: $1,841
Year two earnings: $681
These values are based on the FinanceBuzz Credit Card Rewards Valuation Model, which takes a look at points earned via spending, the welcome bonus, and the annual fee. Note that the companion fare isn't factored into the values above. Taking advantage of that fare each year will significantly increase the value you get from this card.
Best ways to earn
| Categories | Rewards rate |
| Eligible Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines purchases | 3X |
| Eligible gas, EV charging stations, cable, streaming services, and local transit (including ride shares, trains, tolls, and ferries) | 2X |
| All other eligible purchases | 1X |
Maximizing your redemptions
The Atmos™ Rewards Ascent Visa Signature® earns points in the Atmos Rewards program, which offers a few redemption options:
- Award flights with Alaska Airlines, Hawaiian Airlines, and their partners
- Award hotel stays booked through Alaska or Hawaiian
- Car rentals booked through Alaska or Hawaiian
To get the most value, you'll want to use your miles to book Alaska Airlines or Hawaiian flights or flights with their partner airlines. The Atmos Rewards program publishes award charts so you can get a better idea of how far your miles will take you. Flights under 700 miles within the U.S. start as low as 5,000 miles, while from the U.S. to Asia spanning at least 10,000 miles in distance start at 65,000 miles for Economy.
Atmos™ Rewards Ascent Visa Signature® transfer partners
You can use the Atmos points earned with the Atmos™ Rewards Ascent Visa Signature® to book flights with many of Alaska and Hawaiian's transfer partners, which include oneworld Alliance airlines and a range of independent redemption partners, including Aer Lingus, Korean Air, and LATAM Airlines.
You can book most Atmos award flights, including with partner airlines, online through the Alaska Airlines or Hawaiian Airlines website, though you might have to go directly through certain partners' websites or contact them by phone.
Other cards to consider
If you don't fly Alaska Airlines frequently enough to justify a co-branded credit card, you can apply for a general travel rewards card. Unfortunately, the Bilt Mastercard® is the only major rewards credit card that lists Alaska Airlines as a transfer partner. This is a fantastic credit card for renters, as it allows you to earn points on your monthly rent payments.
If you aren't a renter, you can still use a general travel rewards card, like the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card, Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card, or Citi Strata Premier® Card. These cards allow you to book flights on several airlines through their associated travel portals, giving you a value of 1-1.25 cents per point. If you want added flexibility, this would be the way to go.
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Current Offer
Earn 75,000 bonus points after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
Annual Fee
$95
Rewards Rate
5X points on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠; 3X points on dining, select streaming services, and online groceries; 2X points on all other travel purchases, and 1X points on all other purchases
FAQs
Does Alaska Airlines Credit Card have insurance?
The Atmos Ascent card provides Visa Signature benefits that could include extended warranty coverage, an auto rental collision damage waiver, travel and emergency assistance services, lost luggage reimbursement, trip cancellation and interruption insurance, trip delay reimbursement, and access to the Visa Signature Concierge.
Do I get a free checked bag with my Atmos credit card?
Yes, cardholders receive a free checked bag for themselves and up to six other guests on qualifying reservations.
Bottom line
The Atmos Rewards Ascent card is absolutely worth the annual fee if you live near an Alaska Airlines or Hawaiian hub and can utilize the annual companion fare. With redemptions as low as 5,000 miles, the welcome offer alone provides substantial value. The earning potential is decent and largely on par with other airline credit cards at this price point.
If you're not certain about tying yourself to an airline credit card (even one that's technically a two-airline airline card) and want a little more flexibility, give our list of the best travel cards a look.
Benefits
Card Details
- $0 annual fee
- Simple, flat-rate rewards
- Flexible redemption options
- Up to 75% Bank of America Preferred Rewards® bonus potential
- Apply Now
- 25,000 online bonus points after you make at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening - that can be a $250 statement credit toward travel purchases.
- Earn unlimited 1.5 points per $1 spent on all purchases, with no annual fee and no foreign transaction fees and your points don't expire as long as your account remains open.
- Earn 3 points per $1 spent on travel purchases booked through the Bank of America Travel Center.
- Use your card to book your trip how and where you want - you're not limited to specific websites with blackout dates or restrictions.
- Redeem points for a statement credit to pay for travel or dining purchases, such as flights, hotel stays, car and vacation rentals, baggage fees, and also at restaurants including takeout.
- 0% Intro APR for 15 billing cycles for purchases, and for any balance transfers made in the first 60 days. After the Intro APR offer ends, a Variable APR that’s currently 17.99% - 27.99% will apply. A 3% Intro balance transfer fee will apply for the first 60 days your account is open. After the Intro balance transfer fee offer ends, the fee for future balance transfers is 4%. Balance transfers may not be used to pay any account provided by Bank of America.
- If you're a Bank of America Preferred Rewards® member, you can earn 25%-75% more points on every purchase. That means instead of earning an unlimited 1.5 points for every $1, you could earn 1.87-2.62 points for every $1 you spend on purchases. You could earn 3.75-5.25 points for every $1 you spend on travel purchases made through the Bank of America Travel Center.
- Contactless Cards - The security of a chip card, with the convenience of a tap.
- This online only offer may not be available if you leave this page or if you visit a Bank of America financial center. You can take advantage of this offer when you apply now.
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Intro Offer
Earn 25,000 online bonus points after you make at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening - that can be a $250 statement credit toward travel purchases
Annual Fee
$0
Why we like it
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