Atmos Rewards Ascent card vs. Atmos Rewards Summit card

Atmos Rewards entered the points and miles space this year, becoming the joint loyalty program for Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines.

While Atmos Rewards’ primary target is someone who frequently flies with these carriers, this program offers more than meets the eye. Atmos Rewards points are valuable, worth 1.5 cents apiece per TPG’s October 2025 valuations, and can be used to book flights with Oneworld partners such as 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 rebranding of the Alaska Airlines Visa Signature® (no longer available) and remains 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 $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.

The information for the Alaska Airlines Visa Signature has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

Atmos Ascent vs. Atmos Summit comparison

Atmos Ascent vs. Atmos Summit welcome bonus

Both cards provide solid welcome bonuses.

New applicants for the Atmos Ascent can earn 80,000 bonus points and a $99 Companion Fare (plus taxes and fees from $23) after spending $4,000 on purchases within the first 120 days from account opening.

Per TPG’s valuations, this offer is worth $1,200 in points plus the value of the Companion Fare.

Meanwhile, the Atmos Summit is offering new cardholders the chance to earn 100,000 bonus points and a 25,000-point Global Companion Award after spending $6,000 on purchases within the first 90 days from account opening.

This offer is worth $1,875 when you combine the value of the base points and the Global Companion Award, according to TPG’s valuations.

Winner: Atmos Summit. Even though the spending requirement is higher, you’ll receive more points with this bonus. However, if you’d be more comfortable with a lower spending requirement or earning the Companion Fare instead of more points, the Ascent could be a better option.

Atmos Ascent vs. Atmos Summit benefits

As noted in the table above, the Atmos Ascent and Atmos Summit share some benefits. These are:

• One free checked bag for the cardholder and up to six other passengers on the same reservation
• Preferred boarding on Alaska Airlines (available now) and Hawaiian Airlines (coming this fall)
• 20% back on all inflight purchases

The Atmos Summit has a higher $395 annual fee and elevated perks compared to 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 eight Alaska Lounge passes per year (two per calendar 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 discount is generous for the card’s $95 annual fee, the lounge passes will provide a lot of value for those flying in or out of an airport with an Alaska Lounge at least once each calendar 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, up to 30,000 status points (this card will lose its status point cap in 2026).

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.

Plus, the card doesn’t have a limit on how many status points you can earn through spending, unlike the Atmos Ascent.

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
• Eight inflight Wi-Fi passes on Alaska flights per calendar year (two per calendar 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 direct 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; and with cable, ride-hailing 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 purchases outside of the U.S. frequently. Meanwhile, the Atmos Ascent has decent earnings in multiple categories, especially transportation-related expenses and streaming.

Winner: Atmos Summit. The card has more lucrative earning rates and boasts one of the most unusual bonus categories on the market.

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 a lot of value, thanks to the fact that the revamped Atmos Rewards program maintained Alaska Airlines’ popular award chart, which the carrier implemented with its former Mileage Plan program.

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 to Tokyo from the U.S. West Coast.

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:

• IHG One Rewards (1:1; available through early November 2025)
• Marriott Bonvoy (1:1)
• I Prefer Hotel Rewards (1:2)
• Shangri-La Circle (8:1)
• Wyndham Rewards (1:1)

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 have to have the Atmos Summit to access this option. You can’t transfer Atmos Rewards points if you have 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.

When making your decision, assess your spending habits and what you want out of the Atmos Rewards program.

To learn more, read our full reviews of the Atmos Ascent and the Atmos Summit.

Apply here: Atmos Ascent

Apply here: Atmos Summit