Atmos Rewards Ascent Visa Signature Credit Card Review
Key Takeaways
If you plan to fly Alaska Airlines with a partner in the next year, this card can provide outstanding value thanks to the 60,000 (current special 80,000) mile welcome offer that also includes a Companion Fare. After the first year, though, you must spend $6,000 annually to earn another $99 Companion Fare, which may not make sense for occasional flyers.Travelers who fly Alaska even a few times per year may still find ongoing value in the card’s additional perks and modest $95 annual fee, though frequent Alaska flyers should also consider the Atmos Rewards Summit card.
Why This Card Could Be Right For You
You’ll earn 60,000 (current special 80,000) miles and a $99 Companion Fare after $3,000 (currently $4,000) in purchases within the first three months. The Companion Fare lets you book a round-trip coach ticket for a companion for $122 total ($99 plus taxes and fees) on Alaska-operated flights. The primary ticket must be paid in cash, as award tickets are not eligible.
The Companion Fare is included in the first-year welcome offer. After that, you’ll need to spend $6,000 annually on the card to earn it again. Depending on how much you value the Companion Fare, reaching that spend requirement may or may not be worthwhile.
The card also includes several benefits that help offset the $95 annual fee:
- Free checked bag for the cardholder and up to six additional guests on the same reservation
- 20% back on Alaska inflight purchases
- $100 off an annual Alaska Lounge+ membership
- 3x miles on Alaska and Hawaiian Airlines purchases
- 2x miles on eligible gas, EV charging, streaming, cable, and local transit purchases
- 10% rewards bonus on card earnings if you also have an eligible Bank of America account
Miles earned from this card can be redeemed through Atmos Rewards on Alaska, Hawaiian, and oneworld partner airlines. The program has several strong sweet spot redemption opportunities, especially for travelers on the West Coast and Hawaii routes.
When The Usual Advice Doesn't Apply
There are situations where this card may not be beneficial:
- You don't live in a city with many Alaska Airlines flight options
- You typically travel alone, making the Companion Fare less valuable
- You'd prefer to use miles earned from the card to book flights, so having to book a cash fare to use the Companion Fare makes it less valuable to you.
What to Know About Atmos Rewards
Alaska and Hawaiian Airlines have some great sweet spots, but understanding their award charts is key.
- A key factor in their value is whether either airline flies from your home airport.
- Alaska often has the best pricing available for international business class. Using an award search tool will help maximize.
- Their award chart also allows for some great finds on short-haul domestic flights.
- The one downfall of the program is that only Bilt and Marriott are transfer partners, making collecting points or topping up more difficult
- One-way award tickets with a stopover allows you to visit two destinations for the price of one.
How The Atmos Rewards Ascent Visa Signature Credit Card Fits In The Atmos Rewards Ecosystem
Alaska and Hawaiian Airlines merged in 2024, and while the airlines still operate separately, their loyalty programs combined into Atmos Rewards. Atmos points are relatively difficult to earn because the program only partners with Bilt among the major transferable currencies.
There are two other co-branded cards that also earn Atmos Rewards:
Atmos Rewards Summit Visa Infinite: The premium Atmos card, featuring:
- 80,000 point bonus and a 25,000-point Global Companion Award
- $395 annual fee
- Two quarterly Alaska Lounge passes, free checked bags, and good spending multipliers
The Global Companion Award works similarly to the $99 Companion Fare, except it requires you to book two award seats instead of paying cash. The Award essentially provides a 25k mile discount toward a companion ticket and can be supplemented with your own Atmos points. Unlike the standard Companion Fare, it’s also awarded automatically each year without a spending requirement.
Atmos Rewards Visa Business: This business card does not count against your 5/24 limit and includes:
- 60,000 mile bonus and the same $99 Companion Fare
- $70 annual fee
- Most of the same benefits as the personal card
Card Information
Bonus Extra
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Rules
Card Extras
No extras to display for this card.
Historical Card Offers
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Estimated Next Offer
Atmos Rewards Ascent Visa Signature Application Rules
You'll be declined for Atmos and B of A Premium Rewards cards if you have opened or CLOSED that card in the previous 24 months
Bank of America limits the number of personal cards issued by the bank that you can get within a certain time frame
Card approval not subject to 5-personal-cards-in-24-months rule
Best for Series
Below is a snapshot of where this card performs best compared to the other cards in our database:
