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Best Alaska Airlines Credit Cards Of September 2026

Atmos rewards credit cards strategy: how to optimize cards for status, complimentary checked bags, and companion fares.

How it works

  1. I include a range of travel & rewards cards on this page that I find useful in a specific category, but don’t intend to list every potential credit card out there
  2. Compare cards using the filter to find the right benefit or feature for your household spending
  3. Find my category specific recommendations under the filter options on each category page

Compare Credit Cards For Alaska Airlines

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Ben Schlappig | Last Updated: September 16, 2026

Atmos™ Rewards Visa Signature® Business Card

Limited-time: 70,000 bonus point + Companion Fare offer
  • 3 points per dollar spent on eligible Alaska Airlines & Hawaiian Airlines purchases
  • Earn a Companion Fare
  • Free Checked Bag Benefit
Apply Now Securely with Bank of America | Terms Apply.
The Atmos Business Card is nearly identical to the Ascent Card in terms of its welcome bonus, annual fee, and core perks, with the primary difference being that it's a business card and earns 2x points on shipping rather than streaming. One major advantage is that it doesn't count toward Chase 5/24, and anecdotally is one of the easiest business cards to get approved for. There's a strong case for holding both this card and the Ascent Card simultaneously, since doing so can yield two $99 Companion Fares per year. It's best for small business owners who already hold a personal Atmos card and want to double up on companion fare benefits.

Earn 3 points for every $1 spent on eligible Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines purchases.

Earn 2 points for every $1 spent on eligible gas, EV charging station, shipping and local transit (including rideshare) purchases.

Earn 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases.

Foreign Transaction Fee: N/A
Annual Fee: $70 for the company and $25 per card
Intro Purchase APR: N/A
Intro Balance Transfer APR: N/A
  • Limited-time online offer: Get 70,000 bonus points and a $99 Companion Fare (plus taxes and fees from $23) after you make $4,000 or more in purchases within the first 90 days of opening your account.
  • Earn another Companion Fare ($99 fare plus taxes and fees from $23) each account anniversary after spending $6,000 or more on purchases within the prior anniversary year.
  • Free checked bag for any cardholder and up to 6 guests on the same reservation when you pay for your flight with your card – that’s a savings of $70 per person roundtrip!
  • Preferred boarding for any cardholder when you pay for your Alaska Airlines or Hawaiian Airlines flight with an Atmos™ Rewards Business Card.
  • Earn 3 points for every $1 spent on eligible Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines purchases. Earn 2 points for every $1 spent on eligible gas, EV charging station, shipping and local transit (including rideshare) purchases. Earn 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases.
  • Earn a 10% rewards bonus on all points earned from card purchases if your company has an eligible Bank of America® business account.
  • Enjoy 20% back on Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines inflight purchases when you pay with your Atmos™ Rewards Business Card.
  • Get $100 off an annual Alaska Lounge+ Membership purchased with your Atmos™ Rewards Business Card.
  • Plus, no international transaction fees and a low annual fee of $70 for the company and $25 per card.
  • This offer may not be available if you leave this page or visit our website. You can take advantage of this offer when you apply now.

Limited-time online offer: Get 70,000 bonus points and a $99 Companion Fare (plus taxes and fees from $23) after you make $4,000 or more in purchases within the first 90 days of opening your account.

Airline

Atmos™ Rewards Summit Visa Infinite® credit card

Limited-time online offer – 70,000 bonus points
Airline
  • 3 points per dollar spent on eligible Alaska Airlines & Hawaiian Airlines purchases
  • Earn a Companion Award
  • Free Checked Bag Benefit
Apply Now Securely with Bank of America | Terms Apply.
The Atmos Summit Card is largely a no-brainer for anyone who flies Alaska or Hawaiian with any frequency, values elite status, or redeems Atmos Rewards points regularly. It offers the strongest rewards structure of any card in the lineup, with 3x points on foreign purchases, dining, and Alaska/Hawaiian purchases, plus the fastest card-based path to elite status. The annual 25,000-point Global Companion Award, issued every year just for holding the card, can nearly justify the annual fee on its own. It's best for points maximizers and Alaska loyalists who want upgrade priority, lounge access, and the tools to earn and redeem at the highest level. Atmos Summit Card Review →
Read OMAAT Review >

Earn unlimited 3 points for every $1 spent on eligible dining, foreign transaction, Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines purchases and unlimited 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases. Plus, earn a 10% rewards bonus on all points earned from card purchases if you have an eligible Bank of America® account.

Learn more from these OMAAT posts:

 

Foreign Transaction Fee: N/A
Annual Fee: $395
Intro Purchase APR: N/A
Intro Balance Transfer APR: N/A
  • Limited-time online offer – 70,000 bonus points.
  • Get 70,000 bonus points and a 25,000-point Global Companion Award with this offer. To qualify, spend $3,000 or more on purchases within the first 90 days of opening your account.
  • Each account anniversary, get a 25,000-point Global Companion Award for a travel companion on the same itinerary, when booking travel using your Atmos™ Rewards points.
  • Additionally, receive a 100,000-point Global Companion Award annually after spending $60,000 or more on purchases each anniversary year.
  • Receive 8 Alaska Lounge passes and 8 Wi-Fi passes every year (2 of each per calendar quarter).
  • Earn unlimited 3 points for every $1 spent on eligible dining, foreign transaction, Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines purchases and unlimited 1 point for every $1 spent on all other purchases. Plus, earn a 10% rewards bonus on all points earned from card purchases if you have an eligible Bank of America® account.
  • Get 10,000 status points every year on your account anniversary and earn 1 status point for every $2 spent on purchases.
  • Save up to $90 per person round-trip with a free checked bag and preferred boarding for you and up to six guests on the same reservation when you pay for your flight with your card.
  • Receive an airport security statement credit up to $120 every four years in connection with the TSA PreCheck® or Global Entry trusted traveler programs.
  • Receive a $50 voucher for Alaska Airlines flight cancellations or departure delays of 2 hours+.
  • Plus, no foreign transaction fees and a competitive $395 annual fee.
  • This offer may not be available elsewhere if you leave this page. You can take advantage of this offer when you apply now.
Earn 70,000 points

Limited-time online offer – 70,000 bonus points.

Get 70,000 bonus points and a 25,000-point Global Companion Award with this offer. To qualify, spend $3,000 or more on purchases within the first 90 days of opening your account.

Airline

Atmos™ Rewards Ascent Visa Signature® credit card

Limited-time online offer – 50,000 bonus points
Airline
  • 3 points per dollar spent on eligible Alaska Airlines & Hawaiian Airlines purchases
  • Earn a Companion Fare
  • Free Checked Bag Benefit
Apply Now Securely with Bank of America | Terms Apply.
The Atmos Ascent Card is the right pick for those who fly Alaska or Hawaiian occasionally and want a low-fee card with a strong welcome bonus and straightforward ongoing value. The $99 Companion Fare, earned after $6,000 in spending per anniversary year, can offset the annual fee entirely in a single trip. Authorized users are free and receive perks like preferred boarding and a free checked bag even when traveling separately, making this especially valuable for families. It's best for casual Alaska flyers who want simple, meaningful benefits without a premium price tag.
Read OMAAT Review >

Earn unlimited 3 points for every $1 spent on eligible Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines purchases.

Earn unlimited 2 points for every $1 spent on eligible gas, EV charging station, cable, streaming services and local transit (including ride share) purchases.

Earn unlimited 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases.

Foreign Transaction Fee: N/A
Annual Fee: $95
Intro Purchase APR: N/A
Intro Balance Transfer APR: N/A
  • Limited-time online offer – 50,000 bonus points.
  • Get 50,000 bonus points and a $99 Companion Fare (plus taxes and fees from $23) with this offer. To qualify, spend $1,500 or more on purchases within the first 90 days of opening your account.
  • Get a $99 Companion Fare (plus taxes and fees from $23) each account anniversary after you spend $6,000 or more on purchases within the prior anniversary year. Valid on all Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines flights within North America booked on alaskaair.com.
  • Earn unlimited 3 points for every $1 spent on eligible Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines purchases. Earn unlimited 2 points for every $1 spent on eligible gas, EV charging station, cable, streaming services and local transit (including ride share) purchases. And earn unlimited 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases. Points don’t expire on active accounts.
  • Earn a 10% rewards bonus on all points earned from card purchases if you have an eligible Bank of America® account.
  • Save up to $90 per person round-trip with a free checked bag and preferred boarding for you and up to six guests on the same reservation when you pay for your flight with your card.
  • Earn and redeem across 1,000+ destinations worldwide with oneworld® Alliance member airlines and 30+ global air partners.
  • Plus, no foreign transaction fees and a low $95 annual fee.
  • This offer may not be available elsewhere if you leave this page. You can take advantage of this offer when you apply now.
Earn 50,000 points

Limited-time online offer – 50,000 bonus points.

Get 50,000 bonus points and a $99 Companion Fare (plus taxes and fees from $23) with this offer. To qualify, spend $1,500 or more on purchases within the first 90 days of opening your account.

Bilt Palladium Card

50,000 Bilt Points + Gold Status offer
  • 2X points on everyday purchases
  • Earn up to 1.25X points on rent and mortgage payments
  • $400 Bilt Travel Hotel credit
Apply Now (Rates & Fees)
The Bilt Palladium Card is the crown jewel of the Bilt lineup, offering 2x points on everyday purchases, a 50,000-point welcome bonus, a Priority Pass membership, $200 in annual Bilt Cash (up to $100 of Bilt Cash earned rolls over to the next year), and up to $400 in hotel statement credits each year. The combination of a flat 2x earning rate with using Bilt Cash for the spending accelerator feature can push daily earning rates to a consistent 3x for a majority of purchases. While the annual fee is steep, the math very much checks out for the right type of card holder. It's best for high spenders and those with significant housing payments who can extract maximum value from the premium perks and the broader Bilt ecosystem. Bilt Palladium Card Review →
Read OMAAT Review >

Earn up to 1.25X points on rent and mortgage payments with no transaction fee, and 2X points on everyday spend.

Learn more from these OMAAT posts:

See Rates & Fees
Foreign Transaction Fee: $0
Annual Fee: $495
Intro Purchase APR: 10% for the first 12 billing cycles after account opening
Intro Balance Transfer APR: N/A
  • Earn up to 1.25X points on rent and mortgage payments with no transaction fee.
  • 2X points on everyday spend
  • $400 Bilt Travel Hotel credit. Applied twice a year, as $200 statement credits, for qualifying Bilt Travel Portal hotel bookings.
  • $200 Bilt Cash (awarded annually). At the end of each calendar year, any Bilt Cash balance over $100 will expire.
  • Welcome bonus (subject to approval): 50,000 Bilt Points + Gold Status after spending $4,000 on everyday purchases in the first 90 days + $300 of Bilt Cash.
  • Priority Pass ($469/year value). See Guide to Benefits.
  • Bilt Point redemptions include airlines, hotels, future rent and mortgage payments, Lyft rides, statement credits, student loan balances, a down payment on a home, and more.
  • Earn additional points through Bilt Neighborhood Benefits™ when you use your card at Bilt's network of 50,000+ merchant partners.
Earn 50,000 Bilt Rewards

Welcome bonus (subject to approval): 50,000 Bilt Points + Gold Status after spending $4,000 on everyday purchases in the first 90 days + $300 of Bilt Cash. Up to $100 of Bilt Cash earned rolls over to the next year.

Bilt Blue Card

$100 of Bilt Cash offer
  • Earn up to 1.25X points on rent and mortgage payments
  • No Annual Fee
  • No Foreign Transaction Fees
Apply Now (Rates & Fees)
The Bilt Blue Card is a no-frills entry point into the Bilt ecosystem, offering 1x points on everyday purchases and the option to earn 4% back in Bilt Cash, with a modest $100 Bilt Cash welcome bonus (Up to $100 of Bilt Cash earned rolls over to the next year). Authorized users can be added at no cost (Rates & Fees), making it accessible to households. With competing cards offering 2x points on general spending, though, it's hard to get too excited about this option. It's best suited for those who want to try out Bilt without any heavy commitment to the ecosystem. Bilt Blue Card Review →
Read OMAAT Review >

Earn up to 1.25 points on rent and mortgage payments with no transaction fee, and 1 point on everyday spend.

Learn more from these OMAAT posts:

See Rates & Fees
Foreign Transaction Fee: $0
Annual Fee: $0
Intro Purchase APR: 10% for the first 12 billing cycles after account opening
Intro Balance Transfer APR: N/A

Welcome offer: $100 of Bilt Cash when you apply and get approved. At the end of each calendar year, any Bilt Cash balance over $100 will expire.

Bilt Obsidian Card

Earn $200 Bilt Cash when you apply and get approved.
  • Earn up to 1.25X points on rent and mortgage payments
  • 2X points on travel
  • No Foreign Transaction Fees
Apply Now (Rates & Fees)
The Obsidian Card steps things up with 3x points on either dining or groceries (grocery capped at $25,000 per calendar year, then 1x), 2x points on travel, and a $100 annual hotel statement credit through the Bilt travel portal. Its $200 Bilt Cash welcome bonus is a nice touch (up to $100 of Bilt Cash earned rolls over to the next year), and authorized users can be added for $50 each (Rates & Fees). It's best for moderate spenders who concentrate their spending heavily in dining or groceries and travel. Bilt Obsidian Card Review →
Read OMAAT Review >

3X points on your choice of grocery (up to $25K/year then 1x) or dining. Your 3X category choice remains in effect for the entire calendar year.

2X points on travel

1X points on everyday spend

Learn more from these OMAAT posts:

See Rates & Fees
Foreign Transaction Fee: $0
Annual Fee: $95
Intro Purchase APR: 10% for the first 12 billing cycles after account opening
Intro Balance Transfer APR: N/A
  • Earn up to 1.25X points on rent and mortgage payments with no transaction fee.
  • 3X points on your choice of grocery (up to $25K/year) or dining. Your 3X category choice remains in effect for the entire calendar year.
  • 2X points on travel
  • 1X points on everyday spend
  • Welcome offer: $200 of Bilt Cash when you apply and get approved. At the end of each calendar year, any Bilt Cash balance over $100 will expire.
  • $100 Bilt Travel Hotel credit. Applied twice a year, as $50 statement credits, for qualifying Bilt Travel Portal hotel bookings.
  • Bilt Point redemptions include airlines, hotels, future rent and mortgage payments, Lyft rides, statement credits, student loan balances, a down payment on a home, and more.
  • Earn additional points through Bilt Neighborhood Benefits™ when you use your card at Bilt's network of 50,000+ merchant partners.

Welcome offer: $200 of Bilt Cash when you apply and get approved. At the end of each calendar year, any Bilt Cash balance over $100 will expire.

Atmos credit cards compared

Bank of America and Alaska Air Group partner on three co-branded credit cards. They all have Atmos Rewards branding, with two being personal cards and one being a business card. The business card and mid-range personal card are very similar, while the premium personal card has a completely different set of benefits. Bilt also offers an interesting option to earn points that can be transferred to Atmos, if you aren’t concerned with Alaska-specific benefits.

1. Atmos™ Rewards Summit Visa Infinite® Credit Card

The Atmos Rewards Summit Card has a $395 annual fee, and offers the biggest welcome bonus of all the cards by far.

The Atmos Rewards Summit Card is one of the best value premium cards we’ve ever seen. The card has an excellent welcome bonus, and offers perks that should prove worthwhile for those who fly Alaska or Hawaiian (or even American) with any frequency. It’s one of the most well-designed cards we’ve seen in a long time, in terms of the incentives to pick up the card, keep the card, and spend on the card.

Welcome bonus

The card is currently offering a limited-time two-part welcome bonus. Get 70,000 bonus points and a 25,000-point Global Companion Award with this offer. To qualify, spend $3,000 or more on purchases within the first 90 days of opening your account.

I value Atmos Rewards points at 1.5 cents each, given the great uses of these rewards. That means I value the 70,000 points at $1,050. On top of that, the Global Companion Award can be used to take 25,000 points off the cost of a companion award ticket, which I’d consider to be worth pretty close to face value ($375).

Rewards structure

  • 3x points on Alaska & Hawaiian purchases
  • 3x points on all foreign purchases — an incredible bonus category, covering both purchases made in foreign currency and US-dollar purchases processed outside the United States
  • 3x points on dining and restaurant purchases globally
  • 3x points on rent payments through Bilt (3% fee applies, up to $50,000/year)
  • 1x points on all other eligible purchases
  • 1 status point per $2 spent — the fastest card-based path to Atmos elite status
  • 100,000-point Global Companion Award for spending $60,000 per anniversary year
  • 10% Bank of America relationship bonus if you hold an eligible BofA checking or savings account

Perks & benefits

  • Annual 25,000-point Global Companion Award, issued every year on the cardmember anniversary — no spending required
  • Annual boost of 10,000 status points on account anniversary
  • Eight Alaska Lounge passes and eight Alaska inflight Wi-Fi passes annually (two of each per quarter, valid through end of quarter)
  • Free points sharing with up to 10 other Atmos Rewards members at no cost
  • Waived $12.50 partner award booking fee when redeeming points for travel on a partner airline
  • Upgrade priority on Alaska & Hawaiian flights — above corporate travelers and booking time, within each elite tier
  • Alaska same-day flight change fee waiver (ordinarily $50/person)
  • First checked bag free for you and up to six guests on the same reservation
  • Preferred boarding on Alaska flights for you and up to six companions
  • 20% savings on Alaska & Hawaiian inflight purchases (food, beverages, Wi-Fi)
  • $50 instant travel delay credit if your Alaska flight is delayed 2+ hours or canceled within 24 hours of departure
  • Global Entry or TSA PreCheck fee credit up to $120 every four years
  • Primary rental car coverage and travel protection for delayed flights, lost bags, and more
  • No foreign transaction fees
  • $0 authorized user fee

Link: Learn more about the Atmos™ Rewards Summit Visa Infinite® Credit Card

2. Atmos™ Rewards Ascent Visa Signature® credit card

The Atmos Rewards Ascent Card has a $95 annual fee, and has a generous welcome bonus for a card with such a reasonable annual fee. This is a great option for a low-fee card that still offers considerable value for someone who flies Alaska or Hawaiian with any frequency.

The Atmos Rewards Ascent Card is the card you’re going to want if you just fly Alaska or Hawaiian every once in a while and want a card with a reasonable annual fee and a great welcome bonus. I’d argue the $99 Companion Fare alone can offset the annual fee in a single trip. The authorized user perks are also especially valuable for families.

Welcome bonus

The card is currently offering a limited time welcome bonus where you’ll receive 50,000 bonus points and a $99 Companion Fare (plus taxes and fees from $23) with this offer. To qualify, spend $1,500 or more on purchases within the first 90 days of opening your account.

Rewards structure

  • 3x points on Alaska & Hawaiian purchases
  • 2x points on gas, EV charging stations, local transit (including rideshare), cable, and select streaming services
  • 1 status point per $3 spent (no cap)
  • 10% Bank of America relationship bonus available

Perks & benefits

  • $99 Companion Fare annually after spending $6,000 per anniversary year, valid for flights within North America on Alaska and Hawaiian
  • First checked bag free for you and up to six travelers on the same reservation (Alaska and Hawaiian charge $35–$40/bag ordinarily)
  • Preferred boarding on Alaska flights for you and up to six companions
  • 20% savings on Alaska & Hawaiian inflight purchases
  • Authorized users at no extra cost — they receive preferred boarding, free checked bag, and 20% inflight savings even when traveling separately

Link: Learn more about the Atmos™ Rewards Ascent Visa Signature® credit card

3. Atmos™ Rewards Visa Signature® Business Card

The Atmos Rewards Business Card has a minimum $95 annual fee ($70 for the company account and $25 per card), and is the only business card in the portfolio. The card also has a lucrative welcome bonus. There are a lot of similarities between this card and the Atmos Rewards Ascent Card, in the event you prefer a personal card.

The Atmos Rewards Business Card and Ascent Card are largely the same product, with the primary difference being that one is a personal card and one is a business card. There could be merit to having both in the long run — for example, if you value the ability to earn the $99 Companion Fare, you could earn two per year by holding both cards.

Welcome bonus

After spending $4,000 within the first 90 days, you can earn 70,000 bonus points and a $99 Companion Fare (plus taxes and fees from $23).

Note that eligibility for this card (including the welcome bonus) is unrelated to which other Atmos Rewards cards you have.

Rewards structure

  • 3x points on Alaska & Hawaiian purchases
  • 2x points on gas, EV charging stations, local transit (including rideshare), and shipping
  • 1 status point per $3 spent (no cap)
  • 10% Bank of America relationship bonus available

Perks & benefits

  • $99 Companion Fare annually after spending $6,000 per anniversary year, valid for flights within North America
  • First checked bag free for you and up to six travelers on the same reservation
  • Preferred boarding on Alaska flights for you and up to six companions
  • 20% savings on Alaska & Hawaiian inflight purchases
  • Does not count toward Chase 5/24 — the card won’t appear on your personal credit report
  • Anecdotally easy approvals, with lots of people reportedly receiving instant decisions
  • $25 per authorized user card (authorized users do receive some benefits when flying on Alaska)

Link: Learn more about the Atmos™ Rewards Visa Signature® Business Card 

4. Bilt Palladium Card

Bilt is the platform most known for offering rewards for housing payments, and it has three Mastercard credit cards serviced by Cardless. The Bilt Palladium Card is by far the most worthwhile option, despite its high annual fee. I think it’s much easier to get outsized value from than the other options.

Bilt points transfer to Atmos Rewards at a 1:1 ratio, which makes the Palladium Card a strong complement to any Atmos Rewards card — particularly for racking up points from spending categories the Alaska cards don’t cover well, like rent and mortgage payments.

I think the Bilt Palladium Card (Rates & Fees) is the way to go within the Bilt ecosystem, and it’s where you can really unlock value. While the annual fee is steep, the math very much checks out for the right type of consumer. Unfortunately, it’s harder to make the math work for smaller spenders, in terms of justifying the annual fee.

Welcome bonus

After spending $4,000 within the first 90 days (on non-housing purchases), you can earn:

  • 50,000 bonus Bilt points
  • Bilt Gold status
  • $300 in Bilt Cash upon approval (Up to $100 of Bilt Cash earned rolls over to the next year)

Note that you’re only eligible for one co-branded Bilt credit card, so you couldn’t pick up multiple of them.

Rewards structure

  • 2x points on all everyday purchases
  • Earn up to 1.25X points on rent and mortgage payments with no transaction fee.
  • Option to earn 4% back in Bilt Cash on all spending, in addition to points earned
  • Spending accelerator: Obsidian and Palladium cardmembers can activate an extra 1x points on everyday spending for the next $5,000 spent, at a cost of $200 in Bilt Cash per activation (up to five activations per calendar year) — effectively making this a 3x card for up to $25,000 in spending per year

Bilt has some random exclusions worth knowing about — for example, tax payments made by credit card don’t earn points, even though they do on a vast majority of other cards.

Perks & benefits

  • Priority Pass membership with up to two guests (authorized users can be added for $95 each and also receive a membership)
  • $200 in Bilt Cash annually, deposited at account opening and each anniversary
  • $400 Bilt travel portal hotel credit every calendar year (in two $200 semi-annual installments, valid for a two-night minimum stay)
  • No foreign transaction fees
  • $495 annual fee; authorized users cost $95 each

How Bilt Cash works for housing rewards

Bilt Cash is the currency that allows members to earn rewards on housing payments at no cost. Every $30 in Bilt Cash unlocks up to 1,000 points on rent or mortgage payments (with a maximum of one point per dollar of housing spending). To put it simply: you’ll need to spend an average of 75% as much as your housing payment in order to earn 1x points per dollar spent on housing — though welcome bonuses and the $50 in Bilt Cash you earn for every 25,000 points makes the math more favorable in practice.

On the first day of each month, Bilt also runs a Rent Day promotion, which often includes transfer bonuses to Atmos Rewards. The size of the bonus is based on your Bilt elite status, so cardmembers with higher tier status get more value.

Is the Bilt Palladium Card good for Alaska Airlines?

I think the Bilt card ecosystem is best for big spenders and/or those with large housing payments. The Palladium Card’s 2x points on all spending is a genuinely strong flat-rate earn structure, and the ability to earn rewards on rent or mortgage is uniquely valuable for something that would otherwise earn nothing.

The card isn’t a replacement for an Atmos Rewards card; it’s a companion product. If you’re already holding a Summit or Ascent Card, the Bilt Palladium Card gives you a strong option for everyday spending and housing payments, with a clear pipeline into Atmos Rewards points via 1:1 transfers.

Link: Apply for a Bilt credit card, with three versions to choose from

Things to consider before applying for an Alaska credit card

The cards aren’t mutually exclusive

One important thing to understand is that eligibility for the three Atmos Rewards credit cards, including their welcome bonuses, isn’t mutually exclusive. You could pick up multiple Atmos Rewards credit cards. Beyond the great welcome bonuses, there’s potentially merit to holding onto one or more of these cards long term.

If you’re eligible for a business credit card, I’d probably initially go the route of applying for the Atmos Rewards Business Card in addition to either the Ascent or Summit Card. It’s often easier to get approved for one business card and one personal card from an issuer in a short timeframe, rather than two personal cards.

The personal and business cards are very similar

The Ascent Card and Business Card are very similar products in terms of their welcome offers, annual fees, and perks. The primary differences are:

  • The personal card earns 2x points on cable and select streaming services; the business card earns 2x on shipping instead
  • Authorized users are free on the personal card, while they cost $25 each on the business card

If you value the ability to earn the $99 Companion Fare, there’s a strong case for holding both — you’d earn two companion fares per year.

The Ascent and Summit are totally different

While the mid-range personal and business cards are very similar, there are huge differences between the two personal cards. I’d argue that the Ascent and Summit are primarily complements, rather than substitutes.

The Ascent Card is the card you’re going to want if you just fly Alaska or Hawaiian every once in a while, and want a card with a reasonable annual fee and a great welcome bonus. The card can be worth spending $6,000 on annually to earn a $99 Companion Fare, but I’d say that’s the extent to which it’s worth spending on the card.

In the case of the Summit Card, the story is different. The card has a higher annual fee, but has very strong perks. That said, you need to be someone who maximizes credit card rewards to get full value out of it. I’d say the card is great if you’re pursuing Atmos Rewards elite status, or if you frequently redeem Atmos Rewards points.

The Summit Card is largely a no-brainer

The decision of whether to apply for the Summit Card should basically be made independently of whether you decide to pick up one of the other cards. The card has a special value proposition, with a unique set of considerations:

  • Want to earn elite status with spending? This card offers the most status points per dollar, plus an annual 10,000-point anniversary boost
  • Do you want to earn Atmos Rewards points on spending? This card has the superior rewards structure, with 3x points on foreign purchases, dining, and Alaska/Hawaiian
  • Are you an elite member who values complimentary upgrades? This card offers upgrade priority within your tier
  • Do you redeem a lot of Atmos Rewards points? The waived partner redemption fee and Global Companion Awards (both the annual 25K award and the 100K spending award) add up quickly

Bank of America application rules

There are a couple of Bank of America policies for personal cards worth being aware of:

  • The 2/3/4 rule: you can open at most two Bank of America cards every two months, three every 12 months, and four every 24 months
  • The 3/12 rule: you may not be approved for a card if you’ve opened three or more new cards with any issuer in the past 12 months — though this doesn’t seem to apply if you have a banking relationship with Bank of America (which you may want anyway, to unlock the 10% relationship bonus)

Note that these restrictions don’t apply to the business card.

Bottom line

Alaska’s Atmos Rewards program has three co-branded credit cards from Bank of America — two personal cards and one business card. There’s potentially merit to getting multiple of them, since the cards (including the welcome offers) aren’t mutually exclusive.

The Atmos Rewards Ascent Card and Business Card are largely very similar, with the primary difference being that one is a personal card and one is a business card. Meanwhile, the Atmos Rewards Summit Card is unique in the portfolio, offering some incredible perks that Alaska loyalists and points maximizers will appreciate. The card has the highest annual fee, but also potentially the most upside.

The way I view it, the Summit Card is largely a no-brainer for anyone who flies Alaska or Hawaiian with any frequency, values elite status, or redeems Atmos Rewards points regularly — especially given that the annual 25,000-point Global Companion Award alone can nearly justify the $395 fee. The Ascent and Business Cards are excellent for everyone else, and there’s a strong case for holding both to earn two $99 Companion Fares per year.

Frequently asked questions

Can I have more than one Atmos credit card?
Yes — and this is one of the most important things to understand about the lineup. Eligibility for each of the three cards, including their welcome bonuses, is independent of the others. You can hold the Summit Card alongside the Ascent and/or Business Card simultaneously and earn the welcome bonus on each. A common strategy is to apply for one personal card and one business card around the same time, since issuers often approve these more readily than two personal cards at once.
What is an Atmos Global Companion Award, and how does it work?
A Global Companion Award reduces the points cost of a companion’s award ticket. For example, if you’re booking two award seats that each cost 100,000 Atmos Rewards points, a 100,000-point Global Companion Award would cover the second ticket entirely. The Summit Card provides a 25,000-point Global Companion Award every anniversary year just for holding the card, plus a 100,000-point award for spending $60,000 annually. These are valid for 12 months from issuance (for the booking), and can be used for travel on Alaska, Hawaiian, or any Atmos Rewards airline partner.
Is the Summit Card worth the annual fee even if I don't fly Alaska frequently?
Potentially yes, depending on your broader travel habits. The 3x points on all foreign purchases makes the card compelling for any international traveler, regardless of airline preference. The waived $12.50 partner award booking fee is also valuable for anyone who redeems Atmos Rewards points on oneworld partners. I redeem a ton of Atmos Rewards points, particularly for travel on American, so those savings can really add up. That said, if you don’t fly Alaska, Hawaiian, or their partners at all, the Ascent Card’s companion fare and simpler value proposition may be a better fit.
How does the $99 Atmos Companion Fare work, and which cards offer it?
The $99 Companion Fare is offered by both the Ascent Card and the Business Card. After spending $6,000 per anniversary year on either card, you earn a companion fare valid for flights within North America on Alaska and Hawaiian. Your companion pays $99 plus applicable taxes and fees from $23. Notably, this perk is not available on the premium Summit Card — which is one reason many travelers hold both a Summit Card and an Ascent or Business Card. Having both the Ascent and Business Card can yield two companion fares per year.
What's the easiest Atmos card to get approved for?
Based on everything I’ve seen (and personally experienced), I don’t think there are many business cards that are easier to get approved for than the Atmos Rewards Business Card. Lots of people are getting instant approvals, more so than with most other business credit cards, and more than with the personal version of the card. The eligibility requirements around earning the bonus are also relatively relaxed — you can earn the bonus even if you’ve earned it in the past.
Do Bilt points transfer to Atmos Rewards, and is it worth it?
Yes, Bilt points transfer to Atmos Rewards at a 1:1 ratio. For Alaska loyalists, the Bilt Palladium Card can serve as a strong complement to an Atmos Rewards card, particularly for spending categories not well-covered by the Alaska cards — most notably rent and mortgage payments. Bilt’s monthly Rent Day promotions frequently include transfer bonuses to Atmos Rewards, which can significantly increase the value of a transfer. The Palladium Card is best suited for high spenders with large housing payments who want a broad-earning card alongside their Atmos Rewards cards.