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Guides
Atmos Ascent vs. Atmos Summit: Which is better for Alaska and Hawaiian flyers?
Augusta Stone is a credit cards writer for TPG. She joined the TPG team in 2023 and is excited to take points and miles beginners with her on a journey toward maximizing rewards.
August 10, 2026 • 12 min read
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Quick summary
Atmos Rewards is the joint loyalty program for Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines, offering valuable points redeemable for flights on Oneworld partners.
Two personal rewards cards are available: one entry-level option with basic perks and a premium version with enhanced benefits for frequent flyers.
Both cards provide benefits such as a free checked bag, preferred boarding and inflight purchase discounts, but the premium card includes additional perks like lounge access, companion awards and a faster path to elite status.
Points can be redeemed for flights on Alaska, Hawaiian and partner airlines, with the premium card also allowing transfers to select hotel programs.
What to consider
The premium card requires a higher annual fee but offers more substantial travel benefits, including lounge passes and exclusive companion awards.
Both cards earn points at Alaska and Hawaiian, but bonus categories differ, with the premium card featuring unique earning on foreign transactions and dining.
Upgrading or downgrading between cards is possible, but upgrading may forfeit eligibility for a new cardholder bonus.
What you'll miss from the article
A detailed comparison of benefits, earning structures and redemption strategies to help determine which card best fits your travel habits.
Generated by AI with support from our editorial team.
Comments
By commenting, you agree to our Community Guidelines to help create a positive space for conversation. The responses below are not provided or commissioned by the bank advertiser, our partners, or The Points Guy (“TPG”). They have not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any of these parties. All responses are submitted by individual contributors, and neither the bank advertiser, our partners, nor TPG are responsible for ensuring that all posts and/or questions are answered.
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.
3 points per dollar spent on eligible Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines purchases
2 points per dollar spent at electric vehicle charging and gas stations; on local transit; and with cable, ride-hailing and select streaming services
1 point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases
3 points per dollar spent on eligible Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines purchases, eligible dining purchases, and foreign transactions
1 point per dollar spent on all other purchases
Welcome bonus
Earn 50,000 bonus points and a $99 Companion Fare (plus taxes and fees from $23) after spending $1,500 on purchases in the first 90 days from account opening.
Earn 70,000 bonus points and a 25,000-point Global Companion Award after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first 90 days from account opening.
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
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
1 status point for every $3 spent on purchases with no spending cap
20% back on all inflight purchases
Annual 25,000-point Global Companion Award each account anniversary, plus the chance to earn a 100,000-point Global Companion Award if you spent $60,000 or more on the card in the prior anniversary year
No change fees when you need to make a same-day change to an Alaska flight
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
10,000 status points every year on your account anniversary
1 status point for every $2 spent on purchases with no spending cap
20% back on all inflight purchases
$50 voucher for Alaska Airlines flight cancellations or departure delays of two or more hours
New applicants for the Atmos Ascent can earn 50,000 bonus points and a $99 Companion Fare (plus taxes and fees from $23) after spending $1,500 on purchases in the first 90 days from account opening.
Per TPG's September 2026 valuations, the points in this offer are worth $775.
Meanwhile, the Atmos Summit is offering new cardholders the ability to earn 70,000 bonus points and a 25,000-point Global Companion Award after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first 90 days from account opening.
This offer is worth up to $1,473 when you combine the value of the base points and the Global Companion Award, according to TPG's valuations.
Winner: Atmos Summit. Its bonus is worth more than the Atmos Ascent.
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
Main cabin on a Hawaiian Airlines Airbus A330. SEAN CUDAHY/THE POINTS GUY
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.
The Alaska Lounge in the N Concourse at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA). SEAN CUDAHY/THE POINTS GUY
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
SEAN CUDAHY/THE POINTS GUY
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
Plus, both cards earn a 10% rewards bonus on all points earned from card purchases if you have an eligible Bank of America account.
HINTERHAUS PRODUCTIONS/GETTY IMAGES
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
