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The Points Guy believes that credit cards can transform lives, helping you leverage everyday spending for cash back or travel experiences that might otherwise be out of reach. That's why we publish a variety of editorial content and card comparisons: to help you find a great card to turn your goals into reality.
Our site may earn compensation when a customer clicks on a link, when an application is approved, or when an account is opened with our partners, and this may impact how or where these products appear. While we don't cover all available credit cards, our editorial team creates and maintains all of the analysis of these cards, and our content is not influenced nor subject to review by any credit card company, bank or partner prior to (or after) publication. Please view our advertising policy and product review methodology for more information.
Guides
Atmos Rewards Ascent vs. Business: Which $95 Alaska-Hawaiian card should you get?
Featured image by DON WILSON/PORT OF SEATTLE/SEA AIRPORT
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.
Olivia Mittak is a credit cards editor at TPG. She specializes in maximizing earn for points and miles, finding the best welcome bonuses and choosing the right credit cards for your wallet.
January 26, 2026 • 8 min read
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Quick summary
Two mid-tier cards offer Atmos Rewards points usable for Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines flights, with both personal and business versions available.
Both cards provide identical travel perks, including a Companion Fare, free checked bag and preferred boarding when booking eligible flights.
The main difference lies in bonus categories: one card favors cable and streaming services, while the other rewards shipping purchases.
Atmos Rewards points are valued at 1.55 cents each as of September 2026 per TPG's valuations, making them a strong option for frequent flyers.
What to consider
To earn the annual Companion Fare after the first year, you must spend $6,000 or more on purchases within the prior anniversary year.
The Companion Fare must be redeemed within 12 months of issue, but travel can occur later, extending its value.
Both cards earn status points toward elite status at a rate of 1 point per $3 spent, with no cap.
What you'll miss from the article
A detailed comparison of bonus categories, redemption strategies and tips for maximizing the Companion Fare on costly routes.
Generated by AI with support from our editorial team.
If you want to collect Atmos Rewards points to use for Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines flights, you may be interested in applying for one of their cobranded credit cards.
Beyond the value of Atmos Rewards points, another reason to consider these cards is that they are both issued by Bank of America. This matters if you’ve already reached your limit with American Express or are restricted by Chase’s 5/24 rule.
In that case, looking to other banks for your next credit card is a smart strategy.
Let’s take a closer look at these two cards and see how they compare.
Atmos Rewards Ascent vs. Atmos Rewards Business comparison
Card name
Atmos Rewards Ascent
Atmos Rewards Business
Annual fee
$95
$95 ($70 per company plus $25 per card)
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 $99 Companion Fare (plus taxes and fees from $23) after spending $4,000 on purchases within the first 90 days of opening your account.
Earning rates
3 points per dollar spent on eligible Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines purchases
2 points per dollar spent on cable and select streaming services, at eligible electric vehicle charging and gas stations, and on local transit (including ride-hailing services)
1 point per dollar spent on other purchases
3 points per dollar spent on eligible Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines purchases
2 points per dollar spent at eligible EV charging and gas stations, and on local transit (including ride-hailing services) and shipping purchases
1 point per dollar spent on other purchases
Travel benefits
Annual Companion Fare (each account anniversary after spending $6,000 or more on purchases within the prior anniversary year)
Free checked bag*
Preferred boarding*
Alaska Lounge+ membership discount
Inflight discount
Annual Companion Fare (each account anniversary after spending $6,000 or more on purchases within the prior anniversary year)
Free checked bag*
Preferred boarding*
Alaska Lounge+ membership discount
Inflight discount
Other benefits
10% rewards bonus on all points earned from purchases if you have an eligible Bank of America account
No foreign transaction fees
10% rewards bonus on all points earned from purchases if your company has an eligible Bank of America account
No foreign transaction fees
*When you purchase your flight with your card
Atmos Rewards Ascent vs. Atmos Rewards Business welcome bonus
The personal Atmos Rewards Ascent is currently offering new cardholders the chance to 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.
Meanwhile, the Atmos Rewards Business is offering new cardholders the ability to earn 70,000 bonus points and a $99 Companion Fare (plus taxes and fees from $23) after spending $4,000 on purchases within the first 90 days of opening your account.
According to TPG's September 2026 valuations, Atmos Rewards points are worth 1.55 cents per point, making the personal cards offer worht $775 and the business worth $1,085.
Winner: Atmos Business. Its offer is worth more.
Atmos Rewards Ascent vs. Atmos Rewards Business benefits
Both cards include an annual Companion Fare, one of the most generous airline credit card perks available. In effect, this is a buy-one-get-one-discounted deal (plus taxes and fees).
However — and this is a big one — you have to spend $6,000 or more on purchases within the prior anniversary year to earn the Companion Fare on either card (apart from any that come with the welcome bonus).
WALLACE COTTON/THE POINTS GUY
When you book a round-trip economy ticket on Alaska Airlines or Hawaiian Airlines, you can use the Companion Fare to reserve a second ticket on the same reservation from $122 ($99 fare plus taxes and fees from $23).
The Companion Fare must be redeemed within 12 months of the issue date, though the actual travel can take place after that, extending its usefulness to nearly two years. Even better, both travelers accrue full points credit for their flights and are eligible for upgrades.
The cardholder doesn’t even have to be flying, but must use their Atmos Rewards card to pay for the tickets. Depending on how you redeem your Companion Fare, it can be worth hundreds of dollars.
That's especially true on some of the airlines' more expensive routes, like those between the U.S. mainland and Hawaii, and can more than offset either card’s annual fee each year.
Elite status
Both cards also earn status points based on spending, helping you work toward elite status. The rate is 1 status point per $3 spent, with no cap.
Discounts
Both cards provide $100 off one Alaska Lounge+ membership each year when paid with the Atmos Rewards card.
Plus, cardholders get a 20% discount on in-flight food, beverages and Wi-Fi.
Winner: Tie.
Earning points on the Atmos Rewards Ascent vs. Atmos Rewards Business
Here are the overlapping earning rates for both cards:
3 points per dollar spent on eligible Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines purchases
2 points per dollar spent at EV charging stations and gas stations, and on local transit (including ride-hailing services)
1 point per dollar spent on all other purchases
MSTUDIOIMAGES/GETTY IMAGES
The personal Atmos Rewards Ascent also earns 2 points per dollar spent on cable and select streaming services, while the Atmos Rewards Business offers 2 points per dollar spent on shipping purchases.
Winner: Tie. Both cards offer similar earning rates.
Redeeming points on the Atmos Rewards Ascent vs. Atmos Rewards Business
For short-haul Alaska Airlines flights, such as from Portland, Oregon, to San Francisco, you can redeem as few as 5,000 Atmos Rewards points for each leg of the journey. Even for longer flights, economy awards often start at 12,500 points.
SEAN CUDAHY/THE POINTS GUY
If you prefer a first-class experience, longer domestic flights typically require 50,000 points, but shorter flights can start as low as 15,000 points for each leg in first class.
TPG contributing editor for credit cards Matt Moffitt counts Atmos Rewards points as his favorite airline currency. He recently redeemed 55,000 points (plus $18 in taxes) for a one-way flight from Chicago to London in American Airlines' flagship business-class product.
Winner: Tie. Both cards earn Atmos Rewards points and status points and provide the same redemption options.
Should I get the Atmos Rewards Ascent or the Atmos Rewards Business?
Since the cards are so similar, the main deciding factor is whether you qualify for a business card. If you do, choose based on your spending habits: shipping purchases earn more on the Atmos Business, while cable and streaming services favor the Atmos Ascent. Because they’re separate products, eligible business owners can apply for both to earn two welcome bonuses and two annual Companion Fares.
Bottom line
Both the Atmos Rewards Ascent and the Atmos Rewards Business deliver excellent long-term value thanks to the generous Companion Fare, valuable Atmos Rewards points and travel perks.
With annual fees under $100, they can easily pay for themselves after just one redemption, especially on costly routes like to and from Hawaii and cross-country flights.
For frequent Alaska or Hawaiian flyers, either card is a smart addition to your wallet, and holding both could unlock even greater rewards.
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.
