Ben Smithson is a senior writer for TPG and is based in London. Originally from Australia and a qualified lawyer with a financial services background, he has almost a decade of experience writing about a broad range of travel and loyalty topics.
September 12, 2026 • 8 min read
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Quick summary
Atmos Rewards, formed from the Alaska and Hawaiian Airlines merger, offers a loyalty program with notable value and a robust award chart.
A premium travel card associated with this program provides a high earning rate for all foreign currency purchases, making it especially appealing for frequent international travelers.
The card's earning structure is straightforward, with no rotating categories or caps, and it delivers strong value per dollar spent abroad per TPG's September 2026 valuations.
Additional benefits include a companion award, partner airline redemption options, and travel perks such as lounge access and waived fees.
What to consider
The card's high earning rate applies to all foreign transactions, regardless of merchant category, but U.S. supermarket purchases earn at a lower rate.
A companion award can be used on Alaska, Hawaiian and partner airlines, though taxes and fees still apply.
Partner airline redemptions offer attractive options, including short-haul flights and premium cabin awards, with point values based on TPG's September 2026 valuations.
What you'll miss from the article
A detailed comparison of how this card's international earning rates and perks stack up against other premium airline cards.
Generated by AI with support from our editorial team.
Born from the merger of Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines, this program has quietly become one of the most valuable in the industry, with an award chart full of sweet spots. And the premium is the best way to quickly rack up those points, especially if you travel internationally.
That's because, in addition to the impressive welcome bonus, the Summit card earns an impressive 3 Atmos Rewards points per dollar spent on foreign purchases.
That's not just dining or travel, but every purchase made in a foreign currency.
When you're traveling abroad, the last thing you want is to have to figure out which card to use for each transaction. With the Summit card, it's all you need.
Here's why this single earning rate makes the card the market leader for international travelers.
: Earn 100,000 bonus points and a 25,000-point Global Companion Award after spending $6,000 on purchases in the first 90 days from account opening.
Why the Summit's foreign purchases earning rate puts this card in a league of its own
At TPG's September 2026 valuation of Atmos Rewards points, earning 3 points per dollar on foreign purchases translates to 4.65 cents of value per dollar spent abroad.
Eligible Bank of America account holders can do even better, receiving a 10% rewards bonus on points earned from card purchases. That boosts the return on eligible foreign transactions to 3.3 Atmos Rewards points per dollar, worth about 5.12 cents per dollar at TPG's September 2026 valuation.
The beauty of the Summit card is its simplicity. There are no rotating categories to activate, no cap on bonus earnings and no confusion about merchant codes or time zones. Every eligible foreign transaction earns the same generous rate, whether you're paying for a hotel in Tokyo, a train ticket in Switzerland or groceries in Mexico.
TPG contributing editor Matt Moffitt, who recently relocated to Spain, now uses the for all non-dining purchases.
Though the still edges ahead in one single category, dining at 4 points per dollar spent at restaurants worldwide (on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, the 1 point per dollar spent thereafter), Amex acceptance outside the U.S. can be inconsistent, something Matt doesn't face with the Summit's worldwide Visa network.
ERIC ROSEN/THE POINTS GUY
How the Atmos Summit compares with other premium airline cards' international earning rates
The earns:
Unlimited 3 points per dollar spent on eligible worldwide dining, Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines purchases and all foreign transactions
Unlimited 1 point per dollar spent on all other purchases (such as supermarkets within the United States)
The card has an annual fee of $395.
Most premium airline cards with similar annual fees offer bonus points or miles in a limited number of select travel categories and 1 point or mile per dollar spent on everything else, but none match the Summit's blanket 3 points per dollar spent on foreign purchases:
The with a $350 annual fee (see rates and fees) earns 6 miles per dollar on eligible AAdvantage Hotels bookings, 3 miles per dollar spent on eligible American Airlines purchases, but only 2 miles per dollar spent on dining and eligible "Rides and Rails", and just 1 mile per dollar spent on other purchases.
The with a $350 annual fee (see rates and fees) earns a similar 3 miles per dollar spent on Delta purchases and purchases made directly with hotels, but only 2 miles per dollar spent on restaurants worldwide including takeout and delivery in the U.S., and at U.S. supermarkets, and 1 mile per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
The with a $350 annual fee (see rates and fees) earns 5 miles per dollar on prepaid hotel stays booked through Renowned Hotels and Resorts, 4 miles per dollar spent on eligible United flights, 4 miles per dollar spent on all other United purchases, 2 miles per dollar spent on dining, select streaming services and other travel, and 1 mile per dollar spent on all other purchases.
None of these cards comprehensively reward the routine spending that makes up the bulk of what travelers actually charge abroad: groceries, transportation, shopping and incidental expenses. Meanwhile, the generously and innovatively rewards you for being an international traveler.
MAX SHEN/GETTY IMAGES
Other Atmos Summit benefits
The foreign-earnings rate is my favorite feature, but the Summit's broader offering justifies its $395 annual fee for frequent travelers, whether they travel domestically or internationally.
The current welcome offer delivers generous value: Earn 100,000 bonus points and a 25,000-point Global Companion Award after spending $6,000 on purchases in the first 90 days from account opening.
The Global Companion Award offers a discount of up to 25,000 points (or 100,000 points after $60,000 or more on purchases each anniversary year) on the second passenger's ticket when you book two people traveling together with Atmos Rewards points. Uniquely, it is valid for travel on Alaska Airlines and all of its airline redemption partners, both in and outside of the Oneworld alliance, in any cabin — including Hawaiian Airlines, British Airways, Qantas, Iberia, Icelandair, Korean Air and others. Applicable fees and taxes still apply.
The card also offers a host of other travel benefits, including anniversary status points, a pathway to elite status, lounge and Wi-Fi passes, waived same-day confirmed flight change fee and free checked baggage on Alaska and Hawaiian flights.
SEAN CUDAHY/THE POINTS GUY
You don't need to fly Alaska to get amazing value from Atmos Rewards points
Even if you've never flown Alaska Airlines or Hawaiian Airlines, Atmos Rewards points can deliver amazing value through partner redemptions. The program inherited Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan's award chart, which has long been a favorite among points and miles enthusiasts for its outsize value on partner airlines.
The sweet spots span virtually every region of the globe. You can book an American Airlines flight of up to 700 miles in length for just 4,500 Atmos Rewards points, or fly Hawaiian Airlines economy from the West Coast to Hawaii from 10,000 points.
Looking to cross the Atlantic? Aer Lingus business class to Ireland starts at just 45,000 points. For aspirational redemptions, 75,000 points can get you a seat on Japan Airlines' business class from the West Coast to Tokyo, or Fiji Airways business class to Fiji.
Earning 3 Atmos Rewards points per dollar spent on every eligible transaction abroad — worth 4.65 cents per dollar at TPG's September 2026 valuations — is unmatched by any other airline card.
If you haven't been paying attention to Atmos Rewards, consider this your wake-up call. With broad earning abroad, useful travel perks and a valuable partner redemption chart, the is an incredible companion to pack with your passport.
And right now, the card is offering 100,000 bonus points and a 25,000-point Global Companion Award, earned after spending $6,000 on purchases in the first 90 days from account opening.
If international travel is part of your life, this card should be, too.
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.
