The Atmos™ Rewards Summit Visa Infinite® Credit Card, issued by Bank of America, is a standout premium travel card for those who frequently fly Alaska Airlines or Hawaiian Airlines. This card isn’t just another high-fee offering; it delivers tangible value through generous rewards, travel perks, and elite status acceleration. Here’s a detailed breakdown of what makes this card compelling.
Welcome Bonus and Core Features
The Atmos Rewards Summit Card currently offers a substantial welcome bonus: 80,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 within the first 90 days, plus a 25,000-point Global Companion Award. At a conservative point valuation of 1.5 cents each, this bonus alone is worth roughly $1,575. The Global Companion Award essentially provides a discounted ticket for a travel companion.
Eligibility is broad: you can apply even if you hold other Atmos Rewards cards, including the Ascent or Business versions. Notably, previous Alaska Mileage Plan Bank of America or HawaiianMiles Barclays cardholders are also eligible. Bank of America’s approval rules are relatively lenient, but the “2/3/4” rule applies: no more than two cards every two months, three per year, or four every 24 months. A banking relationship with Bank of America may further improve approval odds.
The card carries a $395 annual fee, but the benefits are designed to offset this cost for frequent travelers. Authorized users are free, and their spending contributes to rewards and status qualification.
Rewards Structure: Maximizing Value
The Atmos Rewards Summit Card’s earning structure is designed to reward Alaska and Hawaiian flyers heavily:
- 3x Points: Alaska and Hawaiian flight purchases, foreign transactions, and dining worldwide.
- 3x Points: Rent payments made through Bilt (with a 3% fee).
- 1x Points: All other purchases.
The 3x foreign spending rate is exceptionally high, making it one of the best cards for international travel. The ability to earn status points at an accelerated rate (1 point per $2 spent) is a significant advantage. Competitor cards often require $3 in spending for the same status point.
Elite Status and Companion Awards
This card goes beyond simple rewards. Spending $60,000 annually unlocks a 100,000-point Global Companion Award, effectively covering a companion’s award ticket on Alaska, Hawaiian, or partner airlines.
For those chasing elite status, the Atmos Rewards Summit Card is the fastest path:
- Atmos Silver: 20,000 status points
- Atmos Gold: 40,000 status points
- Atmos Platinum: 80,000 status points
- Atmos Titanium: 135,000 status points
Additional Perks and Benefits
The Atmos Rewards Summit Card offers a suite of travel benefits that add further value:
- Annual Companion Award: A 25,000-point Global Companion Award issued annually.
- Status Point Boost: An additional 10,000 status points each year.
- Alaska Lounge Access: Eight one-time use passes annually.
- Inflight Wi-Fi Passes: Eight passes for Alaska flights.
- Points Sharing: Free point transfers between linked Atmos Rewards accounts.
- Waived Partner Booking Fees: Eliminates the $12.50 per person, per direction fee on partner airline awards.
- Upgrade Priority: Higher priority on Alaska and Hawaiian flight upgrades.
- Same-Day Flight Change Waiver: Free same-day flight changes on Alaska.
- Free Checked Bags: One free checked bag for the cardholder and up to six guests on Alaska or Hawaiian flights.
- Preferred Boarding: Priority boarding for the cardholder and up to six guests.
Bank of America Relationship Bonus
If you hold an eligible Bank of America checking or savings account, you’ll receive a 10% bonus on all points earned, boosting rewards to 3.3x on key spending categories. This is a simple yet powerful way to maximize the card’s value.
Conclusion
The Atmos Rewards Summit Visa Infinite® Credit Card is a compelling option for frequent Alaska and Hawaiian flyers. The high annual fee is offset by substantial rewards, elite status acceleration, and a wide range of travel perks. If you maximize the benefits – especially the companion awards and status earnings – this card delivers exceptional value. For those deeply embedded in the Alaska and Hawaiian ecosystems, it’s arguably the best premium travel card available.
