BoA Alaska Atmos Business Credit Card Review (Old Card New Name, 80k Offer)

Overview

The Atmos™ Rewards Visa® Business Card is a business credit card issued by Bank of America, designed for small business owners who frequently fly with Alaska Airlines or Hawaiian Airlines. It offers a compelling welcome bonus, valuable travel perks, and a modest rewards structure, making it a strong choice for those loyal to the Atmos Rewards program, which is part of the Oneworld alliance.

Welcome Offer

  • Current Offer: Earn 80,000 Atmos Rewards points plus a $99 Companion Fare (plus taxes and fees from $23) after spending $5,000 on purchases within the first 90 days of account opening.
  • Valuation: Atmos Rewards points are valued at approximately 1.5–1.6 cents each (per The Points Guy and US Credit Card Guide), making the 80,000-point bonus worth $1,200–$1,280. The Companion Fare adds additional value, potentially saving hundreds on a companion’s ticket.
  • Note: There’s a better 85,000-point offer available through an in-flight link (requires a 7-digit promo code, any should work), also after $5,000 spend in 90 days. This is the highest offer recently seen.

Annual Fee

  • $70 per company + $25 per card (minimum $95 for one cardholder). The fee is not waived for the first year.

Rewards Structure

  • Earning Rates:
    • 3X points per dollar on eligible Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines purchases (tickets, vacation packages, cargo).
    • 2X points per dollar on gas, EV charging stations, shipping, and local transit (including rideshare).
    • 1X point per dollar on all other purchases.
  • 10% Rewards Bonus: Earn an additional 10% on all points if your company has an eligible Bank of America small business account.
  • Elite Status Points: Earn 1 status point per $3 spent, up to 30,000 status points in 2025. Starting in 2026, there’s no cap on status points earned via card spending, aiding in achieving Atmos Rewards elite status.
  • Point Valuation: Per TPG’s August 2025 valuations, Atmos Rewards points offer a 4.4% return on Alaska/Hawaiian purchases, 2.9% on bonus categories, and 1.5% on other purchases (with the 10% bonus boosting these rates).

Redemption Options

  • Primary Use: Redeem points for flights on Alaska Airlines, Hawaiian Airlines, or Oneworld alliance partners (e.g., American Airlines, Cathay Pacific, Qantas). Economy flights typically cost 4,500–17,500 points one-way within North America.
  • High-Value Redemptions:
    • Cathay Pacific: Business class to Asia for 75,000 points one-way with a free stopover in Hong Kong.
    • Fiji Airways: Business class to Oceania for 75,000 points one-way with a stopover in Fiji.
    • Alaska Flights: West Coast to Mexico for as low as 10,000 points one-way.
  • Flexibility: No blackout dates on Alaska or Hawaiian flights booked with points or Companion Fare. Points can also be redeemed with over 1,000 global destinations via Oneworld and other partners.

Key Benefits

  • Annual Companion Fare: After spending $6,000 in the prior anniversary year, receive a $99 Companion Fare (plus taxes/fees from $23, total ~$122) valid for any Alaska or Hawaiian economy flight within North America. The fare is flexible (one-way or round-trip, no blackout dates), and the companion earns points and is eligible for upgrades.
  • Free Checked Bag: Free first checked bag for the cardholder and up to 6 guests on the same reservation when paying with the card (savings of ~$70 per person round-trip).
  • Preferred Boarding: Available for the cardholder and up to 6 guests on Alaska flights (Hawaiian flights starting Fall 2025) when paying with the card.
  • Inflight Savings: 20% back as a statement credit on Alaska and Hawaiian inflight purchases (food, beverages, Wi-Fi) when paying with the card.
  • Alaska Lounge+ Discount: $100 off an annual Alaska Lounge+ membership (normally $795), granting access to Alaska Lounges and nearly 100 partner lounges.
  • No Foreign Transaction Fees: Ideal for international purchases.
  • Business Tools: Includes cash flow management tools, 24/7 online/mobile banking, and access to Dun & Bradstreet business credit scores via Business Advantage 360.
  • Travel Protections: Offers $1,000,000 in travel accident insurance, auto rental insurance, emergency ticket replacement, and lost-luggage assistance.

Disadvantages

  • Annual Fee: The $95 minimum fee is not waived, which may deter some users compared to no-fee cards.
  • Subpar Earning Rates: The 1X point rate on non-bonus categories is low compared to cards like the Ink Business Unlimited® (1.5X Chase Ultimate Rewards) or Capital One Venture X Business (2X miles).
  • Spending Requirement for Companion Fare: The annual Companion Fare requires $6,000 in spending, which may not suit low spenders.
  • Airline-Specific Benefits: Perks are most valuable for frequent Alaska or Hawaiian flyers; those in areas with limited routes may find less value.
  • Application Restrictions:
    • 2/3/4 Rule: Bank of America typically approves at most 2 cards in 2 months, 3 in 12 months, and 4 in 24 months. Approvals may later be reversed due to system errors.
    • 24-Month Churn Rule: Ineligible if you’ve had any BoA business card in the past 24 months.
  • Credit Requirement: Requires excellent credit (FICO 720+), making it harder to qualify for some.

Recommended Application Time

  • Apply after building at least 1 year of credit history to improve approval odds.
  • Ensure compliance with BoA’s 2/3/4 rule and 24-month churn rule to avoid rejection or account closure.
  • Consider the 85,000-point in-flight offer if accessible, as it’s the best recent offer.

Who Should Get This Card?

The Atmos Rewards Business Card is ideal for:

  • Small business owners who frequently fly Alaska Airlines or Hawaiian Airlines.
  • Travelers who can maximize the Companion Fare, free checked bags, and lounge discounts.
  • Those seeking Oneworld redemptions, especially for high-value partner awards (e.g., Cathay Pacific, Fiji Airways).
  • Businesses with a Bank of America small business account to leverage the 10% rewards bonus.

It’s less suitable for:

  • Non-Alaska/Hawaiian flyers, especially those in regions with limited route options.
  • High spenders seeking better everyday rewards rates (e.g., 2X or higher).
  • Those unwilling to pay the $95 annual fee or meet the $6,000 spend for the Companion Fare.

Comparison to Alternatives

  • Amex Business Gold ($375 annual fee): Earns 4X Membership Rewards points in top two spending categories (up to $150,000/year), but lacks airline-specific perks. Better for flexible rewards.
  • Ink Business Unlimited ($0 annual fee): Earns 1.5X Chase Ultimate Rewards points on all purchases, transferable to partners with a premium Chase card. Ideal for broader rewards without airline focus.
  • Capital One Venture X Business ($395 annual fee): Earns 2X miles on most purchases, with lounge access and travel credits. Better for premium travelers.

Bottom Line

The BoA Alaska Atmos Business Credit Card is a strong choice for business owners loyal to Alaska Airlines or Hawaiian Airlines, offering a valuable 80,000-point welcome bonus (or 85,000 via in-flight offer) and a $99 Companion Fare. Its perks—like free checked bags, preferred boarding, and lounge discounts—can easily offset the $95 annual fee for frequent flyers. However, its rewards rates are modest, and benefits are airline-specific, limiting appeal for those not tied to Alaska or Hawaiian routes. The card shines for Oneworld redemptions and companion travel but may not suit those seeking versatile everyday rewards.

Note: Verify terms on Bank of America’s website or call the reconsideration line (800-732-9194) for application status.

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