BoA Alaska Atmos Summit Credit Card Review (2025.8 Update: 100k Offer)

Overview

The Atmos™ Rewards Summit Visa Infinite® Credit Card, co-branded with Bank of America, is Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines’ premium offering, targeting frequent international travelers and loyalists of the Atmos Rewards program. With a $395 annual fee, it combines a generous welcome bonus, unique companion awards, and elite status benefits to deliver significant value for those who can maximize its perks. The card is part of the Oneworld alliance, offering access to a wide range of global redemption options.

Welcome Offer

• Current Offer: Earn 100,000 Atmos Rewards points and a 25,000-point Global Companion Award after spending $6,000 on purchases within the first 90 days of account opening. Additionally, those who signed up for the early access waitlist may receive an extra 5,000 points, bringing the total to 105,000 points (must apply within 14 days of the offer email).
• Valuation: Atmos Rewards points are valued at approximately 1.45–1.6 cents each (per The Points Guy and US Credit Card Guide), making the 100,000-point bonus worth $1,450–$1,600. The 25,000-point Global Companion Award adds ~$362–$400 in value, for a total welcome offer value of up to $1,813–$2,000. The 5,000-point waitlist bonus adds ~$72–$80.
• Eligibility Notes:
  • Ineligible if you’ve had this card in the past 24 months (BoA’s churn rule).
  • Subject to BoA’s 2/3/4 rule: Approvals limited to 2 cards in 2 months, 3 in 12 months, and 4 in 24 months. Approvals may later be reversed due to system errors.
  • Requires excellent credit (FICO 670–720+ recommended).

Annual Fee

• $395, not waived for the first year.

Rewards Structure

• Earning Rates:
  • 3X points per dollar on eligible Alaska Airlines, Hawaiian Airlines, dining, and foreign purchases (no cap).
  • 1X point per dollar on all other purchases.
• 10% Rewards Bonus: Earn an additional 10% on all points (e.g., 3.3X on bonus categories, 1.1X on others) if you have an eligible Bank of America account (e.g., checking, savings, or Merrill investment account).
• Elite Status Points: Earn 1 status point per $2 spent (no cap) and 10,000 status points annually on the card anniversary, accelerating progress toward Atmos Rewards elite status (e.g., Silver at 20,000 points, Gold at 40,000 points, equivalent to Oneworld Ruby and Sapphire).
• Point Valuation: With a 1.45-cent valuation, the card offers a 4.4% return on bonus categories and 1.5% on other purchases (or 4.8% and 1.6% with the 10% bonus), per TPG’s August 2025 valuations.

Redemption Options

• Primary Use: Redeem points for award flights on Alaska Airlines, Hawaiian Airlines, or Oneworld partners (e.g., American Airlines, Japan Airlines, Cathay Pacific) and other partners like Icelandair or Singapore Airlines. Examples:
  • Alaska/Hawaiian: West Coast to Hawaii for 15,000 points one-way in economy.
  • Cathay Pacific: Business class to Asia for 75,000 points one-way with a stopover.
  • Japan Airlines: Business class to Japan for 60,000–70,000 points one-way.
• Partner Transfers: Transfer points to hotel partners (e.g., IHG, Marriott) at a 1:1 ratio, though this is generally less valuable unless topping off for a specific redemption.
• Point Sharing: Share points with up to 10 Atmos Rewards members for free, a rare perk for pooling points with family or friends.
• Flexibility: No blackout dates on Alaska or Hawaiian flights, and the Global Companion Award can be used in any class of service on partners.

Key Benefits

• Global Companion Awards:
  • 25,000-point award annually upon account opening and each anniversary (no spending requirement).
  • 100,000-point award each year after spending $60,000 in the anniversary year. Can be topped off with additional points if needed, but no residual value if redeemed below the maximum.
  • Redeemable for a companion’s ticket in any class on Alaska, Hawaiian, or partners, offering significant savings (e.g., ~$1,450–$1,600 for the 100K award).
• 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 up to ~$490 round-trip for 7 people).
• Preferred Boarding: For the cardholder and up to 6 guests on Alaska flights (Hawaiian flights starting Fall 2025) when paying with the card.
• Alaska Lounge Passes: 8 passes per year (2 per quarter), each valid for one adult and up to 2 children under 21, plus 2 complimentary premium drinks per visit (through 2026). Valued at ~$35–$65 per pass.
• Wi-Fi Passes: 8 in-flight Wi-Fi passes per year (2 per quarter) until Alaska’s fleet is fully equipped with free Starlink Wi-Fi in 2026.
• Travel Delay Credit: Automatic $50 voucher for Alaska flight delays of 2+ hours or cancellations within 24 hours of departure, valid for 48 hours for any purchase.
• No Same-Day Change Fees: Waived fees (up to $50 per one-way flight) for same-day changes on Alaska flights (Hawaiian flights starting 2026).
• Global Entry/TSA PreCheck Credit: Up to $120 credit every 4 years.
• No Partner Award Fees: Waived $12.50 fee per person per round-trip for partner bookings, saving up to $25 per trip.
• 20% Back on Inflight Purchases: Statement credit for Alaska and Hawaiian inflight purchases (food, beverages, Wi-Fi).
• No Foreign Transaction Fees: Ideal for international spending.
• Elite Status Boost: The 10,000 annual status points get you halfway to Atmos Silver (Oneworld Ruby), and $20,000 in spending earns the full Silver status, with $60,000 earning Gold (Oneworld Sapphire).
• Visa Infinite Benefits: Includes travel accident insurance, auto rental collision damage waiver, and concierge services.

Disadvantages

• High Annual Fee: The $395 fee is steep compared to the Atmos Rewards Ascent ($95) and may be hard to justify without frequent Alaska/Hawaiian travel.
• Limited Lounge Access: Only 8 lounge passes per year (not unlimited) and no access to Oneworld lounges unless elite status is earned.
• Airline-Specific Perks: Most benefits are tied to Alaska or Hawaiian flights, less valuable for those outside their hubs (e.g., Seattle, Honolulu, West Coast).
• High Spending Thresholds: The $6,000 spend for the welcome bonus and $60,000 for the 100K Companion Award are significant for some users.
• Application Restrictions:
  • 2/3/4 Rule: Limited to 2 BoA cards in 2 months, 3 in 12 months, 4 in 24 months.
  • 24-Month Churn Rule: Ineligible if you’ve had this card in the past 24 months.
• Complex Redemptions: High-value partner awards (e.g., Cathay Pacific, Japan Airlines) require research and flexibility due to limited availability and high fees on some partners (e.g., British Airways).
• No Travel Insurance Details: Limited information on trip cancellation/interruption coverage, unlike competitors like the Chase Sapphire Reserve.

Recommended Application Time

• Apply after 1 year of credit history to improve approval odds.
• Ensure compliance with BoA’s 2/3/4 rule and 24-month churn rule.
• Use the waitlist offer (105,000 points) if available by applying within 14 days of the email.
• Check application status at Bank of America’s website or call the reconsideration line (800-732-9194) if needed.

Who Should Get This Card?

The Atmos Summit Card is ideal for:

• Frequent Alaska/Hawaiian Flyers: Those who can maximize free checked bags, preferred boarding, and lounge passes.
• International Travelers: The 3X points on foreign purchases and no foreign transaction fees suit global spenders.
• Oneworld Loyalists: High-value redemptions with partners like Cathay Pacific or Japan Airlines are a draw.
• Elite Status Seekers: The status point earnings make Silver or Gold status achievable through spending.
• Companion Travelers: The Global Companion Awards offer significant savings for duo travel.

It’s less suitable for:

• Non-Alaska/Hawaiian Flyers: Limited value outside their route networks (e.g., East Coast travelers).
• Low Spenders: The $395 fee and high spending thresholds may not justify the benefits.
• Lounge Enthusiasts: Only 8 passes per year, unlike unlimited lounge access on cards like the Amex Platinum ($695 annual fee).

Comparison to Alternatives

• Capital One Venture X ($395 annual fee): Earns 2X miles on most purchases, offers unlimited lounge access, and a $300 travel credit. Better for flexible rewards and premium perks but lacks airline-specific benefits.
• Chase Sapphire Reserve ($550 annual fee): Earns 3X points on travel/dining, includes Priority Pass lounge access, and a $300 travel credit. More versatile but pricier.
• Atmos Rewards Ascent ($95 annual fee): Offers 85,000 points and a $99 Companion Fare after $4,000 spend. Lower cost but fewer premium perks.

Bottom Line

The BoA Alaska Atmos Summit Credit Card is a compelling choice for frequent Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines travelers, offering a 100,000-point welcome bonus (up to 105,000 with waitlist) and a 25,000-point Global Companion Award worth up to $1,813–$2,000. Its premium perks—like free checked bags, lounge passes, and elite status boosts—can offset the $395 annual fee for loyalists, especially those leveraging Oneworld redemptions or international spending. However, its value is limited for those outside Alaska/Hawaiian hubs or unwilling to meet high spending thresholds. For maximum value, pair with a Bank of America account for the 10% bonus and focus on high-value partner awards.

Note: Verify terms on Alaska Airlines or Bank of America websites, or contact the reconsideration line (800-732-9194) for application issues.