Bank of America
Atmos Rewards Ascent Visa Signature
Earn unlimited points on Alaska Airlines purchases, get an annual $99 companion fare, free checked bags, and preferred boarding with this premium Visa Signature card.
Annual fee
$95
Top rate
3x flights
Welcome bonus
70,000 points
Quick look
Alaska Airlines Rewards
Earn points, annual companion fares, and premium perks
4.1
out of 5
Rewards
Fees
Welcome bonus
Perks
Value
Overall score is a weighted average: Rewards 20% · Fees 20% · Welcome bonus 20% · Perks 20% · Value 20%.
Ideal for
Frequent Alaska and Hawaiian Airlines travelers who fly with companions and spend enough to unlock the annual $99 companion fare.
The verdict
This card is built for one person: the Alaska or Hawaiian Airlines frequent flyer who sits within reasonable distance of a hub. If that's you, the $95 annual fee essentially pays for itself through the companion fare and free checked bags alone, making the earning rates pure bonus. But if you're outside that narrow slice—flying these carriers occasionally or not at all—the generic 1 point per $1 on everything else makes this a poor choice against competitors that don't tie you to a single airline.
The card's appeal hinges entirely on meeting two thresholds: flying Alaska or Hawaiian often enough to use the annual companion fare, and spending $6,000 annually to unlock it. Miss either, and you're just paying $95 for modest perks that don't outweigh the opportunity cost.
Pros
- Annual $99 companion fare (after $6,000 annual spend) covers the fee for most travelers flying together
- Free checked bags for cardholder and up to 6 guests on qualifying flights provides immediate tangible value
- 3x earning on Alaska and Hawaiian Airlines purchases concentrates rewards where frequent flyers spend most
- 10% point bonus when linked to a Bank of America account amplifies all earnings
Cons
- 1 point per $1 on all other purchases is well below market—most competitors offer 1.5x to 2x outside categories
- $6,000 annual spend requirement to unlock companion fare excludes casual travelers and makes the benefit contingent
- Companion fare requires activation and renewal each year based on previous-year spending, adding friction
- Redemption locked to Alaska, Hawaiian, and partner airlines limits flexibility compared to cash or transfer-partner cards
Reward rates
| Category | Rate | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Flights | 3x | 3 points per $1 on eligible Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines purchases |
| Gas & EV charging | 2x | 2 points per $1 on gas, EV charging, cable, streaming services, and local transit including rideshare |
| Everything else | 1x | 1 point per $1 on all other purchases |
The 3x rate on Alaska and Hawaiian Airlines is solid for the category but ranks 27th among cards earning on flights—behind premium cards like the United Quest Card and United Explorer Card. Outside airline spending, the 1 point per $1 on everything else falls significantly short: it ranks 56th out of 142 cards and trails no-fee alternatives by 2x to 5x. The 10% point bonus through a Bank of America account improves the effective rate, but only for BofA customers. This card works for its narrow audience because airline spending (for frequent flyers) is the majority of the spend, but diversification is weak.
Fees and APR
Does it pay for itself?
The $95 fee is standard for this tier. Whether it pays for itself depends entirely on hitting the $6,000 annual spend threshold to unlock the $99 companion fare. For Alaska or Hawaiian frequent flyers traveling with companions, the companion fare plus free checked bags (worth $30–$50 per person, per trip) usually exceed the fee within one or two trips. For non-frequent-flyers, the fee becomes a steady cost with limited offsetting value.
Welcome bonus
Is it worth chasing?
70,000 points plus a $99 companion fare (plus taxes and fees from $23) is a strong welcome offer—substantially better than most mid-tier cards. The 70,000 points alone can be worth $700–$900 depending on redemption (short-haul domestic flights start at 4,500 points). The companion fare is immediate value, but note the activation step: it doesn't post until you meet the $6,000 spend requirement in the first anniversary year. The $2,500 minimum spend in the first 3 months is easily manageable for frequent travelers.
Other benefits
- Annual $99 Companion Fare (plus taxes/fees from $23) after spending $6,000+ in prior anniversary year
- Free checked bag and preferred boarding for you and up to 6 guests on the same Alaska Airlines or Hawaiian Airlines reservation
- 20% back on Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines inflight purchases when paying with card
- $100 off annual Alaska Lounge+ Membership when purchased with card
- No blackout dates when redeeming points or using companion fare on Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines flights
- 10% bonus on all points earned from card purchases with eligible Bank of America account
- $0 fraud liability on unauthorized transactions
- Digital Wallet support: Apple Pay, Google Pay, Samsung Pay
Similar cards
Broader earning (3x travel via Chase portal, 3x dining, 1.5x other) and no airline lock-in, but costs the same $95—choose Sapphire if you want flexibility
Similar $95 fee with 10x travel rewards and stronger non-airline earning, but no airline-specific perks—better for general travel
Frequently asked questions
How much is the companion fare actually worth?
The companion fare covers a second seat at domestic base fares only (taxes, fees, and surcharges apply, starting at $23). On a typical domestic flight ($300–$400 roundtrip), the companion saves $300–$400 for a traveling companion, easily covering the $95 annual fee. On short-haul flights the savings are lower, but frequent travelers flying multiple times per year break even quickly.
Do I need to spend $6,000 every year to keep the companion fare?
Yes. The $99 companion fare renews annually, but only if you spent $6,000 or more in card purchases during the *prior* anniversary year. If you fall short, you don't earn the benefit that year. This is a key condition: casual travelers who don't hit $6,000 annually won't realize the headline benefit.
What if I don't fly Alaska or Hawaiian Airlines?
The card is not a good fit. The 1 point per $1 base rate ranks 56th out of 142 cards in the catalog, and you forfeit the 3x earning on airline purchases. A no-fee card like the Bank of America Unlimited Cash Rewards or a premium card like the Chase Sapphire Preferred offers far better value for general spending without tying you to a single airline.
Can I use Atmos points for other airlines?
Yes. Atmos points are accepted by Alaska Airlines partner airlines in the Oneworld alliance (including American Airlines, British Airways, and Qantas), and award-savvy travelers can often find excellent value on international flights with partners. However, you're still limited to Oneworld partners—this isn't the flexibility of a transfer-partner program like Chase Ultimate Rewards.
What is the $100 Alaska Lounge+ discount?
Cardholders receive a $100 credit toward an annual Alaska Lounge+ membership (which costs $70/year for Alaska card members). This effectively makes the membership free or nearly free, adding modest lounge access value if you fly Alaska or Hawaiian enough to justify the base membership cost.
Reviewed by YoungerFinance Editorial · Last updated August 10, 2026