Atmos Rewards Ascent Visa Signature Credit Card
The Atmos Rewards Ascent Visa Signature (formerly the Alaska Airlines Visa Signature) is the workhorse of the Atmos card lineup. At a $95 annual fee, it carries the famous $99 Companion Fare and now earns 1 status point for every $3 spent — uncapped as of January 1, 2026. The Companion Fare alone usually pays back the annual fee. For most Atmos members who fly a few times a year, this is the right card.
Welcome offer
80,000 bonus points and a $99 Companion Fare (plus taxes and fees from $23) after spending $4,000 on purchases within the first 120 days. Plus a 50% flight discount code for a qualifying future flight after opening the account.
Earning rates
- 3 points per $1 on eligible Alaska and Hawaiian Airlines purchases
- 2 points per $1 on eligible gas, EV charging, cable/streaming, and local transit (including ride-hailing)
- 1 point per $1 on all other purchases
Status math: how much status this card earns at common spend levels
| Annual spend | From spend | Anniversary boost | Total status points | % of Atmos Gold (40K) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $5,000 | 1,666 | 0 | 1,666 | 4% |
| $10,000 | 3,333 | 0 | 3,333 | 8% |
| $25,000 | 8,333 | 0 | 8,333 | 21% |
| $50,000 | 16,666 | 0 | 16,666 | 42% |
| $100,000 | 33,333 | 0 | 33,333 | 83% |
Earning rate: 1 SP per $3, no spending cap.
Who this card is for
Casual to moderate Alaska/Hawaiian flyers, Companion Fare users, and members who want some status contribution from spend without the Summit card's $395 annual fee.
Signature perks
- Annual $99 Companion Fare on Alaska Airlines (taxes/fees from $23)
- First checked bag free for the cardholder and up to 6 companions on the same reservation
- 3x on rent paid through Bilt up to $50,000 per calendar year
- No foreign transaction fees
Drawbacks
- Status earning is meaningfully lower than Summit (1 SP per $3 vs 1 SP per $2)
- No anniversary status point boost
- Companion Fare requires the partner to pay taxes/fees ($23 minimum) — not truly free
Best for
Casual Alaska flyers who use the Companion Fare and want a low-fee everyday card.
Frequently asked questions
How many status points does the Atmos Ascent card earn?
1 status point for every $3 of net purchases, with no cap. Annual fee and other fees do not earn status points, and bonus spend categories do not earn additional status points beyond that flat rate. The 30,000-point cap that applied in 2025 was lifted on January 1, 2026.
Is the Ascent card worth $95 a year?
Yes for most Alaska flyers. The $99 Companion Fare alone typically saves $100–$300+ depending on the route, easily paying back the fee. Free first checked bag is a bonus.
What is the Atmos Ascent's welcome bonus?
80,000 bonus points and a $99 Companion Fare after spending $4,000 in the first 120 days, plus a 50% flight discount code on a qualifying future flight.