Atmos Rewards Business card overview
The Atmos™ Rewards Visa Signature® Business Card is often overlooked, but it offers valuable Atmos Rewards points, a low annual fee and strong travel perks for Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines loyalists. Card rating*: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Atmos Rewards Business card benefits
The Atmos Rewards Business Card comes with all the standard perks you’d expect from a cobranded airline card and a few extra benefits — all for a reasonable $95 annual fee ($70 for your company and $25 per card).
First, you and up to six guests on the same reservation will get a free checked bag on Alaska and Hawaiian flights when you pay for your flight with the card. That’s savings of at least $60 per person for each round-trip domestic flight.
You’ll also enjoy preferred boarding when using this card to pay for your flight.
In addition, you’ll get 20% back on Alaska and Hawaiian inflight purchases (including food, beverages and Wi-Fi) and $100 off one Alaska Lounge+ membership annually.
Alaska Airlines lounge at LAX. BENJI STAWSKI/THE POINTS GUY
What really makes this card shine, though, is the Companion Fare. You get one as part of the current welcome bonus and another each year after spending $6,000 or more on purchases within your anniversary year.
With the Companion Fare, you can bring a guest along on any coach fare for only $99 plus the taxes and fees (from $23). The cardholder doesn’t need to be one of the travelers, but the flights must be paid for with your Atmos Rewards card.
Both travelers will earn Atmos Rewards points for the flight and are eligible for upgrades, which is great if you have Atmos Rewards elite status.
Additionally, cardholders will earn 1 status point for every $3 spent on purchases, with no cap.
If you travel internationally, it’ll come in handy that this card charges no foreign transaction fees.
Earning points on the Atmos Rewards Business card
With the Atmos Rewards Business, you’ll earn:
- 3 points per dollar spent on eligible Alaska and Hawaiian Airlines purchases
- 2 points per dollar at electric vehicle charging and gas stations, and on local transit (including ride-hailing services) and shipping purchases
- 1 point per dollar on all other eligible purchases
According to TPG’s valuations, this is a roughly 4.4%, 2.9% and 1.5% return on spending, respectively. While the rates are fair, other cards offer stronger returns on airfare purchases and everyday spending.
If you have an eligible Bank of America small-business account, you’ll enjoy a 10% bonus on all points earned, boosting your effective earning rates on these purchases.
Related: Airline baggage fees: How much it costs to check a bag on major US airlines
Redeeming points on the Atmos Rewards Business card
For most flights on Alaska and Hawaiian, you’ll pay between 4,500 and 17,500 points each way in economy. But while redemptions for domestic flights can provide good value, maximum value comes from booking premium international flights with partners.
With Cathay Pacific, you can fly from the U.S. to Asia in business class for only 75,000 points each way, and you can add a free stopover in Hong Kong on that ticket.
WALLACE COTTON/THE POINTS GUY
There are also plenty of ways to use Atmos Rewards points to book some of the most difficult awards to find: premium cabin flights to Australia or New Zealand. You can fly nonstop on American Airlines or Qantas or route through Asia with another partner.
You could even book Fiji Airways business class from 75,000 miles one-way to Oceania and add a free stopover in Fiji.
Atmos Rewards points are my favorite airline currency to collect. I recently redeemed 70,000 points (plus $18 in taxes) for a one-way flight from Los Angeles to Madrid in business class.
Which cards compete with the Atmos Rewards Business card?
When it comes to travel cards not specific to Alaska-Hawaiian that help you maximize your business spending, there are some better options:
- If you spend a lot in certain categories: Consider the American Express® Business Gold Card, which earns 4 Membership Rewards points per dollar spent on your two highest spending categories each billing cycle (on the first $150,000 in combined purchases each calendar year, then 1 point per dollar spent). To learn more, read our full review of the Amex Business Gold.
- If you spend a lot on everything: A card like the Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card (see rates and fees) might make more sense. You’ll earn 1.5% back on all purchases in the form of Chase Ultimate Rewards points, which can be significantly more valuable if you also have a premium Ultimate Rewards card. If you do, you’ll be able to access transfer partners. To learn more, read our full review of the Ink Business Unlimited.
- If you want simple rewards: The Capital One Venture X Business earns a flat 2 miles per dollar spent on most purchases, with boosted rates when booking through the Capital One Business Travel portal. This card also comes with extensive lounge access and an annual travel credit to help offset the $395 annual fee. To learn more, read our full review of the Capital One Venture X Business.
For additional options, check out our full list of the best business cards.
Related: The power of the Chase Trifecta: Maximize your earnings with 3 cards
Is the Atmos Rewards Business card worth it?
The Atmos Rewards Business Card has a low annual fee and lucrative ongoing perks. It’s a card that makes sense if you fly a lot with Alaska or Hawaiian and can take advantage of their loyalty program. For most people, it’s a card that’s easy to justify keeping long-term, but only if you take advantage of the Companion Fare each year.
Bottom line
The Atmos Rewards Business Card is a smart choice for business owners who regularly fly Alaska or Hawaiian Airlines. With a low annual fee, a valuable annual Companion Fare and solid travel perks, it’s a card that can easily pay for itself year after year.
However, if your goal is maximizing rewards on everyday business spending, other cards with broader bonus categories will likely serve you better.
Apply here: Atmos Rewards Business Card
Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.
