1 week ago
17
Sept. 03, 2025
•
7 min read
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Editor's Note
This is a recurring post, regularly updated with new information.
Quick summary
- Several credit cards offer benefits when booking Alaska Airlines flights, with some providing Alaska- and Hawaiian-specific perks like free checked bags and inflight discounts.
- Cards tied to the Atmos Rewards program deliver the most Alaska- and Hawaiian-related benefits, including preferred boarding and companion fare offers.
- General travel rewards cards may yield higher overall reward value, especially for those who do not need airline-specific perks.
- Elite status with Alaska, American or other Oneworld carriers can make airline card benefits redundant, as perks like free checked bags and priority boarding are already included.
What to consider
- To access airline-specific perks such as free checked bags or inflight discounts, you must pay with the relevant card.
- General travel rewards cards may offer more flexible rewards and travel protections but typically lack Alaska- or Hawaiian-specific benefits.
- TPG's September 2025 valuations estimate Atmos Rewards points at 4.5 cents each, with other programs ranging from 3.7 to 16.4 cents per point depending on redemption method.
What you'll miss from the article
- A detailed comparison of which card types best suit different Alaska Airlines flyers, including tradeoffs between airline-specific perks and flexible rewards.
Generated by AI with support from our editorial team.
Before booking your next Alaska Airlines flight, you might wonder which credit card to use. Is the one that reads "Atmos Rewards" on the front your best option, or should you pay with a different card?
Atmos Rewards is the new joint loyalty program from Alaska and Hawaiian Airlines and it offers three credit cards from Bank of America that could make sense.
Let's compare these credit cards to see what your best option is for booking Alaska flights.
Comparing credit cards for Alaska Airlines flights
Here's a look at some popular credit card options for Alaska flights, including what you would earn from these payment methods and any benefits they offer during the flight:
| Atmos™ Rewards Ascent Visa Signature® Credit Card | 3 points per dollar spent | 4.5 cents |
| $95 |
| Atmos™ Rewards Visa Signature® Business Card | 3 points per dollar | 4.5 cents |
| $70 for the company and $25 for each card issued |
| Atmos™ Rewards Summit Visa Infinite® Credit Card | 3 points per dollar | 4.5 cents |
| $395 |
| Hawaiian Airlines® World Elite Mastercard® | 3 points per dollar
(Currently, miles go to your HawaiianMiles account, but after Sept. 30, points will go into your Atmos Rewards account.) | 4.5 cents |
| $99 |
| Hawaiian Airlines® World Elite Business Mastercard® | 3 points per dollar
(Currently, miles go to your HawaiianMiles account, but after Sept. 30, points will go into your Atmos Rewards account.) | 4.5 cents | One-time 50% off companion discount | $99 |
| The Platinum Card® from American Express | 5 points per dollar (on up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year, then 1 point per dollar) | 10 cents | None, but you can choose Alaska Airlines as your preferred airline to cover up to $200 per year in airline incidental credits for things like checked baggage or preferred seat fees (enrollment required) | $695 (see rates and fees) |
| Chase Sapphire Reserve® (see rates and fees) | 4 points per dollar (or 8 points per dollar if booked through Chase Travel℠) | 8.2 cents (or 16.4 cents) | None, but you can offset some of your purchases with the $300 in annual travel credits offered on the card | $795 |
| Citi Strata Premier® Card (see rates and fees) | 3 points per dollar | 5.7 cents | None | $95 |
| American Express® Green Card | 3 points per dollar | 6 cents | None | $150 |
| Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card | 2 miles per dollar (or 5 miles per dollar if booked in the Capital One Travel portal) | 3.7 cents (or 9.3 cents) | None, but you can offset some of your purchases with the $300 annual travel credit available when booking through Capital One Travel | $395 |
*Bonus value is an estimated value calculated by TPG's September 2025 valuations and not the card issuer.
**Must pay with the card to receive benefits
The information for the Hawaiian Airlines World Elite, Hawaiian Airlines World Elite Business and American Express Green Card has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
Atmos Rewards Ascent vs. Business: Which $95 Alaska-Hawaiian card should you get?
Which card should you use for Alaska Airlines flights?
Atmos Rewards' own cobranded credit cards offer the most incentives when booking Alaska-operated flights. By using one of these three cards, you'll receive a free checked bag, preferred boarding and an inflight discount.
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When using the personal Hawaiian Airlines card, you'll receive two free checked bags on Alaska flights.
On the other hand, if you never check a bag with Alaska and don't care about priority boarding, a general travel rewards card will usually earn you more rewards.
This also holds true for anyone with elite status on Alaska, American Airlines or really any Oneworld carrier. That's because you're entitled to free checked bags and priority boarding (along with other perks, depending on your tier of status), regardless of the card you buy your ticket with.
Related: Your complete guide to Oneworld alliance benefits
Bottom line
If you fly Alaska or Hawaiian with any regularity, an Atmos Rewards card is likely your best choice. The free checked bag, preferred boarding and inflight discounts can easily outweigh the annual fee, making these cards a strong value for loyal flyers.
However, if you already receive those perks through elite status or prefer earning flexible rewards with built-in travel protections, a travel rewards credit card is the smarter pick.
Choose Atmos to maximize Alaska-specific benefits; choose a general travel rewards card to maximize overall flexibility.
Related: Are airline credit cards worth it anymore?
For rates and fees of the Amex Platinum card, click here
Featured image by
ALASKA AIRLINES
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.
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