Alaska Airlines just reinvented its loyalty program with the launch of Atmos Rewards, but the biggest headline for many travelers might just be the airline's new Atmos™ Rewards Summit Visa Infinite® Card.
This card comes packed with perks like lounge access, an innovative new global companion award … and of course, a big welcome offer. But one of its most underrated benefits could prove huge for international travelers: Earn unlimited 3x points per dollar spent on foreign purchases. Yes, you read that right … any purchase made outside of the U.S or in a foreign currency will earn you 3x points per dollar spent – and you won't pay any foreign transaction fees either.
From hotels and tours to dining and even souvenirs, each dollar you spend (or the foreign equivalent, rather) will earn you bonus points when using the Atmos Rewards Summit card. That instantly makes it the most rewarding option for global travelers – and since it's a Visa, you shouldn't have any trouble using it abroad.
While earning 3x points on foreign purchases isn't far and away the best return on your spending – Capital One's Venture cards earn unlimited 2x miles on all purchases, at home and abroad – it's indisputably better. Considering the insane value you can get from Alaska miles Atmos points, earning them at a faster clip on your foreign purchases is hardly a bad thing.
Read on for more details about this card and why we think it's the most rewarding option for international travelers.
Thrifty Tip: In the market for a new travel card, but unsure where to start? Check out CardPilot, our brand-new tool designed to help beginners and experts alike choose the right card to fuel their travels!
Atmos™ Rewards Summit Visa Infinite® Card Overview
- Welcome offer: Earn 100,000 Atmos Rewards points and a new 25,000-point Global Companion Award after spending $6,000 in the first 90 days.
- Earn 3x points per dollar spent on dining, foreign purchases, and Alaska & Hawaiian Airlines purchases.
- Earn 1x points per dollar spent on all other purchases
- Plus, earn a 10% rewards bonus on all points earned from card purchases if you have an eligible Bank of America® account.
- Global Companion Award: Each year upon renewal, cardholders get a 25,000-point companion certificate, reducing the cost of a companion’s ticket by 25,000 points when booking award travel for two people on the same itinerary.
- Spend $60,000 a year on the card and you’ll get a second 100,000-point Global Companion Award.
- Alaska lounge passes: Get eight Alaska Lounge passes per year (two per quarter). Each pass covers a full travel day – allowing you to access multiple lounges in Alaska's network if you've got connections.
- Status points: On each account anniversary year, you will receive 10,000 status points. Plus, earn 1 status point for every $2 spent on net purchases (exclusive of any fees, such as the annual fee).
- Waived partner award booking fees: When booking award tickets on other carriers, cardholders will have the $12.50 partner award booking fee waived. You'll still pay mandatory government taxes and fees on award tickets.
- Instant travel delay credit: If your Alaska Airlines (or any of its subsidiaries) flight is canceled or delayed by two or more hours on the day of departure, you will receive a $50 voucher redeemable at eligible merchants.
- Same-day change fee waiver: Enjoy waived fees for same-day confirmed Alaska Airlines flight changes – a savings of up to $50 per change.
- Free checked bag & preferred boarding: Get a free checked bag for the cardholder plus six companions on Alaska or Hawaiian flights, plus preferred boarding on Alaska.
- Global Entry or TSA PreCheck® credit: Get a credit of up to $120 to cover the cost of either Global Entry or TSA PreCheck every four years.
- Points sharing: Share and redeem your accumulated points with up to 10 additional Atmos™ Rewards members.
- $395 annual fee
All information about the Atmos™ Rewards Summit Visa Infinite® Card has been collected independently by Thrifty Traveler and has not been verified by the issuer.
Learn More about the Atmos™ Rewards Summit Visa Infinite® Card (for full disclosure, this is not an affiliate link).
Why This Card is Best for International Travelers
Let's start with the obvious: Being able to earn unlimited 3x points on all foreign purchases is without a doubt what makes this card the most rewarding option for international travelers.
Sure, that's not significantly better than the unlimited 2x miles you'll earn on all purchases with the *capital one venture card* or the *venture x*. Meanwhile, other cards are even more rewarding in select categories. The *amex gold card* earns 4x points at restaurants worldwide (up to $50,000 spent each year, then 1x), for example.
But the beauty of using the Atmos Rewards Summit card for all foreign purchases is that it's the perfect one-card solution. You don't need to worry about whether or not your spending will fall into a specific bonus category or try to juggle multiple cards when you head abroad. So long as the purchase is made outside of the U.S. (or in a foreign currency), you can rest easy knowing you'll be earning bonus points.
When you factor in that it’s a Visa – meaning it’s widely accepted abroad (unlike some other cards, looking at you, Amex) – plus the lack of foreign transaction fees, this card could easily be the only one you need for your next trip overseas.
Beyond the 3x point earning on purchases, the Atmos Rewards Summit Card also comes with some really strong travel protections that further enhance its value for both international and domestic travelers. With primary auto rental coverage, you can skip the rental car company's pricey add-on policy while still having peace of mind, knowing you're covered.
Other benefits, like trip delay, cancellation, and interruption coverage, can help you out if your travel plans get upended and you have to pay out-of-pocket for added expenses like a hotel room and meals. And the card's lost luggage reimbursement will help you out if the airline misplaces your bag.
Add it all up, and this card could just be the perfect one-size-fits-all solution for globetrotting travelers.
Is it Worth It?
Even though this card is indisputably the most rewarding option for travelers heading abroad, it's fair to wonder whether or not it really matters.
I like to think that I travel more than most. With maybe a dozen trips per year by air, and typically three or four of those out of the country, is that enough to move the needle?
For me, the answer is no – not on it's own. But when I look at the totality of what's offered with the Atmos Rewards Summit Card, from the annual global companion award to waived partner award booking fees, Alaska Lounge passes, and its (relatively) modest annual fee, I think this card is a winner. The added bonus of earning unlimited 3x points per dollar on foreign purchases is really just the cherry on top.
But the bonus points alone could make it worthwhile for those who travel internationally more than I do. If you're an expat living abroad full-time (but still eligible for U.S. credit cards) or even a retiree who spends their winters in a warm-weather location like Mexico or Central America, this feature could help you rack up miles in a hurry.
Where It Falls Short
It's not all sunshine and rainbows with the Atmos Rewards Summit Card. It has one glaring benefit missing that we're accustomed to seeing on cards in this price range: Priority Pass lounge access.
This benefit is practically a dime a dozen on premium travel cards these days, so its absence isn't particularly heartbreaking for anyone with other high-priced cards in their wallet. But it could prove costly for anyone looking to make this their sole card. While Priority Pass lounge access in the States isn't much to get excited about, these lounges are much more plentiful (and nice) abroad.
Take the VIP Lounge in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic (PUJ), for example. This is the only lounge in the world (to my knowledge) that has a pool with tarmac views. Forget hanging out in the crowded terminal and instead go for a dip, soaking every last bit of sun, before heading home from vacation – all you need is a Priority Pass membership to get in.
If having lounge access is important to you, the *venture x* and its identical $395 annual fee could be the better choice. Just know, Capital One recently announced some nasty lounge changes coming to the card early next year. You'll no longer get free guest access at Priority Pass lounges, instead having to pay a $35 fee per guest each time you visit one.
With the card's annual $300 Capital One Travel credit and 10,000-mile anniversary bonus, it's still a winner … but this change no doubt stings for those traveling with a companion.
Bottom Line
Alaska Airlines just launched its new Atmos™ Rewards Summit Visa Infinite® Card, offering travelers a powerful mix of perks, including a big welcome bonus, lounge access, and an annual companion award.
One of its standout features is unlimited 3x points on all foreign purchases, making it an especially strong option for international travelers since it’s a widely accepted Visa with no foreign transaction fees. This benefit alone makes it one of the most compelling choices for frequent globetrotters.
Learn More about the Atmos™ Rewards Summit Visa Infinite® Card (for full disclosure, this is not an affiliate link).
