When I’m requested for my opinion on the highest bank cards for expats, I’m often met with stunned appears to be like once I counsel the Atmos™ Rewards Summit Visa Infinite® credit card.
It’s because most individuals consider Alaska Airways as a regional Pacific Northwest airline, however that is actually a factor of the previous.
And in case you missed it, Alaska acquired Hawaiian Airways and have become the fifth largest airline by capability in the US, and began serving worldwide long-haul locations like Seoul, Tokyo, Rome and London.
As a part of this progress spurt, Alaska Airways additionally relaunched its loyalty program to Atmos Rewards, and, with it, rebranded its bank cards. Its premium shopper providing, the Atmos Rewards Summit Visa card, has develop into a fan favourite among the many expat group for a number of causes.
For starters, the cardboard’s strongest promoting level is easy: It earns elevated rewards on international purchases whereas additionally providing helpful airline perks, lounge passes, elite-status help and entry to worldwide award companions.
That is a compelling mixture for any traveler, nevertheless it’s particularly precious for expats who spend closely overseas and want dependable methods to get house.
Associated: What to know about applying for and using a US credit card as an expat
Incomes rewards
For starters, the Atmos Rewards Summit Visa enables you to earn stable rewards, awarding 3 factors per greenback spent on Alaska and Hawaiian Airways flights, eating in the US, and any international purchases. Which means no matter you spend whereas outdoors the US, whether or not that is groceries, transit, utilities or different on a regular basis purchases overseas, will earn the elevated charge.
All different U.S.-based purchases will internet you the same old 1 level per greenback spent.
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So long as the transactions are processed in a international foreign money or outdoors of the US, you can be incomes on the bonus charge. This positions the cardboard as nice for these dwelling overseas and persistently comes up on best-of lists for a number of sorts of vacationers, particularly those that usually fly with Oneworld alliance member airways like American Airlines, British Airways or Qantas.
Moreover, in case you have an eligible Bank of America or Merrill account, you’ll be able to earn a ten% bonus on all factors earned, which equates to three.3 factors earned on all purchases overseas. Whereas that won’t sound like a lot, it provides up on the finish of the 12 months, getting you nearer to your subsequent award redemption a little bit faster.
Associated: How to earn Alaska Airlines Atmos Rewards points
Redeeming rewards
It is also price mentioning that Atmos Rewards factors are a number of the most dear factors you could possibly be incomes, particularly for expats. That is as a result of Alaska Airways companions with a number of airways that present members with a robust community of European and Asian companion airways that may get you forwards and backwards between the US and Europe or Asia.
These Atmos Rewards may help you redeem points on tickets for flights on British Airways, Iberia, Finnair, Icelandair, Condor, Starlux, Japan Airways, Korean Air, Cathay Pacific and lots of others, making it a lot simpler to search out award flights between the US and lots of components of the world.
Some worldwide route examples embody:
| Redemption possibility | Beginning worth | Why it stands out |
|---|---|---|
|
Aer Lingus enterprise class to Eire
|
45,000 Atmos Rewards factors every approach (plus taxes and charges) |
Top-of-the-line candy spots in this system, with lie-flat seats from East Coast gateways to Dublin. |
|
American Airways Flagship Suite to London
|
55,000 Atmos Rewards factors every approach (plus taxes and charges) |
Entry to American’s latest premium long-haul product on choose routes to London. |
|
Fiji Airways enterprise class to Fiji & Australia
|
85,000 Atmos Rewards factors (plus taxes and charges) |
Because of Atmos Rewards’ stopover guidelines, vacationers can go to Fiji and proceed to Australia on the identical business-class award ticket. |
Associated: 10 best ways to redeem 100,000 Alaska Airlines Atmos Rewards points
Welcome bonus
The Atmos Rewards Summit Visa comes with a $395 annual charge. For a restricted time, earn 100,000 bonus points and a 25,000-point International Companion Award after spending $6,500 on purchases throughout the first 90 days of account opening. Plus, obtain a 50% flight low cost code for a qualifying future flight after opening your new account.
Based mostly on TPG’s June 2026 valuations, this bonus is price as much as $1,750 once you embody the worth of the 25,000-point International Companion Award.
Associated: Best time to apply for Atmos Rewards cards based on offer history
Elite standing
Atmos Rewards Summit Visa cardholders can get a jump-start on their elite status yearly by way of a standing enhance and on a regular basis spending.
Starting with the primary anniversary of changing into a cardholder, you’ll get 10,000 standing factors that can be utilized to assist transfer up the Atmos Rewards ladder. These factors are routinely posted once you pay the annual charge at card renewal.
Moreover, for each 2 {dollars} spent on purchases, the cardboard earns you 1 standing level, with no cap on what number of you’ll be able to earn.
Since Atmos Rewards Silver standing requires 20,000 factors, you could possibly attain it with $20,000 in annual spend. Atmos Gold standing is available in at 40,000 standing factors, so you will must spend $60,000 in annual spend to achieve the center tier of Atmos Rewards.
Associated: Is the Atmos Rewards Summit worth the annual fee?
International Companion Awards
Planning to journey with a pal or member of the family? The Atmos Rewards Summit Visa card comes with a 25,000-point Global Companion Award yearly after your account anniversary (and with the present limited-time welcome bonus).
With it, you’ll be able to redeem award journey for you and your companion and successfully wipe out 25,000 factors off of your companion’s ticket. And the very best half in regards to the companion awards is that it really works on any Alaska Airways, Hawaiian Airways and partner airline award tickets.
For instance, say a one-way award from O’Hare Worldwide Airport (ORD) to Leonardo da Vinci Worldwide Airport (FCO) prices 35,000 Atmos Rewards factors in American Airways Premium Economic system. You’d pay the total 35,000 factors for the primary ticket, however if you happen to apply a 25,000-point International Companion Award, the second ticket would value simply 10,000 factors (plus taxes and charges).
In case you spend greater than $60,000 in a calendar 12 months, you’ll be able to unlock a second, 100,000-point International Companion Award that works identical to the earlier one, however can prevent much more factors off an award redemption.
Associated: Why American Airlines flyers should pay attention to Alaska Airlines Atmos Rewards
Additional perks
While you use your Atmos Rewards Summit to pay on your Alaska or Hawaiian Airways flights, you and as much as six company on the identical reservation benefit from the first checked bag free (which may prevent as a lot as $45 per bag on home flights) in addition to most well-liked boarding, which may help you get to your seats along with your carry-on baggage earlier than all of the overhead bin house is gone.
Simply by advantage of holding this card, you’ll be able to share the Atmos Rewards factors you earn with as much as 10 different Atmos Rewards members. That may make it simpler to pool factors with members of the family or mates, whether or not you are planning a go to house or hoping to deliver family members out to see you.
The cardboard additionally helps expats who journey usually by providing an as much as $120 airport safety assertion credit score each 4 years, which may help offset the price of TSA PreCheck or Global Entry membership charges. That approach, you are not simply saving cash on utility charges but additionally treasured time at safety checkpoints in the US and at passport management when coming again into the nation.
To high it off, the cardboard comes with eight Alaska Lounge passes yearly (two per quarter) so you’ll be able to get pleasure from your time on the airport earlier than catching your flight, in addition to eight Wi-Fi passes yearly (additionally two per quarter) so you’ll be able to keep linked whereas flying.
Associated: Why the Atmos Rewards Summit was our favorite new personal credit card last year
Backside line
The Atmos Rewards Summit Infinite Credit score Card packs a punch with best-in-class factors incomes for expats dwelling overseas. It isn’t simple to discover a card that provides so many advantages multi function package deal.
The factors earned out of your purchases allow you to deliver your loved ones out to go to you or, vice versa, go to them, by way of Alaska Airways’ ever-expanding community of companions. In case you’re an expat dwelling outdoors the U.S., this card could also be one of many strongest choices accessible.
To be taught extra, learn our full review of the Atmos Rewards Summit Visa.
Apply right here: Atmos Rewards Summit Visa Infinite
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