Bank of America has unveiled an upgraded credit card option under the newly unified Atmos Rewards program, offering business users a compelling sign-up incentive and a suite of benefits tailored for frequent flyers of Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines. The Atmos Rewards Visaยฎ Business Card now features an enhanced welcome bonus of 85,000 points along with a discounted $99 Companion Fare after meeting spending requirements, marking a significant upgrade from its predecessor.
New Atmos Rewards Visa Business Card Offers Substantial Sign-Up Bonus
The Atmos Rewards program was introduced to merge the loyalty systems of Alaska Airlinesโ Mileage Plan and Hawaiian Airlinesโ HawaiianMiles into a single, streamlined rewards platform. Alongside the program launch came three credit card offerings, including the newly designed Atmos Rewards Summit Visa Infiniteยฎ card, a refreshed Atmos Rewards Ascent Visa Signatureยฎ card (which replaced the former Alaska Airlines personal card), and the focus of this update, the Atmos Rewards Visa Business Card, which replaces the earlier Alaska Airlines business credit card.
The new Atmos Rewards Visa Business card rewards new customers with an 85,000-point bonus, plus a $99 Companion Fare (taxes and fees from $23) once they spend $5,000 or more within the first 90 days of opening their account. This offer surpasses the initial launch bonus of 80,000 points, making it an attractive option for small business owners and frequent travelers alike.
Key Card Features and Benefits
Designed to appeal to businesses that rely heavily on air travel within North America and Hawaii, the Atmos Rewards Visa Business Card offers a variety of travel-centric rewards and perks:
- Earning Structure:
- 3 miles per dollar on purchases directly with Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines.
- 2 miles per dollar on eligible local transit (including rideshare), gas, electric vehicle charging, and shipping purchases.
- 1 mile per dollar on all other purchases.
- Companion Fare: Annual Companion Fare starting at $121 (including $99 fare plus taxes and fees from $22) for flights operated by Alaska Airlines or Hawaiian Airlines within North America and Hawaii.
- Additional Travel Perks:
- Free checked bag for the cardholder and up to six guests on the same reservation on Alaska Airlines flights.
- 20% discount on Wi-Fi, beverages, and other inflight extras purchased with the card on both airlines.
- Discounted lounge access with a 50% reduction on Alaska Lounge day passes and $100 off an annual Alaska Lounge+ Membership.
- No foreign transaction fees, making the card useful for international travel through partner routes.
- Bonus Incentives:
- Earn 1 status point for every $3 spent on eligible purchases, with a maximum of 30,000 status points per calendar year.
- 10% rewards bonus on all miles earned from purchases if the cardholderโs company maintains an eligible Bank of America small business account.
These features aim to foster brand loyalty among Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines customers, rewarding not only flight expenditures but also business-related travel spending through local transit and shipping.
Annual Fee and Costs
The card carries an annual fee of $95, which breaks down into $70 for the company and $25 per authorized user card. This fee remains competitive relative to other airline-branded business credit cards in the market that often charge above $100 annually.
Bank of Americaโs Credit Card Application Rules
Prospective applicants should consider Bank of Americaโs specific credit card policies that could affect approval odds. The bank enforces what is known as the 2/3/4 rule, which limits applicants to two new Bank of America cards in the past two months, three accounts in the past 12 months, and four in the last 24 months. Additionally, the 3/12 or 7/12 rule applies depending on whether an applicant holds a Bank of America deposit account; holders can open up to seven cards in a 12-month span, while non-account holders face a three-card limit.
Crucially, Bank of America does not impose a hard cap on the total number of credit cards a customer can hold but maintains an aggregate credit limit based on the applicantโs income, credit score, and other risk factors. In some cases, multiple applications submitted on the same day may be consolidated into a single credit inquiry to reduce impact on credit scores.
Industry Context and Expert Perspectives
The consolidation of Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines loyalty programs reflects a trend toward airline partnerships simplifying travel rewards ecosystems, making it easier for consumers to earn and redeem points across multiple carriers. The introduction of the Atmos Rewards Visa suite aligns banks and airlines strategically to capitalize on business travelโs return amid fluctuating market conditions post-pandemic.
โBusiness travelers represent a vital segment for airline-issued credit cards. Cards like the Atmos Rewards Visa Business not only incentivize loyalty but also provide real value through companion fares and status point accumulation,โ said travel industry analyst Jessica Morales of Route Analytics. โThese perks help airlines compete in a saturated credit card landscape where consumers weigh rewards carefully against annual fees.โ
Bank of Americaโs tie-in with Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines extends its portfolio in the airline co-branded credit space, seeking to lure small business customers with enhanced rewards tailored to travel-heavy spend categories such as fuel, transit, and shipping.
Broader Implications for Business Travelers
The robust reward structure and benefits of the Atmos Rewards Visa Business Card suggest a strong appeal for businesses with a travel footprint centered on Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlinesโ route networks. The Companion Fare, in particular, offers tangible savings for small and medium-sized companies looking to cut travel costs without compromising flexibility.
Moreover, the no foreign transaction fee feature combined with discounts on ancillary purchases incentivizes consistent card use on airline spend and related expenses, potentially increasing overall rewards accumulation.
Conclusion and Outlook
As airlines continue to innovate loyalty offerings and partner with financial institutions to launch competitive credit card products, the Atmos Rewards Visa Business Card presents a promising opportunity for businesses seeking to maximize travel rewards. With a substantial 85,000-point sign-up bonus and comprehensive travel-related perks, Bank of Americaโs latest offering is positioned to attract frequent flyers and expand loyalty program membership under the unified Atmos Rewards umbrella.
Travelers and business owners interested in applying should review Bank of Americaโs application guidelines and assess their current credit card portfolio to optimize approval chances for this lucrative new card.
For further information and detailed strategies, visit resources such asย ย PGN Business Insiderย
