When I am asked for my opinion on the top credit cards for expats, I am usually met with surprised looks when I suggest the Atmos™ Rewards Summit Visa Infinite® credit card.
This is because most people think of Alaska Airlines as a regional Pacific Northwest airline, but that’s truly a thing of the past.
And in case you missed it, Alaska acquired Hawaiian Airlines and became the fifth largest airline by capacity in the United States, and started serving international long-haul destinations like Seoul, Tokyo, Rome and London.
As part of this growth spurt, Alaska Airlines also relaunched its loyalty program to Atmos Rewards, and, with it, rebranded its credit cards. Its premium consumer offering, the Atmos Rewards Summit Visa card, has become a fan favorite among the expat community for several reasons.
For starters, the card’s strongest selling point is simple: It earns elevated rewards on foreign purchases while also offering useful airline perks, lounge passes, elite-status support and access to international award partners.
That’s a compelling combination for any traveler, but it’s especially valuable for expats who spend heavily abroad and need reliable ways to get home.
Related: What to know about applying for and using a US credit card as an expat
Earning rewards
For starters, the Atmos Rewards Summit Visa lets you earn solid rewards, awarding 3 points per dollar spent on Alaska and Hawaiian Airlines flights, dining in the United States, and any foreign purchases. That means whatever you spend while outside the United States, whether that’s groceries, transit, utilities or other everyday purchases abroad, will earn the elevated rate.
All other U.S.-based purchases will net you the usual 1 point per dollar spent.
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As long as the transactions are processed in a foreign currency or outside of the United States, you will be earning at the bonus rate. This positions the card as great for those living abroad and consistently comes up on best-of lists for multiple kinds of travelers, especially those who regularly fly with Oneworld alliance member airlines like American Airlines, British Airways or Qantas.
Additionally, if you have an eligible Bank of America or Merrill account, you can earn a 10% bonus on all points earned, which equates to 3.3 points earned on all purchases abroad. While that may not sound like much, it adds up at the end of the year, getting you closer to your next award redemption a little quicker.
Related: How to earn Alaska Airlines Atmos Rewards points
Redeeming rewards
It’s also worth mentioning that Atmos Rewards points are some of the most valuable points you could be earning, especially for expats. That’s because Alaska Airlines partners with several airlines that provide members with a strong network of European and Asian partner airlines that can get you back and forth between the United States and Europe or Asia.
Those Atmos Rewards can help you redeem points on tickets for flights on British Airways, Iberia, Finnair, Icelandair, Condor, Starlux, Japan Airlines, Korean Air, Cathay Pacific and many others, making it much easier to find award flights between the United States and many parts of the world.
Some international route examples include:
| Redemption option | Starting price | Why it stands out |
|---|---|---|
|
Aer Lingus business class to Ireland
|
45,000 Atmos Rewards points each way (plus taxes and fees) |
One of the best sweet spots in the program, with lie-flat seats from East Coast gateways to Dublin. |
|
American Airlines Flagship Suite to London
|
55,000 Atmos Rewards points each way (plus taxes and fees) |
Access to American’s newest premium long-haul product on select routes to London. |
|
Fiji Airways business class to Fiji & Australia
|
85,000 Atmos Rewards points (plus taxes and fees) |
Thanks to Atmos Rewards’ stopover rules, travelers can visit Fiji and continue to Australia on the same business-class award ticket. |
Related: 10 best ways to redeem 100,000 Alaska Airlines Atmos Rewards points
Welcome bonus
The Atmos Rewards Summit Visa comes with a $395 annual fee. For a limited time, earn 100,000 bonus points and a 25,000-point Global Companion Award after spending $6,500 on purchases within the first 90 days of account opening. Plus, receive a 50% flight discount code for a qualifying future flight after opening your new account.
Based on TPG’s June 2026 valuations, this bonus is worth up to $1,750 when you include the value of the 25,000-point Global Companion Award.
Related: Best time to apply for Atmos Rewards cards based on offer history
Elite status
Atmos Rewards Summit Visa cardholders can get a jump-start on their elite status every year via a status boost and everyday spending.
Beginning with the first anniversary of becoming a cardholder, you will get 10,000 status points that can be used to help move up the Atmos Rewards ladder. Those points are automatically posted when you pay the annual fee at card renewal.
Additionally, for every 2 dollars spent on purchases, the card earns you 1 status point, with no cap on how many you can earn.
Since Atmos Rewards Silver status requires 20,000 points, you could reach it with $20,000 in annual spend. Atmos Gold status comes in at 40,000 status points, so you’ll need to spend $60,000 in annual spend to reach the middle tier of Atmos Rewards.
Related: Is the Atmos Rewards Summit worth the annual fee?
Global Companion Awards
Planning to travel with a friend or family member? The Atmos Rewards Summit Visa card comes with a 25,000-point Global Companion Award every year after your account anniversary (and with the current limited-time welcome bonus).
With it, you can redeem award travel for you and your companion and effectively wipe out 25,000 points off of your companion’s ticket. And the best part about the companion awards is that it works on any Alaska Airlines, Hawaiian Airlines and partner airline award tickets.
For example, say a one-way award from O’Hare International Airport (ORD) to Leonardo da Vinci International Airport (FCO) costs 35,000 Atmos Rewards points in American Airlines Premium Economy. You’d pay the full 35,000 points for the first ticket, but if you apply a 25,000-point Global Companion Award, the second ticket would cost just 10,000 points (plus taxes and fees).
If you spend more than $60,000 in a calendar year, you can unlock a second, 100,000-point Global Companion Award that works just like the previous one, but can save you even more points off an award redemption.
Related: Why American Airlines flyers should pay attention to Alaska Airlines Atmos Rewards
Extra perks
When you use your Atmos Rewards Summit to pay for your Alaska or Hawaiian Airlines flights, you and up to six guests on the same reservation enjoy the first checked bag free (which can save you as much as $45 per bag on domestic flights) as well as preferred boarding, which can help you get to your seats with your carry-on luggage before all the overhead bin space is gone.
Just by virtue of holding this card, you are able to share the Atmos Rewards points you earn with up to 10 other Atmos Rewards members. That can make it easier to pool points with family members or friends, whether you’re planning a visit home or hoping to bring loved ones out to see you.
The card also helps expats who travel regularly by offering an up to $120 airport security statement credit every 4 years, which can help offset the cost of TSA PreCheck or Global Entry membership fees. That way, you’re not just saving money on application fees but also precious time at security checkpoints in the United States and at passport control when coming back into the country.
To top it off, the card comes with eight Alaska Lounge passes annually (two per quarter) so you can enjoy your time at the airport before catching your flight, as well as eight Wi-Fi passes every year (also two per quarter) so you can stay connected while flying.
Related: Why the Atmos Rewards Summit was our favorite new personal credit card last year
Bottom line
The Atmos Rewards Summit Infinite Credit Card packs a punch with best-in-class points earning for expats living abroad. It’s not easy to find a card that offers so many benefits all in one package.
The points earned from your purchases let you bring your family out to visit you or, vice versa, visit them, via Alaska Airlines’ ever-expanding network of partners. If you’re an expat living outside the U.S., this card may be one of the strongest options available.
To learn more, read our full review of the Atmos Rewards Summit Visa.
Apply here: Atmos Rewards Summit Visa Infinite
Stacie Harris is a local resident and reporter of the Maple Grove area. Stacie reports on medicine and science for the Maple Grove Report.
