The Atmos Rewards Ascent edges out the Southwest Plus for most cardholders — it wins on 3 of 4 comparison categories and offers 85,000 pts signup bonus earns more (up to 3x vs 2x). The Southwest Plus is the better choice if you prioritize a different rewards ecosystem.
Atmos Rewards Ascent vs Southwest Plus
Side-by-side comparison of fees, rewards, benefits, and transfer partners.
Comparison Method
CardCurator compares measurable differences first: annual fee, current welcome offer, top-end earning, and recurring credits. If the cards are close, the right answer depends on spending pattern and perk usage rather than headline prestige.
- Alaska/Hawaiian Airlines 3x
- Gas Stations 2x
- EV Charging 2x
- Southwest Purchases 2x
- Gas Stations and Grocery Stores 2x
- All Other Purchases 1x
- free checked bag and preferred boarding (~$70/yr)
- $100 off an annual Alaska Lounge+ membership (~$100/yr)
- Enjoy 20% back on all Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines in-flight purchases (~$20/yr)
- Annual $99 Companion Fare. Get a $99 Companion Fare (plus taxes and fees from $23) each account anniversary after you spend $6,000 or more on purchases within the prior anniversary year. Valid on all Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines flights within North America booked on AlaskaAir.comAfter $6,000 spend
Quick summary
A short version of the comparison with the main differences at a glance.
The Atmos Rewards Ascent edges out the Southwest Plus for most cardholders — it wins on 3 of 4 comparison categories and offers 85,000 pts signup bonus earns more (up to 3x vs 2x). The Southwest Plus is the better choice if you prioritize a different rewards ecosystem. On raw upside, Atmos Rewards Ascent tops out at 3x versus 2x for Southwest Plus. Current signup bonus values are roughly $850 for Atmos Rewards Ascent and $800 for Southwest Plus. Updated May 30, 2026. Source: https://cardcurator.ai/compare/atmos-rewards-ascent-vs-southwest-plus
- Atmos Rewards Ascent wins 3 of 4 comparison categories in CardCurator's quick verdict model.
- Top earn rate: Atmos Rewards Ascent reaches 3x; Southwest Plus reaches 2x.
- Annual fee: Atmos Rewards Ascent is $95/yr; Southwest Plus is $99/yr.
- Current public bonus values are approximately $850 and $800.
Common Questions: Atmos Rewards Ascent vs Southwest Plus
Is the Atmos Rewards Ascent or Southwest Plus better for dining?
Neither card offers a specific dining bonus — both earn their base rate on restaurant purchases.
Which has the higher signup bonus in 2026?
Atmos Rewards Ascent currently offers 85,000 pts signup bonus (spend $4,500 in 4 months). Southwest Plus offers 80,000 pts signup bonus (spend $1,000 in 3 months). Atmos Rewards Ascent has the larger bonus.
Which card is better for international travel?
Both cards charge no foreign transaction fees, making either a solid choice for international travel.
Can I hold both the Atmos Rewards Ascent and the Southwest Plus?
In most cases yes — holding both is allowed and can be a smart strategy for maximizing rewards across different spending categories. Atmos Rewards Ascent is from Bank of America and Southwest Plus is from Chase, so they're governed by separate bank policies.