The Southwest Priority edges out the Atmos Rewards Ascent for most cardholders — it wins on 3 of 4 comparison categories and offers 85,000 pts signup bonus earns more (up to 4x vs 3x). The Atmos Rewards Ascent is the better choice if you want no or lower annual fee.
Atmos Rewards Ascent vs Southwest Priority
Side-by-side comparison of fees, rewards, benefits, and transfer partners.
- Alaska/Hawaiian Airlines 3x
- Gas Stations 2x
- EV Charging 2x
- Southwest Airlines 4x
- Restaurants 2x
- Gas Stations 2x
- Travel Credit $75
- 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
- 2,500 Tier Qualifying Points toward A-List statusAfter $5,000 spend
Common Questions: Atmos Rewards Ascent vs Southwest Priority
Is the Atmos Rewards Ascent or Southwest Priority better for dining?
Atmos Rewards Ascent has no dining bonus; Southwest Priority earns 2x on dining.
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 Priority offers 85,000 pts signup bonus (spend $3,000 in 3 months). Southwest Priority 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 Priority?
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 Priority is from Chase, so they're governed by separate bank policies.