Alaska to add a no-annual-fee Atmos credit card and hints at international transfer partners

What happened

This announcement follows a separate reveal that Alaska will roll out a points-earning Atmos debit card in 2027 and that the airline plans a refresh of its Atmos business credit card by the end of the year.

At the same time, Alaska announced expanded ways to earn when flying its top partner American Airlines, and it named Bank of America as a new points-transfer partner for Atmos.

Why this matters

A no-annual-fee co-branded card lowers the entry cost for casual or budget-minded travelers who want to earn Atmos points without paying a yearly charge. Atmos points are already considered valuable among U.S. airline loyalty currencies, so a no-fee option could make the program more accessible to a wider group of members.

Adding Bank of America as a transfer partner creates a fresh route to Atmos points for customers of that bank. Alaska said additional transfer partners are likely, but will focus on international financial institutions rather than more U.S. banks.

How this fits with Alaska's existing card lineup

Atmos will then provide card options across price points:

• The upcoming no-annual-fee card (details pending).
• Signature — $95 annual fee — with perks like an annual Companion Fare and a free checked bag.
• Infinite — $395 annual fee — with Global Companion Awards and up to eight Alaska Lounge passes annually.

Those consumer cards sit alongside Alaska's new debit product and an updated business card slated for later this year.

Transfer partners and international focus

Alaska confirmed Bank of America will allow some cardholders to transfer points into Atmos, though it did not disclose the transfer ratio or which BoA products will be eligible. Brett Catlin, Alaska's SVP of network, partnerships and loyalty, said future transfer partners will probably be banks based outside the U.S., citing markets such as the U.K. and Australia as examples.

No timeline or complete list of additional transfer partners was provided.

Practical takeaways for travelers

• If you want a lower-cost way to earn Atmos points, watch for the forthcoming no-annual-fee card announcement for details on earning rates and status credit.
• Bank of America customers should monitor BoA communications for eligibility and transfer rates to Atmos before moving balances or making transfer decisions.
• If you fly American Airlines frequently and want Atmos credit, decide which earning method (miles, flights, spend) suits your travel pattern before adding your Atmos number to AA bookings.