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Chase Sapphire Preferred® vs. Alaska Airlines Atmos™ Rewards Ascent
July 1, 2025
Both cards are positioned as mid-tier travel options but serve very different types of travelers: those who value flexible rewards and those who prioritize airline-specific benefits.
Choosing between the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card and the Atmos™ Rewards Ascent Visa Signature® Credit Card ultimately comes down to one question: do you want flexible travel rewards that work across many airlines and hotels, or do you want perks designed specifically for Alaska Airlines flyers?
Both cards are issued by major U.S. banks and frequently appear in comparisons for travelers evaluating airline and travel credit cards. While they share a similar target audience, they are built for very different spending styles and travel goals.
The Chase Sapphire Preferred emphasizes everyday spending categories like dining and travel, while the Alaska card focuses on loyalty perks tied to a specific airline, such as baggage benefits and companion travel features.
Here’s how to decide which option makes more sense for your travel habits.
Two Different Approaches to Travel Rewards
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Designed for travelers who want flexibility, strong everyday earning, and access to multiple airline and hotel partners.
Alaska Airlines Atmos™ Rewards Ascent
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Built for travelers who primarily fly Alaska Airlines and want airline-specific benefits layered onto their spending.
At a high level, Chase Sapphire Preferred wins on versatility and broad earning potential, while Alaska Atmos Rewards Ascent delivers outsized value for travelers who regularly fly Alaska or its partner airlines.
Welcome Offers: Flexibility vs. Airline-Specific Upside
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Welcome Offer
The Chase Sapphire Preferred typically includes a welcome incentive designed to jump-start point balances. These points can be redeemed across a wide range of airline and hotel partners or used through Chase’s booking tools, making them highly flexible for different travel styles.
Because Chase Ultimate Rewards points can be transferred to multiple travel partners, their value depends heavily on how they are redeemed. Travelers who use transfer partners strategically often unlock higher value than those who redeem for simpler options like statement credits.
Alaska Airlines Atmos™ Rewards Ascent Welcome Offer
The Alaska Atmos Rewards Ascent card generally pairs an introductory points bonus with airline-specific perks such as companion travel benefits or discounted fares. The total value of this offer depends largely on how frequently you fly Alaska Airlines and whether you can fully use those airline perks.
For travelers who regularly book Alaska flights—especially with companions—these benefits can meaningfully increase the card’s first-year value.
Bottom line: Chase offers more predictable, flexible value across many travel scenarios, while Alaska’s offer can be especially compelling for loyal flyers who maximize airline-specific benefits.
Earning Rewards: Everyday Spending Breakdown
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Earning Structure
Chase Sapphire Preferred rewards a wide range of everyday spending, particularly dining and general travel purchases. It also includes opportunities for enhanced earning through select booking channels and limited-time partnerships.
An anniversary-based perk further boosts the value of ongoing spending over time, making the card more rewarding the longer it’s held.
Alaska Atmos™ Rewards Ascent Earning Structure
The Alaska card prioritizes airline spending first, followed by common commuter and household categories like transit and fuel-related purchases. For cardholders with a qualifying relationship with the issuing bank, additional earning enhancements may apply.
While it earns more narrowly than Chase, it aligns well with travelers whose spending is concentrated around Alaska Airlines and everyday commuting.
Everyday earning comparison: Chase Sapphire Preferred generally outperforms on dining and broad travel spending, while Alaska Atmos Rewards Ascent can be more rewarding for airline purchases and transit-heavy lifestyles.
Who Should Choose Each Card
Choose Chase Sapphire Preferred® If You:
- Spend frequently on dining, takeout, or delivery
- Want points that transfer to multiple airlines and hotels
- Fly different carriers rather than sticking to one airline
- Value built-in travel protections and flexibility
- Prefer rewards that adapt to changing travel plans
Best for: Travelers who want maximum flexibility and strong rewards on everyday spending without committing to a single airline.
Choose Alaska Airlines Atmos™ Rewards Ascent If You:
- Fly Alaska Airlines or its close partners regularly
- Check bags often and want airline-related savings
- Travel with companions who can benefit from airline perks
- Spend consistently on commuting or transit
- Maintain a banking relationship that enhances rewards
Best for: Alaska loyalists who can consistently use airline-specific perks to offset the card’s ongoing cost.
Redeeming Rewards: Flexibility vs. Airline Focus
Chase Ultimate Rewards®: Maximum Flexibility
Chase Ultimate Rewards points offer multiple redemption paths, including transfers to airline and hotel partners, bookings through Chase’s travel tools, and other redemption options.
Because of this flexibility, Chase points are often used as a foundation alongside other transferable rewards programs, allowing travelers to piece together complex itineraries across multiple airlines and hotels.
Alaska Atmos™ Rewards: Airline-Focused Value
Alaska Atmos Rewards points are most valuable when used for flights on Alaska Airlines or its global airline partners. They are particularly attractive for travelers interested in premium cabin redemptions or partner airline awards.
While less flexible overall, the program can deliver strong value when redemptions align closely with Alaska’s route network and partners.
Winner: Chase Ultimate Rewards offers broader flexibility and more hotel options, while Alaska points shine for specific airline-focused redemptions.
Travel Perks: Protections vs. Airline Benefits
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Travel Protections
Chase Sapphire Preferred includes a robust set of travel protections covering rental cars, trip interruptions, delays, and baggage-related issues. These protections are valuable for travelers who book trips independently and want peace of mind across different airlines and destinations.
Alaska Atmos™ Rewards Ascent Airline Perks
The Alaska card emphasizes perks tied directly to flying Alaska Airlines, including baggage benefits, priority services, and lounge-related discounts. These benefits are most valuable when flights are purchased directly with the card and used consistently.
Summary: Chase excels in broad travel protections, while Alaska delivers concentrated value through airline-specific perks.
Annual Value Considerations
Both cards can justify their ongoing cost when their core benefits are fully utilized.
- Chase Sapphire Preferred delivers value through consistent rewards on everyday spending and flexible redemptions.
- Alaska Atmos Rewards Ascent offsets its cost most effectively through airline perks like baggage benefits and companion travel.
The better option depends on whether your value comes from everyday spending or airline loyalty.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
With Chase Sapphire Preferred:
- Redeeming points for low-value options instead of transfers or travel bookings
- Forgetting to use issuer-specific booking tools for eligible perks
With Alaska Atmos Rewards Ascent:
- Not purchasing flights with the card when required for perks
- Missing eligibility requirements tied to companion benefits
- Assuming airline perks apply to non-Alaska flights
Business owners may also want to explore Alaska’s business card options if separating personal and business travel expenses is a priority.
The Kudos Advantage: Test Drive Before You Apply
Rather than guessing which card delivers better value, you can use Kudos Explore to test-drive both cards using your real spending data.
With the Test Drive feature, you can:
- Preview projected rewards based on actual transactions
- Compare multiple cards side-by-side
- See which card delivers higher long-term value for your habits
This removes guesswork and helps ensure your choice is grounded in real spending patterns—not assumptions.
Final Verdict: Flexibility vs. Loyalty
The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card is the better choice for most travelers who want flexible rewards, strong everyday earning, and comprehensive travel protections that work across many airlines and hotels.
The Alaska Airlines Atmos™ Rewards Ascent card excels for travelers who are loyal to Alaska Airlines and can consistently use airline-specific perks like baggage benefits and companion travel.
The deciding factor isn’t the card—it’s your behavior. Your travel patterns, spending habits, and redemption preferences determine which option delivers more value over time.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Can you transfer Chase Ultimate Rewards points to Alaska Airlines?
Not directly, but you can transfer to British Airways Avios and book Alaska flights through the British Airways program.
Does the Alaska Companion Fare work on Hawaiian Airlines flights?
Yes, the Companion Fare is valid on both Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines flights within North America, including to/from Hawaii.
Is priority boarding automatic with the Alaska card?
No, you must purchase your Alaska Airlines flight with the card to receive priority boarding (Group C) for yourself and up to 6 companions.
Which card is better for international travel?
Chase Sapphire Preferred offers more flexibility with transferable points and stronger travel protections. Alaska Atmos Ascent has no foreign transaction fees but limited international airline partners.
Do both cards waive foreign transaction fees?
Yes, both cards charge no foreign transaction fees, making them suitable for international spending.
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Editorial Disclosure: Opinions expressed here are those of Kudos alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.
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