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Side-by-side

Atmos Rewards Ascent Visa Signature vs Delta SkyMiles Blue American Express Card

Both are well-respected travel cards. The Atmos Rewards Ascent Visa Signature comes from Bank of America at $95/yr; the Delta SkyMiles Blue American Express Card from American Express at $0/yr. Below: side-by-side specs, an opinionated verdict, and the FAQs people actually ask before applying.

Bottom line

For most people the Atmos Rewards Ascent Visa Signature is the stronger pick today, the sign-up bonus is meaningfully larger ($1,490 more in estimated value) than the Delta SkyMiles Blue American Express Card's. Get the Atmos Rewards Ascent Visa Signature first; revisit the Delta SkyMiles Blue American Express Card after you've earned that bonus.

FeatureAtmos Rewards Ascent Visa SignatureDelta SkyMiles Blue American Express Card
Annual fee$95$0
Sign-up bonus80,000 points + Companion Fare10,000 Delta SkyMiles
Bonus value (est.)$1,600$110
Min spend to unlock bonus$4,000 in 4 mo$1,000 in 6 mo
IssuerBank of AmericaAmerican Express
Card categoryairlinetravel
Best earning category (Alaska_hawaiian)3x1x
Transfer partnersNonedelta-skymiles
Headline benefits
  • $99 Companion Fare annually
  • 80K + Companion Fare welcome offer
  • 3x on Alaska & Hawaiian
  • No foreign tx fees
  • $0 annual fee
  • 2X Delta + 2X restaurants
  • 20% off Delta in-flight
  • No foreign transaction fees
Read the full review
Atmos Rewards Ascent Visa Signature
$95/yr · 80,000 points + Companion Fare
Read the full review
Delta SkyMiles Blue American Express Card
$0/yr · 10,000 Delta SkyMiles

Editorial take: Atmos Rewards Ascent Visa Signature

The current Atmos Rewards Ascent card replaces Alaska's legacy Visa Signature. The Companion Fare alone justifies the $95 fee, book a paid Alaska or Hawaiian ticket, take a partner along for $99 + tax. Easy three-figure value at the West Coast / Asia-via-Alaska routes Alaska reaches.

Editorial take: Delta SkyMiles Blue American Express Card

The entry-level Delta card with no annual fee. Useful for keeping SkyMiles alive at $0/year and locking in 20% off in-flight Delta purchases plus no FX fees. For anyone flying Delta even one round trip a year, the $150 Gold's first-bag-free benefit usually justifies the upgrade.

Common questions

Which card has the bigger sign-up bonus, Atmos Rewards Ascent Visa Signature or Delta SkyMiles Blue American Express Card?
The Atmos Rewards Ascent Visa Signature has the bigger bonus, 80,000 points + Companion Fare, worth roughly $1,600, versus 10,000 Delta SkyMiles (~$110) on the Delta SkyMiles Blue American Express Card.
Is the Atmos Rewards Ascent Visa Signature's $95 annual fee worth it compared to the Delta SkyMiles Blue American Express Card?
At $95/yr, the Atmos Rewards Ascent Visa Signature is in the mid-fee tier. Compare its specific perks (lounge access, travel credits, primary rental insurance) to the Delta SkyMiles Blue American Express Card's, pick the one whose perks you'll actually use.
Can I have both the Atmos Rewards Ascent Visa Signature and Delta SkyMiles Blue American Express Card?
Yes, since they're from different issuers (Bank of America and American Express) the application rules don't conflict. Many points enthusiasts hold both, they pair well when one earns flexible bank points and the other earns a different currency.
Should I get the Atmos Rewards Ascent Visa Signature or the Delta SkyMiles Blue American Express Card first?
Get the one whose sign-up bonus you can hit comfortably without overspending. Atmos Rewards Ascent Visa Signature: $4,000 spend in 4 months. Delta SkyMiles Blue American Express Card: $1,000 in 6 months. Pick the easier minimum spend if you're new to points; pick the larger bonus if you have planned big purchases coming up.

Card details on this page reflect the most recent data we've verified against the issuer's own site. Sign-up bonuses and fees can change at any time, confirm the current offer on the issuer's page before applying.