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Side-by-side

Atmos Rewards Ascent Visa Signature vs Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Amex

Both are well-respected travel cards. The Atmos Rewards Ascent Visa Signature comes from Bank of America at $95/yr; the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Amex from American Express at $650/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 ($550 more in estimated value) than the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Amex's. Get the Atmos Rewards Ascent Visa Signature first; revisit the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Amex after you've earned that bonus.

FeatureAtmos Rewards Ascent Visa SignatureMarriott Bonvoy Brilliant Amex
Annual fee$95$650
Sign-up bonus80,000 points + Companion Fareup to 150,000 Marriott Bonvoy points
Bonus value (est.)$1,600$1,050
Min spend to unlock bonus$4,000 in 4 mo-
IssuerBank of AmericaAmerican Express
Card categoryairlinehotel
Best earning category (Alaska_hawaiian)3x1x
Transfer partnersNoneNone
Headline benefits
  • $99 Companion Fare annually
  • 80K + Companion Fare welcome offer
  • 3x on Alaska & Hawaiian
  • No foreign tx fees
  • Auto Platinum status
  • 85k free night cert
  • $300 dining credit
  • Priority Pass
Read the full review
Atmos Rewards Ascent Visa Signature
$95/yr · 80,000 points + Companion Fare
Read the full review
Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Amex
$650/yr · up to 150,000 Marriott Bonvoy points

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: Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Amex

The Platinum status is legitimately valuable (lounge access, suite upgrades), but the $650 fee is steep. Justify it only if you stay at Marriotts 8+ times a year.

Common questions

Which card has the bigger sign-up bonus, Atmos Rewards Ascent Visa Signature or Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Amex?
The Atmos Rewards Ascent Visa Signature has the bigger bonus, 80,000 points + Companion Fare, worth roughly $1,600, versus up to 150,000 Marriott Bonvoy points (~$1,050) on the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Amex.
Is the Atmos Rewards Ascent Visa Signature's $95 annual fee worth it compared to the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Amex?
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 Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Amex's, pick the one whose perks you'll actually use.
Can I have both the Atmos Rewards Ascent Visa Signature and Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Amex?
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 Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Amex 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. Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Amex: no published min spend. 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.