Atmos Rewards Ascent vs Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus
Side-by-side comparison
| Atmos Rewards Ascent | Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus | |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | $95 | $99 |
| Welcome offer | 50,000 bonus points + Companion Fare | |
| Dining | 1x | 1x |
| Groceries | 1x | 2x |
| Gas | 2x | 2x |
| Travel | 1x | 1x |
| Streaming | 2x | 1x |
| Everything else | 1x | 1x |
| Est. yearly rewards* | $326 | $373 |
| Points type | Locked to Atmos Rewards | Locked to Southwest Rapid Rewards |
| Network | Visa | Visa |
*Estimated yearly rewards on typical household spending, every point valued at a flat 1 cent. Verified June 2026. See your own numbers in the calculator.
The verdict
On a typical year of household spending, the Atmos Rewards Ascent earns about $326 a year in rewards and the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus about $373, valuing every point at a flat 1 cent. The Atmos Rewards Ascent charges $95, but carries about $99 in annual statement credits that offset it for anyone who uses them. The Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus charges $99, which you clear through its rewards and perks. The two are close on value, but the Atmos Rewards Ascent edges ahead by about $7 a year, mostly because it earns more where you spend most, on streaming. Neither leans on transferable points, so the deciding factors are the welcome offer, the card network, and which everyday perks you will actually use. On the sign-up bonus, the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus currently has the larger welcome offer (a limited-time offer above its usual amount, so treat it as a one-time boost). A welcome bonus is a one-time event, so weigh it apart from the ongoing rewards.
Pick the Atmos Rewards Ascent if your spending leans toward streaming. Pick the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus if your spending leans toward groceries.