If You Live Outside the US, You Could Earn 3x Points on Almost ALL Purchases

Here is a simple strategy that earns 3x the travel points on your everyday spending, with no cap and no foreign transaction fees. And if you lean into it, you can even achieve oneworld elite status.

If You Live Outside the US, You Could Earn 3x Points on Almost ALL Purchases

by Julia Portela

August 16, 2026 Reading Time: 4 min read

Advertiser Disclosure: Journey on Points has partnered with CardRatings for our coverage of credit card products and may receive a commission at no cost to you.

If you live outside the US, there is a simple strategy that turns your everyday spending into 3x the travel points. One card earns 3x points on every foreign purchase, with no cap and no foreign transaction fees, which for someone living abroad means almost everything you buy earns triple. And if you live in the US, the same card earns you 3x every time you travel abroad. But earning 3x is only the start. Here is what that actually gets you.

The Card Behind the Strategy

This all runs on one card: the Atmos Summit, the premium card for Alaska and Hawaiian's joint Atmos Rewards program.

A foreign purchase is anything bought in a foreign currency or processed outside the US, so if you live abroad, that is nearly all of your spending. It is a US-issued card, so you need a US Social Security number or an ITIN to apply.

Want the full rundown of every perk and credit? I wrote a complete Atmos Summit guide.

What Alaska Atmos Points Actually Get You

Here is why the 3x matters so much: Atmos points book some of the best business class in the world, often for a fraction of the cash price. A few redemptions I have personally made:

• Condor to Germany for 70k points.
• Aer Lingus from Dublin to New York for 45k points.
• American Airlines to Brazil for 50k points.
• Japan Airlines to Tokyo for 75k points.
• all in business class!

And if you are ever a little short for a specific seat, Atmos regularly lets you buy points with a 100% bonus.

Strategy on Strategy: Earn oneworld Status

Here is where it gets even better. The more you spend on the card, the closer you get to oneworld elite status, which follows you across every oneworld airline, not just Alaska. Atmos status maps directly to oneworld, and here is what it takes to reach each tier:

The sweet spot is Gold, which gives you oneworld Sapphire at 40,000 status points. The Summit card hands you 10,000 status points every year automatically, and you earn 1 more for every $2 you spend, so a heavy spender reaches Sapphire far faster. I explain more about this, including how to earn points on rent, in this guide.

What oneworld Sapphire Gets You

Status is not just a badge. oneworld Sapphire unlocks real perks when you travel internationally, and the big one is business class lounge access on eligible oneworld flights, even when you are booked in economy. You also get priority check-in, priority boarding, extra checked bags, and better seat selection.

So the same card that earns you 3x on everyday spending can quietly hand you a lounge chair and a glass of something nice before your next long-haul.

How to Get Started

New cardholders currently earn 80,000 points plus a 25,000-point Global Companion Award after spending $4,000 in the first 90 days. The annual fee is $395. You can apply here.

Bottom Line

The Atmos Summit earns 3x on foreign purchases, dining, and Alaska or Hawaiian flights, with no foreign transaction fees and no cap. Its standout perks include a 25,000-point Global Companion Award every year, a 100,000-point companion award once you spend $60,000, 8 Alaska Lounge passes, a free checked bag, a partner award booking fee waiver, and a path to oneworld Sapphire status. The annual fee is $395.

More info on this card here.

Advertiser Disclosure: Journey on Points has partnered with CardRatings for our coverage of credit card products and may receive a commission at no cost to you. Only the best cards are recommended.

Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author's alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.