Sky's the Limit: Diving Deep into the New Atmos Rewards

Welcome back, fellow Resort Chasers! We've got some big news on the airline loyalty front, and if you're a fan of flying with Alaska or Hawaiian Airlines, you'll want to pay close attention. The two airlines have officially joined forces to create a brand-new loyalty program called Atmos Rewards, and it's designed to give you more ways to earn and redeem than ever before.

​This isn't just a rebrand; it's a complete overhaul that promises to put more power in your hands. So, let's dive into everything you need to know about this exciting new program.

A New Way to Earn Points and Status

One of the most innovative and exciting features of Atmos Rewards is the ability to choose how you earn. This is a complete game-changer and the first of its kind for a major U.S. airline. Starting in 2026, you'll be able to select from three distinct earning paths based on your travel habits. You can choose to earn based on the distance you fly, the price you pay for your ticket, or a flat rate for each flight segment.

* For the budget traveler: The "distance traveled" option is a fantastic throwback to the old days of loyalty programs. It allows you to earn one point and one status point for every mile you fly, which is a major win if you often book low-cost, long-haul flights.

* For the premium flyer: If you're someone who splurges on first-class or business-class tickets, the "price paid" model is your new best friend. You'll earn five points for every dollar spent on airfare, making it a very lucrative option for those expensive, last-minute bookings.

* For the road warrior: If your travel involves many short hops—think inter-island flights in Hawaii or quick trips along the West Coast—earning a flat 500 points and 500 status points for each flight segment is a huge advantage.

You’ll be able to choose your earning preference once a year, giving you the flexibility to adapt your strategy to your evolving travel patterns.

The New Credit Cards: Your Fast Track to Rewards

To accelerate your earning and status goals, the program has rolled out a suite of new co-branded credit cards. The most notable is the new Atmos Rewards Summit Visa Infinite card. With an annual fee of $395, this card is built for serious travelers. It offers a huge welcome bonus of 100,000 Atmos Rewards points and a 25,000-point Global Companion Award after you meet the initial spending requirements. The card is a powerhouse for achieving elite status, giving you a generous 10,000 status points on your card anniversary each year. You'll also earn 1 status point for every $2 you spend, with no cap, making it possible to achieve top-tier status without even flying.

Beyond status earning, the Summit card offers some incredible perks:

* Global Companion Award: This is a game-changer. You'll receive a 25,000-point Global Companion Award annually, which can be redeemed for up to 25,000 points off a companion's award ticket, even in premium cabins on partner airlines. If you spend $60,000 in a year, you'll earn a second, more valuable 100,000-point award, perfect for a companion's business class ticket to Tokyo or Europe.

* Lounge Access: The card comes with eight Alaska Lounge passes per year (two per quarter).

* Accelerated Earning: Earn 3 points per dollar on all Alaska and Hawaiian Airlines purchases, dining, and all foreign transactions.

The new program has also rebranded the existing cards. The popular Alaska Airlines Visa Signature card is now the Atmos Rewards Ascent Visa Signature card, and it retains a strong earning structure and the famous annual companion fare.

Diving into Elite Status: A Tier-by-Tier Breakdown

The new program has four elite status tiers, and while the benefits remain generous, the requirements have been adjusted for the top-tier levels. Here’s what you can expect at each level:

* Atmos Silver (20,000 status points): The entry-level status gets you a 25% bonus on points earned from flying, complimentary upgrades to First and Premium Class on Alaska and Hawaiian, a free checked bag, and priority boarding.

* Atmos Gold (40,000 status points): You'll get all Silver benefits plus a 50% points bonus, two free checked bags, complimentary same-day flight changes, and a free alcoholic beverage or chocolate on board.

* Atmos Platinum (80,000 status points): This is where the perks really get exciting. You get all Gold benefits plus a 100% points bonus on flights, priority for upgrades, and a third free checked bag. As a oneworld Emerald member, you'll get access to First Class lounges on international itineraries.

* Atmos Titanium (135,000 status points): The top tier. You'll receive all Platinum benefits plus the highest priority for upgrades, a 150% points bonus, and a complimentary meal on board Alaska flights. Starting in 2026, you'll also have the exclusive benefit of day-of-departure upgrades to international Business Class.

Earning and Redeeming Points

Beyond flying and credit card spending, you can earn points through a variety of partners. The program has unique partnerships that allow you to earn points on everyday activities, from ride-sharing with Lyft to booking stays at hotels and vacation rentals. Atmos Rewards also has hotel transfer partners, including Marriott, IHG, and Wyndham.

When it comes to redeeming, your points are most valuable when used for flights on Alaska, Hawaiian, and their vast network of over 30 global airline partners. The new distance-based award chart has some incredible "sweet spots." You can find flights for as little as 4,500 points for short, one-way trips, and there are excellent values for premium cabins, such as Business Class to South America for as few as 35,000 points.

A fantastic and often overlooked perk is the ability to book a free stopover on a one-way award ticket, which essentially allows you to visit two cities for the price of one. While you can use points for things like hotel stays and car rentals, the value is generally much lower, so it's best to save them for air travel.

Pros and Cons of Atmos Rewards

Like any program, Atmos Rewards has its strengths and weaknesses. Here’s a quick breakdown to help you decide if it's the right fit for you.

Pros

* Customizable Earning: The ability to choose your earning model is a major win and a first for any U.S. airline. It empowers you to maximize your rewards based on your personal travel habits, whether you fly long distances or take many short trips.

* Strong Credit Card Offerings: The new premium credit card offers a fast track to elite status, excellent bonus categories, and valuable benefits like lounge access and the new Global Companion Award.

* Generous Redemptions: The program maintains a very strong redemption value, especially for premium international cabins and short-haul flights.

* Free Wi-Fi: A truly modern perk, all Atmos Rewards members will get free Starlink Wi-Fi on Alaska's fleet starting in 2026.

* Global Access: The program's partnership with the oneworld alliance and other global airline partners gives you more opportunities to earn and redeem points around the world.

Cons

* Higher Elite Status Requirements: The new status point requirements for the top tiers are a significant increase, making it harder for some travelers to reach the highest levels.

* Goodbye to Old Sweet Spots: The new distance-based award chart has eliminated some of the legendary redemption values from the old Mileage Plan program, so some of the absolute best deals are now gone.

* Complexity: While the customizable earning is a pro, it could also be a con for some. Managing which earning strategy is best for you may add a layer of complexity to your travel planning.