In September 2024, Alaska Airlines acquired Hawaiian Airlines. We’ve known that the company plans to launch a new loyalty program, while maintaining two separate airline brands. So there’s now an exciting update, as we’ve just learned the details of the company’s new loyalty program, Atmos Rewards (separately, I’ve covered how Alaska will introduce free Starlink Wi-Fi for Atmos Rewards members).
Big picture, think of it as being very similar to the previous Alaska Mileage Plan program, with some really cool updates — you can choose whether you want to earn points based on distance flown or dollars spent, top tier elite members receive unlimited complimentary upgrades globally, and there are increasing opportunities to earn elite status with credit card spending.
In this post:
Atmos Rewards is the new Alaska & Hawaiian program
As mentioned above, Atmos Rewards is the name of the new loyalty program of Alaska and Hawaiian. Given that the company is maintaining its two separate airline brands, it makes sense to transition to more neutral branding for a combined loyalty program, and that’s exactly what we’re seeing here. Think of this as being Alaska’s version of Avios, or something.
I suspect we’re going to see the Atmos branding used for some more aspects of the Alaska and Hawaiian passenger experience over time, though we’ll mark that as “developing” for now.
In terms of the timeline for all of this, Atmos Rewards replaces Alaska Mileage Plan effective immediately. When you log into your Alaska account, you should already see the new Atmos Rewards branding. Meanwhile Atmos Rewards will replace HawaiianMiles as of October 1, 2025. So the rollout of this is all pretty quick.
What makes the Atmos Rewards program unique
What should we expect from the new Atmos Rewards loyalty program? Broadly speaking, think of it as being a slightly updated version of the Alaska Mileage Plan program. Let me emphasize that even though the rebranding is happening immediately, nothing is changing with elite status requirements for 2025.
There will be some updates as of 2026, and that’s also to reflect some positive changes, which aren’t being rolled out until next year. Let me cover what I’d consider to be the most significant developments with the new Atmos Rewards program. Again, these are just the changes, while most existing benefits of the Alaska Mileage Plan program, from milestone perks, to earning elite points on award flights, remain.
Atmos Rewards Silver, Gold, Platinum, and Titanium status
With Atmos Rewards, we’re seeing a rebranding of elite tiers. Alaska Mileage Plan has been known for its “MVP” tiers — MVP, MVP Gold, MVP Gold 75K, and MVP Gold 100K. The new program, meanwhile, uses more traditional tier names. With the new Atmos Rewards program:
- Atmos Silver (oneworld Ruby) replaces MVP status
- Atmos Gold (oneworld Sapphire) replaces MVP Gold status
- Atmos Platinum (oneworld Emerald) replaces MVP Gold 75K status
- Atmos Titanium (oneworld Emerald) replaces MVP Gold 100K status
For that matter, we’re seeing points replace miles. So redeemable rewards will be known as Atmos Rewards points, while elite qualifying miles will be known as Atmos Rewards status points.
How are the elite tier requirements being updated with the new program? The qualification requirements aren’t changing for this year, since the year is already more than half done. However, we will see some updates for the top two tiers in 2026 (for 2027 status qualification). In 2026:
- Atmos Silver will require 20,000 status points (no change)
- Atmos Gold will require 40,000 status points (no change)
- Atmos Platinum will require 80,000 status points, up from 75,000 status points
- Atmos Titanium will require 135,000 status points, up from 100,000 status points
As you can see, the only significant change is with qualification requirements for top tier Titanium status, though there are also some exciting new perks there.
Just to provide a basic breakdown of elite perks by tier, below is a chart with those details.
Earn based on distance flown, price paid, or segments
We’ve seen so many airline loyalty programs go from awarding points based on distance flown to awarding points based on price paid. Alaska has been a holdout, and has been the only major US carrier to continue to award miles based on distance, which many people love.
With the new Atmos Rewards program, we’re seeing a choice we’ve never seen before — members can choose if they want to earn points and status points based on distance flown, based on price paid, or based on segments flown. You’ll be able to change your earning preferences each year:
- If you earn based on distance traveled, you’ll earn at least one point per mile flown
- If you earn based on price paid, you’ll earn at least five points per dollar spent
- If you earn based on segments flown, you’ll earn a flat 500 miles per segment
Atmos Rewards Titanium complimentary global upgrades
As mentioned above, Atmos Rewards Titanium elite requirements are increasing significantly as of 2026, though there’s also a really exciting new perk, coming in spring 2026 — Titanium members will receive complimentary day-of-departure upgrades into business class throughout the global Alaska and Hawaiian network, without having to use points or an upgrade certificate.
To be clear, upgrades within North America can continue to clear earlier than that, but this will come in handy for flights outside of North America.
This is an incredible perk, as Alaska will become the first US airline to offer unlimited global upgrades for an elite tier. I’ve gotta say, though, talk about a high stakes battlefield upgrade! There’s a difference between waiting for an upgrade on a Seattle to San Francisco flight vs. on a Seattle to Rome flight.
I also have to say, I think this perk is brilliant, especially as Alaska competes with Delta’s network in Seattle, and also given Amazon’s strict travel policy. This is a way to really differentiate the two oneworld Emerald tiers at the airline.
Atmos Rewards elite members receive Hawaiian upgrades
As of the spring of 2026, Atmos Rewards elite members will receive upgrades on Hawaiian in the same way that Alaska Mileage Plan members receive upgrades on Alaska. That means that all elite members will be eligible for complimentary upgrades on Hawaiian flights within North America.
This includes all routes within North America, including those operated by A330s with lie flat beds. Let me emphasize that Hawaiian upgrades outside of North America will be limited to Atmos Rewards Titanium members, and will only clear on the day of departure.
Given how Alaska and Hawaiian are increasingly using planes interchangeably, it’s great that there will also be more “metal neutrality” in terms of upgrades. Those who are used to flying Hawaiian have a lot to gain here, given that the airline historically had a pretty weak loyalty program.
Atmos Rewards offers status with credit card spending
With the introduction of the Atmos Rewards program, we’re also seeing status become easier to earn with credit card spending. Alaska has rebranded its two existing cards and introduced a new premium card, and they earn status points at the following rates:
- The Atmos Rewards Ascent Visa Signature Card earns one status point per $3 spent; this is capped at 30,000 status points in 2025, and uncapped in 2026 and beyond
- The Atmos Rewards Visa Business Card earns one status point per $3 spent; this is capped at 30,000 status points in 2025, and uncapped in 2026 and beyond
- The Atmos Rewards Summit Visa Infinite Card earns one status point per $2 spent, and this is uncapped; furthermore, the card offers an annual boost of 10,000 status points, making it easier to earn status
If you’re going to earn a material number of status points through credit card spending, you’ll of course want to pick up the most premium card.
Amazing new Atmos Rewards premium credit card
To coincide with the launch of the new Atmos Rewards program, we’re seeing the introduction of a new premium credit card. I’ll cover this in more detail in a separate post, but in many ways, I actually think this makes up a core part of the overall value proposition of engagement in the program.
As it relates to the core value proposition of the program, let me just mention a couple of things. First of all, the $395 annual fee card offers a 25,000-point Global Companion Award annually, which can be used for 25,000 points off a companion award ticket on Alaska or any of its partners. The card then offers a 100,000-point Global Companion Award annually when you spend $60,000 on the card in an anniversary year.
This is simply an incredible perk, if you ask me. The card also offers 3x points on all purchases in foreign currencies, so it has a compelling value proposition beyond that. The reason I mention this is because if you’re able to generate that kind of spending, it’ll be worth putting $60,000 on the card per year to earn that Global Companion Award, and obviously that $60,000 in spending would also earn you 30,000 status points.
This is only one of several benefits offered by the card, but again, I’ll cover more of that in a separate post.
My take on the new Atmos Rewards loyalty program
I’m a huge fan of Alaska Airlines in general, and I also think Brett Catlin, Alaska’s VP of Loyalty, Alliances, and Sales, is one of the brightest guys in loyalty.
Alaska has long used its loyalty program as a point of differentiation, and when we learned of plans to launch a new program, I was genuinely excited, because I knew Alaska wouldn’t simply follow the competition, and would instead offer some innovative perks. A few things come to mind:
- If you like Alaska Mileage Plan, then you’ll like the new program, since there aren’t really many negative changes; I’d say the most negative change is that the requirement for top tier status is increasing quite a bit
- I love how Atmos Rewards lets members choose how they want to be rewarded, whether it’s based on distance flown or price paid; that’s the kind of innovation we don’t see enough of in this industry!
- Offering top tier Atmos Rewards Titanium members global upgrades on a space available basis is an incredible perk, and something we haven’t seen from a US airline before
- It’s fantastic that there’s going to be more consistency between Alaska and Hawaiian, including with upgrades, so all Hawaiian flights within North America will finally offer elite upgrades
- The new premium Atmos Rewards credit card is without a doubt the most innovative and compelling airline credit card we’ve seen in a very long time, and that alone is a major reason to consider being engaged in the program
I hate that I’m even considering changing my loyalty strategy again, but am I the only one who is considering now going for status with Atmos Rewards, rather than American AAdvantage, even though I rarely fly with Alaska (simply due to living in Miami)?
- Atmos Rewards offers status points when you redeem your points, and to me, that’s a really compelling aspect of the program, especially given how many points I redeem with the program
- If you get the premium credit card and spend $60,000 on it per year (to earn the 100,000-point Global Companion Award), you earn 30,000 status points, in addition to the annual boost of 10,000 status points, so that’s a total of 40,000 status points right there
- Then you can earn status points not only on oneworld airlines, but on Alaska’s unique array of partner airlines
Bottom line
The new Atmos Rewards loyalty program has just launched. This will replace Alaska Mileage Plan effective immediately, while it’ll replace HawaiianMiles as of October 1, 2025.
The new program is very similar to Mileage Plan, with some cool changes — you can choose whether you want to earn points based on distance flown or dollars spent, top tier elite members will receive unlimited global upgrades, upgrades for Hawaiian flights are coming for all elite members, and more. Most exciting of all, there’s a new premium credit card that’s pretty compelling, and which many people will want to spend a lot of money on.
What do you make of the new Atmos Rewards program?
I know I’m in the minority with this.
As a Pualani Platinum flyer with the majority of my flights coming from neighbor islands flights this feels like a kick in the nuts.
- 100% bonus miles is now 50%
- 3 bags becoming 2
- 500 bonus miles for neighbor island flights erased.
- No mention of how the plumeria lounge will come into play.
- No mention of...
I know I’m in the minority with this.
As a Pualani Platinum flyer with the majority of my flights coming from neighbor islands flights this feels like a kick in the nuts.
- 100% bonus miles is now 50%
- 3 bags becoming 2
- 500 bonus miles for neighbor island flights erased.
- No mention of how the plumeria lounge will come into play.
- No mention of 1st class upgrades for neighbor island flights (I know it’s only 20-40 minutes but at 5am it’s a nice perk)
- Downgrade on the amount of family you can upgrade to extra comfort.
So we actually cancel the Alaska Visa and apply for the new card or it is automatically converted by B of A?
@ Sheelaghgoes -- If you have an existing card, it should be automatically converted.
I frequently am doing award redemptions on Alaska and AA. I have found, especially in the past few years, AA is significantly more flexible and better value for most international premium cabins. Things like points value or being able to connect multiple partners in meaningful ways on the same ticket.
Pure point value aside, a huge underrated value is being able to get an AA EXP agent on the phone who knows the actual...
I frequently am doing award redemptions on Alaska and AA. I have found, especially in the past few years, AA is significantly more flexible and better value for most international premium cabins. Things like points value or being able to connect multiple partners in meaningful ways on the same ticket.
Pure point value aside, a huge underrated value is being able to get an AA EXP agent on the phone who knows the actual rules of the program and can help book things more flexibly that might be difficult or not appearing online. Gone are the days of the AS international partner desk that had knowledgeable agents empowered to help customers. Nowadays AS basically just pulls up the same system we're looking at and says the equivalent of "yeah i'm not seeing it either". Just did this last week with a JAL flight where the AA Agent immediately got it done after calling AS who "couldn't see it on the website".
Not a big deal for the 80% of flyers, but a consistent headache for those of us looking to maximize value.
Will status points earned through credit card spend additive to any of the three status earning options? i.e. can one chose distance flown as the primary path for status and complement with status points from cc spend?
@ bis -- Absolutely!
Will AA elites still be upgrade eligible? Will EP be eligible for global upgrades?
@ Ly -- Nothing is changing with American upgrades on Alaska. They'll continue to be available, but global upgrades are only for Atmos Rewards Titanium members, and not equivalent passengers at American.
This is probably the best loyalty program news in quite some time. I live in a bigger AA hub than MIA that doesn't even have AS service at all and put everything to the AS program. I fly a lot of short haul and can't beat the ability to earn on segments, especially as I'm buying a few weeks out and taking advantage of lower fares. I probably would be barely Gold with AA on...
This is probably the best loyalty program news in quite some time. I live in a bigger AA hub than MIA that doesn't even have AS service at all and put everything to the AS program. I fly a lot of short haul and can't beat the ability to earn on segments, especially as I'm buying a few weeks out and taking advantage of lower fares. I probably would be barely Gold with AA on Loyalty Points even though I'm flying AA 80+ flights a year while with AS I'm 75k.
Ben, only downside to being an AS elite in an AA hub is that, if it's anything like my horrid home airport, the AA agents can't grasp Oneworld status or, even if they do, that Alaska elites have benefits on American that are separate from the rest of Oneworld partners. I've had Admirals Club agents in CLT, ORD, and smaller airports argue to me that Alaska elites are not eligible for upgrades. I've bought a walk-up ticket before and gotten a coach seat in the last few rows of the plane (while First was showing 9 open seats and nobody on the upgrade list, Main Cabin Extra had whole rows open). Or "I've gone ahead and put your AAdvantage number back on your reservation" when they get confused over an Alaska elite flying on AA entering the Admirals Club with an actual Admirals Club membership card (and dropping me from the upgrade list or premium seats in the process). But those 4500/7500 short haul and mid-haul award redemptions are great... and you can get 9/15k First quite often (I wouldn't pay 9k miles to upgrade to First on CLT-MIA, but a 15k all in CLT-DFW-AA Eagle connection is worth it)
Does anyone know if this card will earn 3x on rent through Bilt as well?
@ Thomas -- I believe it should be the same as other Alaska cards for those purposes.
Its not eligible for status points, but alaska and bilt still have the same partnership so the 3x alaska points if you pay bilt the transaction fee exists, its on their website.
Who would choose to be awarded by segments at a partly 500 miles per segment? Does this foreshadow the elimination of the elite 500 miles minimum per segment for distance based earners?
I am wondering how the earning methods will compare when flying partner airlines (e.g. Condor).
Also: AS has a 500 mile minimum earning per segment as of now. I would assume that going away is another downside.
@ HejBjarne -- Good point about the 500-mile minimum, that's something I hadn't considered. Regarding earning on partner airlines, that's something that will evolve over time.
If you're using the price paid method, initially you'll earn status points on most partners based on a percentage of the distance flown, factoring in fare class. However, for airlines that share ticket fare information, Atmos Rewards will also eventually start awarding points based on the cost of the...
@ HejBjarne -- Good point about the 500-mile minimum, that's something I hadn't considered. Regarding earning on partner airlines, that's something that will evolve over time.
If you're using the price paid method, initially you'll earn status points on most partners based on a percentage of the distance flown, factoring in fare class. However, for airlines that share ticket fare information, Atmos Rewards will also eventually start awarding points based on the cost of the partner ticket.
Does the 3x points on all purchases in foreign currencies count towards status? If so, I would only need to spend ~ Euro $22k (~ USD$25k) for Atmos Platinum (OneWorld Emerald)?
@ Simon -- No, the status points qualification is the same regardless of whether you're spending in a multiplier category or not. So earning 3x points wouldn't change the pace at which you earn status.
Got it, thanks Ben. So, in fact, I would need to spend US$80k on the card to achieve Atmos Gold (OW Sapphire) if I was going for status on CC spend alone. There are no accelerators for CC spend.
@ Simon -- Starting your first anniversary you get a boost of 10,000 status points, so you'd only need to spend $60K for oneworld Sapphire.
The article CLEARLY stated: "The Atmos Rewards Summit Visa Infinite Card earns one status point per $2 spent . . . "
Thanks Jack - I missed that (not enough coffee!)
So glad that those short-haul 4,500 AA awards won't be going away, right?
@ bo -- There are no changes to redemption values (at least for now!).
Alaska needs to stop selling $200 transcon upgrades out from under their elite members.
@ Carl -- I hear you, but in fairness, which airline doesn't do that? It's just the way the industry works nowadays, and I don't actually consider a good shot at a first class upgrade to be one of the biggest perks of elite status nowadays.
I take that $200 upgrade as a great deal (even as a 75k) and think of it as just earning more toward status.
I generally travel solo and live in NYC where Alaska has a more limited presence. Is this loyalty program worth exploring?
@ Jon -- It's worth exploring, but it might not be the best choice for you. There are still some unique things about the program (compared to American AAdvantage), like the ability to earn elite qualification for award flights.
Sorry, Atmos will always be the gas company in Dallas.
Not Dolby Atmos?
Continuing on the topic of free upgrades for longhaul flights. Seems like Alaska intends to fly to Auckland, either meaning they are rebranding the HNL-AKL flights as Alaska flights. Or they intend to launch SEA-AKL?
@ yoloswag420 -- Sorry, what are you basing that on? Are you talking about this quote?
"We'll be the only U.S. airline to offer complimentary day-of-departure upgrades into global Business Class without points or a certificate. That means upgrades for our Titaniums + 1 companion to destinations like Rome, Tokyo, Auckland, and beyond."
If so, global upgrades apply on both Alaska and Hawaiian, which is why destinations of both brands are mentioned.
Where did you read that Hawaiian flights will also give out free global upgrades?
You can see the benefits are not the same across Alaska and Hawaiian. https://www.alaskaair.com/atmosrewards/content/benefits/global
Only the "When flying on Alaska Airlines" section offers the free global upgrades for Titanium members.
"First and Business Class upgrades for all global flights — Starting spring 2026" is not listed under "When flying on Hawaiian
Airlines"
@ yoloswag420 -- I just checked, and Alaska has confirmed that was an oversight, and the website will be updated soon. Global upgrades will apply on both Alaska and Hawaiian.
Are there any updates to how lifetime status is earned? Limiting recognition to flights on Alaska metal may keep me on AAdvantage despite living in Seattle.
@ Stephen -- No updates to how lifetime status is earned, as it'll be based on Alaska and Hawaiian metal. Indeed, lack of lifetime points for travel primarily on other airlines is a downside for those crediting to the program, but that's hardly unique to Atmos Rewards.
Will status points be granted on award flights under this "you-pick-your-method" system?
@ Lee -- Yep! Either one status point per mile flown if you use the distance method, or one status point for every 20 points redeemed if you use the price paid method.
Given that Alaska's program is distance based, I'm struggling to see when choosing anything other than distance flown would be more advantageous.
Multiplying out each of their mileage bands by 20 exceeds the cost for most flights, except for some fringe scenarios for First Class longhaul redemptions, which basically don't exist.
As far as it's concerned, unless Alaska is drastically raising its redemption costs, mileage is always the way to go.
@ yoloswag420 -- Earning based on distance flown will almost always be the better deal for award redemptions, but it might be a different story on revenue tickets. Of course you have to choose one earning option for both revenue and award flights, which is the limiting factor here.