In August 2025, we saw the launch of Atmos Rewards, the new loyalty program of Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines. At the time, the program announced how it would eventually introduce the “choose how you earn” feature, whereby Atmos Rewards members can choose to earn points based on distance flown, price paid, or segments flown.
Well, the wait for this feature is now over, and Atmos Rewards has revealed the exact timeline with which this will be rolled out… we won’t have to wait much longer!
Atmos Rewards will offer three points earning methods
We’ve seen so many airline loyalty programs go from awarding points based on distance flown to awarding points based on price paid. In most cases, this has resulted in a reduction in points earning, especially for those who don’t typically book very expensive fares.
Atmos Rewards (and Mileage Plan, as it was previously known) has long been committed to continuing to award points based on distance flown. However, the program is giving members more choice. With the new Atmos Rewards “choose how you earn” system, members can elect to earn points (both redeemable points and status points) based on distance flown, dollars spent, or segments flown. Specifically:
- If you earn based on distance traveled, you’ll earn one point per mile flown; note that if you select this option, you’ll no longer earn class of service bonuses or minimum miles
- If you earn based on price paid, you’ll earn five points per dollar spent; with this method, paid upgrades also earn status points, and you’ll earn one status point for every 20 points you redeem toward award flights
- If you earn based on segments flown, you’ll earn a flat 500 points per segment, for both revenue and award travel
Beginning October 1, 2026, Atmos Rewards members will be able to select their preferred earnings style, though it will only apply for flights departing as of January 1, 2027.
Current Atmos Rewards members who do not make a selection will continue to earn based on distance flown, while new members who join as of 2027 will default to earning based on price paid. All members can change their earning choice once per calendar year for future travel.
Note that this system in no way impacts how members earn status points for credit card spending, as that’s remaining unchanged. Furthermore, Atmos Rewards elite requirements are remaining unchanged:
- Silver status requires 20,000 status points
- Gold status requires 40,000 status points
- Platinum status requires 80,000 status points
- Titanium status requires 135,000 status points
I should also mention that Atmos Rewards promised to improve points earning rates for premium cabin tickets on partner airlines when booked directly with those airlines. That was expected to be introduced as of later in 2026, though I haven’t seen any announcement yet about that updated timeline. It’s possible that it coincides with this being rolled out, or maybe not. As soon as I learn more, I’ll be sure to report back.
For most people, distance based earning is still the best
I commend Atmos Rewards for adding this kind of choice, as we’ve never seen a program offer so much flexibility. Admittedly there is some downside for those who choose to continue to earn points based on distance flown, as there will no longer be a minimum number of points earned per segment, and there will also no longer be class of service bonuses (which strikes me as sort of counterproductive from the carrier’s perspective…).
I’d say that for a vast majority of people, continuing to earn based on distance flown is the best bet. The segment method of earning points only makes sense if you frequently book very inexpensive short haul tickets, like inter-island Hawaii flights.
But when you compare the math on distance based earning and revenue based earning, the breakeven point is essentially when you’re spending more than 20 cents per flown mile. Just to give a breakeven example, say you have a one-way transcontinental flight that covers a distance of 2,500 miles and costs $500:
- With distance based points earning, you’d earn 2,500 miles
- With revenue based points earning, you’d earn 2,500 miles
A majority of passengers spend an average of under 20 cents per mile (Alaska’s average passenger revenue per available seat mile is around 15 cents), so I tend to think the old system continues to make the most sense for a vast majority of people.
The two exceptions are that purchased upgrades earn rewards under the revenue based system, but wouldn’t earn you additional points under the distance based system. Furthermore, if you frequently buy premium cabin tickets, the lack of class of service bonuses under the new distance based system is less than ideal.
Bottom line
Atmos Rewards will soon be giving members the option of three different ways to earn points. With this, members can choose to earn points based on distance flown, dollars spent, or segments flown. Members can set their earnings preference as of October 1, 2026, and it’ll then apply for flights as of January 1, 2027.
Unless you consistently fly super cheap and short haul flights, or consistently spend an average of over 20 cents per flown mile, you’re best off continuing with the old system. And if that’s the case, there’s no action you have to take.
What do you make of the new Atmos Rewards points earning options?
"A majority of passengers spend an average of under 20 cents per mile (Alaska’s average passenger revenue per available seat mile is around 15 cents), so I tend to think the old system continues to make the most sense for a vast majority of people."
does this math hold up, though? that's *available* seat mile, and not all seats are occupied, which means that those empty seat miles are subsidized by the seats actually occupied...
"A majority of passengers spend an average of under 20 cents per mile (Alaska’s average passenger revenue per available seat mile is around 15 cents), so I tend to think the old system continues to make the most sense for a vast majority of people."
does this math hold up, though? that's *available* seat mile, and not all seats are occupied, which means that those empty seat miles are subsidized by the seats actually occupied by pax, which would seem to suggest that those ticket sales are at something of a higher cost basis than the average seat mile revenue in order to balance out the empty seats which earn zero cents per mile
@ digital_notmad -- That's a totally valid point. We're still talking about an average load factor of 80%+, so on *average* people will come out ahead with the distance based system. I guess everyone will have to crunch the numbers for themselves, based on their own situation.
Note that Alaska previously confirmed that distance-based earning will not receive any class of service bonus. So if you fly transcon or similar in J, you wouldn't get any bonus vs if you had flown economy.
Also, they said when they announced initially that paid for seat assignment and class-of-service upgrades will earn points under the revenue-based option.
@ clb -- You're right, I forgot to include that in the post, so I just added it. Thanks!
Ben, I'm curious on your take for how award trips and status points via the BoA Alaska Summit and Ascent credit cards might affect the distance vs. spend method to earn status.
@ rww -- I would say it shouldn't materially change things. The status points earning on the credit card is the same, regardless of the method you choose. Meanwhile for award flights it comes down to whether one would be better off earning one status point per flown mile, or one status point for every 20 points redeemed. Looking at most of my saver level award redemptions, the math is more favorable for the distance...
@ rww -- I would say it shouldn't materially change things. The status points earning on the credit card is the same, regardless of the method you choose. Meanwhile for award flights it comes down to whether one would be better off earning one status point per flown mile, or one status point for every 20 points redeemed. Looking at most of my saver level award redemptions, the math is more favorable for the distance based system, even when redeeming for premium cabin tickets.
Is the 500 mile minimum going away if you choose distance?
@ AZ ATMOS -- Yep, unfortunately it is.
What’s the bonus for elites and business fares if one chooses points per dollar?? Under the current scheme, 99.9 % of the people including business travelers will get more points and status miles with distance than ticket value.
This is just a stop gap until they fully switch to revenue based.
@ Davisson -- The elite bonuses are the same across methods, while there's not really the concept of class of service bonuses anymore.
Ive been hearing anecdotes that J class partner ticketed and operated are now posting at 250percent..but others not.
I have a BA J class ticket later in October.....would love to have clarity on when this actually starts.....
Does the cost paid include seat upgrade? I’ve got a 200 mile flight I bought with points, then paid $80 for a seat upgrade. Which option is best in this case? Thx and yay Alaska!
yes. it does.
@ Tm -- Yep, if you choose the revenue based model, then seat upgrade fees do earn you points (both redeemable points and status points).
Again, Alaska knocking it out of the park, lately. See, this is actually giving consumers a choice (not the fake 'choice' of unbundling fares, but really just charging more, like DL and UA have done recently, even for business class. Lame.) I'm glad they're keeping distance-based; and that even point redemptions on partners earn status with AS. That was a very pleasant surprise when I flew JFK-EZE in F on AA metal (before they retired 773 F cabin) using AS.
"I should also mention that Atmos Rewards promised to improve points earning rates for premium cabin tickets on partner airlines when booked directly with those airlines."
But will Alaska bump up earn rates for premium cabins on Alaska metal or when booked with Alaska?
you highlight a very clear loophole in why you should not pay for J class on AS...but AS ticketed and partner operated J class fares are insanely high to get the 250 percent....so they should just put everything long haul J to 250 percent.