Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines have launched their new combined loyalty program, Atmos Rewards. While there are a few changes to the program, most of the program perks that people love are sticking around. Among those is the ability for award flights to count toward elite status.
In this post, I’d like to discuss how that works with the program, especially since Atmos Rewards now lets members choose how they want to qualify for status. I’d argue that this is one of the many features that makes Atmos Rewards incredibly interesting.
In this post:
Atmos Rewards award flights count toward elite status
The Atmos Rewards program counts award flights toward elite status. What’s unique is that members can choose how they want to qualify for elite status, whether it’s based on the distance flown, the price paid for tickets, or the number of segments flown.
This same principle applies to award flights. I’ll talk more about which award flights qualify below, but generally speaking, Atmos Rewards members can earn status points for award flights in one of three ways:
- If you choose to earn status points based on distance flown, you’ll earn one status point per flown mile; it doesn’t matter what cabin you’re flying in, or what airline you’re flying
- If you choose to earn status points based on price paid, you’ll earn one status point for every 20 points redeemed
- If you choose to earn status points based on segments flown, you’ll earn a flat 500 status points per segment flown
You can only change your preferred status points earning method once per year, and the same earning method applies to both revenue and award flights.
Purely in terms of maximizing your return on award flights, I definitely think the distance traveled method is the most rewarding on average, given that the price paid method only awards one status point for every 20 points redeemed. In other words, if you redeemed 50,000 points for a flight, you’d earn 2,500 status points, equivalent to flying 2,500 miles.
So, which award flights actually qualify toward Atmos Rewards status?
- You must have booked your award ticket through the Atmos Rewards program, and not through a partner frequent flyer program
- It doesn’t matter which airline you fly (any of the roughly 30 Atmos Rewards global partners qualify), or which cabin you’re traveling in, as you can earn status points regardless
- You must have your Atmos Rewards number on the reservation at the time of travel
- The person traveling gets credited the status points, regardless of which Atmos Rewards account the redemption was made from (so if a friend redeems Atmos Rewards points for your award flight, you could still earn status points)
- Note that you only earn status points for award flights, and you don’t earn redeemable points
Now, in fairness, let me acknowledge that Delta SkyMiles was actually the first US frequent flyer program to start awarding status qualification for award flights. Then again, it’s not actually an interesting program otherwise, so… 😉
How significant is earning elite status with award flights?
As a reminder, for 2026 (for the purposes of 2027 elite status qualification), Atmos Rewards elite requirements will be as follows:
- Atmos Silver (oneworld Ruby) requires 20,000 status points
- Atmos Gold (oneworld Sapphire) requires 40,000 status points
- Atmos Platinum (oneworld Emerald) requires 80,000 status points
- Atmos Titanium (oneworld Emerald) requires 135,000 status points
The ability to earn status points for award flights is one of only several creative ways to earn status points with Atmos Rewards. Atmos Rewards also lets members earn elite status with credit card spending:
- The Atmos™ Rewards Ascent Visa Signature® Credit Card (review) and Atmos™ Rewards Visa Signature® Business Card (review) offer one status point per $3 spent; in 2025 you can earn up to 30,000 status points this way, and as of 2026, there’s no cap on status points earning
- The Atmos™ Rewards Summit Visa Infinite® Credit Card (review) offers one status point per $2 spent; there are no caps on status points earning
Atmos Rewards also awards status points with its everyday partners, and you can even earn status points in a pretty lucrative way with Bilt.
I’ve gotta say, the Atmos Rewards program is really well structured in terms of keeping people on the elite status hamster wheel. You can rack up status points and redeemable points with credit cards at a great rate, and then when you actually redeem those points, you get even closer to status. If you ask me, this is a great method for unlocking oneworld Sapphire status or oneworld Emerald status.
For someone who redeems a lot of points for award travel, I’d say that going all-in on Atmos Rewards could make a lot of sense. The one thing to keep in mind is that Atmos Rewards has great partner airline revenue mileage earning rates if booking through Alaska, though if booking directly through the partner, rates aren’t nearly as good. That’s one downside to the program.
As someone who redeems a ton of Atmos Rewards points on American, the ability to earn elite status from award flights is something that’s a major consideration for me. The way I view it, if you’re a super redeemer who books a significant amount of award travel through Atmos Rewards, this has the potential to be a game changer, especially compared to American (which doesn’t offer any status points on award flights).
Bottom line
The Atmos Rewards program offers status points for award flights, which is pretty awesome. This was first introduced at the beginning of 2025, but with Atmos Rewards now letting you pick how you want to earn status, I’m happy to see this concept is sticking around, and even evolving.
You can earn status points as long as you redeem Atmos Rewards points, including for travel on partner airlines. We’ve never seen a lucrative loyalty program be quite this generous when it comes to rewarding award travel. Given Atmos Rewards’ huge array of airline partners, this is something to be excited about.
Is your airline loyalty strategy impacted by Atmos Rewards awarding elite status with award flights?
@Ben if you book an AA flight using Atmos in order to earn status on Alaska, are you not giving up the ability to use the benefits from your existing AA status on those flights?
Learned the hard way that Starlux was the only airline that didn't earn elite qualifying miles (now status points). There is a tiny little disclaimer on the website (and I mean tiny).
At this time, STARLUX Airlines flights booked via partner site are not eligible to earn Atmos Rewards status points.
I came to this website over a year ago to learn more about commercial air travel through Ben’s flight reviews, etc. Without following Ben’s New La Premiere flight experience, I would never have booked our forthcoming trip with them.
I have been negligent as far as taking an interest in Ben’s Credit Card articles are concerned. I did not think that points and privileges were of that much of an interest to me …. but...
I came to this website over a year ago to learn more about commercial air travel through Ben’s flight reviews, etc. Without following Ben’s New La Premiere flight experience, I would never have booked our forthcoming trip with them.
I have been negligent as far as taking an interest in Ben’s Credit Card articles are concerned. I did not think that points and privileges were of that much of an interest to me …. but then again …. following Ben’s response to my questions, he has changed my mind.
More investigation into the benefits of holding multiple UK credit cards is needed. One has always dismissed the annual fee cards as not being cost effective. Am I right or am I wrong, that is the question?
In conclusion, thank you once again Ben for opening my eyes to an alternative mindset.
Does status point accumulation apply to upcoming flights I have previously booked via Alaska mileage plan (pre-atmos) rewards?
Also, I'm unable to find where to select my method of status points earnings... Any help is much appreciated!
Q1: Yes
Q2: Choice kicks in later
I haven't found in the Alaska/ATMOS website where we select the methods of obtaining status points. Did I overlook it?
Ben - can you confirm the distance based earning in 2026 is getting rid of COS multipliers? Alaska never fully confirmed this. For example. I book a J class ticket trans earns the same as a cheap G class economy fare (or even saver for that matter).
This would be a HUGE devaluation and push everyone to revenue based. This was not covered by OMAAT. Clearly Alaska is paying for thier coverage on the new changes. Nothing bad has been outlined in the assessment.
If you find Ben's coverage unreliable, why do you read this blog? You rudely assert this and then you have the nerve to ask him for something. What a jerk. Go fish.
Lee, sometimes ’fanboy’ sniping is not at all helpful.
Please remember that there is no such thing as a stupid question …. only stupid answers, yes?
Got approved yesterday for the Summit. Got a question though the earning cap is 30k for the summit for this year as well right? Next year it gets uncapped? Also for the points sharing feature the transfers are bi-directional after they are added to the group right? I earned AA PP this year due to the business card BOGO status promo but I haven't received any upgrades and no decent award redemptions over 400k miles...
Got approved yesterday for the Summit. Got a question though the earning cap is 30k for the summit for this year as well right? Next year it gets uncapped? Also for the points sharing feature the transfers are bi-directional after they are added to the group right? I earned AA PP this year due to the business card BOGO status promo but I haven't received any upgrades and no decent award redemptions over 400k miles and counting. Think this might be a one and done as I don't see the point pushing to exp. Going all in with Atmos seems like the way to go I can earn with personal and business spend redeem miles and earn status. They solved the age old problem of not being able to enjoy the miles you earn. Bravo Alaska. Only gripe is limiting companion status benefits to 2 people for premier class unlike AA which allows 6. Perhaps in a future update they will allow that for Platinum and above. The AA executive is a great AS lounge card though
@ UnitedEF -- I don't believe there's an earning cap on the Summit this year, I think that just applies to the two previous cards. Correct, points transfers can go in either direction.
Ok Ben, so, you are selective about who to respond to and secretive about the questions which you are prepared to answer.
Your blog, your business, your choice will be the echoes from the wings. The fanboys will rally around to berate me for my lack of understanding. So be it.
Ben, I simply cannot understand why anyone would want to go to all the trouble of applying for, using and administering two dozen credit...
Ok Ben, so, you are selective about who to respond to and secretive about the questions which you are prepared to answer.
Your blog, your business, your choice will be the echoes from the wings. The fanboys will rally around to berate me for my lack of understanding. So be it.
Ben, I simply cannot understand why anyone would want to go to all the trouble of applying for, using and administering two dozen credit cards. Like most people, I am sure that you have regular needs, income and outgoings. Therefore, the points earning potential does have its limitations. There has to be more to this conundrum than I can imagine, yes?
@AeroB
Thank you. I am glad to see that I am not the only one who has been thinking this.
I find this hamster wheel rather bizarre. Perhaps there is something I am missing.
If you don't travel enough it would seem bizarre. Once you get addicted to luxury travel it becomes a drug. I was addicted the first time I boarded a PS flight operated by UA in F LAX - JFK for $50 using my friends UA flight benefits back in 2008. I've been flying in F and J around the world now for business and leisure and staying in 5 star resorts all on CC points...
If you don't travel enough it would seem bizarre. Once you get addicted to luxury travel it becomes a drug. I was addicted the first time I boarded a PS flight operated by UA in F LAX - JFK for $50 using my friends UA flight benefits back in 2008. I've been flying in F and J around the world now for business and leisure and staying in 5 star resorts all on CC points and free night certificates from credit cards and program benefits. The funny thing is it costs less than paying cash most of the time.
Ben’s case is obviously exceptional since credit cards and travel are central to his business, but having a dozen credit cards really isn’t a ridiculous number for a hobbyist. Some people have lots of model trains or Squishmallows, some people have that many credit cards.
Justindav and Dav,
Personally, I find that my needs are far from modest. That said here on the right side of the pond, Amex, is quite unpopular with many UK businesses. Thus one can experience difficulties in finding a business willing to accept the commission payments for high value items.
My Visa CC is much easier to use here, however, I see no advantage for using a CC for most every day transactions. A...
Justindav and Dav,
Personally, I find that my needs are far from modest. That said here on the right side of the pond, Amex, is quite unpopular with many UK businesses. Thus one can experience difficulties in finding a business willing to accept the commission payments for high value items.
My Visa CC is much easier to use here, however, I see no advantage for using a CC for most every day transactions. A simple Visa debit card eliminates much of the hassle.
Points and privileges are not as easy to obtain here, therefore, of lesser importance.
@AeroB13:
You really should never use a debit card to buy anything. While some debit card transactions are routed over the credit card rails and look like a credit card transaction, they are still hitting your bank account eventually. I am a firm believer in never letting any organization debit your DDAs unless they also credit them. And yes, I understand that debit card usage is helluva lot more popular in rest of the...
@AeroB13:
You really should never use a debit card to buy anything. While some debit card transactions are routed over the credit card rails and look like a credit card transaction, they are still hitting your bank account eventually. I am a firm believer in never letting any organization debit your DDAs unless they also credit them. And yes, I understand that debit card usage is helluva lot more popular in rest of the world, but use credit card instead. Heck, I use my credit cards even for items that cost next to nothing, like milk, which costs $1.47. Only time my debit card is used is on the rare occasion to withdraw cash.
@ AeroB13a -- It's a fair question, and the answer is more straightforward than you might think.
Several cards are no annual fee cards that I don't actually use. Why do I keep them? Because having a high average age of accounts and low credit utilization helps your credit score, so I benefit just by having the cards open.
Then several other cards I have simply for the perks they offer for being a...
@ AeroB13a -- It's a fair question, and the answer is more straightforward than you might think.
Several cards are no annual fee cards that I don't actually use. Why do I keep them? Because having a high average age of accounts and low credit utilization helps your credit score, so I benefit just by having the cards open.
Then several other cards I have simply for the perks they offer for being a cardmember. I don't put a dime of spending on them, aside from paying the annual fee. Why would I keep them? Take IHG cards for example, which have $50-100 annual fees. Each card offers an annual free night award, which more than justifies the annual fee.
In total, I maybe have half a dozen cards that I actually regularly spend money on. Does that make sense? :-)
Perfect sense, thank you Ben.
Being a ‘bear of very little brain’ and not needing, or, knowing about the perks, one simply couldn’t understand why you would be bothered.
Let's say a person has every credit card in existence and used the highest rewarding card for each purchase for a theoretical maximum reward rate. Now, if a person limit oneself to only three optimally chosen cards based on one's spending pattern, the person will likely achieve about 95 percent of the theoretical maximum. Add a fourth card and get an additional one or two percent at most. The law of diminishing returns. Beyond that,...
Let's say a person has every credit card in existence and used the highest rewarding card for each purchase for a theoretical maximum reward rate. Now, if a person limit oneself to only three optimally chosen cards based on one's spending pattern, the person will likely achieve about 95 percent of the theoretical maximum. Add a fourth card and get an additional one or two percent at most. The law of diminishing returns. Beyond that, as Ben noted, a specific card might not be used but held for a specific perk -- sock drawer cards. Last is the credit report benefit -- also sock drawer cards. Personally, I have four in-the-wallet cards and six sock drawer cards. Easily managed.
i hope this changes the avail for business class tickets to europe from miami. all i can see avail is main cabin only for redemption. also south america
I like these articles, haters can just not read them... It's that simple.
I do have a question though. If I purchase cash flights on OW partners and put my Atmos Rewards number, do I get get Atmos status points and/or miles? If so, are the rates different than flying on Alaska/Hawaiian metal?
@ Peter -- Yes, you earn status points and redeemable points for revenue flights on oneworld partners. Earning rates differ based on whether you book through Alaska or a partner, and you can find all the rates here:
https://www.alaskaair.com/atmosrewards/content/earn-points/flights
Perfect! That's the info and link I needed. Thanks Ben.
UA awards PQPs on award flights to - albeit only on UA metal - which deserves credit since you seem to be making out that Alaska is so revolutionary. I believe Virgin Australia actually pioneered this over 10 years ago.
@ PDS -- The revolutionary part among US carriers is awarding status points for partner award flights, since that's where the best sweet spot redemption opportunities are.
Now Ben is putting Atmos awards between more interesting topics....lol
@ Jmsks -- Right, isn't a mix of content what people would like?
Has no effect. Been a lifelong loyalist to AS, and this only underscores why.
That name, however.....could have done much better. Still think of Dolby Atmos every time I see/hear it...but it would be the silliest reason to dump the program given how they've strengthened it.
I find the copying of Bonvoy’s stupidly- named status levels where Titanium is apparently more exclusive than precious metals annoying.
More than annoying, it's downright rude that they didn't check with you first.
Lee why do you get so butthurt over fairly innocuous criticisms?