In August 2024, we saw the launch of Atmos Rewards, the loyalty program of of Alaska Air Group, which includes Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines. This included a rebranding of elite tiers, plus plans to introduce a new top tier perk. Along those lines, we’ve just seen that exciting benefit rolled out, and it’s a major incentive to pursue status.
In this post:
Atmos Rewards Titaniums now get global upgrades
Atmos Rewards has four elite tiers — Titanium, Platinum, Gold, and Silver — and Titanium members are eligible for a special elite perk, which has just been rolled out, as of late April 2026.
Specifically, Atmos Rewards Titanium members are now eligible for day-of-departure upgrades into business class on all flights globally, without using points or a certificate. This applies not only to the member, but also to a companion traveling on the same reservation.
That makes Atmos Rewards the only loyalty program in the United States to offer such a perk, and it means you can be eligible for an upgrade to destinations like London (LHR), Rome (FCO), Seoul (ICN), Tokyo (NRT), etc. Admittedly there’s quite a risk associated with using this perk, because talk about a long flight on which to have a “battlefield” upgrade.
This complimentary upgrade perk is super valuable, and a major incentive to go for Titanium status. Titanium requires earning 135,000 Atmos Rewards status points in a calendar year, and those can be earned with credit card spending, award flights, and more.
It is worth noting one quirk with these upgrades. Per the Atmos Rewards website, “all status holders will show on the waitlist for flights to or from Asia, Europe, and Oceania,” though only Titanium members are eligible. So I guess there’s some IT limitation for now whereby those upgrades show for everyone, even if it’s not the case.
Upgrade certificates can also be used on global routes
Maybe I just haven’t been paying attention, but this caught me off guard. Atmos Rewards offers the milestone perks program, whereby members receive various benefits for passing different status points thresholds. Among those is the ability to earn upgrade certificates.
Historically, these have been usable throughout Alaska’s network, which admittedly was limited to the Americas. So what’s the latest on that, with the airline now going global? Well, it’s now possible to use these upgrade certificates for flights outside of the Americas as well, including on Alaska and Hawaiian:
- All of Alaska’s long haul routes out of Seattle require two upgrade certificates
- Hawaiian’s long haul routes also require two upgrade certificates, except flights to Pago Pago (PPG), Papeete (PPT), and Rarotonga (RAR), which require one upgrade certificate
Now, the actual process of upgrading is rather convoluted, and hopefully this is simplified over time:
- You have to fill out an upgrade request form between 30 days and 72 hours of departure
- Between 72 hours and four hours of departure, upgrades may be processed (though it doesn’t appear there’s last seat availability, or anything like that)
- If the upgrade doesn’t clear at least four hours before departure, then there’s no way to waitlist the upgrade anymore
This means that those with upgrade certificates get priority over Titanium members with clearing upgrades in advance, and then within four hours of departure, only Titanium members are eligible for upgrades.
Bottom line
With Alaska having finally launched long haul service under its own flight numbers, there’s also an exciting update when it comes to upgrades.
Atmos Rewards Titanium members and up to one companion are now eligible for upgrades on all Alaska and Hawaiian flights globally, which is a perk you won’t otherwise find in the US airline industry. Beyond that, upgrade certificates earned with the milestone perks can also be used in this way, though you may need two certificates, and the actual process of applying an upgrade certificate leaves a bit to be desired.
What do you make of the Atmos Rewards Titanium global upgrade perk?
“ This complimentary upgrade perk is super valuable, and a major incentive to go for Titanium status.”
On paper maybe? But it’s too soon to say that it is realistically no?
Agree with earlier post that upgrade certificates are basically worthless. I have earned dozens over the years and used them only once; so useless that I don't even bother taking the time to check to see if they're useable on a specific flight.
BTW, Atmos launched in August 2025, not August 2024.
Unlike others here I (Titanium) have had good luck with upgrades. And used two certificates each to upgrade HNL to AKL for two of us in late March. Cleared about 2 days before departure. A number upgrades to first as well, more than 50% since the end of 2025. Of course like everyone I would love upgrades all the time, and certificates to clear immediately. But given everything, not complaining yet.
@Ben I was lucky enough to receive one of these last week on NRT => SEA. The upgrade list showed from the beginning of the flight’s calendar day, and was processed 1 hour before departure when the flight closed for new bookings
OK, I guess this at least keeps the Upgradd Cert choice from being a complete sham at this point. U space is available in advance on 0.0001% of flights now. Why dont bloggers point this out instead of all the fluff AS has been rolling out. They have totally destroyed Mileage Plan.
Feels like all programs have devalued, one way or another. Alaska, Qantas, Aeroplan... all used to have amazing partner awards. Now, slimmer and slimmer. Delta's RUCs used to be great for Main to D1 on JFK-SFO; now, hardly any availability. Gene... it's bad.
Indeed, and Alaska may be the worst.
Honestly, I don't really think this should even be considered a perk or reason for pursuing Titanium. I assume most elites are already booked into business class or aren't willing to gamble at an upgrade - I know I'm not. I've been 100K/Titanium/75k for over 10 years and the upgrade certs are useless, so I doubt we'll see availability to use these. Atmos and Titanium are very rewarding, but this is not one of those reasons.
Really depends on how aggressive they are in selling cash upgrades.
Not much of a perk when the ex-Hawaiian widebodies have tine premium cabins