In August 2025, we saw the Atmos Rewards loyalty program launch, as that’s the new combined loyalty program of Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines. The program is really well thought out, in my opinion, with some unique features you won’t find with other programs.
At the time the program was announced, there was one major weak point, as I saw it, which came down to the lack of value of crediting partner flights to the program… even though that has historically been one of the best parts of the program!
Within weeks of the program launching, Atmos Rewards announced that this would improve “later in 2026.” Well, the full details of the improved partner points earning rates have just been announced, and there’s a catch that I wasn’t anticipating.
Atmos Rewards’ lackluster partner points earning rates
Atmos Rewards has a lot of airline partners, including oneworld as well as non-oneworld carriers. As it currently stands, points earning rates differ massively for travel on partner airlines, based on whether you’re booking the ticket through Alaska or directly through the partner airline.
Below is the current points earning chart when booking partner airlines through Alaska.
Below is the current points earning chart when booking direct with partner airlines.
As I’ve said before, while the points earning rates are great if booking directly through Alaska, they’re otherwise pretty uncompetitive. It’s one thing if all partner flights could easily be booked directly through Alaska, but that’s simply not the case.
For example, earning a total of just 150% points for international first class or 125% points for international business class just doesn’t cut it nowadays. For that matter, there’s a certain irony to the program offering status points on award flights at the rate of 100% across cabins, which in many ways is more rewarding than revenue flights booked through partners.
It’s just strange to earn 125% status points for a business class ticket if paying cash, or 100% status points for a business class ticket if redeeming points. Perhaps that’s one major hesitation that was standing in the way of some oneworld flyers switching to the program. So that brings us to the positive update…
Atmos Rewards making partner flights more rewarding
For flights as of January 1, 2027, Atmos Rewards is increasing points earning rates for first and business class travel on partner airlines, when booking directly through those partners. Once these changes are implemented, here’s how points earning rates will change (and this includes both status points and redeemable points):
- Domestic first and business class tickets will go from earning 125% to 150% points
- International business class tickets will go from earning 125% to 250% points
- International first class tickets will go from earning 150% points to 250% points
As you can see, those are some major changes, especially for business class. I do find it strange that first and business class tickets internationally will earn the same number of points. Just to be clear, the above amounts are before any elite points bonuses, though those don’t count toward qualifying for elite status.
Here’s the important detail that hadn’t been revealed until now, though. The introduction of this new feature coincides with the launch of the new “choose how you earn” program for earning points. The improved points earning rates only apply if you choose to earn points based on fare paid, and not if you choose to earn based on distance flown or segments flown.
That’s because under the distance flown concept, all flights earn one point per mile flown, with no class of service bonus. Meanwhile under the segment concept, each segment is rewarded equally, regardless of the distance, fare, etc.
Then there’s another catch, even if you select the fare paid option. Keep in mind that the higher distance based points earning wouldn’t apply on American, since under the fare paid concept, American flights credit based on fare paid rather than distance flown.
Bottom line
As of January 1, 2027, Atmos Rewards will be significantly improving points earning rates for first and business class tickets on partner airlines, when booking directly with partners. The changes are considerable, with international business class going from earning 125% points, to earning 250% points.
This is awesome, but the major catch is that the improved points earning rates only apply if you choose to be rewarded based on fare paid rather than based on distance flown. That also means that American flights wouldn’t qualify for this improved earning, since under the fare paid concept, those flights are credited based on amount spent.
So while I’m generally happy to see this change, it definitely feels like there’s quite a catch here. Yes, Atmos Rewards will continue to award points based on distance flown, but for premium travel, including on partner airlines, that’s now rather unrewarding.
What do you make of these Atmos Rewards partner points earning changes?
This is good to know. Obviously, most airlines want you to spend cash on their metal. That said, for Atmos Rewards, my focus is to keep earning status points based on distance traveled while redeeming Alaska points on F/J partner awards (AA, JX, etc.); Alaska is uniquely generous with that, regardless of these other changes. Even when other airlines allow you to earn status qualifying points on award redemptions, it's usually only for their metal,...
This is good to know. Obviously, most airlines want you to spend cash on their metal. That said, for Atmos Rewards, my focus is to keep earning status points based on distance traveled while redeeming Alaska points on F/J partner awards (AA, JX, etc.); Alaska is uniquely generous with that, regardless of these other changes. Even when other airlines allow you to earn status qualifying points on award redemptions, it's usually only for their metal, not partners. (Like, DL redemptions earn MQDs on DL metal, not AF, KL, VN, etc.)
The real question is whether cash-paid partner flights should be credited to AS or AA under these circumstances. If selecting 'distance,' ideally we're traveling long-distance and not spending much on those tickets. However, if you're like Ben, spending a small fortune to review a partner seat in F/J, spend-based is probably best (and I recall he's transitioned to AS-focus, over AA, even while based at MIA!) Or, if you're a road-warrior going from SEA-PDX in Economy multiple times per week, then 500 a pop is maybe best. Will be interesting to see how this goes for everyone.
Thanks for this. I'm still processing (need more coffee) but to clarify - the Atmos webpage says "Eligible American Airlines-marketed flights booked through American" get 5 points per $. But does that mean that AA flights not booked through AA but credited to AS get the partner earn chart? (Understand that you have to select fare paid to get the partner earn chart.)
Also has interesting implications for earning points through award travel as you'd...
Thanks for this. I'm still processing (need more coffee) but to clarify - the Atmos webpage says "Eligible American Airlines-marketed flights booked through American" get 5 points per $. But does that mean that AA flights not booked through AA but credited to AS get the partner earn chart? (Understand that you have to select fare paid to get the partner earn chart.)
Also has interesting implications for earning points through award travel as you'd then go to 1 status point per 20 points redeemed?
And if you have Atmos status do you get further bonus points on top of the partner reward chart? And are those bonus points = status points as well?
@ Peter_ -- As I said in another post, there are definitely some Bilt Cash comparisons to be made here in terms of complexity. :p
Regarding American flights, you're talking about American flights booked through airlines other than American, Alaska, or Hawaiian? Unless they're codeshare flights through another airline, the ticket would still likely credit based on price, due to the fare data that Atmos Rewards would have access to.
Indeed, the different award flight...
@ Peter_ -- As I said in another post, there are definitely some Bilt Cash comparisons to be made here in terms of complexity. :p
Regarding American flights, you're talking about American flights booked through airlines other than American, Alaska, or Hawaiian? Unless they're codeshare flights through another airline, the ticket would still likely credit based on price, due to the fare data that Atmos Rewards would have access to.
Indeed, the different award flight status points earning thing is interesting as well. The better system depends on the distances you usually fly, and if you consistently redeem at the saver level or not.
Atmos Rewards elite bonuses are on top of the earnings rates shown, though elite bonuses only count toward redeemable points, and not status points (unlike AAdvantage, for example).