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It's been a busy year for Alaska Airlines loyalists. Following the merger with Hawaiian Airlines and the launch of its brand-new loyalty program Atmos Rewards, there are lots of new things to get used to.
Alaska Airlines Atmos Rewards members have several routes to earn valuable perks. Alaska introduced milestone rewards at the beginning of 2025 to grant members exclusive benefits between elite tiers, and these have rolled over to the new rewards program.
From free Wi-Fi to upgrade certificates, we’ve got the scoop on everything you need to know about Alaska Airlines' milestone rewards, including how to earn them and redeem them for maximum value.
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What Are Alaska Airlines Milestone Rewards?
Alaska Airlines Atmos Rewards milestone rewards are the unique benefits you'll receive en route to qualifying for elite status — and then as extra incentives for frequent flyers to keep flying Alaska after earning top-tier Atmos Titanium. You'll hit various milestones when you earn a certain number of status points.
These milestones start at 10,000 status points and fall between elite levels, meaning you don’t have to wait until the next elite level before earning a perk or two. Best of all, for each milestone achieved, members will get to choose one or two (depending on the level) benefits from a menu of rewards.
How to Earn Alaska Airlines Milestone Rewards
All Alaska Atmos Rewards elite levels and milestone rewards are awarded based on status points accumulated over a calendar year. Unlike Atmos Rewards points — which you earn and use to book award flights — status points are specifically used to measure your progress toward elite status.
These status points are tracked separately from the points you can redeem for flights, and they play a crucial role in helping you reach different status tiers and unlock milestone rewards.
How to earn Atmos Rewards status points
Naturally, you might be wondering how to earn Atmos Rewards status points. Later in 2026, you'll be able to choose how you earn redeemable points and status points from the following options:
- Distance traveled: You'll earn 1 point per 1 mile flown, even on award tickets. If you frequently take transcontinental or long-haul flights, this would be the most lucrative option.
- Price paid: You'll earn 5 points per $1 spent on your fare and on upgrades. You'll earn 1 point for every 20 points you redeem for an award redemption. If you love a first-class ticket, this could yield the most miles.
- Segments flown: You can earn 500 points per segment flown. If you frequently travel short distances, you might consider this option to earn a flat rate on every flight, no matter how much the ticket costs or how far you travel.
You can change how you earn once a year.
Starting January 1, 2026, you'll also be able to earn status points in the following ways:
- Alaska Hotels stays, Alaska Car Rentals, Alaska Cruises, and Alaska Vacations bookings: 1 status point per $1
- Lyft rides: 1 status point per $1
- Purchases with the Atmos™ Rewards Summit Visa Infinite® Card: 1 status point per $2 spent
- Purchases with the Atmos™ Rewards Ascent and Atmos™ Rewards Business Card: 1 status point per $3 spent
- Everyday partners: 1 status point per 3 base points earned
For 2025, the elite-qualifying points you earned with the former loyalty program (Mileage Plan) will automatically transfer to Atmos Rewards at a 1:1 ratio.
Alaska Airlines Milestone Rewards
Alaska Airlines Milestone Rewards will reward you between the Atmos Rewards elite status thresholds with benefits you can choose from. Here's a breakdown of your choices at every level:
| Status Points Threshold | Milestone Reward Options |
|---|---|
| 10,000 | Choose One: • 750 bonus points • Pre-order a complimentary meal for your flight • Try Atmos Silver status for a trip • One complimentary Wi-Fi pass • Earn double points with non-air partners • Upgrade your next Avis or Budget car rental • $10 Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) contribution |
| 20,000 | Atmos Silver Status |
| 30,000 | Choose One: • 2,500 bonus points • $25 flight discount • Four Wi-Fi passes • Try Atmos Gold status for a trip • $100 off an Alaska Lounge membership • $25 SAF contribution |
| 40,000 | Atmos Gold Status |
| 55,000 | Choose Two: • 5,000 bonus points • 10,000 points off an Atmos Rewards Unlocked experience • Gift Atmos Silver for a trip • One complimentary Alaska Lounge day pass • Two upgrade certificates • $50 SAF contribution |
| 75,000 | Atmos Platinum Status |
| 85,000 | Choose Two: • 15,000 bonus points • 25,000 points off an Atmos Rewards Unlocked experience • Two complimentary Alaska Lounge day passes • Two upgrade certificates • Gift Atmos Gold status for a trip • Nominate someone for Atmos Silver status • 10,000 status points rolled over • $150 SAF contribution |
| 100,000 | Atmos Titanium Status |
| 150,000 | Choose Two: • 15,000 bonus points • 25,000 points off an Atmos Rewards Unlocked experience • Two complimentary Alaska Lounge day passes • Two upgrade certificates • 10,000 status points rolled over • $150 SAF contribution |
| 200,000 | Choose Two: • 15,000 bonus points • 25,000 points off an Atmos Rewards Unlocked experience • Two complimentary Alaska Lounge day passes • Two upgrade certificates • 10,000 status points rolled over • $150 SAF contribution |
| 250,000 | Choose Two: • 15,000 bonus points • 25,000 points off an Atmos Rewards Unlocked experience • Two complimentary Alaska Lounge day passes • Two upgrade certificates • 10,000 status points rolled over • $150 SAF contribution |
You may notice in the chart that you have the opportunity to redeem points for “exclusive experiences and events” through its Atmos Rewards Unlocked program. Through this program, you can purchase experiences such as concerts, sporting events, or vacation packages by redeeming Alaska points.
Which Alaska Airlines Milestone Rewards Are Best?
One of the best features of Alaska's new milestone rewards is that you get to choose the rewards that you want. This allows you to customize the benefits to your own needs. That said, some perks are objectively worth more than others in straightforward value.
Best lower-level Alaska Milestone Rewards
The get-status-for-a-day option is intriguing. Being able to use elite status that you haven't yet earned for an upcoming trip is a great perk. This could mean substantial savings on checked bag costs or even a complimentary upgrade (if you get lucky). At the 10K milestone, you can try Atmos Silver for a trip. You reach this tier of status at 20,000 status points.
Then, at 30K, you can try Atmos Gold for a trip before reaching the 40,000 status points required. If you didn't want to try Atmos Gold when you reach the 30K milestone, you could opt for 2,500 bonus points. Given that AwardWallet users have recently redeemed Atmos Rewards points for an average value of 2.12¢ apiece, this bonus is worth roughly $53.
Some of these lower-level milestones allow you to select a complimentary Wi-Fi pass as an option, but keep in mind that Atmos Rewards members will receive complimentary Wi-Fi on flights starting in 2026, so this might not be a great value.
Best upper-level Alaska Milestone Rewards
Once you reach that 55K level, you can choose two rewards — further upping the value. This is also the level at which the upgrade certificates are available. Although elite members receive complimentary upgrades as available, you could use upgrade certificates to upgrade your seat immediately or to upgrade flights for friends and family if they aren't traveling with you.
At this milestone, you can also gift Atmos Silver for a trip to someone else, which could also be a nice gift for a friend or family member. However, you could also choose 5,000 bonus points, which could be worth over $100 given recent AwardWallet user redemptions, a complimentary Alaska Lounge day pass, or two upgrade certificates. If you go the gifting route, make sure you'll get enough value to justify not choosing the other options.
Some excellent options in the upper milestone levels — 85K and higher — are the 15,000 bonus points (worth over $300 based on recent AwardWallet user redemptions) and the upgrade certificates. At these levels, you can also opt to roll over 10,000 EQMs to the next year, giving you a head start for earning status and milestone rewards in the future.
Final Thoughts
Several programs have started moving toward adding milestone rewards en route to elite status. Some examples include American Airlines, Hyatt, and IHG. Such offerings are a great way for programs to keep customers engaged in the brand and incentivize loyalty.
Alaska's milestone rewards allow members to choose the benefits they want to earn. And with the many new ways to earn status points (including award redemptions), it could attract new customers who don't even typically fly on Alaska Airlines. These rewards offer more flexibility and personalization, allowing travelers to choose perks that align with their travel habits.
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