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The words “overhaul” and “rewards program” rarely inspire confidence among travelers. But Alaska Airlines’ new loyalty program, Atmos Rewards, aims to change that perception.
Atmos Rewards brings together Hawaiian Airlines and Alaska Airlines under a single program — something we've been waiting for ever since the two airlines merged. At first glance, it looks like Alaska focused on what travelers value most and built something new that combines the strengths of both programs while preserving its most unique features.
From new upgrade opportunities to more ways to redeem points, Atmos Rewards arguably raises the bar for what a loyalty program can be. Here’s what you need to know.
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Goodbye Mileage Plan and HawaiianMiles, Hello Atmos Rewards
With any new program, a lot changes, and Atmos Rewards is no exception. First up, the vocabulary. Starting today, Mileage Plan members are now Atmos Rewards members.
That'll take some getting used to.
Redeemable miles are now just called “points,” and elite qualifying miles are “status points.” The idea is to keep things simple and clear up the old confusion between what you can actually redeem and what helps you earn status.
HawaiianMiles members will formally make the switch to the new program in October. On October 1, you’ll get a new account number if you haven’t already linked your HawaiianMiles account with a Mileage Plan account.
The most important part, though, is that your balances are not changing. One Mileage Plan or HawaiianMiles mile equals one Atmos Rewards point, and the value stays the same. Even better, Atmos Rewards points never expire. That's something I really wish more programs would copy.
Related: Understanding Points and Miles Expiration — And How to Avoid Losing Your Rewards
Choose How You Want to Earn Points With Atmos Rewards
Alaska’s crown jewel has always been that it was the only airline still awarding points based on distance flown. That feature isn't going anywhere, but now members can also pick another way to earn if it works out better. As Alaska puts it:
“We’re introducing a first for a global airline that gives our members ultimate flexibility. Later in 2026, points and status points can be earned in one of three ways when flying with either airline.”
You will be able to choose the option that makes the most sense for you and update your preference once a year. Here's how Alaska spells out the options:
- Distance traveled: Earn one point for every mile flown. For thrifty travelers taking cross-country or international trips, this can be the best choice.
- Price paid: Earn five points for every $1 spent when purchasing a flight. This includes airfare and upgrades purchased in premium cabins. For travelers flying in our premium cabins, including our lie-flat suites, this might be the best choice
- Segments flown: Earn a flat 500 points for each flight segment. This is ideal for those who fly numerous short trips, such as inter-island hops in Hawaii or regional flights within California.
This is one of the most exciting changes I have seen in loyalty in a long time.
Adding more choice and flexibility is huge. Alaska’s distance-based earning has always been one of the strongest features in loyalty and I am glad to see it sticking around.
If you're someone who buys expensive tickets, you will come out ahead under the new system, too. And since you can update your preference once a year, you are not locked in if your travel style changes.
New Ways to Redeem Points With Atmos Rewards
Alaska is expanding globally with new flights to places like Tokyo, Rome, Seoul, and London. More than a dozen new routes are planned over the next five years, giving you plenty of chances to put Atmos Rewards to use.
Beyond flights, you can redeem Atmos Rewards for hotel stays, vacation rentals, and car rentals around the world.
Alaska is also planning to invest more in its “Unlocked” experiences, building on what other programs have done in recent history. This program lets you use points for experiences that money alone cannot buy. Think concert tickets, sporting events, celebrity meet and greets, and even behind-the-scenes tours of Alaska Airlines maintenance facilities.
Transfer Atmos Rewards points to hotel points
In what I think is a revolutionary change for an airline loyalty program, Alaska is now letting Atmos Rewards points convert into hotel points. The standout feature is that most transfers happen at a 1:1 rate. The catch is that this perk is only available to cardholders of the new Atmos Rewards Summit Visa Infinite® Card.
- Marriott Bonvoy (1:1)
- Preferred Hotels I Prefer (1:2) — 1 Atmos Rewards point equals 2 I Prefer points
- Wyndham Rewards (1:1)
- Shangri-La Circle (8:1) — 8 Atmos Rewards points equal 1 Circle point
- IHG One Rewards (1:1) — available only through early November for now
For anyone sitting on a stash of Atmos Rewards, this is, in my eyes, a positive addition. It opens new ways to use points or top off balances with hotel programs. Just be sure you are comfortable with the value before making a transfer.
On average, AwardWallet users get 2.12¢ of value from their Mileage Plan miles (we assume this won't change alongside the new name). So, in other words, while a 1:1 transfer to Marriott may not be that exciting, the real win here is simply having more options. If you can't find good flight redemptions, you now have meaningful new ways to use your points.
Brand-New Elite Status Tiers
A new program means new names for its elite tiers. Goodbye MVP Gold and 75K, and hello to a lineup that follows the precious metals theme most airlines use. The tiers are more straightforward and make it easier to see where you stand in the loyalty ladder.
| Atmos Rewards Tier | Mileage Plan Tier | Oneworld Status Equivalent |
|---|---|---|
| Atmos Silver (20K) | MVP | Ruby |
| Atmos Gold (40K) | MVP Gold | Sapphire |
| Atmos Platinum (75K) | MVP Gold 75K | Emerald |
| Atmos Titanium (100K) | MVP Gold 100K | Emerald |
However, the details matter more than the names. Starting in 2026, qualification requirements for elite status will change — and not for the better. Atmos Platinum will require 80,000 status points, while Atmos Titanium will require 135,000.
That is a modest bump for Platinum and a much steeper climb for Titanium. It is clearly meant to thin out the top ranks and focus benefits on the flyers who spend the most with Alaska and Hawaiian. Status may be easier to qualify for now, but the climb to the top will cost more.
On the bright side, earning toward these levels isn't limited to flights. For example, every two dollars spent on purchases on the new Atmos Rewards Visa Infinite Card earns one status point — with no cap. Cardholders also get 10,000 status points each year on their card anniversary.
Additional Quirks and Benefits of Atmos Rewards
Free Wi-Fi
For many travelers, Wi-Fi is no longer optional when flying, and Alaska is making a major investment to keep you connected. Alaska and Hawaiian will roll out Starlink in-flight connectivity across more aircraft, giving Atmos Rewards members free, ultra-fast streaming Wi-Fi through a partnership with T-Mobile. No more $8 Wi-Fi. If you're an Atmos member, Wi-Fi is free.
Installation on Alaska’s fleet begins in 2026 and should be complete by 2027. Hawaiian already has Starlink on select long-haul aircraft, and in our experience, it's worked beautifully.
Upgrade improvements
Upgrades are another big win for elite members. Atmos Titanium members will become the only travelers in the United States eligible for complimentary day-of-departure upgrades into global business class for themselves and a companion — without using points or certificates. You can buy an economy ticket and move to business class when seats are available.
Starting next spring, all Atmos status holders and one companion will also receive complimentary upgrades on Hawaiian Airlines flights within North America.
Points pooling
If you hold the new Alaska premium credit card, you can pool points with friends or family. Up to ten people can share at a time, with no transfer fees and no cap on how many points can be pooled.
What’s Not Changing With the New Loyalty Program
It might feel like every part of the former Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan and HawaiianMiles programs is changing. And while a lot is new, there are still some important things staying the same.
Most notably, the award chart for Alaska Airlines, Hawaiian Airlines, and partner-operated flights is not going anywhere. A spokesperson for Alaska Airlines confirmed that “there are no changes to award charts or starting values for award redemptions.” At least for now, award rates will remain as they are, keeping our favorite sweet spots intact.
On the credit card side, current and future Hawaiian Airlines cardholders can rest easy, too. The current lineup is sticking around, and both the names and benefits remain the same — and Barclays confirmed to AwardWallet that applications aren't closing anytime soon.
It is a similar story with the Alaska Airlines credit cards. Even though the name is changing, your account numbers and benefits will stay intact and continue without interruption.
And finally, Alaska’s well-known companion fare is also sticking around. It will simply be called the “Companion Fare” instead of “Alaska’s Famous Companion Fare.” The perk itself is unchanged — only the label.
Bottom Line
Look, change is hard. Every program faces it sooner or later. But credit where it is due, Alaska has clearly listened to its members and built a loyalty program that feels world-class.
You can still earn by distance traveled, but now you can also earn by spending if that fits your travel style. You can upgrade into global business class, transfer points into hotels for a full-trip experience, and enjoy free Wi-Fi on all Alaska and Hawaiian flights.
Kudos to Alaska for taking the best of an award-winning program and making it even better. I will be watching to see what else rolls out in the years ahead, but this is a great first step.
What are your thoughts? What would you like to see changed in the new Atmos Rewards program?
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