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Alaska Airlines rolled out big changes to its frequent flyer program over the last few years, among which was a pivot towards rewarding credit card spending with elite status credits. Similar to other U.S.-based carriers, it's possible to earn Alaska Atmos Rewards elite status and Milestone Rewards without getting on an Alaska Airlines flight.
Here's how to leverage your co-branded Alaska Airlines credit card to earn elite status and extra perks in 2026.
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Earn Atmos Rewards Status Points, Get Elite Status and Milestone Rewards
As with most U.S. domestic airlines these days, Alaska only has one metric for elite status: Status Points (SPs).
To reach one of four Atmos Rewards elite tiers, you need to earn enough Status Points through flying, spending with select partners, or swiping a Bank of America-issued Alaska Airlines credit card. For 2026, Alaska requires members to earn the following SPs:
- Atmos Silver: 20,000 Status Points
- Atmos Gold: 40,000 Status Points
- Atmos Platinum: 80,000 Status Points
- Atmos Titanium: 135,000 Status Points
As you earn Status Points toward elite status, you'll also unlock Alaska Airlines Milestone Rewards. These rewards are perks you pick at various thresholds. Choices become available starting at 10,000 Status Points and get progressively more valuable.
New to the program in 2026 is the ability to choose how you earn Status Points when flying Alaska. While this won't concern those looking to earn status through credit card spending, it's important to choose a strategy to help you on your status journey.
Related: Earn Airline Elite Status Without Flying: Status Match, Fast Track, Card Spending Opportunities
How to Earn Atmos Rewards Status Points on Credit Card Spending
Alaska Airlines offers three credit cards: the Atmos™ Rewards Ascent Visa Signature® card, the Atmos™ Rewards Summit Visa Infinite® Card, and the Atmos™ Rewards Visa Business Card.
Cardholders of the Atmos Summit card earn 1 Status Point for every $2 spent on their card, uncapped. For all other Alaska credit cards, you can earn 1 Status Point for every $3 spent on their card, uncapped.
As you may remember from above, 20,000 Status Points is enough to reach Atmos Silver elite status. Through spending alone, you could earn 20,000 Status Points from spending $40,000 on your Atmos Summit card, or $60,000 on your Atmos Ascent Visa Card or Atmos Visa Business Card.
Achieving Atmos Silver unlocks 25% bonus Atmos points on flights, complimentary First and Premium Class upgrades (when available), a free checked bag, Oneworld Ruby benefits, and more.
While earning Alaska Airlines Silver elite status through credit card spending is possible, it will take a lot of spending. This option would let you earn a boatload of valuable Atmos Points en route to spending for Silver, but this isn't the easiest way to status.
- Earn unlimited 3 miles for every $1 spent on eligible Alaska Airlines purchases
- Earn unlimited 2 miles for every $1 spent on eligible gas, EV charging stations, cable, streaming services and local transit (including ride share) purchases
- Earn unlimited 1 mile for every $1 spent on all other eligible purchases
- Earn 3 miles for every $1 spent on eligible Alaska Airlines purchases
- Earn 2 miles for every $1 spent on eligible gas, EV charging station, shipping and local transit (including rideshare) purchases
- Earn 1 mile for every $1 spent on all other eligible purchases
Double-dip: Earn Status Points with Alaska Airlines' partners
If you wanted to “double-dip” on your spending, consider taking advantage of Alaska Airlines' network of partners. By earning Alaska points with these partners, you're also now earning Status Points, similar to how American Airlines' Loyalty Points work.
You'll earn 1,000 Status Points for every 3,000 Atmos points you earn with partners, including the Alaska Airlines Atmos Rewards Shopping portal, hotel and car rental partners, Lyft, and more. So, if you're already spending on your Alaska Airlines credit card to earn Atmos status, you can earn status quicker or go for higher status — like Atmos Gold, which we consider to be Alaska's elite status sweet spot.
Assuming you're earning at least one Atmos point per $1 spent with partners, every $3,000 spent on your Alaska Airlines credit card with those partners will earn you a total of 2 Status Points per $3 spent when you account for both the partner and credit card Status Point earnings. So, spending “only” $30,000 on Alaska partners with your Alaska credit card could net you Atmos Gold status.
Plus, this math doesn't account for any bonus points earned through partner offers, which count towards earning Status Points!
Related: Atmos Ascent Visa Card Full Review
Final Thoughts
This year, you can unlock Alaska Airlines Atmos elite status and hit several Milestone Rewards thresholds with your Alaska Airlines credit card. But this isn't the cheapest way to unlock extra perks or elite status.
In practice, though, this spending-based perk will be most beneficial for Alaska Airlines' frequent flyers looking to level up to higher tiers and more valuable rewards.
- Earn unlimited 3 miles for every $1 spent on eligible Alaska Airlines purchases
- Earn unlimited 2 miles for every $1 spent on eligible gas, EV charging stations, cable, streaming services and local transit (including ride share) purchases
- Earn unlimited 1 mile for every $1 spent on all other eligible purchases
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