{"id":152658,"date":"2026-01-01T22:10:01","date_gmt":"2026-01-01T22:10:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/?p=152658"},"modified":"2026-04-08T14:31:16","modified_gmt":"2026-04-08T14:31:16","slug":"earn-alaska-elite-status-credit-card","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/credit-cards\/alaska-atmos-rewards\/earn-alaska-elite-status-credit-card\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Use Your Alaska Credit Card to Unlock Atmos Elite Status and Milestone Rewards in 2026"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Alaska Airlines rolled out <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/news\/alaska-atmos-rewards\/new-program-announcement\/\" rel=\"noopener\">big changes to its frequent flyer program<\/a> 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.<\/p>\n<p>Here's how to leverage your co-branded Alaska Airlines credit card to earn elite status and extra perks in 2026.<\/p>\n<div id=\"toc_container\" class=\"toc_light_blue no_bullets\"><p class=\"toc_title\">Page Contents<\/p><ul class=\"toc_list\"><li><a href=\"#Earn_Atmos_Rewards_Status_Points_Get_Elite_Status_and_Milestone_Rewards\">Earn Atmos Rewards Status Points, Get Elite Status and Milestone Rewards<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#How_to_Earn_Atmos_Rewards_Status_Points_on_Credit_Card_Spending\">How to Earn Atmos Rewards Status Points on Credit Card Spending<\/a><ul><li><a href=\"#Double-dip_Earn_Status_Points_with_Alaska_Airlines8217_partners\">Double-dip: Earn Status Points with Alaska Airlines' partners<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li><a href=\"#Final_Thoughts\">Final Thoughts<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/div>\n\n<h2><span id=\"Earn_Atmos_Rewards_Status_Points_Get_Elite_Status_and_Milestone_Rewards\">Earn Atmos Rewards Status Points, Get Elite Status and Milestone Rewards<\/span><\/h2>\n<p>As with most U.S. domestic airlines these days, Alaska only has one metric for elite status: Status Points (SPs).<\/p>\n<p>To reach one of four <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"\/airlines\/alaska-atmos-rewards\/\" rel=\"noopener\">Atmos Rewards<\/a> 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:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Atmos Silver:<\/strong> 20,000 Status Points<\/li>\n<li><strong>Atmos Gold:<\/strong> 40,000 Status Points<\/li>\n<li><strong>Atmos Platinum:<\/strong> 80,000 Status Points<\/li>\n<li><strong>Atmos Titanium:<\/strong> 135,000 Status Points<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>As you earn Status Points toward elite status, you'll also unlock <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"\/airlines\/alaska-atmos-rewards\/milestone-rewards\/\" rel=\"noopener\">Alaska Airlines Milestone Rewards<\/a>. These rewards are perks you pick at various thresholds. Choices become available starting at 10,000 Status Points and get progressively more valuable.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_241490\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img data-aspectratio=\"750\/231\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-241490 size-medium lazyload\" data-src=\"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/AlaskaMilestones-750x231.png\" alt=\"Alaska Airlines Milestones\" width=\"750\" height=\"231\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/AlaskaMilestones-750x231.png 750w, https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/AlaskaMilestones-900x278.png 900w, https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/AlaskaMilestones-768x237.png 768w, https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/AlaskaMilestones-1536x474.png 1536w, https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/AlaskaMilestones.png 1990w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 750px) 100vw, 750px\" \/><center><em>Credit: Alaska Airlines<\/em><\/enter><\/figure>\n<p>New to the program in 2026 is the ability to\u00a0<a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/airlines\/alaska-atmos-rewards\/elite-status\/\" rel=\"noopener\">choose how you earn Status Points<\/a> 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.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Related: <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"\/airlines\/how-to-get-elite-status-without-flying\/\" rel=\"noopener\">Earn Airline Elite Status Without Flying: Status Match, Fast Track, Card Spending Opportunities<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<h2><span id=\"How_to_Earn_Atmos_Rewards_Status_Points_on_Credit_Card_Spending\">How to Earn Atmos Rewards Status Points on Credit Card Spending<\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Alaska Airlines offers three credit cards: the <a data-ccid=\"4048132\" href=\"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/credit-cards\/alaska-atmos-rewards\/alaska-airlines-credit-card\/\">Atmos\u2122 Rewards Ascent Visa Signature<sup>\u00ae<\/sup> card<\/a>, the <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/credit-cards\/bank-of-america\/alaska-atmos-summit-card\/\" rel=\"noopener\">Atmos\u2122 Rewards Summit Visa Infinite<sup>\u00ae<\/sup> Card<\/a>, and the <a data-ccid=\"4048131\" href=\"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/credit-cards\/alaska-atmos-rewards\/alaska-business-credit-card\/\" target=_blank>Atmos\u2122 Rewards Visa Business Card<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>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.<\/p>\n<p>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.<\/p>\n<p>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.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_114950\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img data-aspectratio=\"600\/480\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-114950 lazyload\" data-src=\"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/Alaska-business-class-featured.jpg\" alt=\"Alaska Airlines business class cabin\" width=\"600\" height=\"480\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/Alaska-business-class-featured.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/Alaska-business-class-featured-300x240.jpg 300w, https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/Alaska-business-class-featured-768x614.jpg 768w, https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/Alaska-business-class-featured-325x260.jpg 325w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><center><em>Alaska Airlines business class. Credit: Alaska Airlines<\/em><\/enter><\/figure>\n<p>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 <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"\/airlines\/alaska-atmos-rewards\/alaska-miles-value\/\" rel=\"noopener\">valuable Atmos Points<\/a> en route to spending for Silver, but this isn't the easiest way to status.<\/p>\n<div class=\"compare-cards-wrap compare-count-cards-2 compare-p-bank-of-america\"><div class=\"compare-card\"><div class=\"compare-pre\"><div class=\"compare-image\"><div><img data-aspectratio=\"150\/95\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" decoding=\"async\" data-src=\"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/CardArt-AtmosRewardsAscent.png\" width=\"150\" alt=\"Atmos\u2122 Rewards Ascent Visa Signature\u00ae card\" \/ class=\"lazyload\"><\/div><\/div><div class=\"compare-name\">Atmos\u2122 Rewards Ascent Visa Signature<sup>\u00ae<\/sup> card<\/div><div class=\"compare-offer\"><strong>Limited Time Online Offer:<\/strong>\r\nEarn 80,000 bonus miles plus Alaska's Famous Companion Fare\u2122 ($99 fare plus taxes and fees from $23) with this offer. To qualify, make $4,000 or more in purchases within the first 120 days of opening your account. Additionally, receive a 50% flight discount code for a qualifying future flight after opening your new account.<\/div><\/div><div class=\"compare-apply\"><\/div><div class=\"compare-fee-score\"><div class=\"compare-fee\"><strong>Annual Fee<\/strong><p>$95<\/p><\/div><div class=\"compare-rating compare-rating--5\"><strong>Credit Score<\/strong><p>Excellent\/Good<\/p><\/div><\/div><div class=\"compare-earning\"><ul>\r\n<li>Earn unlimited 3 miles for every $1 spent on eligible Alaska Airlines purchases<\/li>\r\n<li> Earn unlimited 2 miles for every $1 spent on eligible gas, EV charging stations, cable, streaming services and local transit (including ride share) purchases<\/li>\r\n<li>Earn unlimited 1 mile for every $1 spent on all other eligible purchases<\/li>\r\n<\/ul><\/div><\/div><div class=\"compare-card\"><div class=\"compare-pre\"><div class=\"compare-image\"><div><img data-aspectratio=\"150\/95\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" decoding=\"async\" data-src=\"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/CardArt-AtmosRewardsSignatureBusiness.png\" width=\"150\" alt=\"Atmos\u2122 Rewards Visa Business Card\" \/ class=\"lazyload\"><\/div><\/div><div class=\"compare-name\">Atmos\u2122 Rewards Visa Business Card<\/div><div class=\"compare-offer\"><strong>Welcome Bonus<\/strong>\r\nGet 80,000 bonus miles and Alaska's Famous Companion Fare\u2122 ($99 fare plus taxes and fees from $23) after you make $5,000 or more in purchases within the first 90 days of opening your account.<\/div><\/div><div class=\"compare-apply\"><\/div><div class=\"compare-fee-score\"><div class=\"compare-fee\"><strong>Annual Fee<\/strong><p>$70 for the company and $25 per card<\/p><\/div><div class=\"compare-rating compare-rating--6\"><strong>Credit Score<\/strong><p>Excellent<\/p><\/div><\/div><div class=\"compare-earning\"><ul>\r\n<li>Earn 3 miles for every $1 spent on eligible Alaska Airlines purchases<\/li>\r\n<li> Earn 2 miles for every $1 spent on eligible gas, EV charging station, shipping and local transit (including rideshare) purchases<\/li>\r\n<li>Earn 1 mile for every $1 spent on all other eligible purchases<\/li>\r\n<\/ul><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<h3><span id=\"Double-dip_Earn_Status_Points_with_Alaska_Airlines8217_partners\">Double-dip: Earn Status Points with Alaska Airlines' partners<\/span><\/h3>\n<p>If you wanted to &#8220;double-dip&#8221; 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 <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"\/airlines\/american-aadvantage\/creative-ways-to-earn-extra-loyalty-points\/\" rel=\"noopener\">American Airlines' Loyalty Points<\/a> work.<\/p>\n<p>You'll earn 1,000 Status Points for every 3,000 Atmos points you earn with partners, including the <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"\/airlines\/alaska-atmos-rewards\/alaska-airlines-shopping\/\" rel=\"noopener\">Alaska Airlines Atmos Rewards Shopping portal<\/a>, hotel and car rental partners, <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"\/news\/alaska-atmos-rewards\/lyft-partnership\/\" rel=\"noopener\">Lyft<\/a>, 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 &#8212; like <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"\/airlines\/alaska-atmos-rewards\/alaska-gold-elite-status\/\" rel=\"noopener\">Atmos Gold<\/a>, which we consider to be Alaska's elite status sweet spot.<\/p>\n<p>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 &#8220;only&#8221; $30,000 on Alaska partners with your Alaska credit card could net you Atmos Gold status.<\/p>\n<p>Plus, this math doesn't account for any bonus points earned through partner offers, which count towards earning Status Points!<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_198408\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img data-aspectratio=\"600\/480\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-198408 lazyload\" data-src=\"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Alaska-Airlines-737-Featured.png\" alt=\"Alaska Airlines 737 MAX 8 taxiing at LAX.\" width=\"600\" height=\"480\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Alaska-Airlines-737-Featured.png 1000w, https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Alaska-Airlines-737-Featured-300x240.png 300w, https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Alaska-Airlines-737-Featured-768x614.png 768w, https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Alaska-Airlines-737-Featured-325x260.png 325w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><center><em>Credit: Tyler Glatt\/AwardWallet<\/em><\/enter><\/figure>\n<p><strong>Related: <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"\/credit-cards\/alaska-atmos-rewards\/alaska-airlines-credit-card\/\" rel=\"noopener\">Atmos Ascent Visa Card Full Review<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<h2><span id=\"Final_Thoughts\">Final Thoughts<\/span><\/h2>\n<p>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.<\/p>\n<p>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.<\/p>\n<p><div class=\"qs-card\" data-id=\"4048132\">\n            <div class=\"qs-data\">\n                <div class=\"qs-view\">\n                    <div class=\"qs-cardname\">Atmos\u2122 Rewards Ascent Visa Signature<sup>\u00ae<\/sup> card<\/div>\n                    <div class=\"qs-image\"><img data-aspectratio=\"150\/95\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" decoding=\"async\" data-src=\"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/CardArt-AtmosRewardsAscent.png\" width=\"150\" alt=\"Atmos\u2122 Rewards Ascent Visa Signature\u00ae card\" \/ class=\"lazyload\"><\/div>\n                    <div class=\"qs-apply\"><\/div>\n                    <div class=\"qs-rates\"><\/div>\n                    <div class=\"qs-offer\"><strong>Limited Time Online Offer:<\/strong>\r\nEarn 80,000 bonus miles plus Alaska's Famous Companion Fare\u2122 ($99 fare plus taxes and fees from $23) with this offer. To qualify, make $4,000 or more in purchases within the first 120 days of opening your account. Additionally, receive a 50% flight discount code for a qualifying future flight after opening your new account.<\/div>\n                <\/div>\n                <div class=\"qs-info\">\n                    <strong class=\"qs-cardname\">Atmos\u2122 Rewards Ascent Visa Signature<sup>\u00ae<\/sup> card<\/strong>\n                    <div class=\"qs-offer\"><strong>Limited Time Online Offer:<\/strong>\r\nEarn 80,000 bonus miles plus Alaska's Famous Companion Fare\u2122 ($99 fare plus taxes and fees from $23) with this offer. To qualify, make $4,000 or more in purchases within the first 120 days of opening your account. Additionally, receive a 50% flight discount code for a qualifying future flight after opening your new account.<\/div>\n                    <div class=\"qs-fee\"><strong>Annual Fee:<\/strong><b>$95<\/b><\/div>\n                    <div class=\"qs-tabs\"><a class=\"qs-more\" href=\"#more\">Show more<\/a><a href=\"\" data-tab=\"wwl\">Why We Like It<\/a><a href=\"\" data-tab=\"er\">Earning Rates<\/a><div class=\"qs-tab-wwl\">The Atmos\u2122 Rewards Ascent Visa Signature<sup>\u00ae<\/sup> card offers cardholders 3 miles per dollar on eligible Alaska Airlines purchases and 2 miles per dollar on everyday purchases like gas, local transit including ride share, cable, and select streaming services. Other benefits include Alaska\u2019s Famous Companion Fare\u2122 annually from $122 ($99 fare plus taxes and fees from $23) after spending $6K in the previous anniversary year, priority boarding, a free checked bag, a 10% reward bonus on miles for Bank of America account holders, and a $100 discount on Alaska Lounge+ Membership.<\/div><div class=\"qs-tab-er\"><ul>\r\n<li>Earn unlimited 3 miles for every $1 spent on eligible Alaska Airlines purchases<\/li>\r\n<li> Earn unlimited 2 miles for every $1 spent on eligible gas, EV charging stations, cable, streaming services and local transit (including ride share) purchases<\/li>\r\n<li>Earn unlimited 1 mile for every $1 spent on all other eligible purchases<\/li>\r\n<\/ul><\/div><\/div>\n                <\/div>\n            <\/div>\n            <a class=\"qs-share\" href=\"\/find-a-card\/AlaskaVisa\/\" title=\"copy\"><svg width=\"12\" height=\"16\" viewBox=\"0 0 12 16\" fill=\"none\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><use href=\"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-content\/themes\/awardwallet\/public\/builds\/icon\/icon-sprite.svg?v2026-5-15b009cd64#share-square\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/use><\/svg><\/a>\n        <\/div><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>If you didn&#8217;t know, it&#8217;s entirely possible to earn Alaska Atmos Rewards elite status and Milestone Rewards without getting on an Alaska Airlines flight. And it requires putting your Alaska Airlines credit card to good use. Here&#8217;s how to leverage your co-branded Alaska Airlines credit card to earn elite status and extra perks in 2026.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":80,"featured_media":98657,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":"","_wpscppro_dont_share_socialmedia":null,"_wpscppro_custom_social_share_image":0,"_facebook_share_type":"default","_twitter_share_type":"default","_linkedin_share_type":"default","_pinterest_share_type":"default","_linkedin_share_type_page":"","_instagram_share_type":"default","_medium_share_type":"default","_threads_share_type":"","_google_business_share_type":"","_selected_social_profile":[],"_wpsp_enable_custom_social_template":false,"_wpsp_social_scheduling":{"enabled":false,"datetime":null,"platforms":[],"status":"template_only","dateOption":"today","timeOption":"now","customDays":"","customHours":"","customDate":"","customTime":"","schedulingType":"absolute"},"_wpsp_active_default_template":true},"categories":[12068],"tags":[12770,12520,12622],"coauthors":[36432,36469],"class_list":["post-152658","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-award-programs","tag-alaska-mileage-plan","tag-card-benefits","tag-elite-status"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/152658","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/80"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=152658"}],"version-history":[{"count":25,"href":"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/152658\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":257469,"href":"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/152658\/revisions\/257469"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/98657"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=152658"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=152658"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=152658"},{"taxonomy":"author","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/coauthors?post=152658"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}