Here's how I did it and how you might also be able to earn Alaska elite status using points and miles.<\/p>\n
Page Contents<\/p>
- Why I Switched My Loyalty to Alaska<\/a><\/li>
- Three Ways I Earned Alaska Elite Status Using Points<\/a>
- Award flights<\/a><\/li>
- Credit card spending<\/a><\/li>
- Credit card\u00a0point redemptions<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li>
- Other Ways You Can Earn Alaska Elite Status Credits<\/a><\/li>
- Bottom Line<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/div>\n\n
Why I Switched My Loyalty to Alaska<\/span><\/h2>\n
For years, I was loyal to American Airlines. As a Phoenix-based flyer who values direct flights, American Airlines is my best option among full-service airlines. So, I've held AAdvantage Executive Platinum for five of the last six years. However, I decided to switch my preferred airline loyalty program to Alaska Airlines for 2025, largely due to Alaska's extensive network of airline partners and changes to their loyalty program that made elite status easier to earn.<\/p>\n
In addition to joining Oneworld<\/a>, Alaska and American inked reciprocal elite benefits \u2014 including Main Cabin Extra access and even first-class upgrades. So, even after switching my loyalty from AAdvantage to Alaska, I'd still enjoy elite benefits when flying American Airlines.<\/p>\n
More importantly, the new program made status easier to earn in unconventional ways. So, before my AAdvantage status expired, I status matched into Alaska MVP Gold 75K<\/a> (now Atmos Platinum) for a three-month trial. That let me secure Main Cabin Extra seats at booking, earn the possible upgrade to first class in the process, and keep Oneworld benefits like a free checked bag when flying on American.<\/p>\n
But I knew I wouldn\u2019t requalify at this tier. Instead, I set my sights on Atmos Silver \u2014 and I got there through a mix of award flights, credit card spending, and points redemptions.<\/p>\n
![\"A](\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\")
Credit: Alaska Airlines<\/em><\/enter><\/figure>\n Three Ways I Earned Alaska Elite Status Using Points<\/span><\/h2>\n
Award flights<\/span><\/h3>\n
One of Alaska\u2019s biggest loyalty improvements is granting status points on award tickets. Unlike the other airlines that offer elite status credits on award flights<\/a>, you'll earn one status point per mile flown (regardless of the cabin of service) even when flying a partner like American. All you need to do is book using Alaska points and list your Alaska Atmos mileage number.<\/p>\n
I run a YouTube channel<\/a> that requires a lot of travel to and from Florida. As a small business owner, I want to keep my travel costs low. I've been impressed with Alaska's award availability for direct flights from Phoenix (PHX) to Miami (MIA) and Orlando (MCO) on American. For 12,500 Atmos points in economy, or 25,000 in business, I can fly a convenient itinerary, often cheaper than what American AAdvantage charges for the same flight.<\/p>\n
Each trip earned me 1,972 status points, the same as if I\u2019d bought the ticket. Over time, those redemptions added up to 16,262 status points \u2014 already 81% of the way to Atmos Silver.<\/p>\n
Credit: Alaska (earned before the switch to Atmos Rewards)<\/em><\/enter><\/figure>\n Credit card spending<\/span><\/h3>\n
Another new change to Alaska Airlines' loyalty program is the ability to earn status points via credit card spending<\/a>. In 2025, Alaska cardholders earn 1 status point for every $3 spent on purchases made on the Atmos\u2122 Rewards Ascent Visa Signature\u00ae<\/sup> card<\/a> and Atmos\u2122 Rewards Visa Business Card<\/a>, and 1 status point for every $2 spent on the new Atmos\u2122 Rewards Summit Visa Infinite\u00ae<\/sup> Card. Cardholders are able to earn up to 30,000 status points with credit card spend in 2025, unlimited in 2026.<\/p>\n
As a new Atmos Ascent Visa Card<\/a> cardholder, I had a signup bonus to earn. In addition to earning Atmos points, I also earned 1 status point per $3 spent on the card as I worked to meet the minimum spending requirement<\/a> to get the bonus.<\/p>\n
To date, I've earned 1,141 status points through credit card spending<\/strong>. While that's not a ton, this brought me even closer to earning Atmos Silver status.<\/p>\n
\n\n\nAtmos\u2122 Rewards Ascent Visa Signature\u00ae<\/sup> card<\/div>\n<\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\nLimited-Time Online Offer:<\/strong>\r\nEarn 50,000 bonus miles plus buy one, get one ticket for just the taxes and fees ($0 fare plus taxes and fees from $23) with this offer. To qualify, spend $2,000 or more on purchases within the first 90 days of opening your account.<\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n Atmos\u2122 Rewards Ascent Visa Signature\u00ae<\/sup> card<\/strong>\nLimited-Time Online Offer:<\/strong>\r\nEarn 50,000 bonus miles plus buy one, get one ticket for just the taxes and fees ($0 fare plus taxes and fees from $23) with this offer. To qualify, spend $2,000 or more on purchases within the first 90 days of opening your account.<\/div>\nAnnual Fee:<\/strong>$95<\/b><\/div>\nShow more<\/a>Why We Like It<\/a>Earning Rates<\/a>The Atmos\u2122 Rewards Ascent Visa Signature\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>- \r\n
- Earn unlimited 3 miles for every $1 spent on eligible Alaska Airlines purchases<\/li>\r\n
- 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
- Earn unlimited 1 mile for every $1 spent on all other eligible purchases<\/li>\r\n<\/ul><\/div><\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n
- Credit card spending<\/a><\/li>
- Three Ways I Earned Alaska Elite Status Using Points<\/a>
![\"A](\"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/alaska-million-miler.png\")
![\"alaska](\"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Screenshot-2025-07-27-at-4.25.49-PM.png\")
![\"Atmos\u2122](\"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/CardArt-AtmosRewardsAscent.png\")
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