Atmos Rewards: Breaking Down Alaska Airlines' New Loyalty Program (2025)

On August 20, 2025, Alaska Airlines officially launched Atmos™ Rewards, a reimagined loyalty program developed in partnership with Hawaiian Airlines. For long-time Mileage Plan loyalists and newcomers alike, Atmos aims to offer more flexibility, more destinations, and more ways to earn and redeem, without sacrificing the integrity of what made Mileage Plan so valuable in the first place.

This guide will walk you through everything you need to know: what’s changing, what’s staying the same, and what it means for your wallet, your status, and your travel plans.

What Is Atmos Rewards?

Atmos Rewards is the successor to Alaska Mileage Plan and HawaiianMiles, combining both programs into a unified loyalty platform. The transition is automatic: existing balances convert 1:1 into Atmos points, and status tiers have been renamed without reducing benefits. For Hawaii-based travelers or those flying inter-island routes, this move is especially impactful.

Atmos isn’t just a rebrand. It’s a structural overhaul designed to modernize the program for the next decade, while still rewarding mileage purists.
 

Key highlights:

• Miles → Points (1:1 conversion)
• No expiration
• Access to 30+ airline partners, including all oneworld alliance carriers
• Unified member accounts across Alaska and Hawaiian by October 1, 2025

Atmos Rewards Elite Status: What’s Changed?

Atmos introduces a cleaner, more globally intuitive elite tier structure:

If you’ve worked your way up to MVP Gold 100K, you're now an Atmos Titanium, and you’ll continue to receive international upgrades and other top-tier benefits.

However, it's important to note that starting in 2026, the requirements to achieve Platinum and Titanium status will increase. This move brings Atmos in line with the qualification thresholds of programs like American AAdvantage and Delta SkyMiles.

Status on Your Terms: 3 Ways to Qualify (Coming 2026)

The most innovative change in Atmos Rewards is one that gives you more control over how you qualify for status.

Beginning in late 2026, members can choose one of three earning paths:

You can switch methods once per calendar year, allowing you to align your strategy with your travel patterns.

This is a bold departure from the industry norm, and a strong win for travelers who don’t always fly on expensive tickets.

Award Flights Earn Status Now (Yes, Really)

Atmos Rewards also introduces something most airlines avoid: the ability to earn elite status on award tickets.

That means every flight you take, paid with cash or points, can help you unlock elite benefits.

For context: American, United, and Delta don’t give credit toward status on award flights. 

Milestone Rewards: Recognition Without Waiting

To reduce the "all-or-nothing" feel of annual elite thresholds, Atmos will roll out Milestone Rewards in 2026.

• Starts at 10,000 status points
• Choose from a menu of rewards at each level
• Likely options: bonus points, lounge passes, upgrades

This keeps engagement high and builds a gamified sense of progress, something Alaska’s competitors have been slow to implement.

Free Wi-Fi with Starlink (Coming 2026)

As part of the loyalty refresh, Alaska and Hawaiian will equip their aircraft with SpaceX Starlink internet, offering free high-speed Wi-Fi to all Atmos Rewards members.

• Fast enough for video calls and streaming
• Rollout starts in 2026; full deployment by 2027
• Free for members only (paid for non-members)

This gives Atmos a serious leg up in the customer experience race, and it’s a direct response to JetBlue, Delta, and United expanding Wi-Fi access.

Atmos Communities: Hyper-Personalized Loyalty

Launching in 2026, Atmos Communities will allow members to opt into tailored benefit groups based on location or lifestyle.

Confirmed examples:

• Club 49: Perks for Alaska residents
• Huakaʻi by Hawaiian: For Hawai‘i-based flyers
• Future communities may include themes like adventure travel, family travel, or wellness

Expect these to unlock exclusive promos, faster upgrades, or curated experiences.

Atmos Rewards Credit Cards: What's New?

Alaska has revamped its co-branded credit card portfolio in partnership with Bank of America, including a brand-new premium option:

ATMOS™ REWARDS SUMMIT VISA INFINITE® CARD

• Annual Fee: $395
• Elite Boost: 1 status point per $2 spent
• Bonus: 10,000 Atmos points annually
• Companion Perk: Global Companion Award (includes partners + premium cabins)
• Extras: Alaska Lounge access, priority services, and fast-track to status

This is clearly designed to compete with cards like the Delta Reserve Amex and United Club Infinite Card.
 

ATMOS™ REWARDS ASCENT VISA SIGNATURE® CARD

(Rebranded from Alaska Airlines Visa Signature®)

• Annual fee: $95
• 3x on Alaska & Hawaiian purchases
• Free checked bag for up to 7 travelers on the same reservation
• $99 Companion Fare (plus taxes and fees from $23)
• Priority boarding
   

ATMOS™ REWARDS VISA BUSINESS CARD

(Rebranded from Alaska Airlines Visa® Business)

• Annual fee: $70 for business, $25 per card
• $99 Companion Fare (plus taxes and fees from $23)
• Same bonus categories as personal Ascent card
• 3x on Alaska/Hawaiian, 1x everywhere else
• Integrates with both business spend and elite tracking
   

Current Alaska cardholders will see their cards automatically converted and reissued upon renewal. All existing benefits remain intact.

Partnerships and Everyday Earnings

Alaska is expanding Atmos Rewards' utility beyond flying:

• Lyft: 2x on standard rides, 3x on airport rides (with linked account)
• Travel portal: Book 1M+ hotels and vacation rentals using Atmos points
• Hotel transfer partners:
  • 1:1 to Marriott Bonvoy, IHG One Rewards, Wyndham
  • 1:2 to Preferred Hotels
  • 8:1 to Shangri-La Circle
     

For casual travelers, these additions make Atmos feel like more than just a flying program.

Atmos vs. Alaska Mileage Plan: Quick Comparison

Frequently Asked Questions

Do Atmos points expire?

No. Points never expire.
 

When does HawaiianMiles convert to Atmos?

October 1, 2025.
 

Can I earn elite status on award flights?

Yes. All flights (paid or award) earn status points.
 

Is the new Summit card worth it?

If you're chasing status or value upgrades and lounge access, it’s one of the best tools to accelerate progress.
 

What happens to my Alaska Airlines credit card?

It will be rebranded to Ascent (personal) or Business (business), with no change to existing benefits.

Final Thoughts

Atmos Rewards marks one of the most member-centric loyalty overhauls we've seen in years. It rewards flexibility, unlocks more ways to qualify for elite status, and keeps legacy perks like distance-based earning and award redemptions without devaluation.

If you're loyal to Alaska, fly Hawaiian regularly, or are considering a card like the Atmos Rewards Summit Visa Infinite, the program now offers a level of personalization and value that's competitive in 2025 and beyond.