Alaska Airlines’ legendary Mileage Plan officially evolved into Atmos Rewards on August 20, 2025, marking one of the most significant Alaska loyalty program transformations in modern aviation. After fully integrating HawaiianMiles on October 1, 2025, Atmos Rewards now unifies two highly respected airline loyalty ecosystems following the Alaska-Hawaiian merger.
The best news for existing members? No miles were lost. Every Mileage Plan mile and HawaiianMile transferred at 1:1 ratio with zero devaluation, a rarity in airline mergers that’s mandated by merger terms and confirmed by independent sources like Hawaii Public Radio.
By 2026, Atmos Rewards will become one of the industry’s most flexible programs, offering members the choice to earn based on distance flown, fare paid, or segments traveled. Combined with milestone perks, free Starlink Wi-Fi, and access to over 1,000 destinations through Alaska, Hawaiian, one world, and 30+ global partners, the program delivers genuine innovation while preserving the generosity that made Mileage Plan special.
From Mileage Plan to Atmos Rewards: What Actually Changed
For years, Alaska Mileage Plan earned recognition as one of the most generous airline loyalty programs, particularly for partner redemptions and distance-based earning. Rather than dismantling that foundation, Alaska Airlines expanded Mileage Plan into a broader, more flexible ecosystem under the Atmos Rewards name.
The Merger Preserved Member Value
The most important point: no miles disappeared. Mileage Plan miles and HawaiianMiles merged seamlessly at a 1:1 ratio. HawaiianMiles members were automatically enrolled into Atmos Rewards on October 1, 2025, with a transition window extending until March 31, 2026 for remaining account actions.
Independent reporting from Hawaii Public Radio confirmed the program avoided the quiet devaluations often seen in airline consolidations. As a result, Atmos Rewards enters 2026 with unusually high trust among frequent flyers.
A Unified Global Network With Expanded Reach
One of the most tangible benefits is network unification. Members now earn and redeem points across:
- Alaska Airlines (domestic + Mexico)
- Hawaiian Airlines (inter-island + Pacific routes)
- All oneworld alliance partners (American, British Airways, Cathay Pacific, Japan Airlines, Qatar Airways, and more)
- 30+ additional global airline partners
This expansion dramatically improves redemption flexibility, particularly for travelers flying to and through the Pacific, Asia, and Australia. Routes that once required complex partner bookings are now integrated into a single rewards ecosystem, simplifying award searches and improving seat availability.
Travel analysts at Runway Girl Network highlighted that the Alaska–Hawaiian integration strengthens Alaska’s position as a West Coast–Pacific gateway carrier while preserving partner sweet spots on airlines like Japan Airlines and Cathay Pacific.
If you’re debating whether to lock tickets now or gamble on a late deal, our guide on last-minute international flights cheaper breaks down what usually happens with prices, routes, and timing so you can book with realistic expectations.
Flexible Earning: A Major Shift Coming in 2026
One of the most forward-looking changes arrives later in 2026: members can choose how they earn elite-qualifying points each year.
Instead of forcing all travelers into one earning model, Atmos Rewards will allow annual selection based on:
- Distance flown Ideal for long-haul international travelers (1 point per mile)
- Fare paid Better for premium or business travelers booking higher fares (5 points per $1 spent)
- Segments flown Useful for frequent short-haul flyers (500 points per flight)
This flexibility is rare among major airline programs and ensures the program adapts to different travel styles rather than penalizing them. A consultant flying 10 domestic round-trips can choose segment-based earning, while a leisure traveler taking one premium transatlantic trip might select distance-based earning.
Note: Until this feature launches in 2026, all members continue to earn points based on distance flown (the current Mileage Plan model).
Pro tip: If you fly infrequently but book premium cabins, plan to choose fare-based earning in 2026 to maximize progress toward elite status with minimal flights.
Milestone Rewards Add Ongoing Value
Atmos Rewards introduces milestone perks that unlock at various thresholds throughout the year, not just at elite tier qualification. These milestones allow members to select personalized rewards such as:
- Bonus points injections
- Upgrade certificates
- Lounge day passes
- Future travel discounts
- Contributions toward sustainable aviation fuel
Milestones unlock at: 10,000 / 30,000 / 55,000 / 85,000 / 150,000 / 200,000 / 250,000 status points.
This approach keeps members engaged continuously rather than only rewarding them once at year-end qualification. It also means casual travelers who don’t hit full elite status still earn tangible benefits along the way, the first milestone at just 10,000 points means even occasional flyers get rewarded.
For families planning ahead, we recommend checking seat rules, bassinet availability, and airline-specific restrictions early in our 2026 roundup on traveling with kids internationally in 2026 makes it easier to choose flights that actually work for your child’s age and sleep needs.
Free Starlink Wi-Fi Rolling Out 2026-2027
One of the most traveler-friendly benefits: free gate-to-gate Starlink Wi-Fi for all Atmos Rewards members, with installations beginning on Alaska’s fleet in 2026 and completing by 2027. Hawaiian fleet rollout details will follow.
Unlike limited messaging-only Wi-Fi, Starlink offers high-speed, streaming-capable connectivity. This makes it especially valuable for:
- Remote workers needing VPN access mid-flight
- Business travelers joining video calls
- Long-haul Pacific flights (6+ hours)
- Families streaming entertainment
This benefit alone differentiates Atmos Rewards from competing U.S. airline programs, where Wi-Fi typically costs $8–$30 per flight or requires top-tier elite status. Alaska partnered with T-Mobile to make this Wi-Fi free exclusively for Atmos Rewards members.
Atmos Rewards Elite Status Tiers and Benefits
Atmos Rewards elite tiers align with oneworld alliance levels, preserving global recognition and lounge access.
Current Requirements (Through 2025)
| Tier | Status Points Needed | Key Benefits | oneworld Tier |
| Silver | 20,000 | Priority boarding, 50% bonus points, 1 free checked bag | Ruby |
| Gold | 40,000 | Complimentary upgrades, 100% bonus, lounge access | Sapphire |
| Platinum | 75,000 | Higher upgrade priority, 100% bonus, 3 free bags, oneworld Emerald | Emerald |
| Titanium | 100,000 | 150% bonus, global business class upgrades, maximum perks | Emerald |
2026 Threshold Changes (Important!)
Starting in 2026, elite status requirements increase for the top two tiers:
| Tier | 2025 Requirement | 2026+ Requirement | Change |
| Silver | 20,000 points | 20,000 points | No change |
| Gold | 40,000 points | 40,000 points | No change |
| Platinum | 75,000 points | 80,000 points | +5,000 |
| Titanium | 100,000 points | 135,000 points | +35,000 |
Good news: Members who earn Platinum or Titanium status in 2025 receive a bonus head start for 2026:
- Platinum qualifiers: 5,000 bonus status points deposited in February 2026
- Titanium qualifiers: 20,000 bonus status points deposited in February 2026
This helps offset the increased thresholds for loyal flyers who earned top-tier status in the program’s inaugural year.
What Elite Status Really Gets You
Silver (20,000 points):
- Skip long security lines with priority check-in
- Board first (after premium cabins)
- Earn 50% more points per dollar spent
- 1 free checked bag
Gold (40,000 points):
- Free upgrades when available (domestic routes)
- oneworld Sapphire lounge access globally
- 100% bonus points (double earning)
- Priority customer service line
Platinum (75,000 in 2025 / 80,000 in 2026):
- Guaranteed upgrades (space available)
- International lounge access (oneworld Emerald)
- 3 free checked bags on Alaska flights
- Complimentary premium drink in economy
- Priority on standby
Titanium (100,000 in 2025 / 135,000 in 2026):
- Complimentary day-of-departure upgrades to global Business Class (for you + companion, starting 2026)
- 150% bonus points (2.5x earning)
- Free meal in economy on every flight
- Highest priority for everything
- Global companion awards
Best Ways to Earn Atmos Rewards Points
Atmos Rewards expands earning well beyond flying.
1. Flying Alaska and Hawaiian
Distance-based earning remains on Alaska and Hawaiian flights, with simplified partner earning charts. Importantly, award flights now earn elite-qualifying credit, a major improvement over many airline programs where redemption miles don’t count toward status.
2. Credit Cards (Biggest Opportunity)
Atmos Rewards Visa cards offer high welcome bonuses, strong multipliers, and even elite status boosts:
Atmos Rewards Ascent Visa Signature ($95 annual fee)
- 60,000 bonus points after spending $3,000 in first 90 days
- Annual Companion Fare ($99 + taxes) after spending $6,000 per anniversary year
- 3x points on Alaska/Hawaiian purchases
- 2x points on gas, EV charging, rideshare, cable, select streaming
- Earn 1 status point per $3 spent (capped at 30,000 status points in 2025; uncapped starting 2026)
- Best for: Occasional travelers, families, budget-conscious flyers
Atmos Rewards Summit Visa Infinite® ($395 annual fee)
- 80,000 bonus points + 25,000-point Global Companion Award after spending $4,000 in first 90 days
- Annual 25,000-point Global Companion Award (+ earn another 100,000-point award if you spend $60,000/year)
- 10,000 status points boost each account anniversary
- Earn 1 status point per $2 spent (no cap)
- 8 Alaska Lounge passes per year (2 per quarter)
- 3x points on Alaska/Hawaiian purchases and dining
- 3x points on ALL foreign transactions (unique perk!)
- $50 automatic credit for flight delays over 2 hours or cancellations within 24 hours
- Best for: Frequent travelers, status chasers, international travelers
Existing Alaska cards were automatically rebranded with no loss of benefits.
Pro tip: The Summit card’s 10,000 annual status point boost gets you halfway to Silver status before you even fly. Combine that with card spending (1 point per $2), and Gold status becomes achievable with moderate flying.
3. Beyond Flights and Cards
Members earn through:
- Lyft rides 2 points per $1 on everyday rides, 3 points per $1 on airport rides
- Shopping portals Retailers like Apple, Nike, Best Buy
- Dining programs Participating restaurants nationwide
- Hotel partners Marriott, Hilton, IHG bookings
- Car rental partners Avis, Budget, Hertz
- Sustainable aviation fuel donations Earn points by funding cleaner flights
This diversification allows travelers to earn points even when flying less.
Redeeming Atmos Rewards Points: Sweet Spots and Hawaii Travel
Redemptions remain a core strength. Award flights start as low as 4,500 points one-way, and post-merger availability to Hawaii has improved significantly.
Best Redemption Values
Atmos Rewards maintains excellent value on premium partner redemptions, particularly on:
- Japan Airlines business class 60,000 points roundtrip West Coast to Tokyo (vs. 120,000+ on other programs)
- Cathay Pacific first class 70,000 points roundtrip to Hong Kong
- Hawaiian inter-island As low as 7,500 points roundtrip between islands
- West Coast to Hawaii Starting at 20,000 points roundtrip in economy (compared to $400–$700 cash fares)
- Short-haul domestic 4,500–6,000 points for flights under 700 miles
Elite upgrades expand further in 2026, with complimentary upgrades for Gold+ members on Alaska and Hawaiian flights when space is available. Titanium members get the unprecedented benefit of complimentary day-of-departure upgrades to international Business Class.
Hawaii Travel Optimization
The merger made Hawaii travel more rewarding:
- More award seat availability on Hawaiian Airlines routes
- Expanded routing options through Honolulu hub
- Better redemption rates compared to pre-merger HawaiianMiles
- Companion fares now work on Hawaii routes (both airlines)
- Inter-island flights added to award chart
Seat comfort isn’t one-size-fits-all if you want the best odds of sleeping well (or avoiding common discomfort zones), use our aircraft-based breakdown of best seats for long-haul flights in 2026 before you pick rows and cabins.
Pro Tips to Maximize Atmos Rewards
Link accounts early: If you had both Mileage Plan and HawaiianMiles accounts, merge them via the official loyalty updates page to ensure all activity credits properly. Deadline: March 31, 2026.
Book direct for best earning: Third-party bookings through Expedia or travel agencies often don’t earn full points or elite credit. Always book directly on AlaskaAir.com or HawaiianAirlines.com.
Use award search tools: Tools like AwardFares help find premium partner availability that doesn’t always show up on Alaska’s website. Particularly valuable for Japan Airlines and Cathay Pacific business class.
Leverage milestone rewards strategically: Don’t redeem milestone perks impulsively. Save lounge passes for peak travel times, and choose bonus points during promotion periods to maximize value.
Plan for 2026 earning choice: Think about your 2026 travel now. If you’ll take one long international trip in a premium cabin, fare-based earning could get you further than distance-based. If you fly short domestic flights frequently, segment-based might be best.
Status runs in 2025 if close to Platinum/Titanium Remember the bonus: qualify for Platinum in 2025 and get 5,000 bonus points in 2026 (when the threshold rises). Qualify for Titanium in 2025 and get 20,000 bonus points in 2026. This effectively gives you a head start before thresholds increase.
How Atmos Rewards Compares to Competitors
| Program | Elite Earning | Redemption Sweet Spot | Best For |
| Atmos Rewards | Distance, fare, or segments (2026) | Partner premium cabins, Hawaii | West Coast, Hawaii, Asia-Pacific |
| United MileagePlus | Revenue-based | Star Alliance long-haul | Global network coverage |
| American AAdvantage | Loyalty Points (revenue) | Oneworld partners | Domestic + Caribbean |
| Delta SkyMiles | Revenue-based | Domestic upgrades | Delta hubs, simplicity |
Atmos Rewards stands out for flexibility, partner value, and transparent award pricing traits that made Mileage Plan legendary and remain intact post-merger.
Final Thoughts: Is Atmos Rewards Worth Your Loyalty?
Atmos Rewards isn’t merely a rebrandit’s a strategic evolution that preserves Alaska Airlines’ loyalty legacy while expanding flexibility, global access, and modern traveler benefits.
By maintaining generous redemptions, protecting member value during the Hawaiian integration, and introducing flexible earning plus milestone rewards, Alaska has positioned Atmos Rewards as one of the strongest airline loyalty programs entering 2026.
For travelers loyal to Alaska, Hawaiian, or global partners, Atmos Rewards offers a rare combination of stability, generosity, and innovation. Whether flying frequently or occasionally, members now have more ways than ever to earn, redeem, and enjoy elite-level benefits without sacrificing the value that made Mileage Plan legendary.
Bottom line: If you fly the West Coast, visit Hawaii, or travel to Asia-Pacific, Atmos Rewards should be on your shortlist. The program rewards smart planning over excessive flying and in 2026, that’s exactly what modern travelers need.
FAQs About Alaska Airlines Atmos Rewards
What replaced the Alaska Mileage Plan?
Atmos Rewards officially replaced Mileage Plan on August 20, 2025, with all miles transferring 1:1 and no devaluation.
Do HawaiianMiles transfer automatically?
Yes. Full integration occurred on October 1, 2025, with all miles transferring at 1:1 ratio. Members have until March 31, 2026 to complete any account actions.
Which credit card is best for Atmos Rewards?
The Summit Visa Infinite ($395/year) is best for frequent flyers and status chasers, offering 10,000 annual status points, lounge passes, and 3x on international purchases. The Ascent Visa Signature ($95/year) works well for occasional travelers.
When does flexible earning begin?
Members can choose their earning method (distance, fare, or segments) starting later in 2026. Until then, everyone earns based on distance flown.
Is free Wi-Fi included?
Yes. Starlink Wi-Fi becomes free for all Atmos Rewards members starting in 2026, with fleet-wide installation completing by 2027.
Can I still use my Alaska credit card?
Yes. Existing Alaska Airlines Visa cards were automatically rebranded to Atmos Rewards Visa with no changes to benefits or annual fees.
What happens to elite status thresholds in 2026?
Silver and Gold stay the same. Platinum increases from 75,000 to 80,000 points. Titanium increases from 100,000 to 135,000 points. Members who earn Platinum or Titanium in 2025 receive bonus points in 2026 to help offset the increases.More travel insights at TalkTravel.
