The Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan rewards program has been rebranded as Atmos Rewards. It's run by Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines.
Atmos is one of the very few programs that allows users to choose how they want to earn points – by miles flown, amount spent, or by "segments" flown. Plus, Alaska and Hawaiian Airlines are members of oneworld Alliance and Porter Airlines partners, so Atmos collectors can redeem points to fly anywhere in the world.
This article explains how to earn Atmos Rewards points, the redemption options, and the mileage value to help you decide whether the Alaska Airlines rewards program is worth it.
Key Takeaways
- Atmos Rewards, formerly known as Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan, is the loyalty program operated by Alaska and Hawaiian Airlines.
- Atmos Rewards allows members to choose how they want to earn – either by miles flown, what you spend, or by
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What is the Atmos Rewards program?
Atmos Rewards is the newest Alaska Airlines rewards program, replacing the Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan. Atmos Rewards is actually a dual rewards program, since it's also the loyalty program for Hawaiian Airlines.
Once you join this free airline rewards program, you'll earn points for qualifying flights and travel, including rental cars, cruises, and purchases made through Atmos Rewards Shopping.
When you're ready to redeem points, use them for a free flight from Alaska or another qualifying airline, or put them towards accommodations or rental cars.
Atmos Rewards pros:
- New program update allows users to choose how they earn points
- Complimentary upgrades, preferred seating, and perks like free checked bags
- Partners with 30+ airlines
- Travel to and earn rewards for 1,000+ destinations
- 2 rental car partners
- 5 ways to redeem or use points
Atmos Rewards cons:
- Additional earning opportunities are limited to Americans
- No co-branded credit cards available to Canadians
- Reward travel is subject to taxes and fees
- Cannot currently use points for upgrades
- Only able to change your point accrual method once a year
How to earn Atmos Rewards
Atmos allows you to earn points for travel, and U.S. participants can also earn rewards for shopping and dining through its platform or with its co-branded Visa credit cards. Unfortunately, these options aren't available to Canadians.
| How to earn | Earn rate | Other details |
|---|---|---|
| Flights with Alaska Airlines and airline partners | * Varies based on fare class purchased and distance travelled in miles | *Atmos is updating its earning structure later this year, so users can choose how they earn points (by distance, price, or segments flown) |
| Alaska vacation packages | * Typically 1 point per $1 spent | * Book through Alaska Vacations portal for exclusive pricing |
| Alaska Hawaiian cruises | * Typically 1 point per $1 spent | * Earn status faster when booking through the portal * Partners with Norwegian Cruise Line |
| Hotel stays with partners | * Best Western: 250 points per stay on qualifying rates * Marriott Bonvoy: 2 points per $1 USD spent on all qualifying charges, or 1 point per $1 spent on room rate (depending on hotel) * Choice Hotels: 250 total points per eligible stay * Rocketmiles: 500 – 10,000 points per night on every reservation * Coast Hotels: 500 points per qualifying stay * InterContinental: Up to 2 points per $1 USD spent, or 500 points per qualifying stay | * Must provide Mileage Plan number when making a reservation and checking in |
| Car rentals | * Avis: Up to 1,250 points per qualifying rental * Budget: Up to 1,250 points per qualifying rental | * Mileage Plan members get up to 35% off AVIS and Budget base rental rates * Alaska elite members can match status with Avis Preferred Plus or Avis President's Club |
| Lyft | * 2 points per $1 spent on everyday rides | * Earn 3 points per $1 spent on airport and elevated rides |
American Atmos users have a few more options for earning rewards, including shopping, dining, and using branded credit cards.
How much are Atmos Rewards points worth?
With only a limited number of ways to use your points, there unfortunately isn't much flexibility. But what this mileage plan lacks in flexibility, it more than makes up for in value.
| Reward category | Average cents per point (CPP) | How to redeem |
|---|---|---|
| Flights | 2.14 CPP | Book through Alaska Airlines or Hawaiian Airlines with as few as 4,500 points |
| Car rentals | 0.97 CPP | Book a rental car through the Alaska Car Rentals platform |
| Hotel stay | 0.63 CPP | Book a hotel stay through the Alaska Vacations platform |
| Transfer points to someone | Costs you 1 CPP | * Give Rewards points to someone else for a small fee |
| Charitable donation | Varies | * Select the number of points you wish to donate to a specific partnering charity |
Flights: 2.14 CPP
If you want the best value for your miles, use them for flights.
The number of points needed for your flight depends on several factors:
- How far you fly
- Who you fly with
- Your fare class.
Remember that these are starting points, and the actual number of points you need could be much higher, depending on your chosen route.
When you go to book flights using Atmos Rewards, you're asked to choose Alaska Airlines or Hawaiian Airlines. Don't worry, though, as you can use either booking platform and still get the same results, which also include flights with oneworld Alliance partners.
We analyzed a dozen flights within North America and from major Canadian airports to international destinations using a mix of Alaska Airlines, Hawaiian Airlines, and partner airlines.
Overall, we got an average value of 2.14 CPP.
After closer inspection, we found that the best reward value – 2.78 CPP – is for booking Main fare-class reward flights, rather than premium, first-class, or business-class fares.
Car rentals: 0.97 CPP
While you can book cars through numerous providers, if you use your Atmos Rewards points to book a car rental through AVIS or Budget, you'll get a hefty discount.
Redemption rates vary based on location, rental company, dates, and car class. To arrive at our average, we looked at 11 different bookings for compact car rentals through AVIS or Budget in major cities across the U.S. We got values ranging from 0.79 CPP in Kansas City to 1.1 CPP in Atlanta.
If you're short on miles for your car rental of choice, don't worry – you can pay with a combination of cash and points.
Hotel stays: 0.63 CPP
This option allows you to use your points towards free nights at more than a million hotels and vacation rentals worldwide. Your points usually cover the taxes and fees, and you can choose to pay for your hotel stay with a combination of points and cash.
We looked at hotels in major Canadian cities' downtown cores and chose the one most highly recommended. We came to an average value of 0.63 CPP.
Transfer points to someone: costs 1 CPP
Atmos Rewards members can choose to gift their points to other members at any time. All you have to do is log in and specify how many of your points you'd like to transfer.
For every 1,000 points you move, you'll pay $10, so you're essentially paying 1 CPP to give your points away. Atmos is one of the only programs to charge for this feature.
Donations to charity
There's a wide variety of charities for Atmos Rewards members to choose from when donating their points. Atmos requires a minimum of 1,000 miles for donation, and anything above that must be in 1,000-mile increments.
Currently, you can donate to almost a dozen charities, including these:
- Alaska Airlines Disaster Relief Pool
- Make-A-Wish Foundation
- Miles 4 Migrants
- Special Olympics Alaska
Unfortunately, we were unable to find details on the specific points required to donate to various causes. This means we're also unable to determine the value of donating your points this way.
Note about the rewards calculator
How to redeem Atmos Rewards points for flights
Atmos Rewards travel must be booked through Alaska Airlines, Hawaiian Airlines, or through other airline partners.
If you're flying solely on Alaska Airlines or Hawaiian Airlines, here's what your redemptions look like:
| Distance (within contiguous U.S., Alaska and Canada) | Economy class | First class |
|---|---|---|
| Up to 700 miles | 4,500+ points | 15,000+ points |
| 701 – 1,400 miles | 7,500+ points | 25,000+ points |
| 1,401 – 2,100 miles | 10,000+ points | 25,000+ points |
| 2,101 – 3,500 miles | 12,500+ points | 30,000+ points |
| 3,501+ miles | 20,000+ points | 60,000+ points |
| Mexico, Central America, and Caribbean | 10,000 points | 30,000 points |
If your flight redemption includes any of Alaska's 30+ partner airlines, mileage rates vary depending on the destination and distance.
Americas
| Distance | Economy class | Premium Economy class | Business class | First class |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Up to 700 miles | 4,500 points | 6,000 points | 9,000 points | 13,500 points |
| 701 – 1,400 miles | 7,500 points | 10,000 points | 15,000 points | 25,000 points |
| 1,401 – 2,100 miles | 12,500 points | 17,500 points | 25,000 points | 40,000 points |
| 2,101 – 4,000 miles | 17,500 points | 22,500 points | 35,000 points | 52,500 points |
| 4,001 – 6,000 miles | 25,000 points | 32,500 points | 50,000 points | 75,000 points |
| 6,001+ miles | 30,000 points | 40,000 points | 60,000 points | 90,000 points |
Europe, Middle East, and Africa
| Distance | Economy class | Premium Economy class | Business class | First class |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Up to 1,500 miles | 7,500 points | 10,000 points | 15,000 points | 22,500 points |
| 1,501 – 3,500 miles | 22,500 points | 30,000 points | 45,000 points | 67,500 points |
| 3,501 – 5,000 miles | 27,500 points | 35,000 points | 55,000 points | 82,500 points |
| 5,001 – 7,000 miles | 35,000 points | 45,000 points | 70,000 points | 105,000 points |
| 7,001 – 10,000 miles | 42,500 points | 55,000 points | 85,000 points | 130,000 points |
| 10,000+ miles | 55,000 points | 72,500 points | 110,000 points | 165,000 points |
Asia Pacific
| Distance | Economy class | Premium Economy class | Business class | First class |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Up to 1,500 miles | 7,500 points | 10,000 points | 15,000 points | 22,500 points |
| 1,501 – 3,500 miles | 25,000 points | 32,500 points | 50,000 points | 75,000 points |
| 3,501 – 5,000 miles | 30,000 points | 40,000 points | 60,000 points | 90,000 points |
| 5,001 – 7,000 miles | 37,500 points | 50,000 points | 75,000 points | 110,000 points |
| 7,001 – 10,000 miles | 42,500 points | 55,000 points | 85,000 points | 130,000 points |
| 10,000+ miles | 65,000 points | 85,000 points | 130,000 points | 195,000 points |
Atmos Rewards elite status
Atmos Rewards lets you earn status, but if you already have status with another airline, you can request a status match.
Here's how Atmos Rewards status compares with statuses through Hawaiian Airlines, Mileage Plus, and oneworld.
| Atmos Reward status | Atmos status requirement | Mileage Plan status | Hawaiian Airlines status | oneworld status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Atmos Silver | 20,000 status points | MVP | Pualani Gold | oneworld Ruby |
| Atmos Gold | 40,000 status points | MVP Gold | Pualani Platinum | oneworld Sapphire |
| Atmos Platinum | 80,000 status points | MVP Gold 75K | oneworld Emerald | |
| Atmos Titanium | 135,000 status points | MVP Gold 100K | oneworld Emerald |
All Atmos Rewards status members will enjoy:
Other perks vary by status level but include:
- Upgrades to first or business class
- Preferred seating for your companions
- Free drinks or chocolates
- Free meals
- Priority baggage handling
- Priority security and check-in
FAQ
Are Atmos Rewards legitimate?
Yes, Atmos Rewards is the new name for the Alaska Airlines Mileage program, an excellent rewards program for frequent fliers of Alaska and/or Hawaiian Airlines. Points can be earned through air travel, and the program offers several options for point redemption, including flights, car rentals, and charitable donations.
What are the milestones for Atmos Rewards?
Atmos Rewards members enjoy extra perks once they've reached certain milestones, starting at 10,000 points and going to 250,000 points. You can select a perk at each milestone – things like free Wi-Fi, bonus points, lounge access, discounts on experiences, and upgrade certificates.
What is the best way to use Atmos Rewards points?
Booking reward flights with Alaska Airlines, Hawaiian Airlines, or a oneworld Alliance partner gives the best return on your points. If you're looking to get the best value, try booking a Main fare class, since these tend to have the lowest taxes and fees.
Is the Atmos Rewards program worth it?
Yes, Atmos Rewards can definitely be a worthwhile rewards program for those who regularly fly with Alaska Airlines, Hawaiian Airlines, or throughout the U.S. You'll immediately get benefits like preferred seating and accelerated rewards just for signing up, plus have the opportunity to earn more premium perks by reaching a certain status level.
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