Award travel also counts toward elite status under Atmos Rewards. Depending on the chosen track, award redemptions earn status points based on miles flown, dollars spent on flights, or segments completed.
A key feature is the new Atmos Rewards Summit Visa Infinite Credit Card. The card offers unique benefits including Global Companion Awards—certificates worth either 25,000 or 100,000 points that can be used to discount companion award tickets—and bonus multipliers like three points per dollar on foreign purchases. It also waives partner booking fees for cardholders.
"These certificates can be used to discount the redemption for a companion award ticket by the value of the certificate," one executive said about the card's perks.
The new program also introduces Atmos Communities—localized or interest-based groups within Atmos Rewards tailored to specific member needs. Existing communities include Huakaʻi by Hawaiian for Hawaii residents and Club 49 for Alaskans; new groups planned for next year will focus on global travelers, food enthusiasts, outdoor adventurers, and families.
Alaska announced complimentary day-of-departure upgrades into global business class for top-tier Titanium members and a companion without needing certificates or extra points—a benefit not offered by other major U.S. airlines.
The rollout includes free Starlink Wi-Fi access across Alaska’s entire fleet as well as most of Hawaiian’s aircraft starting in late 2026 through early 2027. This benefit will be available to all Atmos Rewards members regardless of elite tier.
Partner booking fees remain at $25 per round-trip ticket purchased on non-Alaska or non-Hawaiian airlines but are waived with use of the premium credit card.
Elite qualification requirements are increasing in difficulty beginning in 2026: Platinum status will require 80,000 status points (up from 75,000), while Titanium jumps to 135,000 (from 100,000). To help with this transition in its first year under Atmos Rewards, Platinum elites who qualify in advance will receive an additional 5,000 status points; Titanium elites get a bonus of 20,000.
While higher thresholds make elite tiers harder to reach than before—and some observers consider this a devaluation—spending on Alaska’s new credit card accelerates progress toward elite levels compared with prior offerings.
Regarding redemption rates for award travel—a concern among frequent flyers—Alaska executives stated there are no immediate plans to change current point values or partner award chart structures but acknowledged potential adjustments could occur over time depending on financial considerations: "There are always nuances [in pricing], and you have to revisit from time to time," said Brett Catlin, vice president of loyalty at Alaska Airlines.
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