Hawaiian currently operates flights to Tokyo and Seoul from Seattle and Honolulu, and flies to Sydney from Honolulu. Starting in 2026, some transpacific flights will transition to Alaska’s operation; details about how this will affect upgrade certificate policies are yet to be finalized.
Since merging last year, Alaska and Hawaiian have worked toward aligning loyalty benefits across their networks. In the coming months, Hawaiian passengers with Atmos Rewards Gold status or higher flying internationally will gain access to the Plumeria Lounge at Honolulu’s Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (HNL), along with one guest. Additionally, those enrolled in the Huakai by Hawaiian program can enter the Premier Club at HNL with two guests starting Oct. 1—the same date when the legacy HawaiianMiles program ends.
Atmos Rewards members and one companion traveling together will be eligible for complimentary upgrades on Hawaiian flights within North America beginning spring 2026. This includes access to lie-flat business-class seats on certain Airbus A330 routes between Seattle and Anchorage when available. Upgrade rules for these flights will mirror current policies on Alaska Airlines.
One notable aspect of Atmos Rewards is its customizable approach to earning points: starting later in 2026, members can choose between earning one point per mile flown, five points per dollar spent on flights, or a flat 500 points per flight segment—with changes permitted once per year. Members who do not select an option will default to earning five points per dollar spent but may change their selection annually.
Atmos Rewards Summit Visa Infinite Credit Card holders receive added benefits beyond typical elite status perks. When determining upgrade priority among travelers with similar qualifications—such as status level or million-miler status—possession of this premium card acts as an additional tiebreaker.
Cardholders also benefit from free points sharing: up to ten Atmos Rewards accounts (including friends or family) can pool points without incurring fees. Nick Ewen, TPG's senior editorial director, commented on this feature: "The more I think about it, the more I think it's a game changer," said Nick Ewen. "Basically, all of the points my wife and daughter earn can now be pooled together toward any redemption — including partner flights with no partner booking fees — and to top up the Global Companion Awards that come with the card."
The Summit card carries a $395 annual fee. New applicants can currently earn 100,000 Atmos Rewards points plus a Global Companion Award valued up to 25,000 points after spending $6,000 within 90 days of account opening.
For further reading on related travel strategies and credit cards for airfare purchases visit The Points Guy website (https://thepointsguy.com/).