When Alaska Airlines bought Hawaiian Airlines, two loyal followings had to decide whether the merger would make their miles better or worse. The answer is Atmos Rewards, the combined loyalty program that replaced Alaska Mileage Plan and HawaiianMiles. For most members, it kept what made Mileage Plan valuable and added new ways to earn and use points.
This guide explains how Atmos Rewards works in 2026, how its elite status tiers compare, the best ways to earn points, and why it remains one of the strongest airline programs for U.S. travelers, especially on the West Coast and in Hawaii.
What Is Atmos Rewards?
Atmos Rewards is the loyalty program for Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines. Alaska Mileage Plan miles and HawaiianMiles converted into Atmos points at a 1:1 ratio, and elite status carried over to the new tiers, so members did not lose value in the switch. Joining is free.
Alaska is a Oneworld member, and Hawaiian now flies in the alliance alongside it, so Atmos points can book flights on Oneworld airlines such as American, British Airways, Cathay Pacific, Japan Airlines and Qatar Airways. Atmos also partners with airlines outside the alliance, including Singapore Airlines, STARLUX and Porter. If alliances are new to you, read our guide to how airline alliances work.
Atmos Rewards Elite Status Tiers
Atmos has four elite tiers. Each one matches a Oneworld status level, which determines your benefits on partner airlines.
| Atmos tier | Previous Alaska tier | Status points for 2027 status | Oneworld equivalent |
|---|---|---|---|
| Atmos Silver | MVP | 20,000 | Ruby |
| Atmos Gold | MVP Gold | 40,000 | Sapphire |
| Atmos Platinum | MVP Gold 75K | 80,000 | Emerald |
| Atmos Titanium | MVP Gold 100K | 135,000 | Emerald |
Silver and Gold requirements stayed the same as under Mileage Plan, while Platinum and Titanium got harder to earn starting with the 2026 qualification year. Atmos also added Milestone Rewards, which let you pick perks at status point thresholds starting at 10,000, so you get something back even if you fall short of the next tier.
How to Earn Atmos Rewards Points and Status
Flying
Flights on Alaska, Hawaiian and partner airlines earn Atmos points and status points. Atmos has been moving toward letting members choose how they qualify for status, based on distance flown, money spent or number of flights, which suits frequent short-haul flyers and long-distance travelers differently.
Credit cards
The Atmos Rewards credit cards from Bank of America are the main way to earn without flying. The cards earn status points on spending, and the premium Atmos Rewards Summit Visa Infinite card adds perks such as a Global Companion Award that can be used on partners and in premium cabins, plus points pooling with up to 10 people. Bank of America customers with qualifying accounts can earn extra points on card purchases.
Transfers
Atmos is harder to reach with bank points than many programs. Bilt Rewards transfers to Atmos at 1:1, and Marriott Bonvoy transfers at 3:1, with a 5,000 point bonus for every 60,000 Marriott points you move. Chase, Amex, Citi and Capital One do not currently transfer to Atmos, so most members rely on flying, the co-branded cards and partners.
Everyday partners
Atmos Rewards Shopping, Atmos Rewards Dining, Lyft and hotel and car rental partners all earn points, and many of them now earn status points too. Alaska has shown that a member can reach Atmos Silver through non-flying activity alone by combining a premium credit card with shopping, dining and vacation bookings.
How to Use Atmos Rewards Points
The best value usually comes from partner awards in premium cabins, where Atmos points can book seats on airlines like Japan Airlines, Cathay Pacific and Qatar Airways. Alaska and Hawaiian flights within the US and to Hawaii are also useful, especially when cash fares are high around holidays.
Award prices vary by route, partner and demand, so compare the points price with the cash fare before booking. Our guide to maximizing Atmos Rewards points covers redemption strategies in detail, and our walkthrough on finding award availability when seats are limited helps you find partner space.
Atmos Rewards vs. Other U.S. Airline Programs
Atmos stands out for its partner network, which covers Oneworld plus several strong airlines outside it, and for status thresholds that remain reachable at the Silver and Gold levels. Its main weakness is how few bank programs transfer to it. If you earn Chase, Amex or Citi points, programs like United MileagePlus or American AAdvantage are easier to feed. See our comparison of the best frequent flyer programs for U.S. travelers to decide where Atmos fits for you.
Who Should Focus on Atmos Rewards?
- West Coast travelers. Alaska’s hubs in Seattle, Portland, San Francisco and Los Angeles make it a natural home program.
- Frequent Hawaii visitors. With Hawaiian folded in, Atmos covers both the mainland routes and inter-island flying.
- Bilt cardholders. Bilt’s 1:1 transfer makes Atmos one of the easiest ways to turn rent payments into premium travel.
- Oneworld travelers who want status. Atmos Silver and Gold give you Oneworld Ruby and Sapphire recognition on partners worldwide.
Getting Started With Atmos Rewards
- Check your account. If you had Mileage Plan or HawaiianMiles, your balance and status should already be in Atmos. Log in and confirm both, and contact Alaska if anything looks wrong.
- Add your number to every booking. Alaska, Hawaiian and partner flights all earn, and members get free Starlink Wi-Fi on equipped flights.
- Register your cards for dining and shopping. These programs earn points and status points in the background with no extra effort.
- Decide whether a co-branded card fits. If you fly Alaska or Hawaiian several times a year, the companion award and status earning can easily outweigh the annual fee.
- Set a redemption goal. Points lose value over time when programs change, so save for a specific trip rather than letting the balance sit. Our guide to miles and points devaluation explains why.
Common Questions About Atmos Rewards
Did my Alaska miles lose value in the switch? No. Mileage Plan miles converted to Atmos points at 1:1, and HawaiianMiles converted at 1:1 as well.
Can I still book American Airlines flights with Atmos points? Yes. American is a Oneworld partner, and Atmos points can book American flights as well as other Oneworld airlines.
What is the easiest way to build a balance fast? For most people, it is a welcome bonus on an Atmos Rewards credit card combined with everyday spending. If you have a Bilt card, transferring Bilt points at 1:1 is the most direct bank route. Marriott transfers work too, but the 3:1 ratio makes them better for topping off a balance than for building one.
Is Atmos status recognized on American? Yes, through your Oneworld tier. Atmos Silver maps to Ruby, Gold to Sapphire, and Platinum and Titanium to Emerald.
Takeaway
Atmos Rewards replaced Alaska Mileage Plan and HawaiianMiles with one program that kept the old value and added more ways to earn. It offers four elite tiers from Silver at 20,000 status points to Titanium at 135,000, Oneworld recognition, a broad set of partner airlines and new Milestone Rewards. The catch is that few bank programs transfer to it, so plan to earn through flying, the Atmos credit cards, Bilt or Marriott transfers and everyday partners. If you live on the West Coast or travel to Hawaii, Atmos deserves a central place in your strategy.