When it comes to airline loyalty programs, committing to one is usually the smartest strategy. Collecting points and working out key redemptions work best when you settle on a specific airline or airline alliance. That’s why Alaska Airlines’ Atmos loyalty program, following the integration of Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines, is such a notable development. Built on the back of what is considered the best airline loyalty program in the U.S., Atmos aims to offer its members even more value and flexibility.
Historically, Alaska Airlines has been somewhat limited in its route options, relying on partner airlines for decent redemptions, but with its recent record-breaking expansions from Seattle to both London and Rome, Alaska Airlines is becoming a transatlantic contender. As its network grows, so do the opportunities to get more value from your points.
With that in mind, is the Alaska Airlines Atmos Loyalty Program actually worth it? In a time when many airlines are stripping back perks and making status and tier points harder to obtain, now is a great time to shop around for a new scheme.
What Is The Alaska Airlines Atmos Loyalty Program?
The Atmos Loyalty Program is, fundamentally, the combined Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines loyalty programs. It largely dominates the West Coast and routes in and around Hawaii. However, this program works a little differently, which is earning it rave reviews among point experts. The key reason behind this is that each year, rather than being locked in to a single earning model, you can actually choose how you earn points. The options include earnings based on:
- How far you travel
- How much you spend
- How frequently you fly
This flexibility is particularly appealing for different types of travelers, from business travelers who rack up a lot of short trips, to leisure travelers who fly less frequently, but travel longer haul when they do. This member-first approach sets Atmos apart from other domestic loyalty programs, which are largely narrowing the ways you can earn and spend, or slowly making it harder to hit the next tier or status level.
The other thing that truly sets the Atmos loyalty program apart is its intention. In a news release, Andrew Harrison, the Chief Commercial Officer at Alaska Airlines, said,
“Atmos Rewards is more than a loyalty program – it’s a reflection of how guests travel today. We listened to what our members value most and built a program that’s grounded in generosity, personalization and practicality. We’re putting our members in the pilot’s seat, giving them control over how they earn and redeem, while honoring the legacy and values of both Alaska and Hawaiian.”
Beyond its flexible earning structure, Atmos includes many of the perks and features you would expect from a modern airline loyalty program, including elite status tiers with increasing travel benefits, award flight redemptions, partner airline rewards, an accompanying co-branded card that can accelerate your points earnings. So, what are the true pros and cons of this program, so you can make an informed decision?
The Pros Of The Alaska Airlines Atmos Loyalty Program
The main pros of the Alaska Atmos Loyalty Program include its value for money, especially where the co-branded credit card is concerned. The Atmos Rewards Summit Visa Infinite card costs $395 per year and packs a punch, with a 100,000-point sign-up bonus, eight lounge passes per day, free checked bags for the cardholder and six companions, and a companion certificate.
This companion certificate is a standout perk. It allows a companion to fly on any Alaska Airlines or Hawaiian Airlines flight for $99, plus taxes and fees. For travelers who opt for the lower-tier card with a $95-per-year fee, the companion voucher unlocks at a $6,000 annual spend.
The Atmos Program is also the only U.S. airline that offers complimentary day-of-departure upgrades without requiring members to redeem points or use upgrade certificates. For frequent travelers, this means more opportunities to enjoy premium cabins without having to sacrifice hard-earned rewards.
Another advantage of the Atmos Loyalty Program and something that sets it apart from other loyalty schemes, is that Atmos points never expire. While many airline loyalty programs want members to maintain account activity or risk losing their points, Atmos lets you keep your points indefinitely. Even if you take a year off travel, your balance will remain intact. Status and tiers may be affected, but not your core points.
The Cons Of The Alaska Airlines Atmos Loyalty Program
While the Atmos Loyalty Program sounds good, especially if you get the accompanying credit card, there are some downsides to consider. First, while Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines domestic presence is strong, the choice of international routes is still considerably less than that of its U.S.-based competitors.
While the airline has begun expanding beyond America, offering more flights to some European and Asian destinations, it still offers fewer destination options than carriers such as Delta, United, and American.
In a similar vein, the Atmos program doesn’t have the same number of airline partners, compared to its competitors. Alaska Airlines is a member of the Oneworld Alliance, which includes airlines such as British Airways and Qantas, but has fewer carriers than partner networks Star Alliance and SkyTeam. This means even if you did want to transfer your points to a partner airline, you will generally have fewer options.
Another downside is that many of the Atmos program’s most attractive benefits are tied to its premium $395 Atmos Rewards Summit Visa Infinite Card. The lower-tier $95 card offers noticeably fewer benefits and does not get free lounge access, so you will have to pay per visit. This is a pretty big deal for many frequent travelers, as complimentary lounge access has become the expectation of airline-affiliated credit cards.
Finally, Atmos has dynamic pricing on its reward flights. While this is quickly becoming the standard, with Virgin Atlantic switching to this model in recent years, it does mean that your redemption could be great or barely worth it, depending on your dates. There may be no blackout dates for using points, but the price will definitely be impacted by peak travel days and times.
Is The Alaska Airlines Atmos Loyalty Program Worth It?
So, the big question remains: is the Alaska Airlines Atmos Loyalty Program worth it? Well, if you’re based on the West Coast or in Hawaii, then the answer is yes. The number of routes offered by the airlines in this region, especially on the domestic side, is hard to beat. Combine that with the flexible earning offers and the $395 card that is stacked with perks, including a $99 companion voucher, and it’s a no-brainer.
However, if you’re based on the East Coast or Midwest, prefer to focus on traveling to Europe or Latin America, or don’t want a higher-fee-paying card, this may not be the program for you. The $95 card is lacking in terms of perks, and the bulk of the program perks come from the card rather than from being a program member.
With the limited routes over the Atlantic at the moment (although it seems the intention is to expand this market), it’s definitely more worth it for West Coast travelers who want to travel domestically, need to get in and around Hawaii and Alaska frequently, or head to Asia a fair amount.
That being said, if the international routes for Alaska expand as expected, this program is set to become a major contender. The non-expiring points, three ways to earn, and the day-of upgrades are all incredible offerings that other airlines struggle to compete with.
