Unlock Elite Status with Atmos Rewards
So, here’s the scoop: Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines have teamed up to roll out their spiffy new loyalty program called Atmos Rewards. And yeah, there are a few tweaks, but most of what frequent flyers treasure is here to stay. One of the standout features? Your award flights can now help you reach elite status. Excited yet?
In this article, let’s dive into how this all comes together, particularly since Atmos Rewards now gives you the power to pick your path to elite glory. I reckon this flexibility is part of what makes Atmos Rewards so dang intriguing.
Atmos Rewards: Award Flights That Count Toward Elite Status
Here’s where things get interesting: Atmos Rewards doesn’t just chalk up your award flights toward elite status willy-nilly. Nope, you get to choose your own adventure. You can qualify for elite status based on the distance you fly, the cash you splash, or the number of flights you take. Fancy that!
With award flights, this choice remains, and here’s how you can rake in those status points:
- If you opt for miles flown, you nab one status point per mile. It doesn’t matter if you’re cozied up in first class or roughing it in the economy.
- If ticket price is your game, every 20 points redeemed gets you just one status point. Not the best bang for your buck, but hey, it’s an option.
- Or, if you’re hopping from place to place, it’s a flat 500 status points for every segment you fly.
But, hold your horses, you can only switch your preferred points-earning method once a year. And that’s across both regular spending and award flights. The distance travel method usually holds the winning ticket when it comes to squeezing the most value out of your miles.
Which Award Flights Qualify?
Alright, let’s lay down the law. Not all award flights are created equal in the eyes of Atmos Rewards. For them to count, you need:
- Your award ticket booked via Atmos Rewards, not any third-party frequent flyer programs.
- To know that regardless of the airline or cabin class, there are status points to be earned.
- Your Atmos Rewards number present on the reservation during your travel.
- Anyone traveling on the redemption gets the status points, even if it was booked from another Atmos Rewards account. So, feel free to cash in those points for a buddy!
- Bear in mind, though, you’ll only earn status points on these flights. No redeemable points here.
It’s worth noting that Delta SkyMiles was actually the U.S. pioneer in giving out status points for award flights. But apart from that, there’s not much else intriguing about their program. So, if pioneering isn’t your thing… 😉
The Elite Status Pursuit with Award Flights: Is it Worth It?
Fast forward to 2026, and here’s a sneak peek at the Atmos Rewards elite status requirements for the following year:
- Atmos Silver (oneworld Ruby) – 20,000 status points.
- Atmos Gold (oneworld Sapphire) – 40,000 status points.
- Atmos Platinum (oneworld Emerald) – 80,000 status points.
- Atmos Titanium (oneworld Emerald) – 135,000 status points.
Award flights are just one of the creative ways you can chase these elusive status points. There’s also the option of swiping your way to success with credit card spend:
- The Atmos™ Rewards Ascent Visa Signature® Credit Card and Atmos™ Rewards Visa Signature® Business Card will net you one status point per $3 spent, with a cap of 30,000 points in 2025, before the gates fling open in 2026.
- The Atmos™ Rewards Summit Visa Infinite® Credit Card ups the ante with one point per $2 spent, without any caps cramping your style.
In addition to these, Atmos Rewards allows you to accumulate status points with its everyday partners. One particularly lucrative way to pile up points is by getting cozy with partner Bilt.
Keeping the Elite Status Treadmill Spinning
Let’s call a spade a spade; Atmos Rewards has ingeniously structured their program to keep us all spinning on the elite status treadmill. With every purchase, and each swipe of that credit card, it contributes to the mounting ladder of redeemable points. This, right here, is a savvy strategy to snag oneworld Sapphire or even oneworld Emerald status.
If you’re the type who frequently redeems points for award travel, then throwing your hat in the Atmos Rewards ring could be a strategic move. Just bear in mind, when it comes to booking through Atmos, the earning rates for partner airline revenue mileage are top tier. Book directly, and you’re looking at diminished returns.
As someone who’s been there, the opportunity to earn elite status from award flights is a significant game changer, especially when compared with American, which keeps a stingy hold on its status points for award flights.
Happy flying, and may all your travels lead to elite perks!
Final Thoughts
Atmos Rewards’ clever twist of rewarding status points for award travel is a masterstroke, if you ask me. While this came into play at the dawn of 2025, their current model lets you pick your preferred method, showing just how forward-thinking they are.
As long as you redeem Atmos Rewards points, status points aren’t far behind, even with travel on partner airlines. You could say that no loyalty program has spoiled travelers as generously as Atmos Rewards when it comes to award travel benefits. With this level of flexibility and reach, it’s worth celebrating.
Could Atmos Rewards’ welcome emphasis on award flights reshape your loyalty strategy? Consider unpacking your ski gear at Val Seny ski resort.