For years, US airline loyalty applications have been marching in direction of the identical mannequin. You might be gaining stats primarily based on how a lot you employ, not how a lot you fly. Nevertheless, the brand new co-loyalty program provides vacationers unprecedented flexibility in how they earn factors.
August twentieth, Alaska Airways and Hawaiian Airways Merger in September 2024has introduced Atmos Rewards, the long-awaited co-loyalty program. Merging mileage plans with Hawaiian Airways’ Hawaiian Miles in Alaska, the brand new program guarantees to alter how vacationers take into consideration incomes factors.
“One of the crucial distinctive points of the brand new program is selecting a option to earn factors for vacationers: flying, spending distances, and profitable flight segments. “That is the primary time within the business, permitting clients to supply extra management and form this system round their very own private journey habits.”
Beginning in 2026, members will be capable of select one among three income fashions (adjustable yearly).
- distance: 1 level flight per mile
- Income: 5 factors per greenback spent on airfares
- phase: 500 factors per flight phase
That is an journey choice to loyalty that enables some vacationers to have entry to the upper airline standing brackets.
“Vacationers who take the time to grasp the system will discover it opens the door to extra helpful alternatives,” says Kheel. “From a strategic perspective, long-distance rif-haunted vacationers can profit from distance-based revenues, however premium cabin flyers can earn extra primarily based on the {dollars} they spend.
Journey skilled Katy Nastro at Journey App and Offers Publication, known as Atmos, added, “After we hear “an enormous change” coming, we brace for the results of devaluation (ongoing).”
Nonetheless, not all particulars are seamless, identical to mergers. Standing thresholds are rising, and the revamped phases have excessive income necessities for platinum and titanium standing. Below the improved tier, vacationers will earn standing with the next qualification necessities:
- Silver (previously MVP with Alaska’s Mileage Plan and Pualani Gold from Hawaiian Miles Program): 20,000 Standing Factors
- Gold (previously Alaska MVP Gold and Hawaiian Praline Platinum): 40,000 Standing Factors
- Platinum (previously MVP Gold 75K and 75K with Alaska): 75,000 to 80,000 standing factors
- Titanium (previously MVP Gold 100K, Alaska): 135,000 standing factors, up from 100,000
It’s troublesome to achieve the highest layer, however the reward is giant. For instance, high tier titanium members are promised a limiteless free improve to enterprise class seats on Lyflat on long-distance flights (together with prolonged flight passes similar to Alaska) New and upcoming routes Even when they e book a predominant cabin to London, Reykjavik, Rome, Seoul, Tokyo), different airways will do nothing.
Native perks stay unhurt. Alaskans nonetheless profit from Membership 49, whereas Hawaiians keep entry to Huachy by Hawaiians (each applications supply locals with free test baggage from the airline’s identify and a few unique gross sales).
In case you are already a member of Alaska mileage planning, you can be routinely moved to Atmos. HawaiianMiles members will routinely change to October 1, 2025.
Journey skilled and founding father of Weblog View from Wing, Gary Leff mentioned Hawaiian Airways members are large winners right here.
“The Alaska level is simply as helpful because it was earlier than, as there aren’t any modifications to the redemption aspect of this system that’s occurring as a part of this,” Lev says. “The Hawaiian Airways miles had been far more helpful because of the merger. Hawaiian miles are essentially the most helpful, Alaska’s Most worthy, Hawaiian miles have transformed 1:1 into this new program.”
The improved bank card lineup additionally comes with a launch that features a Premium Summit Visa Infinite ($395 annuity price) of 100,000 factors sign-up bonus, eight lounge passes per 12 months, and a “International Companion Awards” value 25,000 factors (card holders can e book their very own flights and use a companion certificates to make use of their very own). Beginning in 2026, Atmos members will win one other main perk, free Starlink Wi-Fi, throughout the mixed Alaska and Hawaiian fleet.