Alaska Airlines Partners: How to Earn and Use Atmos Rewards Points

Understanding Alaska Airlines' Partner Ecosystem

Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines have recently introduced a joint loyalty program called Atmos Rewards. This program allows members to earn and redeem points across a wide range of partners, offering valuable opportunities for frequent travelers. Whether you're looking to accumulate points through flights, credit cards, or everyday purchases, the Atmos Rewards ecosystem provides a variety of options.

Types of Alaska Airlines Partners

Alaska Airlines has categorized its partners into three main types: airline partners, transfer partners, and other partners. Each category offers different benefits and ways to earn and redeem points.

Airline Partners

Airline partners are essential to the Atmos Rewards program, allowing members to earn and sometimes redeem points on flights operated by other airlines. These partners are divided into three categories:

• Oneworld Alliance Partners: Members can earn and redeem points on flights operated by these airlines and enjoy Oneworld elite benefits based on their Alaska Airlines status.

• Examples include American Airlines, British Airways, Cathay Pacific, and many others.

• Earn and Redeem Partners: Members can earn and redeem points on flights operated by these airlines.

• Examples include Aer Lingus, Icelandair, Korean Air, and LATAM (until October).

• Earn Partners: Points can be earned on flights operated by these airlines when booked directly through Alaska Airlines.

Earning Points on Partner Flights

When booking flights with partner airlines, members can earn points based on factors such as fare class, flight distance, and booking method. For instance, international first-class flights can earn up to 350% of the flight distance if booked directly with Alaska, while discount economy fares earn 100% of the distance.

Redeeming Points on Partner Flights

Redeeming points for flights on partner airlines involves using Atmos Rewards’ award charts, which list starting rates. However, actual awards may be more expensive, and there might be issues with "phantom award space," where available seats appear but aren't real.

Transfer Partners

Transfer partners allow members to convert points between loyalty programs. While Atmos Rewards points can currently only be converted to Hawaiian Airlines miles (which will transition to Atmos Rewards in October), members can also transfer Bilt Rewards points at a 1:1 ratio and Marriott Bonvoy points at a 3:1 ratio.

Additionally, holders of the Atmos Rewards Summit Visa Infinite Credit Card can transfer points to select hotel programs, including Marriott Bonvoy, Wyndham Rewards, and IHG One Rewards.

Other Partners

Alaska Airlines has various other partners that offer additional earning and redemption opportunities.

Credit Cards

The Atmos Rewards credit cards provide significant earning potential. The Atmos Rewards Summit Visa Infinite Credit Card offers 3 points per dollar on eligible purchases and a 10% bonus on points earned from Bank of America accounts. The Atmos Rewards Ascent Visa Signature Credit Card and the Atmos Rewards Visa Signature Business Card also offer competitive earning rates and companion awards.

Travel Partners

Members can earn points through travel partners like Alaska Cruises and Stays by Alaska Vacations. They can also choose Alaska points as a reward currency for stays booked with major hotel chains like Best Western and Marriott.

Everyday Partners

The Atmos Rewards Shopping portal and Dining program offer extra points for everyday purchases. Members can earn up to 5 points per dollar spent on dining and receive special deals with partners like 1-800-Flowers.

Conclusion

The Alaska Airlines partner network is extensive, offering numerous ways to earn and redeem points. From airline partnerships to credit cards and travel services, members can maximize their rewards by leveraging these opportunities. Whether you're a frequent flyer or just starting out, understanding the full scope of Atmos Rewards partners can help you make the most of your loyalty program.