Alaska Airlines is stepping into a new era. The once-regional Mileage Plan program has been reimagined as Alaska Airlines Atmos Rewards, a loyalty system built for global travelers. Along with this rebrand comes a lineup of three new Bank of America credit cards and the highly anticipated merger with Hawaiian Airlines — which unlocks more destinations than ever before.
We discuss these changes and the new credit cards in this post.
From Mileage Plan to Atmos Rewards
For longtime Mileage Plan members, the transition to Alaska Airlines Atmos Rewards is meant to be seamless. The biggest change is in terminology. What were once called miles are now points, and elite-qualifying miles are now status points. All balances transferred on a one-to-one basis, so no value was lost in the switch.
The elite levels have also been renamed. MVP status is now Atmos Silver, MVP Gold is Atmos Gold, MVP Gold 75K is Atmos Platinum, and MVP Gold 100K is Atmos Titanium. Each of these levels continues to map to oneworld alliance status, which means the benefits you receive on partner airlines remain the same. If you signed up for the waitlist, you get 5000 more points if you apply within 14 days.
The program will evolve further in 2026. Instead of a single earning structure, members will be able to choose how their points and status points are calculated. Options will include distance flown, ticket price, or the number of segments flown. This change allows travelers with different patterns — whether long-haul flyers, frequent short-haul commuters, or premium cabin customers — to pick the method that rewards them most. You will be able to choose your option once a year and then change in the next year if your travel pattern changes.
Atmos will also introduce “Communities,” a new feature that groups members based on interests or travel habits. By joining a community, members can access targeted perks such as special partner discounts, exclusive fare sales, or day-of-travel benefits like upgrade opportunities. Membership in a community can be changed once per year, giving some flexibility if your travel style shifts over time.
Another update is coming to the onboard experience. In partnership with SpaceX and T-Mobile, Alaska plans to roll out free high-speed Starlink Wi-Fi beginning in 2026. This will expand on the current free messaging benefit and make it possible to browse, stream, or work during a flight without paying extra. Alaska aims to make this standard across its fleet, positioning Atmos Rewards members to be among the first to use it.
A Bigger Map: The Hawaiian Airlines Merger
One of the most significant changes tied to Atmos Rewards is its integration with Alaska’s acquisition of Hawaiian Airlines. The merger brings the two networks under one loyalty program and expands Alaska’s footprint well beyond the West Coast and continental U.S. Hawaiian’s strong presence across the islands, along with its long-haul routes to Asia and Oceania, now complement Alaska’s existing domestic and international service. This makes it possible to connect on a single ticket from smaller mainland cities to destinations such as Tokyo, Sydney, and Auckland.
For travelers based in Hawaii, the merger improves access to the mainland. Alaska’s hubs in Seattle, Portland, and other West Coast cities give Hawaiian passengers more nonstop and one-stop options to the rest of the U.S. For travelers starting on the mainland, the integration means more direct flights into Honolulu and the neighbor islands, along with smoother onward connections into Asia-Pacific.
From a loyalty standpoint, Hawaiian’s routes are now fully part of Atmos Rewards. Members can earn and redeem points across both airlines without blackout dates. Elite benefits also carry across, so checked-bag waivers, priority boarding, and upgrade opportunities apply whether flying Alaska or Hawaiian.
Combined with oneworld alliance partners, the expanded network covers over 1,000 destinations worldwide. For a program that once served mainly as a regional option focused on the West Coast, this represents a major shift toward global relevance.
The Three New Credit Cards
Alaska and Bank of America introduced three new credit cards alongside the launch of Atmos Rewards: the Ascent Visa Signature, the Summit Visa Infinite, and the Visa Signature Business Card. All three cards come with limited-time welcome bonuses of at least 80,000 points, making them a key part of the new Atmos Rewards ecosystem.
Atmos Rewards Ascent Visa Signature
With a $95 annual fee, the Ascent is the entry-level choice that still provides solid value. New cardholders earn 80,000 points plus a $99 Companion Fare after $4,000 spend in 120 days. Ongoing perks include a free checked bag for up to six guests, preferred boarding, and strong earning rates on everyday categories like gas, EV charging, streaming, and transit. For most Alaska or Hawaiian flyers, this is the easiest card to justify year after year. See our review here.
Atmos Rewards Summit Visa Infinite
At $395, the Summit is the premium option. The launch bonus includes 100,000 points and a 25,000-point Global Companion Award after $6,000 spend in 90 days. Benefits are: 8 Alaska Lounge passes, 8 Wi-Fi passes, 10,000 status points annually, and a $50 flight delay voucher. This is clearly designed for frequent travelers who want comfort and flexibility. See our review here.
Atmos Rewards Visa Signature Business Card
Small business owners get their own version with a welcome bonus of 80,000 points plus a Companion Fare after $5,000 spend in 90 days. The annual fee is $70 for the company plus $25 per cardholder, making it relatively affordable. The card earns 3x on Alaska/Hawaiian, 2x on gas, EV charging, shipping, and transit, and 1x on everything else. For companies with employees flying to and from Hawaii or the mainland, it’s a strong tool. See our review here.
Why This Matters
With Alaska Airlines Atmos Rewards rebranding, Alaska Airlines is moving from a regional loyalty program to one with global reach. The merger with Hawaiian Airlines adds new nonstop options across the Pacific. Together, the network covers more than 1,000 destinations, giving members broader opportunities to earn and redeem points.
The three new credit cards fit directly into this expansion. The Ascent card provides entry-level perks like a companion fare and free checked bags. The premium Summit card layers on lounge access, status boosts, and annual companion awards for frequent flyers. The Business card focuses on companies and adds extra earning categories useful for travel and operations. Each option supports a different type of traveler but feeds into the same goal: making Atmos Rewards more valuable across a wider network.
Final Take
Alaska’s loyalty program has long been a hidden gem, with generous award pricing and unique stopover rules. Atmos Rewards keeps those strengths while adding new ways to customize how you earn and travel. The Hawaiian merger supercharges the map, making this once-regional airline a true global player.
There are speculations that these changes will lead to a devaluation – we will see. For now, the lounge passes, the ability to choose your way to get status, and the flight delay voucher sets the program apart. This program is evolving and we will know more next year.
For travelers loyal to Alaska or Hawaiian, this is a game-changing moment. The launch bonuses on these three Atmos Rewards cards make now the perfect time to jump in.
