Alaska Airlines is charting a new course in airline loyalty programs, setting itself apart from competitors by empowering members of its new Atmos Rewards program with unparalleled flexibility in how they accrue points. This innovative approach allows passengers to tailor their earning strategy, a significant departure from the more rigid models adopted by other major carriers.
This pioneering loyalty program, Atmos Rewards, is the culmination of Alaska Airlines' merger with Hawaiian Airlines, integrating their respective Mileage Plan and HawaiianMiles systems. In a move hailed as an industry first, the program offers members a unique choice: earning points based on the distance traveled, the amount spent on tickets, or the number of flight segments flown. This adaptability caters to diverse travel habits, ensuring that every traveler, from the budget-conscious long-haul flyer to the frequent short-distance commuter, can optimize their rewards. Furthermore, Alaska Airlines, in collaboration with Bank of America, is introducing a premium credit card, the Atmos Rewards Summit Visa Infinite card. This card offers exclusive benefits such as a Global Companion Award, lounge access, points pooling, and an exceptional 3x points earning rate on international transactions. To further enhance the travel experience, Alaska Airlines is also committed to rolling out complimentary Starlink Wi-Fi across its fleet, with initial deployments in 2026 and full integration by 2027, leveraging Hawaiian Airlines' existing partnership with Elon Musk's high-speed satellite internet service.
By championing customer choice and introducing value-added services, Alaska Airlines is fostering a more equitable and rewarding travel ecosystem. This progressive stance challenges conventional industry practices, demonstrating a commitment to passenger satisfaction and loyalty through tangible benefits and personalized options. Such initiatives not only elevate the airline's standing but also inspire a broader shift towards customer-centric models within the competitive airline sector.