SEATTLE — A new era in West Coast and Pacific aviation loyalty has arrived in Seattle. Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines have switched on Atmos Rewards, a shared frequent-flyer program that officially opened to travelers on Oct. 9, 2023, according to a press release by Alaska Airlines. The initiative is the first visible step toward the carriers’ planned integration and, eventually, their entry into the Oneworld alliance in spring 2026.
Why the Airlines Are Merging Their Loyalty Worlds
For years, the two carriers cultivated distinct communities of flyers: Alaska’s Mileage Plan and Hawaiian Airlines’ HawaiianMiles. Integrating operations under Alaska Air Group makes maintaining parallel schemes impractical, so management opted for a single, modernized framework built around flexibility. Current Mileage Plan accounts have already been converted into Atmos Rewards with the same membership numbers. HawaiianMiles members will shift on Oct. 1, 2025 and, if system requirements demand it, will receive new account numbers then.
Four Status Tiers, Three Ways to Qualify
Atmos Rewards introduces a ladder of Silver, Gold, Platinum and Titanium levels. To achieve them, members may choose whichever of three metrics—status points, distance flown or dollars spent—best aligns with their travel patterns. Exact earning formulas are laid out inside the carriers’ apps, but headline thresholds are clear:
- Silver requires 20,000 status points.
- Gold, Platinum and Titanium climb progressively to a top rung of 100,000 status points.
Those targets will govern qualification for the 2026 benefit year forward. Status earned in 2024 and 2025 under Mileage Plan or HawaiianMiles rules will map to the new hierarchy for a softer landing.
What Counts as a Status Point?
Atmos Rewards breaks with industry tradition by awarding status points on both paid and award tickets. That means travelers can redeem miles for a vacation to Honolulu or Seattle and still move closer to elite perks—something no other U.S. program promises today. Points accrue on flights marketed or operated by Alaska Airlines, Hawaiian Airlines and, once regulatory approvals clear, their combined network partners.
Timeline: Key Dates to Remember
- Oct. 9, 2023: Atmos Rewards goes live; Mileage Plan accounts migrate.
- Oct. 1, 2025: HawaiianMiles members shift to Atmos Rewards.
- 2026: New status-qualification math takes effect; complimentary upgrades launch on select flights; Alaska Air Group joins Oneworld.
Elite Upgrades Simplified
Beginning in 2026, Silver members and above will be eligible for complimentary upgrades on select flights, including many routes between Seattle, Honolulu and Los Angeles. Upgrade windows and confirmation priority will escalate with tier: Titanium members will lead the queue, followed by Platinum, Gold and Silver. Specific aircraft cabins covered under the policy are still under review.
Additional Benefits at a Glance
- Free checked bags for elite members (quantity varies by tier).
- Priority boarding and security screening lanes at major hubs such as Seattle-Tacoma International Airport and Daniel K. Inouye International Airport in Honolulu.
- Oneworld Sapphire or Emerald recognition for Gold and above once the alliance entry is complete.
- Reciprocal lounge access across Alaska Lounges, Hawaiian Premier Clubs and future Oneworld partners.
What Travelers Should Do Now
Check your new dashboard. Mileage Plan members can already see their updated Atmos Rewards balance in the Alaska Airlines mobile app and website. Verify that your historical miles and status credits moved over correctly. Plan toward 2026 thresholds. Because the first full status year under the new rules begins Jan. 1, 2026, travelers have all of 2025 to assess whether distance, dollars or segments is the best route to elite benefits. Mind booking channels. Status points accrue only when tickets are issued by Alaska, Hawaiian or, after the merger is consummated, any wholly owned subsidiary. Codeshares sold by unrelated carriers will not count.
Tips for Travelers
- Stack earnings on award trips. Use existing Mileage Plan or HawaiianMiles balances for a redemption flight and earn status points in the bargain.
- Leverage West Coast hops. Short segments between Seattle, Portland and San Francisco may help segment-based earners pad their totals quickly.
- Watch for promotional multipliers. The airlines hinted at limited-time bonuses around key network launches; newsletters and push notifications will be the first place those appear.
Traveler FAQ
Will my Mileage Plan miles convert 1:1? Yes. Miles remain untouched; only the program branding changes.
Do HawaiianMiles expire during the transition? No. Balances transfer automatically in 2025 with the same expiration policy.
What happens to companion certificates? Unused certificates stay valid through their printed expiration dates and may be applied on itineraries that qualify under Atmos Rewards rules.
Is Titanium equal to Oneworld Emerald? The airline says Titanium will map to Emerald once it joins Oneworld, granting first-class or business-class lounge access on alliance partners.
Can I opt out of the migration? No. The two standalone programs will sunset; remaining a member requires accepting the new Atmos Rewards terms of service.
Looking Ahead to a Oneworld Footprint
Alaska Air Group already operates primary hubs in Seattle, Honolulu and Los Angeles—gateways well positioned for the Oneworld network. When alliance membership becomes effective in spring 2026, Atmos Rewards members will be able to earn and redeem miles on carriers such as British Airways, Qantas and Japan Airlines with automatic status-tier recognition at security queues, check-in counters and lounges worldwide.
Bottom Line for Jetsetters
Atmos Rewards replaces two respected loyalty programs with a single, more customizable platform. Earning status through distance, dollars or segments—and even on award flights—adds new flexibility for leisure and business travelers alike. While the full suite of perks, particularly complimentary upgrades, arrives in 2026, flyers plying the Seattle-to-Honolulu axis and beyond can start banking benefits immediately. A concise view from Alaska’s CCO sums up the strategy: “Atmos Rewards is designed to offer more generosity and personalization than any program we’ve fielded before,” Andrew Harrison said. — Source: Alaska Airlines press release
