Atmos Rewards Plans New Transfer Partner and More

Earning Atmos Rewards points in 2027 will look much different than it did in previous years. The loyalty program announced several changes at its Investor Day on Sept. 29, 2026, that will take effect in 2027, giving members more ways to rack up rewards. Those changes include its new choose-the-way-you-earn-points scheme, a new transfer partner and a new debit card. In late 2026, the program will also refresh its business credit card.

In 2027 and 2028, it will also add more premium seats and lounges.

That capability is finally going into effect. Current Atmos Rewards members can choose their method starting on Oct. 1, 2026, for flights departing on or after Jan. 1, 2027.

Currently, Atmos members earn points on flights based on physical miles flown. Alaska is the only domestic airline that still allocates rewards this way. Other airlines award points and miles based on the amount spent on the ticket.

Here is how many points you’ll earn by method under Atmos Rewards:

For most travelers flying economy, the distance method will continue to be the most lucrative. The price paid method is a good option for people who are frequently paying cash for premium cabins. And the segments method is best for people who are frequently flying short distances, such as between the Hawaiian Islands or between Los Angeles and San Francisco.

Current members who want to choose the price paid or segments flown method should do so before the end of the year. Otherwise, their account will continue to earn based on distance traveled. Atmos members who sign up in 2027 will default to earning based on price paid.

In 2027, though, Atmos Rewards says eligible Bank of America® cardholders will be able to transfer points to Atmos. That could make travel cards from Bank of America® more attractive to travelers who want transfer partners — something the issuer program has been lacking for years.

Currently, there aren’t any other details on which cardholders would be eligible or what the transfer ratio would be, but this development could make the Bank of America® travel cards more competitive with the travel cards from Chase, AmEx, Capital One and Citi.

Atmos Rewards says it plans to add transfer options with other financial institutions in the future.

Alaska’s version will include perks such as flight and onboard purchase discounts, free points sharing, the ability to pay certain account fees with points and no foreign transaction fees.

A debit card could appeal to young travelers who might not have the credit scores to qualify for a traditional airline credit card. Atmos Rewards is already having success with younger generations. In a press release, Atmos Rewards said “more than half of new status members are Gen Z.”

Still, the perks and rewards rates on rewards credit cards are better than debit cards, and account fees for debit cards can be more expensive than credit card annual fees.

Like other U.S. airlines, Alaska is increasing its premium seat capacity. The airline will install 12 of its new, lie-flat Aurora Suites — what you’d normally see on its international business class — on some of its 737-10 MAX aircraft. That means you could fly in these suites on select transcontinental routes in 2028.

Hawaiian Airlines’ A330 airplanes will also undergo a transformation to include 22 lie-flat seats, called Leihōkū Suites, for passengers in international business class and domestic First Class flights.

Both Hawaiian and Alaska Airlines will also start renovating planes with a premium economy cabin, called Premium Reserve. The seats will have 38 inches of pitch, compared to just 31 inches of pitch in economy. (Seat pitch is the distance between two seats; the bigger the pitch, the more legroom you get.)

These retrofits with more lie-flat business class and premium economy is generally a win for points travelers, who may have an easier time finding award availability on airplanes that are 40 to 46 percent premium seating. The updated planes are expected to start flying in 2028.

Travelers in Alaska and Hawaiian’s hubs will also get access to more premium ground experiences in the new lounges opening in the next few years. The expanded Alaska Lounge in Concourse C is set to open in late 2027, with 500 seats in the Alaska Lounge and another 200 seats in the Aurora Lounge. That’s Alaska’s version of a premium class lounge exclusively for international business class travelers.

The Seattle lounges will feature an outdoor patio with a fireplace, private work stations, a pizza oven, coffee lab and shower suites.

In early 2028, the new Hawaiian Airlines lounge will open in Honolulu with capacity for 200. This lounge will have a full bar and private work stations.

A new 14,000-square-foot Alaska lounge in San Diego is also due to open in 2028.

Top photo courtesy of Alaska Airlines.

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