Alaska Air Group is giving Atmos Rewards members a choice in how they earn points on Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines flights, adding three accrual models designed for different travel patterns.
The company announced that members can make their selection beginning Oct. 1, 2026, for eligible flights departing on or after Jan. 1, 2027. Travelers can choose to earn by distance traveled, price paid or flight segments. The change expands the combined loyalty program created as part of the continuing integration of Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines.
Members selecting distance-based earning will receive one Atmos point per mile flown. Those choosing the spending model will earn five points for every dollar spent on eligible flight purchases, while the segment option will award 500 points for each flight segment. Alaska says the three choices are intended to suit different types of travelers: long-distance flyers may benefit from mileage-based earning, frequent short-haul passengers may prefer segments and customers purchasing higher-priced premium tickets may favor the spending model.
Current Atmos Rewards members who make no selection will continue earning based on distance traveled. New members joining on or after Jan. 1, 2027, will default to earning based on price paid. Members can change their chosen method once per calendar year for future travel.
The selection affects flight accruals rather than points earned through Atmos-branded credit cards or other program partners. Alaska is also planning an Atmos Rewards debit card for early 2027 as it expands the program beyond flying.
Atmos Rewards was formed by combining Alaska Mileage Plan and HawaiianMiles following Alaska Air Group’s acquisition of Hawaiian Airlines. The group has been steadily integrating loyalty, technology and operations, while maintaining the two airline brands. TravelCapybara has also tracked the carriers’ growing use of loyalty benefits around onboard products, including free Starlink Wi-Fi for Atmos Rewards members on equipped aircraft.
For travelers, the new structure adds an unusual level of control over how flying activity converts into rewards and makes the most valuable earning method dependent on individual travel habits rather than a single formula for every member.
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