Alaska Airlines is sticking with Bilt — but don't expect more Atmos transfer partners anytime soon
Editor's Note
Despite an all-new loyalty program that launched last week, one of the best ways to quickly earn points with Alaska Airlines is remaining exactly the same.
The airline's partnership with Bilt Rewards isn't going anywhere, which means renters can still turn their monthly payments into award flights aboard Alaska and its vast network of partners.
Don't mistake that, though, as a sign that the airline is throwing the door open to more transfer partnerships with other major bank programs.
"Those are ultimately competitors," Brett Catlin, Alaska Air Group's vice president of loyalty, alliances and sales, told TPG.
Read more: Atmos Rewards reveal: 5 under-the-radar perks, from upgrades to lounge access
Alaska, Atmos and Bilt
Bilt and Alaska launched their tie-up in 2024, offering renters an attractive option to cash in on what is, for many, their largest monthly expense.
As part of the arrangement, Bilt Mastercard® members can earn 1 point per dollar spent on rent payments* and then transfer those points to the company's airline and hotel partners, Alaska among them.
That means $2,000 on your monthly rent can quickly turn into 2,000 airline points — a valuable proposition with Alaska, where just a few thousand points are good for an award flight, including aboard top domestic partner American Airlines.
*Up to 100,000 points each calendar year; must use the card five times each statement period to earn points
The information for the Bilt Mastercard has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
That Bilt-to-Alaska transfer option remained in place despite Alaska's rebranding of Mileage Plan as Atmos Rewards, launched this month with Hawaiian Airlines.
So did the ability for Atmos credit card holders to, alternatively, charge rent to their airline card via Bilt's network and earn 3 Atmos points per dollar spent — albeit with a 3% fee tacked on.
"We're excited to support Atmos Rewards' launch and deepen our partnership with Alaska Airlines, including our industry-leading benefits that let Atmos members earn rewards simply by paying their rent or spending in their neighborhood with Bilt," Bilt said in a statement to TPG.
A more cautious approach with transfer partners
Generally speaking, though, Alaska is a little less bullish on the broader idea of customers transferring flexible bank points into its loyalty program — a setup that, in Catlin's eyes, may push customers to spend outside the Atmos Rewards ecosystem.
"I think that's a debate that's going on throughout the industry is, 'how much do you want to incubate a competitor,'" Catlin said.
1 transfer partnership already ended
Keep in mind, Alaska's 2024 acquisition of Hawaiian already spawned the end of one major credit card transfer partnership.
Earlier this summer, American Express cardholders lost their ability to move Membership Rewards points to HawaiianMiles, the outgoing Hawaiian loyalty program that's set to end Oct. 1.
And based on Catlin's comments, it sounds like Alaska and Hawaiian are unlikely to strike up a new deal with any other bank partners anytime soon.
Part of the reason: In launching Atmos Rewards, Alaska hoped to create an ecosystem that incentivized customers to spend, either on Alaska and Hawaiian, with Atmos partners (like Lyft) or on Atmos cobranded credit cards, Catlin said.
Not to mention, the new premium Atmos™ Rewards Summit Visa Infinite® Credit Card actually comes with a sort of transferable currency of its own; cardholders can transfer Atmos Rewards points to a handful of hotel programs, including Marriott Bonvoy and IHG One Rewards.
"When we think about our portfolio and what we're aiming to build with Atmos Rewards, a lot of the value is our members engaging with our partners," Catlin said. "In some respects it can make sense to work with a competitor. And others it may not."
Read more: Atmos Rewards Summit Visa Infinite Credit Card review: The best card for purchases abroad
So, what about Bilt?
Bilt, of course, is one "competitor" Alaska continues to work with.
And Catlin, at this point, is striking a collegial tone about the airline's ties to Bilt.
"We're happy with the Bilt relationship. We did something that was innovative," Catlin told TPG. "It's working with where we're at today."
I asked how he views that partnership, long-term. Catlin again referenced the airline's overall view of transfer partnerships:
"Philosophically — not specific to Bilt," he replied, "Whether it's the airline, our rewards program, we're not in the business of incubating competitors."
Related reading:
TPG featured card
at Bilt's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 1X | Earn up to 1X points on rent and mortgage payments with no transaction fee |
| 2X | Earn 2X points + 4% back in Bilt Cash on everyday purchases |
Pros
- Unlimited up to 1 Bilt Point per dollar spent on rent and mortgage payments
- Elevated everyday earnings with both Bilt Points and Bilt Cash
- $400 Bilt Travel Portal hotel credit per year (up to $200 biannually)
- $200 Bilt Cash annually
- Priority Pass membership
- No foreign transaction fees
Cons
- Moderate annual fee
- Housing payments may include transaction fees, depending on the payment method
- Designed primarily for members seeking a premium, all-in-one card
- Earn points on housing with no transaction fee
- Choose to earn 4% back in Bilt Cash on everyday spend. Use Bilt Cash to unlock point earnings on rent and mortgage payments with no transaction fee, up to 1X.
- 2X points on everyday spend
- $400 Bilt Travel Hotel credit. Applied twice a year, as $200 statement credits, for qualifying Bilt Travel Portal hotel bookings.
- $200 Bilt Cash (awarded annually). At the end of each calendar year, any Bilt Cash balance over $100 will expire.
- Welcome bonus (subject to approval): 50,000 Bilt Points + Gold Status after spending $4,000 on everyday purchases in the first 3 months + $300 of Bilt Cash.
- Priority Pass ($469/year value). See Guide to Benefits.
- Bilt Point redemptions include airlines, hotels, future rent and mortgage payments, Lyft rides, statement credits, student loan balances, a down payment on a home, and more.