Alaska Airlines ending earning and redeeming partnership with LATAM, scaling back Singapore Airlines
It's not all good news for members of Alaska Airlines' and Hawaiian Airlines' exciting new Atmos Rewards loyalty program.
Atmos Rewards (formerly Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan) has announced significant changes to its roster of global airline partnerships. Two of the program's nonalliance relationships — LATAM and Singapore Airlines — will be substantially reduced (or ended altogether), limiting members' ability to earn and redeem Atmos Rewards points on these carriers.
Here's what you need to know about the Atmos Rewards airline partnership changes.
Related: Are we all (mostly) winners? My take on Alaska's new unified Atmos Rewards program
LATAM partnership ending
Alaska has had a long-running partnership with LATAM, giving U.S.-based travelers a handy way to reach South America using Atmos Rewards points. For example, members can book award tickets, such as one-way business-class flights between Miami International Airport (MIA) and Lima, Peru's Jorge Chávez International Airport (LIM), starting at just 35,000 Atmos Rewards points (one of the best values in the program). That will end Oct. 1, with no further LATAM redemptions available through Atmos Rewards.
Related: Stylish seats and friendly service: LATAM business class on the Boeing 767
Tickets purchased on or before Aug. 31 and flown by LATAM will continue to accrue Atmos Rewards points under the current earning structure, regardless of the date of travel. Atmos Rewards members can also still earn Atmos Rewards points for tickets issued between Sept. 1 and Sept. 30 when flying LATAM, but travel must be completed by Dec. 31.
Starting Oct. 1, any new reservations with LATAM (and all travel taking place after Dec. 31) will no longer qualify for mileage accrual through Atmos Rewards — and vice versa for LATAM Pass program members crediting flights taken on Alaska Airlines.
LATAM operates a joint venture with Delta Air Lines, which is trying to increase its market share at Alaska Airlines' hub at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA).
Singapore Airlines partnership scaled back
The news surrounding Singapore Airlines is less abrupt but still substantial. Alaska will not entirely remove its relationship with the Southeast Asian carrier, but many of the privileges that once made the partnership valuable will be reduced.
Tickets purchased through Aug. 31 that are operated by Singapore Airlines will continue to earn Atmos Rewards points at the existing accrual rates, regardless of when the travel actually takes place. Atmos Rewards points can also still be earned for reservations made on or after Sept. 1, but only for journeys on Singapore Airlines completed by Dec. 31.
Looking ahead, for tickets booked after Sept. 1 for travel after Dec. 31, Atmos Rewards members can only earn points if the booking is made directly with Alaska.
Singapore Airlines will continue to operate flights to and from Seattle.
Related: Is Singapore Airlines premium economy worth it on the Airbus A350?
Bottom line
Alaska Airlines' Atmos Rewards program has announced major changes to two of its airline partnerships. In addition to ending its relationship with LATAM, it is significantly reducing benefits with Singapore Airlines. This will result in fewer opportunities to earn and redeem miles on two important global carriers, particularly for travel to South America and Southeast Asia.
While it might seem like a huge loss to the program, it's worth noting that Alaska has added several airline partners since LATAM and Singapore Airlines were first added, including several airlines that are part of the Oneworld alliance.
Related reading:
- Atmos Rewards reveal: 5 under-the-radar perks, from upgrades to lounge access
- Hello, San Diego: Earn elite status and extra points on Alaska and Hawaiian with these Atmos promotions
- Alaska Airlines is sticking with Bilt — but don't expect more Atmos transfer partners anytime soon
- Turn miles into adventure: How to travel to South America with Alaska Airlines points
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