Atmos Rewards reveal: 5 under-the-radar perks, from upgrades to lounge access
The announcements came fast and furious last week from Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines. The carriers (now owned by one parent company) launched a new combined loyalty program called Atmos Rewards. They released a new premium credit card and announced that free Starlink Wi-Fi is coming to Alaska's planes.
We've already told you about the headlining perks — like unlimited free upgrades to lie-flat seats for top-tier Atmos Titanium elite members and how the new loyalty program lets members pick how they want to earn points and status.
But there were several other "sneaky-big" changes Alaska and Hawaiian revealed that you might've missed.
Below are five things to know.
An upgrade for a top milestone perk
Similar to Alaska's former Mileage Plan program, Atmos Rewards members can score upgrade certificates as a milestone perk option, starting when they reach 55,000 status points in a year.
Historically, these upgrades got you into a domestic first-class recliner on Alaska Airlines.
However, starting Oct. 1, Atmos Rewards members will be able to apply these certificates on Hawaiian Airlines flights that offer a first- or business-class cabin — including on "select international routes" to Tokyo and Seoul, South Korea, plus Australia.
Yes, that means the upgrade certificates could get you into a lie-flat seat.
Unlike for the domestic first-class cabins, you won't be able to confirm these upgrades immediately after booking your flight; you'll have to wait to clear the queue closer to departure. Still, it's an eye-opening new use for these upgrade certificates.
Hawaiian currently serves Tokyo and Seoul from both Seattle and Honolulu. It flies to Sydney from Honolulu only.
Some of those transpacific flights will soon be operated by Alaska, not Hawaiian (starting in 2026), so we'll have to see how the upgrade certificate policy shakes out as the new schedules firm up.
New loyalty benefits on Hawaiian
Since merging last year, Alaska and Hawaiian have been rolling out reciprocal loyalty benefits for their flyers, making the experience more consistent across the two carriers.
In the coming months, Hawaiian passengers will see their list of benefits expand — although some perks will come sooner than others.
Plumeria Lounge access
Beginning Oct. 1, Atmos Rewards members with Gold status and above will be able to access the Plumeria Lounge at Honolulu's Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (HNL) when flying internationally on Hawaiian. They'll be allowed one guest.
Premier Club access
Also at the start of October, Atmos Rewards status holders who are enrolled in the Huakai by Hawaiian program will be able to access the exclusive Premier Club at HNL. They can bring two guests.
We should note, Oct. 1 is (not coincidentally) the date that the legacy HawaiianMiles loyalty program officially ends.
Upgrades on Hawaiian flights
Starting in the spring of 2026, Atmos Rewards status members (along with one companion on the same reservation) will be eligible for complimentary upgrades on Hawaiian flights within North America. This would include lie-flat business-class seats when available, such as on the Hawaiian Airbus A330s that now fly between Seattle and Anchorage each day.
Upgrade rules on Hawaiian will be the same as Alaska's current upgrade policies.
What happens if you don't choose how you want to earn points and status?
One of the most innovative parts of the new Atmos Rewards program is the chance for members to choose how they want to earn points and status points.
Starting later in 2026, members will be able to choose from the following three options:
- Earn 1 point per mile flown.
- Earn 5 points per dollar spent on flights.
- Earn a flat 500 points per flight segment.
You can change your selection once annually.
But you might be wondering what happens if you don't choose.
Atmos Rewards members who don't make an accrual selection will be auto-enrolled in revenue-based earning, TPG has learned. That means if you don't make a selection, you'll get the 5 points per dollar spent on flights.
Again, though, you'd be allowed to change that selection at any time — albeit just once a year.
New premium cardholders get upgrade priority
Typically, having elite status is the best way to snag a priority spot on the upgrade waitlist. But Alaska and Hawaiian are planning to give a leg up to Atmos Rewards members who carry the Atmos™ Rewards Summit Visa Infinite® Credit Card.
Related: Atmos Rewards Summit Visa Infinite Credit Card review: The best card for purchases abroad
When it comes to determining who in the upgrade queue gets cleared into the nicer seats, Alaska and Hawaiian will use status level as the primary determinant, followed by million-miler status.
Whether a traveler has the Atmos Rewards Summit card or not will be the next tiebreaker.
Free points sharing for cardholders
Finally, I want to note the points pooling perk that's included for Atmos Rewards Summit cardholders.
This is a great way to make use of the points every member of the family has in their account.
Summit cardholders can establish a network of up to 10 Atmos Rewards members (including friends, family members and other cardholders) to transfer points back and forth with no fees.
"The more I think about it, the more I think it's a game changer," said Nick Ewen, TPG's senior editorial director. "Basically, all of the points my wife and daughter earn can now be pooled together toward any redemption — including partner flights with no partner booking fees — and to top up the Global Companion Awards that come with the card."
Related: Alaska Trifecta: Why I signed up for the new premium Atmos Rewards Summit credit card
The card has a $395 annual fee. New applicants can earn 80,000 Atmos Rewards points and a 25,000 point Global Companion Award after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first 90 days from account opening.
Related reading:
- The best time to book flights for the cheapest airfare
- Best airline credit cards
- What exactly are airline miles, anyway?
- 6 real-life strategies you can use when your flight is canceled or delayed
- Maximize your airfare: The best credit cards for booking flights
- The best credit cards to reach elite status
Updated 10/29/2025
TPG featured card
at Capital One's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 5X miles | Earn 5X miles on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel |
| 2X miles | Earn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase, every day |
Pros
- Stellar welcome offer of 75,000 miles after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening. Plus, a $250 Capital One Travel credit to use in your first cardholder year upon account opening.
- You'll earn 2 miles per dollar on every purchase, which means you won't have to worry about memorizing bonus categories
- Rewards are versatile and can be redeemed for a statement credit or transferred to Capital One’s transfer partners
Cons
- Highest bonus-earning categories only on travel booked via Capital One Travel
- LIMITED-TIME OFFER: Enjoy $250 to use on Capital One Travel in your first cardholder year, plus earn 75,000 bonus miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening - that’s equal to $1,000 in travel
- Earn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase, every day
- Earn 5X miles on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
- Miles won't expire for the life of the account and there's no limit to how many you can earn
- Receive up to a $120 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®
- Use your miles to get reimbursed for any travel purchase—or redeem by booking a trip through Capital One Travel
- Enjoy a $50 experience credit and other premium benefits with every hotel and vacation rental booked from the Lifestyle Collection
- Transfer your miles to your choice of 15+ travel loyalty programs
- Top rated mobile app