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.

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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