Hello, San Diego: Earn elite status and extra points on Alaska and Hawaiian with these Atmos promotions
Atmos Rewards, the new joint loyalty program of Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines, rolled out just over a week ago, but the airlines are wasting no time in launching new promotions.
Atmos Rewards is offering a fast track to elite status and double points on flights into and out of San Diego.
Let’s get into the details of these Atmos Rewards promotions so you can decide if they make sense for your travel plans.
Related: Atmos Rewards reveal: 5 under-the-radar perks, from upgrades to lounge access
Atmos Rewards’ San Diego status fast track promotion
The first promotion is offering an accelerated path to Atmos elite status. You can earn Atmos Silver status (the lowest tier) for completing just five qualifying flight segments, and Atmos Gold (the next level up) when you complete 10 qualifying flight segments.
But there’s a catch: To qualify, a flight segment must have San Diego International Airport (SAN) as either the origin or destination airport.
In addition, qualifying flight segments must be marketed and operated by Alaska Airlines or Hawaiian Airlines, or operated on behalf of Alaska by Horizon Air or SkyWest. Codeshare flights, flights operated by other partner airlines (including Oneworld partners), award tickets and Saver (X) fares, aka basic economy fares, are ineligible.
Flight segments must also be credited to your Atmos Rewards account to count toward the elite status fast track, so be sure to add your Atmos Rewards number (the same as your old Mileage Plan number) at booking.
To start your accelerated journey to Atmos status, register by March 20, 2026. Then, complete your qualifying flight segments between Oct. 1, 2025, and March 31, 2026.
Once earned, your promotional status will be valid through Dec. 31, 2026 — so the sooner you earn it, the longer you'll reap the benefits of your shiny new status. Both Atmos Silver and Atmos Gold members get valuable perks like seat upgrades, preferred boarding, free checked bags and bonus points earned on flights. Plus, you’ll get the perks of Oneworld elite status (Oneworld Ruby for Atmos Silver members, Oneworld Sapphire for Atmos Gold members) on American Airlines and other partner flights.
Obviously, this offer is a no-brainer for frequent travelers based in or near San Diego. Even if you’re not, it could still be a relatively easy way to reach Atmos elite status if you can fly into or out of San Diego at least five times between October and March.
Atmos Rewards’ San Diego double points promotion
Whether or not you decide to go for Atmos Silver or Atmos Gold status with the above promotion, you can double your points on eligible flights into and out of San Diego with this second promotion.
To qualify for the double points offer, flights must meet all the criteria discussed above:
- They must be marketed and operated by Alaska Airlines or Hawaiian Airlines, or operated on behalf of Alaska by Horizon Air or SkyWest.
- They must be credited to your Atmos Rewards account.
- They must take place between Oct. 1, 2025, and March 31, 2026.
Eligible routes include nonstop flights between San Diego and the following airports:
- Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL)
- Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS)
- Boise Airport (BOI)
- O'Hare International Airport (ORD)
- Denver International Airport (DEN)
- Fresno Yosemite International Airport (FAT)
- Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (HNL)
- Harry Reid International Airport (LAS)
- John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK)
- Orlando International Airport (MCO)
- Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX)
- Reno-Tahoe International Airport (RNO)
- Sacramento International Airport (SMF)
- Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC)
- San Francisco International Airport (SFO)
- San Jose Mineta International Airport (SJC)
- Tampa International Airport (TPA)
According to the offer terms, “Double points are based solely on flight miles.” That means you’ll earn a total of 2 points per mile flown instead of the usual 1 point per mile flown for most flights. For flights under 500 miles in length, which earn a minimum of 500 points per flight, you’ll receive at least 1,000 points in total.
Bonus points earned through this promotion do not count toward elite status.
If you plan to pursue Atmos Rewards elite status through the fast-track promotion, you may as well earn double points while you’re at it. Even if you won’t be able to reach the minimum of five qualifying San Diego flight segments to earn status, you can still earn double points on any San Diego flights you take between October and March.
But you’ll have to register for the double points promotion separately. Do so by March 20, 2026.
Related reading:
- Are we all (mostly) winners? My take on Alaska's new unified Atmos Rewards program
- Earn up to 100,000 bonus points toward Alaska or Hawaiian flights with new Atmos Rewards card offers
- Alaska Airlines launches new Summit card with premium perks
- Complete guide to airline status matches and challenges in 2025
TPG featured card
Rewards
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro offer
Annual Fee
Recommended Credit
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.
Rewards Rate
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro Offer
You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.Excellent to Good
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.