The complete guide to Atmos elite status

Updated Sep 3, 2025
alaska airlines elite status lounge
To the point Discover how to earn and maximize Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan elite status, including tiers, benefits, milestone rewards and credit card shortcuts.

In August 2025, Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines officially merged their loyalty programs into a single platform: Atmos Rewards. This new program replaces Alaska’s Mileage Plan and HawaiianMiles and creates a unified system for earning and redeeming rewards and for achieving elite status.

The elite status program under Atmos Rewards introduces four tiers — Silver, Gold, Platinum and Titanium — each designed to provide enhanced travel benefits across the combined Alaska-Hawaiian network and the Oneworld alliance.

What sets Atmos’ elite status apart? Unlike many programs, it offers three qualification methods: you can choose to earn based on distance flown, dollars spent or flight segments. Elite members enjoy perks such as priority boarding, complimentary upgrades, lounge access (including Oneworld partners), bonus points and milestone rewards.

If you were previously an Alaska or Hawaiian elite member, your status transitioned into the new Atmos program automatically, with a comparable tier match. Now, travelers have a single streamlined path to top-tier perks across both airlines and their partners worldwide.

In this guide, we’ll break down everything you need to know about Atmos Rewards elite status in 2025 and 2026.

alaska airlines elite status lounge

What is Atomos elite status?

Atmos elite status is the airline’s loyalty program that rewards frequent travelers with benefits like complimentary upgrades, extra baggage allowance, bonus points, priority services and exclusive lounge access.

The program consists of four elite tiers: Silver, Gold, Platinum and Titanium. Each tier unlocks progressively better perks, from priority boarding to premium cabin upgrades and dedicated support services.

Once you achieve a tier, your status is valid through December 31 of the following year.

Million Miler program

For loyal customers who have stuck with Atmos over the long haul, the airline offers lifetime elite tiers based on total lifetime flight miles:

  • 1 million miles: Lifetime Gold status
  • 2 million miles: Lifetime Platinum status

Atmos elite status tiers

Atmos offers four tiers of elite status:

BenefitSilverGoldPlatinumTitanium
Points bonus on paid fares25% bonus50% bonus100% bonus150% bonus
Complimentary checked bags2 bags (1 bags from 2026)2 bags3 bags3 bags
Premium class upgradesY, B or H fares at bookingY, B, H, K, M, L, V, S or N fares fares at bookingAll fares except for X at bookingAll fares except for X at booking
First class upgrades within North AmericaMost fares waitlistedMost fares waitlistedMost fares waitlistedMost fares waitlisted
First class upgrades globally (starting spring 2026)Most fares waitlisted
Free drink or chocolate in Main CabinOn most flightsOn most flightsOn most flights
Free mealOn most flights
Priority boarding groupGroup BGroup AGroup APriority group
Oneworld statusRubySapphireEmeraldEmerald
Oneworld lounge access internationallyNoneBusiness-class loungesFirst-class loungesFirst-class lounges

As an Atmos status holder, you’re also entitled to select benefits on Hawaiian and American Airlines-operated flights, which you can learn more about here.

Atmos elite status requirements

Atmos introduces status points as the metric for qualification. You can choose how to earn:

  • By segments: 500 points per segment
  • By distance: 1 point per mile flown
  • By spend: 5 points per dollar spent

You select your earning method once per calendar year.

Tier2025 requirements2026 requirements
Silver20,000 points20,000 points
Gold40,000 points40,000 points
Platinum75,000 points80,000 points
Titanium100,000 points135,000 points

The miles you earn through partner airlines also counts toward qualification.

Earn Atmos status through cobranded credit cards

One of the most exciting features of the new Atmos Rewards program is the ability to earn Elite Qualifying Points (EQPs) without stepping on a plane. If you hold the Atmos™ Rewards Ascent Visa Signature® or the Atmos™ Rewards Visa® Business card, you’ll earn EQPs for everyday purchases. Starting in 2026, you can expect the following:

  • 1 EQP for every $3 spent on eligible purchases

That means spending $100,000 annually on either card can unlock Atmos Silver status without a single flight — or get you most of the way to Gold.

However, if you’re truly interested in using your credit card to qualify for Atmos elite status, we recommend the Atmos Rewards Summit Visa Infinite card.

With this card, you’ll earn 1 EQP for every $2 spent, with no earning cap. You also receive 10,000 status points every card anniversary. That means:

  • Spend $20,000 to unlock Atmos Silver (Oneworld Ruby)
  • Spend $60,000 to reach Atmos Gold (Oneworld Sapphire)

This makes the Summit Card the fastest credit card path to airline elite status in the industry.

In addition to EQP earnings, Atmos cobranded cards come with bonus points on Atmos purchases, free checked bags and priority boarding, even if you haven’t reached elite status yet.

New ways to earn EQPs

  • Award flights count: You earn status points even on award tickets, including partner flights.
  • Partner activity: Earn status points through hotel, car rental and shopping partners.
  • No segment-based qualification limit: Frequent short-haul flyers can now qualify purely on segments.
alaska airlines elite status

Atmos Rewards milestone selections

Atmos offers milestone bonuses similar to other premium programs. As you earn more status points, you unlock extra rewards like bonus points, Wi-Fi passes, upgrade certificates or the ability to gift status.

Examples:

  • 10,000 points – Complimentary Wi-Fi pass or 750 bonus points
  • 30,000 points – Four Wi-Fi passes or a $25 flight credit
  • 85,000 points – Two lounge day passes, two upgrade certificates or gift Gold status for a trip

Key Atmos elite benefits by tier

  • Silver: Priority check-in, 1 free checked bag, Group B boarding, +25% bonus points
  • Gold: Business lounge access internationally, better upgrade priority, +50% bonus points
  • Platinum: Oneworld Emerald benefits (First Class lounge access), complimentary upgrades on more fares, +100% bonus points
  • Titanium: Top-tier treatment, free day-of-departure business class upgrades on global flights (starting spring 2026), 150% bonus points, highest upgrade priority for you and a companion

How to maximize Atmos elite status

Choose the right earning method

If you take long-haul flights, distance-based earning makes sense. If you fly premium cabins, spend-based may be more rewarding. Regional commuters might prefer segment-based earnings. Remember, with the Atmos Rewards Summit Visa Infinite card, you’ll earn 1 EQP for every $2 spent and also receive 10,000 status points every card anniversary.

Take advantage of upgrades

Higher-tier members receive upgrades sooner. Flying off-peak and booking early boosts your chances. Titanium members will enjoy free global upgrades starting in 2026.

Leverage Oneworld benefits

Gold and above unlock global lounge access and priority services with British Airways, Qatar Airways, Cathay Pacific and other Oneworld partners.

Use your benefits

Elite members enjoy priority services that save time and reduce stress during travel, including expedited check-in, security screening, boarding and baggage handling.

  • Arrive early: Use dedicated check-in counters and expedited security lanes for a streamlined airport experience.
  • Board early: Mid and higher-tier elite members (Gold and above) board with Group A to help ensure overhead bin space for carry-ons.
  • Travel with companions: Depending on your tier, companions on your reservation may also enjoy seat selection benefits.

Oneworld elite status

Atmos elite members also enjoy Oneworld alliance benefits. Oneworld offers three elite tiers — Ruby, Sapphire and Emerald — with perks that extend across member airlines like British Airways, Cathay Pacific, Qantas and Qatar Airways.

Here’s a quick overview of the key benefits:

Oneworld StatusMileage Plan TierBenefits
RubySilverPriority check-in, standby and waitlists
SapphireGoldBusiness-class lounge access, priority boarding, extra baggage allowance
EmeraldPlatinum and TitaniumFirst-class lounge access, fast-track security, priority baggage handling

Is Atmos elite status worth it?

For frequent flyers, especially those loyal to Alaska and Hawaiian or traveling internationally via Oneworld partners, yes. The ability to earn status points on award flights, flexible earning options and top-tier perks like day-of-departure business upgrades make Atmos one of the most attractive US-based programs.

If you’re an occasional traveler, elite status may be harder to justify, though cobranded credit cards and milestone rewards can bridge the gap.

Bottom line

Atmos Rewards is a major evolution in loyalty programs. It brings flexibility, strong global benefits and exciting new perks for elite travelers. With multiple ways to earn status, enhanced upgrades and Oneworld access, it stands out as one of the most rewarding programs for both domestic and international flyers.

FAQs – Atmos Rewards elite status

Marc Delaney
Marc Delaney
Marc Delaney is a bilingual (English/French) travel rewards strategist and credit card expert at Milesopedia USA. Born in the U.S. to a French-American family, Marc combines North American know-how with a deep understanding of international loyalty programs. With over a decade of experience in personal finance, he specializes in helping high-income individuals, digital nomads, and frequent flyers optimize their credit card points and travel benefits. His insights focus on maximizing value from programs like Chase Ultimate Rewards®, Amex Membership Rewards®, Aeroplan® and Flying Blue®. Marc started his career advising startups on business credit strategies and later transitioned into rewards consulting for cross-border entrepreneurs. He holds a degree in economics from the University of Vermont and has contributed to financial newsletters, webinars, and loyalty-focused communities across North America and Europe. A passionate traveler, Marc has explored more than 40 countries using points and miles to fly in premium cabins and stay in luxury hotels. When he's not analyzing credit card ecosystems, you'll find him hiking remote trails or reviewing airport lounges for Milesopedia readers.
All posts by Marc Delaney

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