Atmos Rewards Lets You Choose How to Earn Points Starting October 1

Atmos Rewards members can choose how they earn on flights starting October 1, 2026. The choice applies to flights departing on or after January 1, 2027, and it sets how you collect both redeemable points and status points: by distance traveled, by price paid or by segments flown.

The earning choice is the headline of a broader update to Atmos Rewards, the shared loyalty program of Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines. Bank of America points transfers, a debit card, six member communities and a new Premium Class perk for top elites are also coming. Here is what changes, when it happens and which earning method fits the way you fly.

Three ways to earn Atmos Rewards points on flights

Each member picks one method, and it applies to Alaska, Hawaiian and partner flights alike.

Atmos Rewards flight earning methods for flights departing on or after January 1, 2027
Earning method	Points and status points earned	Works best for
Distance traveled	1 per mile flown	Long flights in economy
Price paid	5 per $1 spent, excluding taxes and fees	Expensive fares and premium cabins
Segments flown	500 per segment flown	Short flights, such as interisland hops

The choice only changes what you earn when you fly. Earning with the Atmos Rewards Summit Visa Infinite and the other co-branded cards, and with non-airline partners, stays the same.

What happens if you do nothing

Choosing is optional:

Current members: keep earning by distance traveled unless they select another method.
Members who join on or after January 1, 2027: earn by price paid by default.
Changing later: allowed once per calendar year, for future trips only. Travel already completed is never recalculated.

Which earning method should you pick?

Look at the flights you took over the last 12 months and run the numbers. Three examples show how far apart the methods can land:

Distance traveled: a 2,400-mile cross-country flight earns 2,400 points, whatever you paid for the ticket.
Price paid: a $600 fare before taxes and fees earns 3,000 points, while a $150 sale fare earns only 750.
Segments flown: a 100-mile interisland hop earns 500 points instead of 100.

Two break-even rules make the call easier. Price paid beats distance when your fare, before taxes and fees, runs above $0.20 per mile flown. Segments beat distance on any flight shorter than 500 miles.

In practice, economy flyers on long routes should stay with distance. Travelers who buy premium cabin fares often lean toward price paid. Commuters between the Hawaiian Islands or on short West Coast routes get the most from segments.

Bank of America points transfers arrive in 2027

In 2027, holders of eligible Bank of America cards are set to transfer their points into Atmos Rewards. Alaska has not yet named the eligible cards or the transfer ratio. Over time, the program also plans to add transfers from other financial institutions.

For now, the direct way to earn Atmos points on everyday spending remains a co-branded Visa card issued by Bank of America. When prices are right, an Atmos points sale is the other shortcut.

An Atmos Rewards debit card in early 2027

A new Atmos Rewards debit card is planned for early 2027, and pre-registration is already open at atmosrewards.com/debit. The card earns points and status points and comes with:

a choice of card designs;
discounts on flights and onboard purchases;
free points sharing;
no foreign transaction fees;
the option to pay certain account fees with points.

A refreshed business card later in 2026

The Atmos Rewards Visa Signature Business Card gets a refresh in late 2026. The new version adds 10x points on eligible purchases through Atmos Rewards for Business, lounge passes and free same-day confirmed flight changes. Full details are due later this fall, so business owners planning to apply lose little by waiting for them.

Six Atmos Communities from October 1

Starting October 1, 2026, members can join one of six Atmos Communities for free: Club 49 (Alaska residents only), Huakaʻi by Hawaiian (Hawaii residents only), Global Locals, Families on the Go, Culinary Journeys and Active Escapes. Joining is optional, nobody is placed in a community by default, and you can switch once per calendar year.

Some perks belong to a single community:

Club 49 and Huakaʻi by Hawaiian: free bags.
Huakaʻi by Hawaiian: 50% bonus points and status points on Neighbor Island travel, starting January 1, 2027.
Global Locals: 10% bonus status points on international travel, plus 1 status point for every 25 Atmos points transferred from an eligible loyalty partner.
Families on the Go: 20% points back on award flights for children 12 and under.

All six communities share a Bonus Points Challenge worth up to 10,000 bonus points and status points for visiting 10 curated destinations, exclusive flight deals, 20% off community-specific Atmos Unlocked experiences and partner offers.

Premium Class for companions of Platinum and Titanium members

Starting November 2, 2026, Atmos Platinum and Titanium members can bring eligible children and one companion into Premium Class at no charge, when space is available.

The program also holds an Atmos Members Day on the first Wednesday of each month, with member-only travel offers and program news. New lifestyle partners include Alterra Mountain Company, Nordstrom and Pebble Beach Resorts.

Bottom Line

If you mostly fly long routes in economy, do nothing: distance stays your default in 2027. If you buy premium fares or fly short hops, log in after October 1 and switch before your first flight of 2027. Families and international travelers should also pick a community, since joining is free.

For background on the program and its elite tiers, read our Atmos Rewards launch overview. To compare the co-branded cards with other options, browse our credit card guide, and sign up for our newsletter to hear when Bank of America transfers go live.

When can I choose how I earn Atmos Rewards points?

You can make your choice starting October 1, 2026. It applies to flights departing on or after January 1, 2027.

What are the three Atmos Rewards earning methods?

Distance traveled earns 1 point per mile flown. Price paid earns 5 points per $1 spent, excluding taxes and fees. Segments flown earns 500 points per segment. Each method earns the same number of status points.

What happens if I do not choose an earning method?

Current members keep earning by distance traveled. Members who join on or after January 1, 2027, earn by price paid unless they pick another method.

How often can I change my Atmos Rewards earning method?

Once per calendar year, and only for future trips. Flights you have already taken are never recalculated.

Does the earning choice affect my Atmos credit card points?

No. The choice only covers points and status points earned on Alaska, Hawaiian and partner flights. Credit card and partner earning stays the same.

When can Bank of America cardholders transfer points to Atmos Rewards?

Transfers from eligible Bank of America cards are planned for 2027. The eligible cards and the transfer ratio have not been announced yet.

When is the Atmos Rewards debit card coming?

The debit card is planned for early 2027, and pre-registration is open at atmosrewards.com/debit. It earns points and status points and charges no foreign transaction fees.

Are Atmos Communities free to join?

Yes. Six communities open on October 1, 2026, and joining one is optional and free. Club 49 is limited to Alaska residents and Huakai by Hawaiian to Hawaii residents, and you can switch once per calendar year.