Alaska Airlines' Atmos Rewards Program Gets Mixed Reviews from Frequent Flyers

Travelers weigh in on the new loyalty program, with concerns about high costs and operational issues.

Published on Feb. 15, 2026

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Travel columnist Scott McMurren received feedback from frequent Alaska Airlines flyers about the company's new Atmos Rewards program during a recent trip to Juneau. Many travelers expressed concerns over the high cost of travel between Anchorage and Juneau, as well as confusion about the changes to the loyalty program. Responses to a survey ranged from A to F grades, with the majority giving the program a "D" or "work in progress" rating due to issues like increased redemption costs, delays, and IT outages.

Why it matters

As one of the dominant airlines in Alaska, changes to Alaska Airlines' loyalty program have a significant impact on frequent travelers in the state. The mixed reviews highlight the challenges the airline faces in balancing the needs of its most loyal customers with the broader goals of the new Atmos Rewards program.

The details

The new Atmos Rewards program replaced Alaska Airlines' previous Mileage Plan, shifting the focus from miles to points. There are now status points that determine elite tiers, as well as bonus points for redeeming flights. The top titanium status tier requires 135,000 status points, up 35% from the previous 100,000 miles. Alaska also introduced a new Summit Atmos credit card with a $395 annual fee that offers increased earning rates and other perks. Frequent flyers reported issues with upgrades, partner airline integration, and overall operational reliability.

  • The Alaska Airlines Atmos Rewards program launched in early 2026.
  • The titanium status tier requirement increased from 100,000 miles to 135,000 status points in 2026.

The players

Janine Amon

A super-frequent flyer who has flown more than 2,000,000 miles on Alaska Airlines and gave the Atmos Rewards program a B grade.

Bart Parker

A super-frequent flyer who has amassed over 85,000 status points so far in 2026 and gave the program a B+ grade, focused on the availability of upgrades.

Chris Ross

A million-miler on both Alaska Airlines and Delta who gave the Atmos Rewards program a D grade, citing operational issues like missed connections, mechanical problems, and delays.

Jeff Landfield

A political pundit from the Alaska Landmine who gave the Atmos Rewards program a B grade after a lengthy discussion with the author.

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What they’re saying

“My upgrades are still coming through.”

— Bart Parker

“Atmos is offering everything you expect from a loyalty program, including some 'surprise and delight' moments.”

— Jeff Landfield, Political Pundit, Alaska Landmine

What’s next

Alaska Airlines has high hopes that starting in April, titanium-level flyers will be able to stand by for same-day lie-flat business class seats on Alaska, Hawaiian, and partner airlines.

The takeaway

The mixed reviews of Alaska Airlines' new Atmos Rewards program from the state's most frequent flyers highlight the challenges the airline faces in balancing the needs of its loyal customer base with the broader goals of the new loyalty initiative. As the program continues to evolve, Alaska will need to address concerns around operational reliability, upgrade availability, and the overall value proposition for its most frequent travelers.