Atmos Rewards Improves Points Earning For First & Business Class On Partner Airlines, With A Catch

In August 2025, we saw the Atmos Rewards loyalty program launch, as that’s the new combined loyalty program of Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines. The program is really well thought out, in my opinion, with some unique features you won’t find with other programs. At the time the program was announced, there was one major weak point, as I saw it, which came down to the lack of value of crediting partner flights to the program… even though that has historically been one of the best parts of the program! Within weeks of the program launching, Atmos Rewards announced that this would improve “later in 2026.” Well, the full details of the improved partner points earning rates have just been announced, and there’s a catch that I wasn’t anticipating. Atmos Rewards’ lackluster partner points earning ratesAtmos Rewards making partner flights more rewardingBottom line Atmos Rewards’ lackluster partner points earning rates Atmos Rewards has a lot of airline partners, including oneworld as well as non-oneworld carriers. As it currently stands, points earning rates differ massively for travel on partner airlines, based on whether you’re booking the ticket through Alaska or directly through the partner airline. Below is the current points earning chart when booking partner airlines through Alaska. Atmos Rewards points earning on partners Below is the current points earning chart when booking direct with partner airlines. Atmos Rewards points earning on partners As I’ve said before, while the points earning rates are great if booking directly through Alaska, they’re otherwise pretty uncompetitive. It’s one thing if all partner flights could easily be booked directly through Alaska, but that’s simply not the case. For example, earning a total of just 150% points for international first class or 125% points for international business class just doesn’t cut it nowadays. For that matter, there’s a certain irony to the program offering status points on award flights at the rate of 100% across cabins, which in many ways is more rewarding than revenue flights booked through partners. It’s just strange to earn 125% status points for a business class ticket if paying cash, or 100% status points for a business class ticket if redeeming points. Perhaps that’s one major hesitation that was standing in the way of some oneworld flyers switching to the program. So that brings us to the positive update… Atmos Rewards making partner flights more rewarding For flights as of January 1, 2027, Atmos Rewards is increasing points earning rates for first and business class travel on partner airlines, when booking directly through those partners. Once these changes are implemented, here’s how points earning rates will change (and this includes both status points and redeemable points): Domestic first and business class tickets will go from earning 125% to 150% points International business class tickets will go from earning 125% to 250% points International first class tickets will go from earning 150% points to 250% points Atmos Rewards points earning on partners As you can see, those are some major changes, especially for business class. I do find it strange that first and business class tickets internationally will earn the same number of points. Just to be clear, the above amounts are before any elite points bonuses, though those don’t count toward qualifying for elite status. Here’s the important detail that hadn’t been revealed until now, though. The introduction of this new feature coincides with the launch of the new “choose how you earn” program for earning points. The improved points earning rates only apply if you choose to earn points based on fare paid, and not if you choose to earn based on distance flown or segments flown. That’s because under the distance flown concept, all flights earn one point per mile flown, with no class of service bonus. Meanwhile under the segment concept, each segment is rewarded equally, regardless of the distance, fare, etc. Then there’s another catch, even if you select the fare paid option. Keep in mind that the higher distance based points earning wouldn’t apply on American, since under the fare paid concept, American flights credit based on fare paid rather than distance flown. Atmos Rewards “choose how you earn” system Bottom line As of January 1, 2027, Atmos Rewards will be significantly improving points earning rates for first and business class tickets on partner airlines, when booking directly with partners. The changes are considerable, with international business class going from earning 125% points, to earning 250% points. This is awesome, but the major catch is that the improved points earning rates only apply if you choose to be rewarded based on fare paid rather than based on distance flown. That also means that American flights wouldn’t qualify for this improved earning, since under the fare paid concept, those flights are credited based on amount spent. So while I’m generally happy to see this change, it definitely feels like there’s quite a catch here. Yes, Atmos Rewards will continue to award points based on distance flown, but for premium travel, including on partner airlines, that’s now rather unrewarding. What do you make of these Atmos Rewards partner points earning changes?