Alaska Airlines Improving Partner Flight Earning Rates in 2026

Updated: October 3, 2025, 9:59am CDT

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Premium Cabin Flights Now Even More Rewarding
Final Thoughts

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Alaska Airlines is turning up the dial for frequent flyers who love flying business or first class on partner airlines. Starting later in 2026, the airline will boost Atmos Rewards earning rates on these premium cabin tickets, offering more points and status credits when you book directly with the partner airline.

Here’s everything you need to know about these upcoming changes.

Premium Cabin Flights Now Even More Rewarding

Starting later in 2026, Alaska Airlines’ Atmos Rewards members will see significantly higher earning rates on premium cabin flights with partner airlines, making booking business- and first-class tickets more lucrative. This move undoes some of Alaska Airlines’ significant changes to its Atmos Rewards program for 2025.

British Airways Club Suite Cabin Toward Back Upgraded Points LLC 3 — Starting in 2026, booking premium cabins with Alaska Airlines’ partners — like British Airways —will earn significantly more miles and status credits than current rates. Image Credit: Layne Fable

Here’s the breakdown for the upcoming boost:

Domestic business and first class: Points and status credits will increase from 125% to 150%.
International business: Points and status credits will jump from 125% to 250%.
International first class: Points and status credits will rise from 150% to 250%, effectively doubling the rewards on some long-haul trips.

It’s worth noting that these higher earn rates only apply if you book directly with the partner airline. Booking through other channels may earn fewer points, so travelers should always double-check how they book their flights to maximize their rewards.

For example, if you book an international business class flight with one of Alaska’s partner airline and credit it to your Atmos Rewards account, you could earn up to 250% of the base miles (distance flown). So a 5,000-mile flight could net you 12,500 Atmos Rewards points — effectively more than doubling your rewards compared with current rates.

The change puts Alaska in line with other airlines that reward direct bookings in premium cabins. Flyers will earn more points and status credits, helping them reach top-tier perks, such as upgrades, lounge access, and priority boarding, faster. And they can book directly with that airline, which might offer a better price than booking a partner flight through Alaska Airlines’ website.

Hot Tip:

If you’re planning a long-haul international trip in business or first class with an Alaska partner, wait until this change goes live in 2026 to travel if you can. The extra points and status credits can add up quickly, helping you reach elite milestones faster.

Final Thoughts

This update is a solid win for Alaska Airlines’ Atmos Rewards members, particularly those who frequently fly premium cabins. With the potential for 250% earnings on international flights, Alaska is clearly rewarding loyal flyers who value comfort and perks. Keep an eye on the launch later in 2026 to make the most of these boosted partner flight earnings.