Advertiser Disclosure

Many of the credit card offers that appear on this site are from credit card companies from which we may receive financial compensation when a customer clicks on a link, when an application is approved, or when an account is opened. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site (including, for example, the order in which they appear). However, the credit card information that we publish has been written and evaluated by experts who know these products inside out. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse. This site does not include all credit card companies or all available credit card offers that are on the market. See our advertising policy here where we list advertisers that we work with, and how we make money. You can also review our credit card rating methodology.

New Alaska and Hawaiian Award Charts Bring Ups and Downs

Ryan Smith's image
Ryan Smith
Edited by: Juan Ruiz
Jump to Section

We may be compensated when you click on a link, when an application is approved, or when an account is opened from one or more of our advertising partners. Terms apply to the offers below. See our Advertising Policy for more about our partners, how we make money, and our rating methodology. Opinions and recommendations are ours alone.

As expected, changes occurred when Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines finalized their rewards program merger. On October 1, HawaiianMiles officially became part of Alaska Airlines’ Atmos Rewards.

As the dust settled, we noticed that the airlines have rolled out a new, unified award chart which reflects how many points you need on flights. The good news is that some flights might be cheaper using points now — emphasis on “might be,” which we’ll explain below — but others could be significantly more expensive.

Here’s a closer look at what has changed.

Advertisement

Latest on Alaska and Hawaiian Airlines’ Loyalty Program Merger

Alaska and Hawaiian merged, and Alaska launched its new Atmos Rewards program recently. However, HawaiianMiles remained a separate program until October 1, 2025 — yesterday. Now, HawaiinMiles has rolled into Atmos Rewards.

We also saw the Hawaiian Airlines credit cards disappear from the internet yesterday, among other changes.

New Award Charts for Alaska and Hawaiian Airlines Flights

Until yesterday, the Atmos flight rewards page (available here) was showing the following award prices for how many points you needed for flights on Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines:

SCROLL FOR MORE

Contiguous U.S., Alaska, and Canada to…

Economy (starting at)

First (starting at)

Contiguous U.S., Alaska, and Canada — flight under 700 miles

5,000

15,000

Contiguous U.S., Alaska, and Canada — 701-1,400 miles

7,500

25,000

Contiguous U.S., Alaska, and Canada — 1,401-2,100 miles

10,000

25,000

Contiguous U.S., Alaska, and Canada — 2,101+ miles

12,500

30,000

Hawaii (all distances)

15,000

40,000

Mexico, Central America, and Caribbean (all distances)

10,000

30,000

Now, you’ll find the following unified award chart that no longer separates Hawaii, Mexico, Central America, or the Caribbean. Everything is purely based on distance within North America:

SCROLL FOR MORE

Distance

Economy (starting at)

First (starting at)

Less than 700 miles

4,500

15,000

701-1,400 miles

7,500

25,000

1,401-2,100 miles

10,000

25,000

2,101-3,500 miles

12,500

30,000

3,501+ miles

20,000

60,000

There are a few changes in particular worth highlighting:

  • Flights under 700 miles in economy got cheaper, requiring 500 fewer points
  • Rather than separate pricing for Hawaii, Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean, everything is based on distance and there’s a new band for the maximum points cost
Hot Tip:

It’s also worth remembering that these are “starting at” costs. The number of points you need for a flight might be higher, as costs go up when demand goes up and seats sell out.

Advertisement

Winners and Losers of These Changes

Those who redeem points for short flights, those under 700 miles, flying in economy should be happy that they can now find flights for 4,500 points instead of 5,000. That’s a 10% discount.

There will also be winners for those who book short flights into the Caribbean, Mexico, and Central America. Previously, these awards cost a flat 10,000 points in economy or 30,000 in domestic first class. Any of these flights under 1,400 miles in distance are cheaper now. Alaska’s flight from Kansas City (MCI) to Cancun (CUN) will now be cheaper using the distance-based award chart, for example.

Flights to Hawaii will see the most significant changes. Anyone booking flights under 3,500 miles (basically anything from Denver and west of that) will need fewer points. Anyone flying more than 3,500 miles will need more points to get to the Aloha State.

Final Thoughts

When airlines merge, there are positives and negatives that come with that change. Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines now share the Atmos Rewards program, and they’re using a unified award chart for their flights in North America. Redeeming points now comes with a mixed bag — while some flights are now cheaper, others have become more expensive.

Ryan Smith's image

About Ryan Smith

Ryan completed his goal of visiting every country in the world in December of 2023 and is now revisiting some favorites. Over the years, he’s written about award travel and credit cards for publications like AwardWallet, The Points Guy, USA Today Blueprint, CNBC Select, Tripadvisor, Point.me, and Forbes Advisor.

INSIDERS ONLY: UP PULSE

Deluxe Travel Provided by UP Pulse

Get the latest travel tips, crucial news, flight & hotel deal alerts...

Plus — expert strategies to maximize your points & miles by joining our (free) newsletter.

We respect your privacy. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA. Google's privacy policy  and terms of service  apply.

Deluxe Travel Provided by UP Pulse

We Recommend

Platinum Card® from American Express

  • You may be eligible for as high as 175,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $8,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
  • Get more for your travels with 5X Membership Rewards® points on all flights and prepaid hotel bookings through American Express Travel®, including Fine Hotels + Resorts® and The Hotel Collection bookings. You earn 5X points on flights purchased directly from airlines or through American Express Travel® on up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year.
Show more
  • More Value! With over 1,550 airport lounges - more than any other credit card company on the market* - enjoy the benefits of the Global Lounge Collection®, over $850 of annual value, with access to Centurion Lounges, 10 complimentary Delta Sky Club® visits when flying on an eligible Delta flight (subject to visit limitations), Priority Pass Select membership (enrollment required), and other select partner lounges. * As of 07/2025.
  • More Value! $200 Uber Cash + $120 Uber One Credit: With the Platinum Card® you can receive $15 in Uber Cash each month plus a bonus $20 in December when you add your Platinum Card® to your Uber account to use on rides and orders in the U.S when you select an Amex Card for your transaction. Plus, when you use the Platinum Card® to pay for an auto-renewing Uber One membership, you can get up to $120 in statement credits each calendar year. Terms apply.
  • More Value! $300 Digital Entertainment Credit: Get up to $25 in statement credits each month after you pay for eligible purchases with the Platinum Card® at participating partners. Enrollment required.
  • More Value! $600 Hotel Credit: Get up to $300 in statement credits semi-annually on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts® or The Hotel Collection* bookings through American Express Travel® using the Platinum Card®. *The Hotel Collection requires a minimum two-night stay.
  • New! $400 Resy Credit + Platinum Nights by Resy: When you use the Platinum Card® to pay at U.S. Resy restaurants and to make other eligible purchases through Resy, you can get up to $100 in statement credits each quarter with the $400 Resy Credit benefit. Plus, with Platinum Nights by Resy, you can get special access to reservations on select nights at participating in demand Resy restaurants with the Platinum Card®. Simply add your eligible Card to your Resy profile to book and discover Platinum Nights reservations near you, enrollment required.
  • More Value! $209 CLEAR® Plus Credit: CLEAR® Plus helps get you to your gate faster by using unique facial attributes to verify you are you at 50+ airports nationwide. You can cover the cost of a CLEAR Plus Membership* with up to $209 in statement credits per calendar year after you pay for CLEAR Plus with the Platinum Card®. *Excluding any applicable taxes and fees. Subject to auto-renewal.
  • $200 Airline Fee Credit: Select one qualifying airline and then receive up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year when incidental fees, such as checked bags and in-flight refreshments, are charged by the airline to the Platinum Card® Account*. American Express relies on airlines to submit the correct information on airline transactions to identify incidental fee purchases. If you do not see a credit for a qualifying incidental purchase on your eligible Card after 8 weeks, simply call the number on the back of your Card. Qualifying airlines are subject to change. See terms & conditions for more details.
  • Start your vacation sooner, and keep it going longer. When you book Fine Hotels + Resorts® through American Express Travel®, enjoy noon check-in upon arrival, when available, and guaranteed 4PM check-out.
  • New! $300 lululemon Credit: Enjoy up to $75 in statement credits each quarter when you use the Platinum Card® for eligible purchases at U.S. lululemon retail stores (excluding outlets) and lululemon.com. That’s up to $300 in statement credits each calendar year. Enrollment required.
  • $155 Walmart+ Credit: Receive a statement credit* for one monthly Walmart+ membership (subject to auto-renewal) after you pay for Walmart+ each month with the Platinum Card®.*Up to $12.95 plus applicable local sales tax. Plus Ups not eligible.
  • $100 Saks Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits annually for purchases at Saks Fifth Avenue or saks.com on the Platinum Card®. That’s up to $50 in statement credits from January through June and up to $50 in statement credits from July through December. No minimum purchase required. Enrollment required.
  • Whenever you need us, we're here. Our Member Services team will ensure you are taken care of. From lost Card replacement to statement questions, we are available to help 24/7.
  • $895 annual fee.
  • Terms Apply.
DMCA.com Protection Status