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How I’m Using 500,000 Alaska Airlines Atmos Rewards Points for Business Class Flights

Ehsan Haque's image
Ehsan Haque
Edited by: Jessica Merritt
& Jestan Mendame
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The Alaska Airlines Atmos Rewards program has undergone significant changes over the past year. This includes some updates to its credit card portfolio, including the addition of a premium travel rewards card: the Atmos™ Rewards Summit Visa Infinite® card.

The Atmos Rewards Summit card is quickly becoming one of my favorite cards for its fantastic benefits and excellent earning rates. After meeting its minimum spending requirements and making additional purchases, I have quickly earned several hundred thousand Alaska Airlines Atmos Rewards points, which I’ll use for business class flights.

Here’s a look at the Atmos Rewards Summit card and how I’m using 500,000 Alaska Airlines Atmos Rewards points for travel in 2026.

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Atmos Rewards Summit Card Overview

Let’s take a look at the Atmos Rewards Summit card, a premium card designed for frequent travelers of Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines.

Atmos™ Rewards Summit Visa Infinite® card
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The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the ins and outs of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

The Atmos Rewards Summit card is the perfect companion for Alaska Airlines loyalists.

The Atmos Rewards Summit card is the perfect companion for Alaska Airlines loyalists.
Earn 80,000 bonus points and a 25,000-point Global Companion Award after spending $4,000 in the first 90 days.
80,000 points + 25,000-point Global Companion Award
$1,680
$395
19.49% to 27.49% Variable
Why We Like This Card

The Atmos Rewards Summit card is perfect for any frequent Alaska or Hawaiian flyer who wants a card loaded with great benefits, such as an annual Global Companion Award, Alaska Lounge passes, free checked bags, and a fast-track toward Atmos Rewards elite status.

Pros & Cons
Pros
  • 3x points on Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines purchases
  • 3x points on dining and foreign purchases made overseas
  • 1x points on all other purchases
Cons
  • $395 annual fee
  • Points aren’t as flexible as other transferable reward programs
Card Highlights
  • Earn 80,000 bonus points and a 25,000-point Global Companion Award after spending $4,000 in the first 90 days.
  • 3x points on Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines purchases
  • 3x points on dining and foreign purchases made overseas
  • 1x points on all other purchases
  • Receive 10,000 status points each year and 1 status point for every $2 of card spend
  • 10% rewards bonus on all points earned from card purchases if you have an eligible Bank of America account.
  • 25,000-point Global Companion Award annually
  • 100,000-point Global Companion Award (after spending $60,000 or more on purchases in a card anniversary year)
  • $395 annual fee
Financial Snapshot
  • APR: 19.49% to 27.49% Variable
  • Foreign Transaction Fees: 

The Atmos Rewards Summit card has a new and simplified earning structure. It earns:

  • 3x points on Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines purchases
  • 3x points on dining and foreign purchases made overseas
  • 1x points on all other purchases

It also provides numerous benefits, including an annual 25,000-point Global Companion Award, Alaska lounge passes, 10,000 status points each year, and the ability to earn status points for elite status (1 status point for every $2 spent on the card). Additionally, cardholders can earn a 100,000-point Global Companion Award after spending $60,000 or more on purchases in a card anniversary year.

It also offers enticing travel perks when flying on Alaska and Hawaiian flights, including a free checked bag, preferred boarding, and waived same-day flight change fees.

The Atmos Rewards Summit card has an annual fee of $395.

Alaska Airlines Atmos Rewards Overview

The Alaska Airlines Atmos Rewards program is a favorite of many award travelers, including many of us here at Upgraded Points.

The program has a relatively simple approach to earning rewards points and elite status, offering multiple earning options and numerous ways to redeem those points. Additionally, it has an excellent stopover policy.

Alaska Airlines is also a member of the Oneworld alliance, so you can redeem points on partner airlines, including American AirlinesBritish AirwaysCathay PacificJapan Airlines, and Qatar Airways. Alaska Airlines also has numerous nonalliance partnerships with airlines, including Condor Airlines, Porter Airlines, Korean Air, and Starlux Airlines.

Starlux runway TPE A359
Alaska Airlines has nonalliance partnerships with many airlines, including Starlux Airlines. Image Credit: Ehsan Haque

The Atmos Rewards program offers a wide range of excellent redemption options, particularly for short-haul travel, where one-way Alaska Airlines award flights start at just 5,000 Atmos Rewards points, plus taxes and fees. Additionally, it provides options for long-haul premium-cabin travel on partner airlines. The latter is especially valuable, as these flights tend to be quite expensive.

We value Alaska Airlines Atmos points at 1.6 cents apiece, among the highest of any airline miles. Of course, how you choose to redeem the points determines the value you get.

Hot Tip:

Alaska Airlines Atmos Rewards are valuable, particularly for partner airline redemptions. Check out our detailed guide on the best ways to redeem Alaska Atmos Rewards points for maximum value.

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How I Redeemed My Alaska Airlines Atmos Rewards Points for 2026 Travel

After applying for the Atmos Rewards Summit card and meeting its spending requirements, I received slightly over 100,000 Alaska Atmos Rewards points, bringing my total to just under 500,000 points. However, I have prioritized earning Atmos Rewards points over the past few months and expect my balance to push past 500,000.

Alaska Atmos 500,000 balance
My Alaska Airlines Atmos Rewards points balance.

Airline reward currencies offer a wide range of redemption options, but the most valuable use remains long-haul international premium cabin travel. This is how I tend to redeem all my airline points and miles, as cash fares for these long-haul premium cabin flights are generally quite pricey.

Best of all, my wife and I will fly business class on 4 Alaska Airlines partners, some of which will be new experiences for me.

Aer Lingus Business Class to Dublin (85,000 Points)

We want to begin our travels in Europe. The exact destination doesn’t matter much since we plan to hop around many major European cities. I searched for popular cities with nonstop service from my home airport, Chicago O’Hare (ORD).

Aer Lingus A330 Business Class
Aer Lingus business class. Image Credit: Aer Lingus

Although there were several solid options, we booked Aer Lingus business class to Dublin (DUB). A one-way business class flight can be booked for 55,000 Atmos Rewards points, plus taxes and fees, per person. For a total of 110,000 points, my wife and I will travel to Europe in business class.

ORD DUB Alaska Atmos redemption
Aer Lingus business class between Chicago and Dublin for 55,000 points per person.

The Atmos Rewards Summit card provides a 25,000-point Global Companion Award, which serves as a discount on a second award ticket on any Alaska, Hawaiian, or partner ticket in any cabin class.

I used my Global Companion Award to lower our points cost. My award cost 55,000 points, but my wife’s was only 30,000 points, meaning we’ll fly to Ireland for a total of just 85,000 Alaska Airlines Atmos Rewards points. These one-way business class flights typically sell for approximately $3,200 per person.

Finnair Business Class to Dubai (90,000 Points)

After a few weeks in Europe visiting several popular destinations, we will head to the Middle East. Similar to our flight to Europe, we weren’t picky about the destination, as we plan to spend a few weeks in the region.

Finnair A350XWB business class seat 2L angle
Finnair business class. Image Credit: Ryan Smith

I booked Finnair business class between Helsinki (HEL) and Dubai (DXB) for 45,000 points per person, plus taxes and fees. These one-way business class flights typically sell for about $1,200 per person.

HEL DXB Alaska Atmos redemption
Finnair business class between Helsinki and Dubai for 45,000 points per person.

Korean Air Business Class to Seoul (120,000 Points)

After a few weeks in the Middle East, I’ll take my wife to one of my favorite destinations in the world: Seoul, South Korea.

Korean Prestige 2.0 Suites lie flat seat light
Korean Air business class. Image Credit: Juan Ruiz

Fortunately, I was able to easily find Korean Air business class award availability between Dubai and Seoul (ICN). I booked one-way Korean Air business class tickets for 60,000 points plus taxes and fees per person. These one-way business flights typically sell for about $3,500 per person.

DXB ICN Alaska Atmos redemption
Korean Air business class between Dubai and Seoul for 60,000 points per person.

Japan Airlines Business Class Back Home (150,000 Points)

Before returning home, my wife and I want to spend a few weeks in our favorite country, Japan. Although I have visited Japan 8 times in the last decade, I keep finding reasons to visit again.

Japan Airlines 777 300er business class 2 seats together
Japan Airlines business class. Image Credit: Ehsan Haque

I searched for award space from both of Tokyo’s international airports. From Tokyo Narita (NRT), I found Japan Airlines business class award space back home to Chicago. I’ve flown Japan Airlines in business class several times, and it’s always been a great experience.

I booked tickets for just 75,000 points per person, plus taxes and fees. These flights typically sell for about $3,800 apiece.

NRT ORD Alaska Atmos redemption
Japan Airlines business class between Tokyo and Chicago for 75,000 points per person.

Final Thoughts

Alaska Airlines Atmos Rewards are quickly becoming my favorite airline currency, and it’s easy to see why. The program has a ton to offer, including some incredible award pricing with some sweet spots and a long list of partner airlines.

For fewer than 500,000 Alaska Atmos Rewards points, my wife and I will fly around the world in business class, saving us well over $20,000.

Ehsan Haque's image

About Ehsan Haque

Ehsan is an avid traveler who has traveled to 100 countries, diligently using points and miles to fund his journeys. Currently, he holds 32 active credit cards and earns over a million points and miles annually, primarily using them for luxury hotels and long-haul premium cabins.

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