Editor’s Note
Atmos™ Rewards, recently named NerdWallet’s Best Airline Rewards Program, is expanding its 2026 benefits. Members can now earn status through everyday spending—from hotels and car rentals to dining and shopping—alongside new partnerships and exclusive perks.
If you’re an Atmos™ Rewards member looking to maximize your status in 2026, you’re in for a treat! The program — which was just named NerdWallet’s Best Airline Rewards Program — is evolving to reward you not just for flying, but for living your life, whether that’s booking a hotel, renting a car, dining out, or even shopping. And with new partnerships and perks, including Alaska Vacations and Hawaiian Vacations VIP Access hotel discounts and perks for status holders, there’s never been a better time to be an Atmos Rewards status holder.
Remember, you can enjoy your hard-earned status benefits through Jan. 31 of the following year. Earning status for each year still ends on Dec. 31.
It’s never been a better time to earn status points with Atmos Rewards. With just 10,000 status points, members unlock perks such as free pre-order food items, bonus points, or even trying Atmos™ Silver for a trip to receive all the benefits of this status tier. Once members reach 20,000 status points and attain Atmos Silver status, additional benefits await, like complimentary First Class and Premium Class upgrades, bonus points on all flights, one free checked bag, complimentary preferred seating, and more.
With each new tier, more benefits await, like additional free checked bags, priority bag handling, higher upgrade priority, and more coming in later 2026.
Atmos Rewards tier / oneworld® tier / Status points needed
Atmos™ Silver / oneworld® Ruby / 20,000
Atmos™ Gold / oneworld® Sapphire / 40,000
Atmos™ Platinum / oneworld® Emerald / 80,000
Atmos™ Titanium / oneworld® Emerald / 135,000
Atmos Rewards is all about flexibility and recognizing your loyalty across a wide range of activities. You can now earn status points by spending with eligible non-airline partners.
Wondering how you can earn Atmos status points in ways that fit your unique lifestyle? Let’s meet three Atmos Rewards members – each with their own goals, routines, and favorite partners. These personas will help you picture how your own activities — big and small — can boost your status and unlock rewards.
Alex lives in Seattle, works in the tech industry and travels frequently for both work and play. Convenience and efficiency are top priorities, but Alex also enjoys treating loved ones and making the most of every trip.
Rideshare savvy: Alex takes Lyft rides to and from the airport and important meetings. With one status point for every $1 spent on base fare charges, Alex’s $800 spent on Lyft earns Alex 800 status points.
Travel made easy: As a member of CLEAR, Alex earns 1,500 redeemable points by enrolling in a membership, which equates to 500 status points.
Gifting for every occasion: Alex uses Atmos Rewards Shopping to send gifts — spending $240 throughout the year and earning 5,100 redeemable points, which gives Alex 1,700 status points.
Stays that count: With occasional Stays by Alaska Vacations for business trips or getaways, Alex spends $6,000 on qualifying hotel bookings, which equals 6,000 status points.
Credit card rewards: All purchases made with the Atmos™ Rewards Summit Visa Infinite® card add status points – two points for every $1 spent. Alex spends $25,000 a year on essentials, earning 12,500 status points, plus he gets 10,000 status points each account anniversary.
Annual status point summary for Alex:
Lyft: 800 status points
CLEAR: 500 status points
Atmos Rewards Shopping: 1,700 status points
Alaska Vacations: 6,000 status points
Atmos™ Rewards Summit Visa: 22,500 status points
Total: 31,500 status points – earning Alex Atmos Silver status from non-air partners alone.
Brenda’s life is all about family, celebration and smart spending. Living in Honolulu, Brenda keeps her household running smoothly, plans memorable vacations and finds ways to earn rewards with everyday essentials.
Everyday shopping: Brenda shops with Atmos™ Rewards Shopping partners like Home Depot, Walmart, Macy’s and Chewy, earning 3,000 base points a year — that’s 1,000 status points.
Dining out: Family nights at participating Atmos™ Rewards Dining restaurants add 4,800 base points ($960 spent), earning another 1,600 status points.
Vacation time: Brenda books a $2,500 family package with Stays by Hawaiian Vacations to visit family on a Neighbor Island (2,500 status points) and a $1,500 cruise with Alaska Hawaiian Cruises (1,500 status points).
Grocery rewards: Brenda almost exclusively shops at Foodland, and redeemed 9,000 Maikaʻi points for 9,000 redeemable points and 3,000 status points.
Credit card rewards: All purchases made with the Atmos™ Rewards Ascent Visa Signature® card add status points, and now Ascent cardholders earn three status points per $1 spent on purchases with no cap on how many status points can be earned. Brenda spends $6,000 a year on Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines flights, earning 18,000 redeemable points and 2,000 status points. She also spends $7,500 a year on essential purchases, earning 7,500 redeemable points and 2,500 status points.
Annual status point summary for Brenda:
Atmos Rewards Shopping: 1,000 status points
Atmos Rewards Dining: 1,600 status points
Stays by Hawaiian Vacations: 2,500 status points
Alaska Hawaiian Cruises: 1,500 status points
Foodland: 3,000 status points
Atmos™ Rewards Ascent Visa Signature® Card: 4,500
Total: 15,100 status points – unlocking the 10K milestone and close to Atmos Silver status
Joey
