Alaska Airlines’ new Atmos Rewards loyalty program has preserved what made the former Mileage Plan program so beloved: a published partner award chart with terrifically reasonable redemption rates, distance-based sweet spots and free one-way stopovers.
Pair that with a new premium credit card with a huge welcome offer, and there’s never been a better time to learn just how valuable Atmos Rewards points can be.
Currently, the new Atmos™ Rewards Summit Visa Infinite® Credit Card has launched with the following offer: Earn 100,000 Atmos Rewards points and a 25,000-point Global Companion Award after spending $6,000 or more in the first 90 days of account opening.
That many points open up endless travel possibilities. Whether you book a lie-flat round-trip across the Atlantic or book short domestic flights, here are 10 ways you can redeem 100,000 Atmos Rewards points.
Related: Are we all (mostly) winners? My take on Alaska’s new unified Atmos Rewards program
The best ways to redeem 100,000 Atmos Rewards points
With Alaska being a member of the Oneworld alliance — while also maintaining some unique airline partnerships — you’ll likely get the best value from your Atmos Rewards points by redeeming them for flights on partner airlines.
Aer Lingus lie-flat business-class seats to Ireland
One of the best value ways to use Atmos Rewards points is by booking Aer Lingus business-class seats from the East Coast to Ireland. Fly from New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK), Boston Logan International Airport (BOS), Dulles International Airport (IAD) near Washington, D.C., Cleveland Hopkins International Airport (CLE) and more to Dublin Airport (DUB), starting at 45,000 points (not including taxes and fees).
Running the math, if you find availability, you can potentially secure a round-trip flight in a lie-flat seat for just 90,000 points.
That still leaves 10,000 Atmos Rewards points in your balance, which could cover a short hop elsewhere or a positioning flight.
Related: What it’s like flying Aer Lingus’ Airbus A321XLR to Ireland
American Airlines’ premium cabin to London
If London is calling, you can fly American Airlines’ new Flagship Suite operating on select Boeing 787-9 flights from Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) or Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport (ORD) to London’s Heathrow Airport (LHR) starting at 55,000 Atmos Rewards points each way (plus taxes and fees).
Japan Airlines in comfort to Tokyo
Atmos Rewards members can unlock Japan Airlines business class from Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) to Tokyo’s Narita International Airport (NRT) starting at 60,000 points each way. While a true round-trip comes to 120,000 points, you could book the outbound in business and the return in premium economy for 100,000 Atmos Rewards points. With that combination, you’d still get the best of both worlds: lie-flat comfort one-way and a solid premium economy product on the way home.
Alternatively, if you’re traveling from the East Coast, consider a round-trip nonstop flight in Japan Airlines’ swanky Airbus A350-1000 aircraft from JFK to NRT starting at 100,000 Atmos Rewards points in premium economy.
Related: First look at Japan Airlines’ new premium economy on the Airbus A350-1000
Cathay Pacific’s new Aria Suite to Hong Kong
Book Cathay Pacific’s new Aria Suite business class, currently operating from Vancouver International Airport (YVR) to Hong Kong International Airport (HKG), starting at 75,000 Atmos Rewards points one-way. This refreshed cabin offers more privacy, sculpted shells, and modern touches like customizable lighting and expanded storage.
The wide seats convert into fully flat beds, bedding has been upgraded and meals are artfully plated. With its suite-like feel and high-end finishes, Aria raises the bar for long-haul business class on this already impressive Asian carrier.
Fiji Airways’ premium cabin Down Under
With Atmos’ generous stopover rules, you can turn a trip on Fiji Airways into a two-in-one adventure. Fly from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) to Nadi International Airport (NAN) in business class, stop in tropical Fiji for a few days, then continue to Australia on the same ticket from 85,000 Atmos Rewards points.
Once you’re Down Under, you could use those remaining 15,000 Atmos Rewards points to fly Oneworld partner airline Qantas, which offers astonishingly affordable short-haul Atmos Rewards redemptions. If you wanted to add on a trip to New Zealand, you could fly round-trip in economy from Sydney Airport (SYD) to Auckland Airport (AKL) from just 15,000 Atmos Rewards points.
Related: Fiji Airways announces big US expansion with a new longest route
Qantas premium economy round-trip to Australia
Australia is a notoriously tough market to find business award availability, so consider booking premium economy. Qantas’ premium economy strikes a nice balance between extra legroom, wider seats, better catering and priority airport services.
With Atmos Rewards points, you can book a round-trip from the U.S. to Sydney Airport (SYD), Melbourne Airport (MEL) or Brisbane Airport (BNE) starting at 110,000 Atmos Rewards points in premium economy.
While not as glamorous as Qantas’ lie-flat business seats, premium economy still makes the more than 14-hour trek much more pleasant.
Hawaii economy getaways
If you’d prefer to keep things closer to home, Atmos Rewards points unlock terrific value when booking flights to Hawaii. Flights from the West Coast to Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (HNL) in economy start at only 15,000 points each way, flying either Alaska or Hawaiian Airlines.
You could take a whole family of five round-trip to Hawaii with one credit card’s welcome bonus.
Fly Hawaiian Airlines’ new 787 business class
If you want to try out a new premium cabin without leaving the country, Hawaiian Airlines now flies its fancy new 787 Dreamliner on select routes between West Coast airports, including LAX and San Francisco International Airport (SFO), and HNL. These aircraft feature the airline’s innovative Leihoku Business Suites, offering direct-aisle access, lie-flat seats, and sliding privacy doors, all with the Aloha warmth of Hawaiian service — an upgrade compared to Hawaiian’s older wide-body cabins.
Using Atmos Rewards points, award rates start at 40,000 points each way in business class departing LAX or SFO. Thus, a round-trip flight starts at 80,000 Atmos Rewards points.
Related: We got a sneak peek at Hawaiian Airlines’ stunning new Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner
Short-haul flights in coach across the U.S.
Another underrated use of Atmos Rewards points is for booking domestic flights under 700 miles on American Airlines. As a partner airline, these flights can cost just 4,500 Atmos Rewards points each way, meaning you can get an incredible 22 one-way trips or 11 round-trips out of your 100,000-point balance. If you often need positioning flights to reach partner gateways or just want quick weekend getaways, this option delivers constant value.
Europe in economy comfort
Finally, you can cross the Atlantic in economy starting from only 22,500 points each way on partner airlines like Aer Lingus, American Airlines and Iberia. That works out to two full round-trips for 90,000 points, with 10,000 left over. It’s not glamorous, but it’s a reliable way to stretch the Summit Visa Infinite’s welcome bonus across multiple international vacations.
This award rate is also available to book on British Airways Club, but the airline imposes hefty surcharges, so look for other partner options to Europe instead.
Related: Alaska Trifecta: Why I signed up for the new premium Atmos Rewards Summit credit card
Bottom line
With 100,000 Atmos Rewards points, you can book a lie-flat business round-trip to Ireland, a premium economy plus business combo to Asia or even multiple full round-trip flights to Hawaii. The partner award chart, distance-based sweet spots and free stopovers make Atmos Rewards points one of the most powerful airline currencies.
Related reading:
- Atmos Rewards Summit cardholders now get free, fancy cocktails at some Alaska Airlines lounges
- How to share Alaska Airlines points (for free) with friends and family — and why this new card perk is so valuable
- Alaska Airlines’ valuable points — and award chart — survive Atmos Rewards: ‘Not trying to hoodwink anybody’
- Why does Alaska Airlines want Boeing’s largest Dreamliner?
Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.
