Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines are giving Atmos Rewards members a new level of control over how they accumulate points and status. Starting January 1, 2027, travelers will select one of three accrual methods that will apply across Alaska, American, Hawaiian and many partner flights. The decision affects both redeemable points and progress toward elite status, and members can review their options now even though the change takes effect next year. ([1])
The Three Accrual Methods
Through the end of 2026, Atmos Rewards continues to award points based on distance flown. Beginning in 2027, members must pick one primary method that will govern earnings on most flights.
The distance option awards one point and one status point per mile on paid tickets, with award tickets earning one status point per mile. The price-paid option awards five points and five status points per eligible dollar spent on paid flights, while award redemptions earn one status point per 20 points used. The segments option awards 500 points and 500 status points per flight segment on paid tickets and 500 status points per segment on awards. Elite members receive additional redeemable-point bonuses on top of these base rates under any method.
Which Travelers Benefit Most
Long-haul flyers who book inexpensive economy fares often come out ahead with distance-based earning. A 2,500-mile trip that costs less than $500 typically generates more points and status points under the distance method than under price-based accrual.
Travelers who regularly purchase premium cabins or higher-priced tickets generally maximize returns with the price-paid method. The same 2,500-mile itinerary becomes more rewarding once the fare exceeds roughly $500. Short-haul flyers, especially those averaging under 500 miles per segment or paying less than $100 per segment, frequently see stronger results from the segments option. Hawaii residents who participate in the Huakaʻi community receive an extra 50 percent bonus on Neighbor Island flights when using segments, turning a 100-mile hop into 750 points.
| Traveler Type | Annual Flying | Distance | Price Paid | Segments | Best Option |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Long-distance bargain | 40,000 miles, $4,000, 16 segments | 40,000 | 20,000 | 8,000 | Distance |
| High-spend | 15,000 miles, $8,000, 20 segments | 15,000 | 40,000 | 10,000 | Price paid |
| Short-hop frequent | 20,000 miles, $6,000, 80 segments | 20,000 | 30,000 | 40,000 | Segments |
How to Select and Switch
Members can log into the Atmos Rewards accrual choice page and make their selection at any time before the January 2027 transition. The choice applies to all Alaska, American and Hawaiian flights plus partner tickets booked through the Alaska or Hawaiian sites. Flights booked directly with other partners follow different rules depending on the selected method.
Once confirmed, the accrual method can be changed only once per calendar year. New members who join before the end of 2026 start on distance-based earning by default, while those who join in 2027 or later default to price-based earning. A built-in “Help me choose” tool and points calculator allow members to model their recent or upcoming travel under each option before committing.
Practical Next Steps
Reviewing typical flight lengths, average fares and redemption patterns provides the clearest picture of which method will deliver the most value. Frequent partner bookings outside American, Alaska and Hawaiian may tilt the decision toward distance-based earning because price-paid accrual often yields reduced percentages on those itineraries.
The program’s flexibility means most members will find a suitable fit, yet the optimal choice remains personal. Running the numbers on actual travel history before the deadline helps ensure the selected method aligns with individual flying habits.
