Atmos Rewards adds free Premium Class for elite companions, a choice in how to earn, and a debit card

Alaska Air Group has announced the next phase of Atmos Rewards, the loyalty program shared by Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines. The changes touch premium cabins, how flights earn points, new partners and a debit card. Some start right away. Others arrive in 2027. Here is what changes, according to the airline's Sept. 29 announcement, and what members need to do.

Premium Class for elite members' companions and children

The biggest change for premium travel starts on Nov. 2. From that date, Platinum and Titanium members can bring eligible children and one companion into Premium Class at no charge, when space is available. Alaska did not say how it defines an eligible child or when the seats clear.

The announcement does not change who can use the Alaska Lounge network. The one lounge item is on the business card. Alaska plans to refresh the Atmos Rewards Visa Business Card, issued by Bank of America, in late 2026. The airline says the new card will include lounge passes, 10x points on eligible purchases through Atmos Rewards for Business and free same-day confirmed flight changes. It has not said how many passes the card will include or which lounges they cover. Full details are due later this fall.

For now, lounge entry still runs through membership, status and partner rules. Our listing for the Alaska Lounge (N) at Sea-Tac, for example, shows members with up to two guests and day passes at $65 when space allows. In Honolulu, our record for The Plumeria Lounge lists Atmos Gold, Platinum and Titanium members flying international, as well as Alaska Lounge members.

Choose how your flights earn

Atmos Rewards says it will be the only airline loyalty program that lets members pick how they earn on flights. There are three options: distance traveled, price paid or segments flown. The choice covers both points and status points.

• When to choose: Members can make a choice starting Oct. 1, 2026.
• What it covers: Flights departing on or after Jan. 1, 2027.
• If you do nothing: Current members keep earning by distance traveled.
• New members: Anyone who joins on or after Jan. 1, 2027, starts out earning by price paid.
• Changing your mind: Members can switch once per calendar year, for future travel.

Six Atmos Communities

Atmos Communities link members to offers based on how they travel, where they live and what they enjoy. Until now there were two, both for residents: Club 49 and Huakaʻi by Hawaiian. From Oct. 1, 2026, there are six. The new ones are Global Locals, Families on the Go, Culinary Journeys and Active Escapes.

Alaska says benefits across the groups include free bags, exclusive flight deals, bonus-point challenges, partner offers and 20% off select Atmos Rewards Unlocked experiences. Some perks are tailored. Examples include award-flight discounts for children, bonus status points for international travel and more resident benefits for Club 49 and Huakaʻi members.

A debit card planned for early 2027

Atmos Rewards plans to launch a debit card in early 2027. Pre-registration is open now at atmosrewards.com/debit. Alaska says the card will earn both points and status points. Its listed features are:

• A choice of card designs
• Discounts on flights and onboard purchases
• Free points sharing
• No foreign transaction fees
• The option to pay certain account fees with points

The airline has not named the bank behind the debit card or listed its fees or earning rates. It says it added a debit product because debit makes up a meaningful share of U.S. payments and appeals to younger members and people new to the country.

Alaska also plans two more links with banks. In 2027, holders of eligible Bank of America cards should be able to transfer points into Atmos Rewards. Over time, the program plans to add transfers from other select global financial institutions. No dates or ratios were given.

New partners in Atmos Unlocked

Atmos Unlocked is the program's marketplace for spending points on experiences. In an Oct. 7 update, Alaska named three new partners:

• Alterra Mountain Company and Ikon Pass: Ski offers this season include a CMH heli-skiing package, stay-and-ski deals at Steamboat Ski Resort and 26/27 Ikon Pass bundles.
• Nordstrom: Members can use points on private holiday shopping events at Nordstrom stores in seven major markets, including Seattle, Portland, Honolulu, Los Angeles and New York City.
• Pebble Beach Resorts: Planned offers include stay-and-play golf packages, hosted golf and culinary and resort packages.

New packages and events go live on Atmos Members Day, held the first Wednesday of each month. To get the monthly email, members log in to their Atmos Rewards account and update their communication preferences.

What to do and when

• Now: Decide whether to change how you earn on flights. It applies to trips from Jan. 1, 2027.
• Now: Look at the six Communities and pick one that fits.
• Now: Pre-register for the debit card if you are interested.
• Nov. 2: Platinum and Titanium members can start bringing eligible children and one companion into Premium Class, space permitting.
• Later this fall: Watch for full details on the refreshed business card and its lounge passes.

For the bigger picture on Alaska's premium plans, including new lounges in Seattle, Honolulu and San Diego, see our story on Aurora and Leihōkū.