ATMOS Rewards (2026): The CardSavvy Guide to Alaska & Hawaiian Airlines for West Coast Hawaii Travelers
TL;DR: In 2026, Alaska Airlines' Mileage Plan and HawaiianMiles unified under Atmos™ Rewards. The sweet spots for West Coast travelers remain incredible—if you know how to navigate the new "choose-your-earning" modes and leverage the legendary companion fare.
If you fly to Hawaii from Seattle, Portland, San Francisco, or Los Angeles, this guide is your playbook for maximizing value with the new program. We cover the earning modes, the companion fare rules, and specific strategies for whale season travel (January through March).
What is ATMOS Rewards?
Atmos Rewards is the new unified loyalty program for Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines. It brings 1:1 point continuity (1 old mile = 1 new Atmos point) and a massive partner network including the entire oneworld® Alliance plus bespoke partners.
For West Coast travelers, the biggest change in 2026 is flexibility. You are no longer locked into earning based solely on distance or price. You get to choose your earning strategy.
Tip: If you have existing Alaska Mileage Plan or HawaiianMiles, your balances transferred automatically at a 1:1 ratio. No action required.
The 3 Earning Modes: How to Maximize Points in 2026
Later in 2026, Atmos Rewards plans to introduce a unique feature: members can select their preferred earning mode for flights. You can adjust your selection once per year.
1. Distance Mode (1 Point per Mile Flown)
Best For: Budget travelers and long-haul flyers.
A flight from Seattle to Honolulu covers approximately 2,670 miles. If you snag that route for $200 on a cheap fare, you still earn around 2,670 points in Distance Mode—regardless of how little you paid.
CardSavvy Take: This is the "classic" Alaska value proposition. Keep this mode if you hunt for low fares on long routes. The math favors you when you're paying less per mile.
2. Price Paid Mode (5 Points per $1 Spent)
Best For: Premium cabin travelers and last-minute flyers.
If you spend $800 on a First Class ticket, you earn 4,000 points. The more you pay, the more you earn.
CardSavvy Take: Switch to this mode if you frequently book paid First or Business Class, or if your work requires expensive refundable fares. The math shifts in your favor when cash fares are high.
3. Segments Mode (500 Points per Segment)
Best For: Inter-island hoppers and short-haul commuters.
A short flight from Honolulu (HNL) to Maui (OGG) earns 500 points, regardless of price or the tiny distance flown.
CardSavvy Take: This mode is essential for Hawaii locals or frequent flyers on the "milk run" routes. Under Distance Mode, a 100-mile inter-island hop earns almost nothing. Segments Mode transforms these short flights into meaningful point generators.
Redeeming for Hawaii: The "Golden Band"
In 2026, Alaska and Hawaiian utilize unified distance-based award bands. For West Coast travelers, this creates a predictable baseline for award tickets.
The West Coast → Hawaii Sweet Spot
Most nonstops from the West Coast (SEA, PDX, SFO, LAX, SAN) fall into the 2,101 to 3,500 mile band.
| Cabin | Starting Points (One-Way) |
|---|---|
| Economy | 12,500 points |
| First Class | 40,000 points (varies by demand) |
Important: "Starts at" means Saver availability. During peak winter months (January through March), dynamic pricing can push these higher. If you see a seat for 12,500 or 15,000 points, book it immediately—those are the best rates available.
The Companion Fare: Grandfathering vs. Spending
The Alaska Airlines Visa Signature® credit card famous "Companion Fare" remains the most valuable tool for Hawaii travel, but the rules depend on when you got the card.
The 2026 Atmos Rewards credit card lineup. Source: Alaska Airlines (Accessed January 17, 2026)
The Deal
You pay $99 for the base fare of a second ticket, plus taxes and fees (from $23), totaling roughly $122 total.
The "Grandfathered" Status
Legacy Cardholders: If you held the card before the 2023 policy change, you likely "continue to receive" the fare annually without a spend requirement. Check your specific account terms to confirm your status.
Newer Cardholders: You typically must spend $6,000 on purchases within the prior anniversary year to earn the companion fare.
2026 Upgrade: Expanded Reach
A critical update: you can now redeem the companion fare on Hawaiian Airlines flights (within North America) when booked via alaskaair.com. This doubles your nonstop options from key hubs like LAX and Seattle.
Strategy: January Through March in Hawaii (Whale Season)
Why go now? Humpback whale season peaks from January through March. The weather is perfect (average 78°F), but prices spike accordingly.
This is Peak Season. Cash fares are at their highest.
The CardSavvy Approach
1. Check Points First. Look for that 12,500-point floor. If cash prices exceed $400 one-way, points offer outsized value—you're getting over 3 cents per point, well above the standard redemption value.
2. Deploy the Companion Fare Strategically. This benefit is a "price shock absorber." Use it when tickets are $600 or higher, not when they're $200. The companion fare delivers maximum value when cash prices are inflated.
Airport-Specific Playbooks (Nonstop-First Focus)
✈️ SEA (Seattle)
The Advantage: Distance! If you choose Distance Mode, a roundtrip to Hawaii earns over 5,300 points—the highest earning potential of any West Coast hub for economy flyers.
January through March Strategy: Demand surges for spring breaks. Lock in nonstops to HNL, OGG, or KOA early in the booking window.
CardSavvy Pick: This is the prime airport for the Companion Fare. Seattle prices are notoriously high in winter compared to Los Angeles, making the $122 companion deal exceptionally valuable.
✈️ PDX (Portland)
The Advantage: Ease of access, but seasonality is real. Portland has fewer daily departures than SEA or LAX.
January through March Strategy: Nonstop inventory to Maui (OGG) and Kona (KOA) can be thinner than Seattle's.
Family Tip: Don't get cute with connections to save $50. The risk of winter delays (snow in SEA or SFO) isn't worth it. Pay the premium or use points for the nonstop PDX lift.
✈️ SFO (San Francisco)
The Advantage: Frequency. You have access to significant lift from both carriers throughout the day.
The Math: San Francisco is closer to Hawaii (approximately 2,300 miles). Distance Mode earning is weaker here than from Seattle. If you pay high Bay Area cash fares, consider switching to Price Paid Mode (5 points per dollar).
Redemption Note: Despite being a shorter route, SFO is in the same 12,500-point redemption band as SEA and LAX.
✈️ LAX (Los Angeles)
The Advantage: The "Frequency King." Los Angeles offers the most daily departures to Hawaii of any mainland city.
January through March Strategy: You have the most nonstop options (HNL, OGG, KOA, LIH) on both Alaska and Hawaiian metal.
Couple/Family Strategy: This is the easiest airport to split your booking because the high frequency means more award inventory is generally available. Book two seats on the Companion Fare and two seats on points—all on the same nonstop flight.
Family and Couples: The "Nonstop-First" Booking Guide
Traveling with a partner or kids? Stop looking for the absolute cheapest connection. Here is the CardSavvy Nonstop Protocol:
The "Splitter" Strategy (For Families of 4)
Finding 4 Saver award seats on a single peak-season nonstop is rare. Here's how to get everyone on the same plane:
Step 1: Book 1 Adult plus 1 Child using the Companion Fare (cash ticket plus approximately $122).
Step 2: Book 1 Adult plus 1 Child using Points (aim for 12,500 to 20,000 points each).
Result: Everyone is on the same nonstop flight. You significantly reduce total cash outlay while using a moderate amount of points.
The Couple's Play
Scenario: High season (February Break). Roundtrip cash fares exceed $500 per person.
Action: Use the Companion Fare immediately. It effectively makes your tickets around $250 plus taxes each. Save your points for a trip where cash prices are lower or award inventory is wider.
FAQ
Is Atmos Rewards the same as the old Mileage Plan?
It is the successor. Points transfer 1:1. The key difference is the new ability to choose your earning style (Distance vs. Spend vs. Segments).
What is the cheapest award flight to Hawaii?
Short inter-island hops start at 4,500 points. West Coast to Hawaii nonstops start at 12,500 points in Economy.
Can I use my Alaska Companion Fare on Hawaiian Airlines?
Yes! As of 2026, you can use the code on Hawaiian Airlines flights within North America (including Hawaii) if booked through alaskaair.com.
Which credit card should I get for Atmos Rewards?
Start with the Atmos Rewards Ascent card for the Companion Fare. If you fly frequently from Seattle and value lounge access, consider the Atmos Rewards Summit. Both cards earn points on everyday spending at 2x on gas, 3x on Alaska and Hawaiian purchases. View all Atmos credit card options.
The Bottom Line
The Atmos Rewards unification is good news for West Coast travelers. You keep all your existing points, gain flexibility in how you earn, and now have expanded redemption options across both Alaska and Hawaiian airlines.
The key to success is matching your earning mode to your travel patterns, using the Companion Fare when cash prices spike, and always prioritizing nonstops—especially during peak season when connections create stress and risk.
Ready to optimize your card strategy for Hawaii travel?
Use the CardSavvy Optimizer to see exactly how much you could earn with your current spending patterns. Or explore our complete guide to Alaska Airlines cards for a deeper breakdown of the Atmos card lineup.
Sources
- Alaska Airlines: Atmos Rewards Program Overview (Accessed January 17, 2026)
- Hawaiian Airlines: Atmos Rewards Transition FAQ (Accessed January 17, 2026)
- Best Credit Card for Frequent Alaska Airlines Travelers (2026) - CardSavvy
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