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Alaska Airlines is making two changes to its Atmos Rewards loyalty program and neither of them are going to make customers happy. The Seattle-based airline has quietly eliminated points earning on Saver fares while also increasing partner award booking fees by 60%.
The most notable change affects travelers purchasing Alaska’s lowest-priced fares. According to an updated earnings chart published by the airline, Saver fares booked on or after June 11th for travel beginning August 1st will no longer earn any Atmos Rewards points or status-qualifying points. Currently, Saver fares earn 30% of miles flown (a reduction that was introduced in 2023). Travelers who book Saver fares before June 11th or travel before August 1st will continue to earn points under the existing rules.
The move brings Alaska more in line with industry competitors. American Airlines and Delta Air Lines already exclude Basic Economy passengers from earning miles and elite-status credit while United Airlines limits earnings on its most restrictive fares (particularly for travelers without elite status or a co-branded credit card).
While the change may frustrate budget-conscious travelers, it reflects the evolving role of Basic Economy products across the airline industry. Airlines increasingly use these fares both to compete with ultra-low-cost carriers and to encourage customers to purchase more expensive ticket options that include additional benefits. The change also creates an unusual dynamic within Atmos Rewards, where members can earn status points on award tickets but (in some cases) not on the airline’s cheapest paid fares.
At the same time, Alaska is increasing the cost of booking partner award tickets. Beginning July 1st, the Atmos Rewards partner award booking fee will rise from $12.50 to $20 per passenger, per direction. The increase represents a 60% jump and could impact travelers redeeming points for international or partner airline itineraries (even though the fees are still low in the grand scheme of things). For example, a roundtrip partner award booking for two passengers currently incurs $50 in fees. Under the new pricing structure, that same booking will cost $80.
One bright spot remains for holders of the Atmos Rewards Summit Visa Infinite Credit Card. The card’s partner award booking fee waiver is expected to remain in place, allowing cardholders to avoid the fee entirely when redeeming points from their account and using the card to pay taxes and fees.
Anthony’s Take: Taken together, the changes signal Alaska’s continued evolution toward a more revenue-focused loyalty model. While the airline continues to offer some of the industry’s most valuable redemption opportunities, travelers looking to maximize their rewards may find themselves paying more attention than ever to fare type and booking fees before making a reservation.
(Image Credits: Alaska Airlines and British Airways.)
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Advertiser & Editorial Disclosure: The Bulkhead Seat earns an affiliate commission for anyone approved through the links above This compensation may impact how and where links appear on this site. We work to provide the best publicly available offers to our readers. We frequently update them, but this site does not include all available offers. Opinions, reviews, analyses & recommendations are the author’s alone, and have not been reviewed, endorsed, or approved by any of these entities.
