This is not good news for members of Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines’ exciting new Atmos reward loyalty programs.
Atmos Rewards (formerly the Alaska Airlines Mileage Program) announced a significant change in its global airline partner lineup. The two non-behavioral relationships of the program – LATAM and Singapore Airlines – will be greatly reduced (or ended completely), which limits members’ ability to earn and redeem Atmos reward points on these carriers.
Here’s what you need to know about changes in Atmos’ reward airline partnerships.
Related: Are we all (mostly) winners? My thoughts on Alaska’s new unified atmospheric rewards program
LATAM Partnership Ending
Alaska has a long-term partnership with LATAM, providing us with a convenient traveler to reach South America with Atmos bonus points. For example, members can book reward tickets, such as one-way business-class flights between Miami International Airport (MIA) and Jorge Chavez International Airport (LIM) in Peru, starting with just 35,000 Atmos reward points (one of the best value in the program). This will end on October 1 without other LATAM redemptions provided by Atmos Rewards.
Related: Stylish seating and friendly service: LATAM business class at Boeing 767
Tickets purchased on or before August 31 will continue to accumulate atmospheric reward points under the current income structure regardless of the travel date. Atmos Rewards members can also reward points for tickets issued when flying LATAM from September 1 to September 30, but the trip must be completed by December 31.
Starting October 1, any new bookings with LATAM (and all travels are made after December 31) will no longer be eligible for an odometer accrual with the Atmos reward and vice versa, while members of the Latam Pass Program are attributed to flights conducted on Alaska Airlines.
LATAM is in a joint venture with Delta Air Lines, which is trying to increase its market share at the Alaska Airlines hub at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA).
Reward your inbox with TPG Daily Newsletter
Join over 700,000 readers for breaking news, in-depth guides and exclusive deals from TPG experts
Singapore Airlines partnerships shrink
There is suddenly less news around Singapore Airlines, but it is still important. Alaska will not completely eliminate its relationship with Southeast Asian Airlines, but many of the privileges that once made the partnership valuable will be reduced.
Tickets purchased on August 31, operated by Singapore Airlines, will continue to earn atmospheric reward points at existing accrued rates regardless of when the trip is actually taking place. Atmos Rewards Points can still be booked on or after September 1, but only for Singapore Airlines journeys completed by December 31.
Looking ahead, looking for tickets booked after September 1 to travel after December 31, Atmos Rewards members only earn points only when booking directly with Alaska.
Singapore Airlines will continue to operate flights to and from Seattle.
Related: Is Singapore Airlines’ premium economy worth it on the Airbus A350?
Bottom line
Alaska Airlines’ Atmos Rewards program announced major changes to its two airline partnerships. In addition to ending its relationship with LATAM, it also significantly reduces Singapore Airlines’ earnings. This will result in less chances of earning and redeeming miles on two important global operators, especially traveling to South America and Southeast Asia.
While this seems to be a huge loss to the program, it is worth noting that Alaska has added several airline partners since the first addition of LATAM and Singapore Airlines, including several that are part of the OneWorld Alliance.
Related readings:
