Deconstructing Atmos Rewards - Questions, Ambiguities, Conflicts and Unknowns
Aug 23, 2025 | 12:13 pm
#46
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: British Columbia
Programs: AS MVPG100K, Marriott Marriott Titanium Elite, Hilton Gold
Posts: 8,162
I have an inkling of how this will all pan out. If it goes as I expect, there will still be opportunity. Currently, I am not concerned.
anteater has just comfirmed that my inkling is correct.
Is there going to be an elite tier based status point multiplier (above 5 points per $) for those with higher Atmos status?
Yes. Status bonuses remain unchanged from today (Silver at 25%, Gold 50%, Platinum 100% and Titanium 150%), and will apply across whichever earn option the member selects.
.So, Elite bonuses (RDM/Points) become Status multipliers.
For Distance: Actual miles flow (1, 1.25, 1.5, 2.0, 2.5) = Status Points = Points for redemption. Each multipler represents member through to Titanium.
For Spend: Status Points = Points for redemptions.
Member 5 spend.
Silver 5 spend 1.25
Gold 5' spend 1.50
Platinum 5 spend 2.0
Titanium 5 spend 2.5
For Segments: 500 (1, 1.25, 1.5, 2.0, 2.5)
A Member earning by segments earns 500 P/SPs while a Titanium earns (5002.5) = 1250 P/SPs.
A member earning by spend earns 5 SP per dollar, a Titanium earns 12.5 SP per dollar (net of fees and taxes) For itineraries where AS doesn't know the fare earnings will be by distance & fare class, but no COS bonus.
This makes sense because a cabin bonus would be too generous for the lower tier qualifications; compared to AAdvantage.
A member earning by distance earns actual miles flown, a Titanium would earn 2.5 actual miles flown regardless of the fare.
In essence, Elite bonus Points for redemptions will be gone, the Elite bonus becomes a Status multipler, all earning will be Status Points, and Status points earned will be Points for redemption.
Welcome to AA....
James
Aug 23, 2025 | 12:17 pm
#48
Join Date: Jan 2021
Location: SFO
Programs: AS Ti, SK Au, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 1,667
anteater has just comfirmed that my inkling is correct.
Is there going to be an elite tier based status point multiplier (above 5 points per $) for those with higher Atmos status?
So, Elite bonuses (RDM/Points) become Status multipliers.
For Distance: Actual miles flow (1, 1.25, 1.5, 2.0, 2.5) = Status Points = Points for redemption. Each multipler represents member through to Titanium.
For Spend: Status Points = Points for redemptions.
Member 5 spend.
Silver 5 spend 1.25
Gold 5' spend 1.50
Platinum 5 spend 2.0
Titanium 5 spend 2.5
For Segments: 500 (1, 1.25, 1.5, 2.0, 2.5)
A Member earning by segments earns 500 P/SPs while a Titanium earns (5002.5) = 1250 P/SPs.
A member earning by spend earns 5 SP per dollar, a Titanium earns 12.5 SP per dollar (net of fees and taxes) For itineraries where AS doesn't know the fare earnings will be by distance & fare class, but no COS bonus.
This makes sense because a cabin bonus would be too generous for the lower tier qualifications; compared to AAdvantage.
A member earning by distance earns actual miles flown, a Titanium would earn 2.5 actual miles flown regardless of the fare.
In essence, Elite bonus Points for redemptions will be gone, the Elite bonus becomes a Status multipler, all earning will be Status Points, and Status points earned will be Points for redemption.
Welcome to AA....
James
Is there going to be an elite tier based status point multiplier (above 5 points per $) for those with higher Atmos status?
Yes. Status bonuses remain unchanged from today (Silver at 25%, Gold 50%, Platinum 100% and Titanium 150%), and will apply across whichever earn option the member selects.
.So, Elite bonuses (RDM/Points) become Status multipliers.
For Distance: Actual miles flow (1, 1.25, 1.5, 2.0, 2.5) = Status Points = Points for redemption. Each multipler represents member through to Titanium.
For Spend: Status Points = Points for redemptions.
Member 5 spend.
Silver 5 spend 1.25
Gold 5' spend 1.50
Platinum 5 spend 2.0
Titanium 5 spend 2.5
For Segments: 500 (1, 1.25, 1.5, 2.0, 2.5)
A Member earning by segments earns 500 P/SPs while a Titanium earns (5002.5) = 1250 P/SPs.
A member earning by spend earns 5 SP per dollar, a Titanium earns 12.5 SP per dollar (net of fees and taxes) For itineraries where AS doesn't know the fare earnings will be by distance & fare class, but no COS bonus.
This makes sense because a cabin bonus would be too generous for the lower tier qualifications; compared to AAdvantage.
A member earning by distance earns actual miles flown, a Titanium would earn 2.5 actual miles flown regardless of the fare.
In essence, Elite bonus Points for redemptions will be gone, the Elite bonus becomes a Status multipler, all earning will be Status Points, and Status points earned will be Points for redemption.
Welcome to AA....
James
Aug 23, 2025 | 12:27 pm
#49
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: LAX
Posts: 11,532
A few awards 20k
Rollover perks 20k
atmos card anniversary 10k
regular spend/(over)pay your tax on card 30k (ideally to get companion cert but maybe 10 maybe 50 ymmv)
This is 50-100k eqp without paid flying whatever method you pick..
Aug 23, 2025 | 12:33 pm
#50
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: British Columbia
Programs: AS MVPG100K, Marriott Marriott Titanium Elite, Hilton Gold
Posts: 8,162
Wait....status based on distance is now including the status multiplyer? Today you dont get status points with your elite bonus..... today your 150% bonus isnt status miles....so a redemption flight being a titanium from SFO<>JFK would earn 12,930 EQP for a cheap Y class fare?
If you flew PDX-SEA-JFK, you would earn 129 + 2421 Status Points, not the 500 + 2421 SPs that you would now.
James
Aug 23, 2025 | 12:40 pm
#51
Join Date: Nov 2017
Programs: AS Titanium
Posts: 113
What flights will be eligible for choice based earn?
Choice based accrual applies to all Alaska, Hawaiian, codeshare and partner tickets booked via AlaskaAir.com and HawaiianAir.com. Partner flights booked direct with partners will continue to earn a percentage of flown miles if either the distance or ticket price earning method is chosen, or will earn 500 points per segment if the segment earning method is chosen.
Choice based accrual applies to all Alaska, Hawaiian, codeshare and partner tickets booked via AlaskaAir.com and HawaiianAir.com. Partner flights booked direct with partners will continue to earn a percentage of flown miles if either the distance or ticket price earning method is chosen, or will earn 500 points per segment if the segment earning method is chosen.
Aug 23, 2025 | 12:45 pm
#52
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: British Columbia
Programs: AS MVPG100K, Marriott Marriott Titanium Elite, Hilton Gold
Posts: 8,162
Aug 23, 2025 | 12:45 pm
#53
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: SEA the REAL Washington; occasionally in the other Washington (DCA area)
Programs: AS MVPG 100K (Atmos Titanium) / 0.5MM; DL fallen PM (1.58MM = Complimentary Annual GM); AA Plat
Posts: 24,294
I suspect I’m not the only one for whom a large part of getting to 75K/100K status (in my case the past ~10 years) has been WFBF for the COS bonus
so since this is going away, I suspect there will be fewer status-chasers buying F, which *may* mean more upgrade opps for everyone else
so since this is going away, I suspect there will be fewer status-chasers buying F, which *may* mean more upgrade opps for everyone else
Aug 23, 2025 | 1:11 pm
#54
Join Date: May 2012
Location: HNL
Programs: AS 100K, HA Plat
Posts: 1,821
anteater has just comfirmed that my inkling is correct.
Is there going to be an elite tier based status point multiplier (above 5 points per $) for those with higher Atmos status?
So, Elite bonuses (RDM/Points) become Status multipliers.
For Distance: Actual miles flow (1, 1.25, 1.5, 2.0, 2.5) = Status Points = Points for redemption. Each multipler represents member through to Titanium.
For Spend: Status Points = Points for redemptions.
Member 5 spend.
Silver 5 spend 1.25
Gold 5' spend 1.50
Platinum 5 spend 2.0
Titanium 5 spend 2.5
For Segments: 500 (1, 1.25, 1.5, 2.0, 2.5)
A Member earning by segments earns 500 P/SPs while a Titanium earns (5002.5) = 1250 P/SPs.
A member earning by spend earns 5 SP per dollar, a Titanium earns 12.5 SP per dollar (net of fees and taxes) For itineraries where AS doesn't know the fare earnings will be by distance & fare class, but no COS bonus.
This makes sense because a cabin bonus would be too generous for the lower tier qualifications; compared to AAdvantage.
A member earning by distance earns actual miles flown, a Titanium would earn 2.5 actual miles flown regardless of the fare.
In essence, Elite bonus Points for redemptions will be gone, the Elite bonus becomes a Status multipler, all earning will be Status Points, and Status points earned will be Points for redemption.
Welcome to AA....
James
Is there going to be an elite tier based status point multiplier (above 5 points per $) for those with higher Atmos status?
Yes. Status bonuses remain unchanged from today (Silver at 25%, Gold 50%, Platinum 100% and Titanium 150%), and will apply across whichever earn option the member selects.
.So, Elite bonuses (RDM/Points) become Status multipliers.
For Distance: Actual miles flow (1, 1.25, 1.5, 2.0, 2.5) = Status Points = Points for redemption. Each multipler represents member through to Titanium.
For Spend: Status Points = Points for redemptions.
Member 5 spend.
Silver 5 spend 1.25
Gold 5' spend 1.50
Platinum 5 spend 2.0
Titanium 5 spend 2.5
For Segments: 500 (1, 1.25, 1.5, 2.0, 2.5)
A Member earning by segments earns 500 P/SPs while a Titanium earns (5002.5) = 1250 P/SPs.
A member earning by spend earns 5 SP per dollar, a Titanium earns 12.5 SP per dollar (net of fees and taxes) For itineraries where AS doesn't know the fare earnings will be by distance & fare class, but no COS bonus.
This makes sense because a cabin bonus would be too generous for the lower tier qualifications; compared to AAdvantage.
A member earning by distance earns actual miles flown, a Titanium would earn 2.5 actual miles flown regardless of the fare.
In essence, Elite bonus Points for redemptions will be gone, the Elite bonus becomes a Status multipler, all earning will be Status Points, and Status points earned will be Points for redemption.
Welcome to AA....
James
Aug 23, 2025 | 1:35 pm
#55
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: SEA
Programs: AS 100K, Marriott Titanium, ICH Plat, HH Gold
Posts: 4,784
Is there going to be an elite tier based status point multiplier (above 5 points per $) for those with higher Atmos status?
Yes. Status bonuses remain unchanged from today (Silver at 25%, Gold 50%, Platinum 100% and Titanium 150%), and will apply across whichever earn option the member selects.
Otherwise, how would you explain the 'unchanged from today' phrasing, as there isn't any EQM multiplier based on elite level currently.
So IMHO, status points = x5 no matter what the elite level, redeemable points as per the table with the elite status multiplier.
Aug 23, 2025 | 1:36 pm
#56
Join Date: Feb 2016
Location: YVR/TPE/PVG
Posts: 1,075
AS' reply to my initial inquiry of FT questions is below. If the community thinks of anything else, feel free to let me know.
Is "1 mile flown = 1 status point" only for tickets booked on AS.com?
For miles based earn bought on partners through Alaska.com/App, will there still be a status point multiplier? If so is it staying the same?
Is there going to be an elite tier based status point multiplier (above 5 points per $) for those with higher Atmos status?
Will there still be a 500 mile minimum on miles based earn?
Will HA upgrade certs and AS GGUs both turn into upgrade certificates (mostly answered but some people are still asking)?
Will multiple upgrade certificates be needed for long-haul flights or flights above a certain distance band?
Did AS remove the ability to purchase an unlimited number of RDM (points) for elites?
Is "1 mile flown = 1 status point" only for tickets booked on AS.com?
Status point earn matches base points + class of service bonuses earned on flights. Booking channel doesnt matter; you earn the same on AS and HA flights no matter where booked.
For miles based earn bought on partners through Alaska.com/App, will there still be a status point multiplier? If so is it staying the same?
No. After choice earn is launched, the distance option will represent the actual distance flown with no class of service multipliers or minimum miles. Members that often book the premium cabins which today have class of service bonuses will likely want to choose the revenue based earn option.
Is there going to be an elite tier based status point multiplier (above 5 points per $) for those with higher Atmos status?
Yes. Status bonuses remain unchanged from today (Silver at 25%, Gold 50%, Platinum 100% and Titanium 150%), and will apply across whichever earn option the member selects.
Will there still be a 500 mile minimum on miles based earn?
No. Post-choice, distance will represent the actual flown miles only; no class of service or minimum miles.
Will HA upgrade certs and AS GGUs both turn into upgrade certificates (mostly answered but some people are still asking)?
Yes.
Will multiple upgrade certificates be needed for long-haul flights or flights above a certain distance band?
Upgrade certificates used on Hawaiian operated flights will follow the same pricing as today, including needing two for flights >3,500 miles. There will be more details to come for Alaska operated longhaul flights.
Did AS remove the ability to purchase an unlimited number of RDM (points) for elites?
No.
- the CoS bonus remains for AS/HA flights, and somewhere else they confirmed the partners booked on partner stocks continue to earn at current flat rate (can anyone you know officially confirm that? just "trust me bro" on a blog site is NOT how such important things should be conveyed. well we are on page 4 of a thread in a subforum of a forum here, so not really that much better.)
- If partners booked on partner site earning continue, why would one book partner premium fare on AS.com if they are in distance stance? It will cost more and earn less.(BA J earns 125% now booked on BA.com but doubled if booked on AS.com, and after change it is 100% on AS.com)
- Similarly for revenue stance people, booking partner Y on AS.com becomes very unattractive. A 10000 mile journey would need to cost 2000USD regardless of cabin on AS.com to be worth it for a revenue stance person.
- For segment based people, any long haul flying is a non-starter. They seriously believed someone would fly ANC-FAI forever and never once leave Alaska? Because they will happily choose DL for ANC-SEA-NRT if that means better service and good planes since they will otherwise earn literally 500 miles on TPAC on ancient HA A330s??? Like this is forcing people to become free agent with next to nothing on offer. Whatever drug they are on, they must share some with us.
- Again, nothing is spelled out for the transition period. What happens to a ticket booked on AS.com before you select a stance? Will you be grandfathered to the old rules (like, just 8 months old) or the moment you select a stance it disregards the ticketing date?
- What happens if you do not select a stance? Do you default to a stance like revenue/distance?
- What is the timeline? Can anyone give a clearer timeline of roughly when everything will kick in? (as in which quarter, not the "later in 2026" crap because we are promised mixed partner redemptions "later in 2025" and look where we are) If all the bad news are true, I need to get my affairs in order, preferrably more than 6 months in advance.
Aug 23, 2025 | 1:45 pm
#57
Join Date: Nov 2022
Programs: Alaska 100K Hilton Diamond
Posts: 388
anteater has just comfirmed that my inkling is correct.
Is there going to be an elite tier based status point multiplier (above 5 points per $) for those with higher Atmos status?
So, Elite bonuses (RDM/Points) become Status multipliers.
For Distance: Actual miles flow (1, 1.25, 1.5, 2.0, 2.5) = Status Points = Points for redemption. Each multipler represents member through to Titanium.
For Spend: Status Points = Points for redemptions.
Member 5 spend.
Silver 5 spend 1.25
Gold 5' spend 1.50
Platinum 5 spend 2.0
Titanium 5 spend 2.5
For Segments: 500 (1, 1.25, 1.5, 2.0, 2.5)
A Member earning by segments earns 500 P/SPs while a Titanium earns (5002.5) = 1250 P/SPs.
A member earning by spend earns 5 SP per dollar, a Titanium earns 12.5 SP per dollar (net of fees and taxes) For itineraries where AS doesn't know the fare earnings will be by distance & fare class, but no COS bonus.
This makes sense because a cabin bonus would be too generous for the lower tier qualifications; compared to AAdvantage.
A member earning by distance earns actual miles flown, a Titanium would earn 2.5 actual miles flown regardless of the fare.
In essence, Elite bonus Points for redemptions will be gone, the Elite bonus becomes a Status multipler, all earning will be Status Points, and Status points earned will be Points for redemption.
Welcome to AA....
James
Is there going to be an elite tier based status point multiplier (above 5 points per $) for those with higher Atmos status?
Yes. Status bonuses remain unchanged from today (Silver at 25%, Gold 50%, Platinum 100% and Titanium 150%), and will apply across whichever earn option the member selects.
.So, Elite bonuses (RDM/Points) become Status multipliers.
For Distance: Actual miles flow (1, 1.25, 1.5, 2.0, 2.5) = Status Points = Points for redemption. Each multipler represents member through to Titanium.
For Spend: Status Points = Points for redemptions.
Member 5 spend.
Silver 5 spend 1.25
Gold 5' spend 1.50
Platinum 5 spend 2.0
Titanium 5 spend 2.5
For Segments: 500 (1, 1.25, 1.5, 2.0, 2.5)
A Member earning by segments earns 500 P/SPs while a Titanium earns (5002.5) = 1250 P/SPs.
A member earning by spend earns 5 SP per dollar, a Titanium earns 12.5 SP per dollar (net of fees and taxes) For itineraries where AS doesn't know the fare earnings will be by distance & fare class, but no COS bonus.
This makes sense because a cabin bonus would be too generous for the lower tier qualifications; compared to AAdvantage.
A member earning by distance earns actual miles flown, a Titanium would earn 2.5 actual miles flown regardless of the fare.
In essence, Elite bonus Points for redemptions will be gone, the Elite bonus becomes a Status multipler, all earning will be Status Points, and Status points earned will be Points for redemption.
Welcome to AA....
James
Aug 23, 2025 | 1:47 pm
#58
Join Date: Sep 2019
Location: SAN
Programs: AS Mileage Plan 100k, Bonvoy Titanium
Posts: 1,498
Aug 23, 2025 | 2:08 pm
#59
Join Date: Jul 2023
Programs: AS
Posts: 93