Category: Airlines

Evergreen airline-focused content that isn’t primarily news. Includes airline reviews, fleet and cabin guides, loyalty program explainers, and airline-specific reference content.

  • American Airlines Plans Its Largest Admirals Club Yet in Charlotte

    American Airlines Plans Its Largest Admirals Club Yet in Charlotte

    American Airlines is planning a massive new Admirals Club at Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT). And once it opens, it’ll be the largest Admirals Club in the airline’s network.

    The new lounge will span more than 40,000 square feet. Construction is expected to begin later this year, although American hasn’t announced an opening date.

    The Oct. 6 announcement follows plans unveiled last August to expand American’s lounge footprint at Charlotte, including opening the airport’s first Flagship lounge.

    A Massive New Admirals Club in Charlotte

    The new Admirals Club will occupy the mezzanine level overlooking Charlotte’s central atrium.

    American says the lounge will have separate areas for dining, working, and relaxing, along with bars, food service areas, and spa-style shower suites. The design will also incorporate elements inspired by Charlotte’s tree canopy and textile heritage.

    Charlotte is American’s second-largest hub, where the airline operates more than 650 flights on peak days to over 180 destinations across 27 countries. Given the number of passengers connecting through the airport, the additional space should be a massive improvement and help ease crowding at American’s existing lounges.

    What Happens to Charlotte’s Existing Lounges?

    American currently operates Admirals Clubs in Concourses B and C/D, along with its newer Provisions by Admirals Club location near Gate A1.

    All three locations will remain open during construction. However, American hasn’t said what will happen to them once the new lounge opens.

    There’s also the matter of Charlotte’s first Flagship lounge, which will offer a more premium experience for eligible international premium cabin passengers and certain elite members. American hasn’t announced where that lounge will be located or when it might open.

  • Fly Air France or KLM to Europe From 15,000 Points and Under $6 in Fees

    Fly Air France or KLM to Europe From 15,000 Points and Under $6 in Fees

    Booking Air France or KLM flights to Europe through Virgin Atlantic Flying Club can come with some hefty taxes and fees. For example, a one-way Air France economy flight from Los Angeles to Paris currently carries more than $293 in taxes and fees on top of the points required.

    But there’s an interesting exception for flights departing Minneapolis.

    We’re finding nonstop flights to Paris and Amsterdam for as little as 15,000 Virgin points plus just $5.60 in taxes and fees. That’s a pretty unusual price for a transatlantic flight on either airline.

    Flights From Minneapolis to Europe With Just $5.60 in Fees

    Here are two examples we found when searching Virgin Atlantic Flying Club:

    • Minneapolis (MSP) to Amsterdam (AMS): 15,000 points plus $5.60 on KLM, departing Oct. 19, 2026.
    • Minneapolis (MSP) to Paris (CDG): 25,000 points plus $5.60 on Air France, departing Jul. 25, 2027.
    KLM award from MSP to AMS via Virgin Atlantic Flying Club.
    VIRGIN ATLANTIC
    Air France award from MSP to CDG via Virgin Atlantic Flying Club.
    VIRGIN ATLANTIC

    For comparison, the Los Angeles-to-Paris example carries over $287 more in taxes and fees.

    The low fees appear to apply specifically to nonstop economy flights departing Minneapolis. Connecting beyond Paris or Amsterdam can increase the taxes and fees, and mileage prices vary by date.

    How to Find These Flights

    Search for flights from Minneapolis to Paris or Amsterdam on Virgin Atlantic’s website and select the option to book with points or via PointsYeah.

    Virgin Atlantic Flying Club is a transfer partner of several major credit card rewards programs, so there’s no need to earn the points by flying Virgin Atlantic.

    Minneapolis won’t be a convenient departure point for everyone. But for anyone who can get there inexpensively, these flights are worth a look, particularly with taxes and fees this low.

    {{ search-widget mode=”flight” }}

  • 4 United Credit Card Offers Worth Up to 100,000 Bonus Miles

    4 United Credit Card Offers Worth Up to 100,000 Bonus Miles

    United credit cards are useful for several reasons beyond their welcome bonuses.

    For anyone who flies United, carrying one can unlock lower mileage prices, help with earning Premier status, and provide benefits ranging from free checked bags to United Club access.

    There are several United cards to choose from, and the differences become more meaningful depending on how often someone flies the airline and which benefits they’ll use. Eligible United cardholders can also save 10% or more when booking eligible flights with miles, or 15% or more for Premier members.

    One thing worth noting about the current offers: Each includes an opportunity to earn another 10,000 miles after adding an authorized user within the first three months.

    Here are four United cards that make sense to consider.

    United Explorer Card

    The United Explorer Card is the most approachable of the personal cards here. It’s a great option for someone who flies United a few times a year.

    Its benefits include a free first checked bag, priority boarding, two United Club one-time passes each year, and savings of 10% or more when booking eligible flights with miles.

    Click “Learn More” below for the current offer, full benefits, and application details.

    {{ credit-card-widget uri=”unitedexplorercard” }}

    United Quest Card

    The United Quest Card makes more sense for someone spending more time onboard United and looking for benefits beyond a checked bag.

    It comes with an annual United travel credit and flight discount, two free checked bags, and an annual allotment of Premier qualifying points (PQP). That makes the card particularly relevant for someone working toward United Premier status. Cardholders can also save 10% or more when booking eligible flights with miles.

    Click “Learn More” below for the current offer, full benefits, and application details.

    {{ credit-card-widget uri=”unitedquestcard” }}

    United Club Card

    The United Club Card is the premium personal option. The headline benefit is a United Club membership.

    It also offers two free checked bags, Premier Access benefits, savings of 10% or more when booking eligible flights with miles, and opportunities to earn PQP toward Premier status. For frequent United flyers who would otherwise pay for lounge access, the Club membership is likely to be the biggest reason to carry it.

    Click “Learn More” below for the current offer, full benefits, and application details.

    {{ credit-card-widget uri=”unitedclubinfinitecard” }}

    United Business Card

    The United Business Card offers many of the benefits found on the personal cards, including a free first checked bag, priority boarding, two United Club one-time passes, and savings of 10% or more when booking eligible flights with miles.

    There’s also a reason to pair it with a personal United card: Cardholders with both receive a 5,000-mile bonus each account anniversary.

    Click “Learn More” below for the current offer, full benefits, and application details.

    {{ credit-card-widget uri=”unitedbusiness” }}

    United Credit Card Application Rules

    The Explorer and Quest cards aren’t available to current cardholders of the respective card or previous cardholders who received a new-cardmember bonus on that card within the past 24 months.

    The Club Card has broader restrictions. It’s unavailable to current cardholders of any United Club credit card or previous United Club cardholders who received a new-cardmember bonus for the current Club Card within the past 24 months.

    The United Business Card doesn’t list a similar 24-month restriction, although applicants need an eligible business.

    Offer terms and eligibility can change, so check the current terms before applying.

  • 7 Flights You Can Book for 4,500 Atmos Rewards Points or Less

    7 Flights You Can Book for 4,500 Atmos Rewards Points or Less

    A few thousand airline points might not seem particularly useful. But with Atmos Rewards, they can get you farther than you might expect.

    Short flights are one of the more interesting parts of the Atmos Rewards redemption charts. Partner flights within the Americas covering less than 600 miles start at just 4,500 points each way in economy.

    Flights operated by Alaska or Hawaiian Airlines work a little differently. Routes covering less than 700 miles can also be particularly cheap, and we’ve found some starting below 4,500 points.

    Here are seven examples we’ve found on PointsYeah, from the Bahamas and Canada to Hawaii and Alaska.

    Miami to Nassau on American Airlines

    One of the more fun uses of 4,500 points doesn’t even keep you in the U.S.

    American Airlines flies from Miami (MIA) to Nassau (NAS). That flight covers less than 200 miles. And when the lowest partner price is available, it costs just 4,500 Atmos Rewards points in economy.

    That’s not bad for a flight to the Bahamas.

    PointsYeah result for MIA to NAS award through Atmos Rewards.
    POINTSYEAH

    Phoenix to Salt Lake City on American Airlines

    The same pricing works for more ordinary domestic travel.

    American’s flight from Phoenix (PHX) to Salt Lake City (SLC) falls within the lowest distance band, and we’ve found seats for 4,500 points.

    It’s a good example of how a small balance can cover a practical trip, too.

    PointsYeah result for PHX to SLC award through Atmos Rewards.
    POINTSYEAH

    Boston to Toronto on Porter Airlines

    Porter Airlines opens up another set of possibilities. The Canadian carrier joined Alaska’s partner network in 2023, and it gives Atmos Rewards members access to its growing network in Canada and the U.S.

    Its flight from Boston (BOS) to Toronto’s Billy Bishop Airport (YTZ) is available for 4,500 Atmos Rewards points.

    Billy Bishop sits just outside downtown Toronto. It’s also a much smaller (and more convenient) airport than Toronto Pearson (YYZ).

    PointsYeah result for BOS to YTZ award through Atmos Rewards.
    POINTSYEAH

    New York to Toronto on Porter Airlines

    Porter also flies from New York-LaGuardia (LGA) to Toronto Pearson (YYZ).

    We’ve found the route starting at the same 4,500-point price, giving Boston another inexpensive way to get to Toronto with Atmos Rewards points.

    PointsYeah result for LGA to YYZ award through Atmos Rewards.
    POINTSYEAH

    Honolulu to Lihue on Hawaiian Airlines

    Atmos Rewards can also be useful for getting between the Hawaiian Islands.

    Hawaiian Airlines flights from Honolulu (HNL) to Lihue (LIH) is available for 4,500 points. Similar pricing can show up on other Neighbor Island routes as well.

    PointsYeah result for HNL to LIH award through Atmos Rewards.
    POINTSYEAH

    Seattle to Ketchikan on Alaska Airlines

    Here’s where the pricing gets a little more interesting.

    Alaska-operated flights use a different chart, and some short flights actually dip below 4,500 points.

    We’ve found Seattle (SEA) to Ketchikan (KTN) for as few as 4,000 Atmos Rewards points, getting you from the Lower 48 to Southeast Alaska.

    PointsYeah result for SEA to KTN award through Atmos Rewards.
    POINTSYEAH

    Anchorage to Kodiak on Alaska Airlines

    We’ve also found Anchorage (ANC) to Kodiak (ADQ) starting at 4,000 points.

    That’s below the 4,500-point starting price for short partner flights within the Americas.

    PointsYeah result for ANC to ADQ award through Atmos Rewards.
    POINTSYEAH

    Search Beyond These 7 Routes

    These are just a few examples. It’s nowhere near a definitive list. American and Porter alone operate plenty of other routes short enough to fall within the lowest partner distance band, while Alaska and Hawaiian have their own short-haul possibilities.

    {{ search-widget mode=”flight” }}

    Availability and pricing vary by date. But a balance of 4,000 or 5,000 Atmos Rewards points can be more useful than it may seem at a glance.

  • Southwest Is Planning Its Biggest Summer Schedule Ever

    Southwest Is Planning Its Biggest Summer Schedule Ever

    Southwest Airlines is planning its busiest summer yet.

    The airline opened its summer 2027 schedule for booking on October 3, with as many as 4,498 flights scheduled on peak days between June 3 and August 2. That’s a lot of flying.

    It’s also the most Southwest has ever scheduled for a summer. And most of that growth is centered around Austin, Nashville, and San Diego.

    There are plenty of new routes mixed in, too, including more international flights from Austin and Nashville.

    Southwest Is Adding 7 Seasonal Routes From Austin

    Austin is getting one of the biggest expansions.

    Southwest plans to operate as many as 143 departures from AUS, including seven seasonal routes. Five of those haven’t previously been offered by the airline.

    The biggest additions take Austin outside the U.S. Southwest will add weekend flights to Liberia, Costa Rica; Nassau, Bahamas; and Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, during June and July.

    Those join existing Southwest flights from Austin to Cancun, Los Cabos, Puerto Vallarta, and San José, Costa Rica.

    Domestically, Southwest is bringing back daily summer service to Portland, Oregon, and Saturday flights to Sarasota. Savannah gets weekend service, while Bozeman is also getting Saturday-only flights.

    It’s a fairly substantial summer expansion for an airport where Southwest already has a big presence. And there’s more investment coming.

    Austin is one of the first four airports where Southwest plans to open its own airport lounges.

    Nashville Keeps Growing

    Southwest is going even bigger in Nashville, where it plans to operate as many as 220 flights during summer 2027.

    That’s up to 20 more daily departures than summer 2026 and the airline’s largest summer schedule yet in Nashville.

    Three new seasonal routes are coming with it. Southwest will add flights from Nashville to Boise, Nassau, and Providenciales in Turks and Caicos. Seasonal service to Bozeman and Portland will return as well.

    Worth noting: Nashville is also getting one of the airline’s first lounges, which is already under construction.

    More on This: Southwest Airlines Shares Updates on Lounges, Premium Card, and Long-Haul Flying

    More Flights Are Coming Elsewhere, Too

    San Diego will have as many as 150 Southwest flights during the summer.

    That includes up to six daily flights to Austin on peak days and three weekday flights to Seattle. Southwest is also adding Sunday-only seasonal service between San Diego and Oklahoma City, alongside returning summer routes to Bozeman, Columbus, Milwaukee, and Pittsburgh.

    Las Vegas and Orlando are growing, too.

    Southwest plans as many as 278 flights from Las Vegas, 12 more than the previous summer, while Orlando will reach as many as 173, an increase of 17.

    Seasonal daily service between Las Vegas and Anchorage will also return in June. Bozeman gets returning seasonal flights to Chicago Midway and Dallas.

    Altogether, Southwest says its summer schedule will reach 4,498 flights on peak days. That amounts to its largest ever.

    The new schedule covers travel from June 3 through August 2, 2027, and flights are already available to book.

  • Alaska Airlines Is Selling Atmos Rewards Points With up to a 120% Bonus

    Alaska Airlines Is Selling Atmos Rewards Points With up to a 120% Bonus

    Buying airline points might sound like an unnecessary extra step. After all, if a flight is available, why not just pay for it?

    Sometimes there’s a good reason. Buying the points needed to book a flight can cost less than paying for airfare directly.

    Alaska Airlines sells Atmos Rewards points throughout the year and periodically runs promotions that lower their cost. There’s little reason to buy just because a sale is happening. But with a trip already in mind, it takes only a few minutes to see whether buying points could save money.

    Current Atmos Rewards Buy Points Offer

    Alaska Airlines is currently offering up to a 120% bonus when buying Atmos Rewards points through October 19.

    There’s a catch with that “up to” language. The offer appears to vary by member, and it’s not clear what determines who gets the full 120% bonus. A 100% bonus appears to be more widely available.

    With a 100% bonus, Atmos Rewards points cost about 1.88 cents each after the 7.5% federal excise tax. Members targeted for the 120% bonus can buy them for about 1.71 cents each.

    • Current promotion: Up to 120% bonus
    • Price per point: About 1.71 cents with a 120% bonus; about 1.88 cents with a 100% bonus
    • Offer ends: October 19, 2026
    • Purchase limit: Up to 100,000 points per transaction before the bonus
    • Annual limit: 150,000 points purchased or received as gifts; no annual purchase limit for Atmos Rewards elite members

    Buy Atmos Rewards points directly from Alaska Airlines

    Alaska runs points sales periodically, so there’s rarely a reason to buy solely because a promotion is ending. The history below shows how the current offer compares with previous ones. Click the arrow to see past offers.

    {{ buy-points-history type=”airline” program=”Alaska Atmos Rewards” }}

    More on This: Current Buy Points and Miles Offers

    When Buying Atmos Rewards Points Makes Sense

    The easiest way to decide whether buying points makes sense is to compare what the flight costs in cash with what it would cost to buy the points needed to book it.

    The math is simple:

    Points needed × current price per point = cost to buy the points

    Say a flight is available for 20,000 Atmos Rewards points. At roughly 1.88 cents each with a 100% bonus, buying those points would cost about $376.

    If the same flight costs $500 in cash, buying the points could come out ahead. If it costs $300, paying cash is the easy choice.

    Members targeted for the 120% bonus have slightly better math. Those same 20,000 points would cost about $342 at roughly 1.71 cents each.

    That’s why the percentage bonus isn’t especially useful on its own. What matters is the price of the flight, how many points it requires, and what those points cost to buy.

    Seattle, Washington - March 13, 2026: It snowed all day in Seattle causing massive flight delay and cancellation at Sea-Tac Airport. HDR encoded
    MAK STUDIO / ISTOCK

    More on This: How to Search for Flights with PointsYeah

    Don’t Buy Points Just Because They’re on Sale

    There’s little reason to stock up on Atmos Rewards points without a trip in mind. Alaska sells points regularly and runs purchase promotions periodically.

    Instead, start with the flight. Check the cash price, search how many Atmos Rewards points it requires, and calculate what those points would cost to buy.

    Sometimes cash wins. Sometimes points do.

    And when buying the points costs less, it can be a straightforward way to save on a flight that was already in the plans.

  • American Airlines Is Adding Cash and Miles Bookings

    American Airlines Is Adding Cash and Miles Bookings

    In the near future, American Airlines will introduce another payment method for booking flights: cash and miles.

    American announced on October 2 that “in the coming weeks eligible AAdvantage members will be able to combine cash and miles when booking flights on aa.com and American’s digital app.”

    Even though this feature isn’t live yet, American has already published enough details to give us a pretty good idea of how it’ll work.

    Cash and Miles Will Show Up During Checkout

    There won’t be a separate cash and miles search.

    Instead, members will log in to an AAdvantage account and search for flights using cash as usual. After selecting a flight and getting through the trip insurance prompt, American will display any available cash and miles options.

    A slider will let members choose from the available combinations. Move the slider, the price updates, and whatever is left gets paid in cash.

    But American’s cash and miles terms reveal that there won’t necessarily be a single exchange rate between AAdvantage miles and dollars.

    The airline says the rate can vary depending on the destination, itinerary, flight, or service. American will also decide which combinations of cash and miles are offered, and those choices can vary based on how many miles are in an account.

    So, 10,000 miles could theoretically knock a different amount off one ticket than another. We won’t know what those numbers actually look like until cash and miles bookings go live.

    It’s also not yet clear whether the option will be limited to flights operated by American and American Eagle or extend to eligible partner-operated flights booked through American.

    American Airlines A321neo at DFW.
    TYLER GLATT / POINTS INSIDER

    You’ll Still Earn Miles and Loyalty Points

    Using miles to cover part of a ticket won’t stop the remaining cash portion from earning AAdvantage miles.

    American says members will earn base miles (and therefore Loyalty Points) on the part paid in cash. That includes the base fare and carrier-imposed fees, but not government taxes and fees.

    There are a few other quirks buried in the terms. Taxes and fees always have to be paid in cash, and cash and miles won’t necessarily be available for every destination, fare, itinerary, flight, or seat.

    Once one of these tickets is booked, it can’t be changed, either. If plans change, the reservation needs to be canceled and booked again.

    If a ticket is eligible for a refund, the miles go back to the AAdvantage account. The cash portion follows the normal rules for the fare.

    More on This: How to Change an American Airlines Award Flight Online

    How Useful This Is Comes Down to the Math

    For someone sitting on, say, 15,000 AAdvantage miles without enough to cover an entire flight, cash and miles gives that balance another potential use. Those miles could instead knock down the cash price of an eligible ticket.

    Whether that’s worth doing is a question for a little bit later on.

    American already made clear that the value of those miles can change from one booking to another. Until the feature goes live, we don’t know whether using 10,000 miles might save $100, $150, or something else entirely, for better or worse.

    But once cash and miles starts appearing on aa.com and in the American app, we’ll check some actual flights and see what American is offering.

  • United and American Are Using Starlink to Try to Win Over Delta Elites

    United and American Are Using Starlink to Try to Win Over Delta Elites

    Airline status matches aren’t anything new. But using better onboard Wi-Fi as the reason to uproot and switch loyalty programs is.

    United Airlines launched a limited-time status match aimed specifically at Delta and American elites, and there’s really no ambiguity about how it’s pushing the offer.

    On the landing page, big, bold font reads, “Don’t keep buffering: switch to United and get the fastest Wi-Fi in the sky.”

    But United isn’t the only airline making a play for Delta elites right now.

    American is also promoting a status match that includes Delta members, along with elites from United, JetBlue, and Southwest. And while American doesn’t have Starlink onboard yet, nor does its status match really emphasize Starlink at all, it’s taking the moment to try to woo travelers anyway.

    The timing isn’t the least bit random.

    Delta is taking a different approach to its next generation of onboard Wi-Fi. The airline selected Amazon Leo, which won’t begin rolling out until 2028. That decision generated plenty of chatter on social media this week, and United and American are now trying to capitalize on the moment.

    More on This: Airline Status Matches Can Turn One Elite Status Into Another

    United Is Making Wi-Fi the Reason to Switch

    United isn’t disguising this as a routine status match.

    The offer is built around Starlink, which United is already rolling out across its fleet. Eligible Delta and American elites have through October 22 to apply and submit proof of their existing status.

    If approved, the corresponding United Premier status kicks in for 90 days.

    Keeping it through January 31, 2028, comes down to how much is spent on United or United Express flights during that period:

    • Premier Silver requires $1,500
    • Premier Gold requires $3,000
    • Premier Platinum requires $4,500
    • Premier 1K requires $7,000

    The status match itself isn’t particularly unusual. Airlines have used them for years to give another carrier’s best customers a relatively painless way to switch allegiances.

    And with this offer, United is betting that its onboard experience, and faster Wi-Fi specifically, might be enough to get some Delta and American elites to give it a try.

    American Wants Delta Elites, Too

    American’s pitch isn’t nearly as pointed.

    Its current status-match offer is open to eligible elites from Delta, United, JetBlue, and Southwest. Delta members can match all the way from Silver Medallion to AAdvantage Gold, up through Diamond Medallion to Executive Platinum.

    Approved members get four months of matched AAdvantage status through American’s Instant Status Pass. Keeping it requires hitting a Loyalty Point target every four months, with thresholds ranging from 13,000 Loyalty Points for Gold to 67,000 for Executive Platinum.

    There’s no formal deadline to apply.

    Unlike United, though, American isn’t selling its status match on Starlink. It can’t quite do that yet.

    Starlink installations aren’t scheduled to begin until the first quarter of 2027. But once they do, American plans to equip more than 500 Airbus narrowbody aircraft, including its A321neos and new A321XLRs. It’s not yet known if or when the airline plans to extend that coverage to its Boeing 737 and 787 fleets.

    So, for now, United is the only one of the two that can legitimately use Starlink as part of the pitch. But both airlines are courting Delta elites at the same time they’re making Starlink part of their onboard experience.

    Whether Wi-Fi is actually enough to convince someone to change airline loyalty programs is another question. United, at least, seems interested in finding out.

  • Marriott Transfers to Aeroplan Get a 15% Bonus This Month

    Marriott Transfers to Aeroplan Get a 15% Bonus This Month

    One of the lesser-known ways to use Marriott Bonvoy points is transferring them to dozens of airline partners.

    Yes, dozens.

    On a normal day, Marriott offers transfers to the majority of these partners at a 3:1 ratio. So, transfer 60,000 Marriott points to an airline partner and receive 20,000 miles or points. But for a limited time, one of those partners is getting a boost.

    Through October 31, Air Canada is advertising the “only chance this year” to snag a 15% bonus on Marriott Bonvoy point transfers to Aeroplan.

    60,000 Marriott Points Become 28,750 Aeroplan Points

    This month only, Marriott Bonvoy point transfers to Aeroplan are 15% more rewarding.

    Here’s how it works. Aeroplan will add 15% more points to an account after a transfer from Marriott Bonvoy. And there’s already a 5,000-point bonus for every 60,000 Marriott points transferred.

    In other words, transferring 60,000 Marriott points to Aeroplan at the standard 3:1 ratio nets 20,000 Aeroplan points. The 5,000-point bonus brings that total to 25,000, and then the 15% transfer bonus gets tacked on top.

    So, transfer 60,000 Marriott points to Aeroplan during October and the final total is 28,750 Aeroplan points.

    Program members can transfer up to 240,000 Marriott points per day, and the bonus points may take between eight and 10 weeks to land in an account.

    To transfer, click here and log in to your Marriott Bonvoy account.

    Generally speaking, the 3:1 transfer ratio should at least give some pause before automatically transferring Marriott points, especially without a specific use in mind. But even without a transfer bonus on the table, these Marriott conversions offer a backdoor way to earn more airline miles.

    It just so happens that transferring to one particular partner is a little more rewarding this month.

  • Atmos Rewards Communities: 6 Benefits Worth Knowing About

    Atmos Rewards Communities: 6 Benefits Worth Knowing About

    More than a year after teasing the launch of a string of Atmos Rewards Communities, Alaska Airlines has made good on its promise.

    Atmos Rewards Communities are personalized groups that offer program members extra perks and benefits on travel. And some of these benefits are designed to make the program a lot more engaging.

    Six different communities are live as of October 1, each with its own benefits.

    6 Unique Communities With Different Benefits

    These Atmos Rewards Communities offer program members (Atmos Rewards is free to join) benefits tied to the way they travel.

    • Huaka’i by Hawaiian: Free bags, Neighbor Island discounts, and 50% more points on inter-Island travel starting January 1, 2027. Only for Hawaii residents.
    • Club 49: Free bags to, from, and within Alaska, plus intra-state deals and cargo discounts. Only for Alaska residents.
    • Global Locals: Earn 10% more status points on flights that begin and/or end outside the United States.
    • Culinary Journeys: Earn up to 10,000 points on travel to culinary destinations, plus 20% off food and wine experiences with Atmos Rewards Unlocked.
    • Active Escapes: Earn up to 10,000 points at outdoor-oriented destinations, plus 20% off outdoor experiences with Atmos Rewards Unlocked and special partner offers.
    • Families On the Go: Get 20% of points back on award travel for kids 12 and under. Plus, earn up to 10,000 points at top family destinations.

    Elite status with Atmos Rewards isn’t a prerequisite for joining a community. And neither is there a cash outlay for joining.

    Joining is free and can be done by logging into an Atmos Rewards account, clicking on the community that sounds most interesting, and clicking the “Join” button.

    And the nice part is that members can change communities every year to take part in the benefits that most align with how they travel.

    6 Atmos Rewards Community Benefits Worth Knowing About

    Loyalty programs are becoming a lot more personalized to boost engagement. And there are benefits within each community that should pique the interest of all kinds of people.

    Six in particular are worth knowing about.

    In the Huaka’i by Hawaiian community, the benefit most worth knowing about is 50% more points on flights between the islands. This community is designed for commuters, and if flights between the islands are a regular occurrence, they’ll get more rewarding once this perk goes live on January 1.

    Club 49 is similar to the one above. Alaska residents can join for savings on both luggage and freight. So if packing light isn’t an option, members can take advantage of two free bags when traveling to or from Alaska, or three free bags when flying entirely within Alaska on Alaska Airlines.

    Things get more broadly appealing with the Global Locals community. Members can expedite their way to status with 10% more status points on flights that begin or end outside the U.S.

    Portland, Oregon, USA - December 13, 2015: An Alaska Airlines 737 landing at Portland with a colorful sunset as a backdrop.
    DAVEALAN / ISTOCK

    Culinary Journeys is more useful for those who like to eat, or just happen to travel to traditionally foodie-oriented destinations. Community members can earn up to 10,000 bonus points and status points after flying to 10 acclaimed dining destinations, including Tokyo, New York, Chicago, London, and more. Destinations are set to rotate again in 2028.

    Active Escapes offers something similar. Community members can earn up to 10,000 bonus points and status points after visiting 10 gateway cities to U.S. national parks. Destinations for this year and next include Bozeman, Jackson Hole, Kona, and more, and will rotate again in 2028.

    Atmos Rewards’ Families On the Go community is perhaps the most benefit-rich. The crown jewel perk is 20% of points back on kids’ award flights. If you redeem Atmos Rewards points for a child 12 or under on a flight operated by Alaska, Hawaiian, or one of their redemption partners, 20% of those points will be returned once you fly.