Alaska and Hawaiian formally rolled out their new mixed loyalty program yesterday referred to as Atmos Rewards. Briefly, this system largely stays just like what Alaska Mileage Plan had earlier than. I’m not right here to provide you a abstract — you’ll find that wherever. As a substitute, I wish to discuss one change specifically: the flexibility to decide on the way you earn miles. I don’t like it.
Oh certain, the general critiques of this system have been glowing thus far. Simply check out a number of the factors and miles bloggers on the market. One Mile at a Time calls it “modern” and says it has “some cool modifications.” View from the Wing says the “new program really seems to be headed in the fitting course.” The Factors Man begins its article with “It’s not usually that loyalty applications are totally reborn, and it’s ever rarer for a lot of the modifications to look principally optimistic with out a lot in the way in which of a devaluation.” I may go on, however I gained’t.
Sure, the overall concept that redemptions aren’t devalued is sweet… although it will possibly change anytime. Additionally, folks appear thrilled with the brand new fancy-pants premium bank card and the advantages concerned. I get that. Oh and sure, there’s the complimentary day-of-departure upgrades on long-haul flights for high tier standing members. That may by no means be me, so I don’t care.
As you all know, I’ve been on my first ever journey towards incomes elite standing this 12 months, and after doing means an excessive amount of math, I settled on Alaska. As if it wasn’t difficult sufficient earlier than, Alaska has now determined to make it even more durable by requiring vacationers to choose how they wish to earn their factors. The one factor I crave in an elite program greater than something is simplicity. Make my life simpler and make this system easier to grasp. Alaska has executed the alternative right here below the guise of “selection.”
In the present day while you earn miles in Alaska’s program, there are three parts to it. To make this simpler, I’ll use the brand new Atmos nomenclature once I discuss this, factors means redeemable miles and standing factors means elite qualifying miles. And to be clear, each factors and standing factors earn the identical when on Alaska. You earn based mostly on distance flown, however there’s a 500-mile minimal for all flights plus there’s a bonus for bookings in increased lessons of service. Right here’s the way it breaks down.
Fundamental/Saver: earn 30% of miles flown
Discounted Economic system (M class or decrease): earn 100% of miles flown
Extra Costly Economic system (H or Okay class): earn 125% of miles flown
Most Costly Economic system (Y or B class) or Discounted First (D or I class): earn 150% of miles flown
Extra Costly First (C class): earn 175% of miles flown
Most Costly First (J class): earn 200% of miles flown
The reserving bonuses can get much more profitable with companion bookings made through Alaska Airways the place, for instance, in worldwide First Class you earn 350% of miles flown. That’s lots.
The purpose of this method is it offers you advantages regardless of the way you journey. When you solely fly interisland, you’ll nonetheless get these 500 miles for each flight which boosts you up from the precise mileage. (For these taking part in at dwelling, the Honolulu – Kahului flight is a mere 100 miles in actuality.) When you fly lengthy distances on low cost fares, you continue to get your distance-earning which has been a pleasant function of this system. However when you purchase actually costly fares, you get the multiplier which makes it much more profitable.
Now, these three parts have all been separated. Your decisions are:
Distance: Earn 1 level/standing level for each mile flown – class of service bonuses and minimal section incomes are gone, although companion airways not booked through Alaska will nonetheless use the outdated incomes construction since they don’t have income information
Income: Earn 5 factors/standing factors for each greenback spent – once more, companion airways not booked through Alaska nonetheless use the outdated incomes construction
Section: Earn 500 factors/standing factors per section flown
No, you don’t select earlier than every flight. As a substitute, you get to sweat out making a choice yearly, or you are able to do nothing. If you choose nothing when this goes into impact on the finish of 2026, then you’ll robotically go on the income plan. Then you’ll be able to make a change as soon as each three hundred and sixty five days. While you make the change, it should solely apply going ahead. So let’s say you’re attempting to qualify for standing in calendar 12 months 2027 and also you began on the income plan. Midway by, you understand you’ve made a grave mistake and wish to do distance. You’ll be able to swap, however the whole lot you’ve flown within the first half of the 12 months stays as income. All the things going ahead is distance-based. No strain.
Ultimately, there are two methods to take a look at this. One is you simply don’t listen, go together with income, after which hope it really works. Two is you agonize over the fitting choice and hope you guess proper. Both means, it is going to be all too straightforward to look backwards and have regrets.
I had lunch with pal this week who’s a 1K and million miler on United. She couldn’t assist however snigger at simply how dangerous I used to be at this entire elite standing factor. She’s not incorrect. A part of it’s that I simply don’t wish to care sufficient. I solely did it this 12 months as a enjoyable subject to put in writing about. However the situation for me has at all times been that these items is just too difficult and the rewards aren’t value sufficient for me to hassle. I’m certain I’d really feel otherwise if I flew 100,000 miles a 12 months, however I don’t, and life as a lowly silver-level elite isn’t value a lot when you may simply get a bank card for some advantages and pay for the remainder. I additionally dwell in a spot the place many airways have sturdy service, so it makes even much less sense to tie your self to at least one. I do know I’m not alone on this.
Atmos simply makes issues extra difficult. I hate having the ability of selection right here, as a result of there isn’t any clear right reply while you make the choice. There may be an excessive amount of room for remorse.
I understand that these with high tier standing (which is able to now take 135,000 miles as an alternative of 100,000 to achieve) are thrilled concerning the international upgrades. Those that care about taking part in the bank card recreation like this new premium card, and heck, I’d get one ultimately too. And others are simply thrilled with the truth that the redemption aspect has not modified on this revamp. Different airways have apparently set the bar for fulfillment exceedingly low.
Alaska was caught in between a rock and a tough place. Income-based incomes has grow to be the usual, however there are a lot of who’ve lavished reward on the airline for sticking with distance-based. And people vital vacationers in Hawaiʻi that commonly fly interisland? They want a segment-based possibility. The issue is that every one of these issues existed within the earlier construction and also you didn’t have to decide on. Now, it’s only one extra piece of complexity on high of the whole lot else.
