Airline elite status It’s something most frequent travelers covet. Whether due to insufficient flying experience or an inability to meet strict requirements, elite status may not be attainable for everyone. However, even if you don’t fly frequently, it’s still possible to earn elite status and take advantage of the benefits and advantages that come with it.
For example, Alaska Airlines offers one of the easiest paths to elite status and doesn’t require much flying. If you hold the Atmos™ Rewards Summit Visa Infinite® Credit CardYou can enjoy Atmos Rewards elite status without ever setting foot on a plane.
Here’s how you can achieve status with just one co-branded credit card in your wallet.
Atmos Rewards Summit Card Overview
He Atmos Rewards Summit is the newest and premium card offering from Alaska and Hawaiian Airlines. It offers advantages such as:
Additionally, there are many other benefits that can benefit both frequent and infrequent Alaska and Hawaiian Airlines travelers. The benefits alone are reason enough to consider adding the card to your wallet, but one notable reason is the ability to earn elite status without having to fly.
Related: Who is eligible for the Atmos Rewards Summit Visa Infinite Credit Card?
Why you should want Atmos Rewards elite status
Atmos Rewards is the recently released Alaska and Hawaiian Airlines joint loyalty program. The program’s elite status benefits are on par with those offered by most airlines, such as priority boarding and complimentary upgrades when available on select routes. However, the notable difference between Atmos Rewards and other airline loyalty programs is that you will be able to choose as You gain elite status in 2026.
You can choose between one of the following models:
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- Distance-based: Earn 1 status point for every mile flown
- Spend-based: Earn 5 status points for every dollar spent on flight purchases
- Segment-based: Earn 500 status points for each award segment flown
This flexibility is especially helpful for travelers who may not fly long distances or take enough Alaska Airlines flights to earn status through traditional means. That’s where the Atmos Rewards Summit can help boost your pursuit of elite status by earning 1 status point for every $2 spent on the card.
There are four status levels: Silver, Gold, Platinum and Titanium.
With any level of Atmos Rewards elite status, you enjoy benefits like earning bonus points, priority service, and complimentary first class upgrades when you fly in Alaska, Hawaii, or american airlinesComplimentary premium class upgrades on Alaska, additional comfort upgrades on Hawaiian and additional main cabin upgrades on American Airlines, access to complimentary preferred seating on Alaska, Hawaiian, American and Oneworld partners and Oneworld equivalent status.
Elite Silver status is the basic level and the most attainable. It corresponds to Oneworld Ruby, which provides minimal benefits such as access to business class check-in lines, preferred or pre-reserved seats, and priority waitlist.
However, Gold is the sweet spot of the elite level. At that level, you’ll unlock Oneworld Sapphire status, which allows you to enter Oneworld lounges when traveling internationally on a Oneworld airline, regardless of the cabin class you’re flying in.
If you plan to spend a lot on your Atmos card, you can potentially get Platinum or Titanium status (both correspond to Oneworld Emerald status). Additionally, starting in 2026, Titanium status members will receive global Business Class upgrades when available.
Elite status holders will also receive some reciprocal benefits when flying on American Airlines, such as extra legroom seats (subject to availability) and complimentary upgrades.
Related: Which credit card should I use for Alaska Airlines flights?
Earn Atmos Rewards status with the Atmos Summit card
Below is a breakdown of Atmos Rewards status levels and the spending requirements to earn status on your Summit card. Plus cardholders receive 10,000 status points each account anniversary. This gives you half the way to silver status. Since cardholders earn 1 status point for every $2 spent on purchases (no limit), here’s a breakdown of what you’d need to spend on the card to reach each status level.
| Status level | Atmos Elite Status Points Thresholds | Required spending on the Summit card |
|---|---|---|
| Silver Status (equivalent to Oneworld Ruby) | 20,000 | $20,000 (earn 10,000 status points) |
| Gold status (equivalent to Oneworld Sapphire) | 40,000 | $60,000 (earn 30,000 status points) |
| Platinum (equivalent to Oneworld Emerald) | 75,000 | $130,000 (earn 65,000 status points) |
| Titanium (equivalent to Oneworld Emerald) | 100,000 | $180,000 (earn 90,000 status points) |
Since achieving Platinum or Titanium elite status would require spending over $100,000, I would only recommend earning Silver or Gold status through this spend-based method. For most people, achieving Platinum or Titanium through card spending is not realistic; You would be better off gaining the status organically by flying with Alaska and its partners. This method is best for those with high expenses who would not otherwise fly enough to qualify.
Related: Last-Minute Strategies to Earn Alaska Airlines Atmos Rewards Elite Status
In a nutshell
If you can’t earn Atmos Rewards elite status organically, the Atmos Rewards Summit card can help you accelerate your path to that level through spending. And even if you’re not looking for status but like flying with Alaska Airlines, this could be a valuable addition to your wallet due to benefits like eight annual lounge passes and the ability to earn 3 points for every dollar spent on foreign transactions.
For more information, read our full Atmos Summit card review.
Apply here: Infinite Atmos Rewards Summit Visa Credit Card
